Hi, Denze! We just published an article yesterday with many tips on rug selection and placement, including how much room you should leave between it and the wall (spoiler: 12 inches) - http://ourblog.atgstores.com/?p=9278 ... We hope you enjoy the rest of the tips and wish you luck on your decorating!

Do they have to be paint buckets? I would think they would not be good for gardening? Maybe others will know more about that. But in the U.S. you can get 5 gallon buckets from some local businesses like bakeries, food store chains, places like those that regularly use items they get in the buckets. For instance a bakery usually gets stuff in 5 gallon buckets and often has to throw them into a dumpster as they can only save so many. Some businesses now sell them for a small fee, maybe 1 dollar U.S. each and some just give them away. I think the cost of shipping them to India would be more than the cost of buying them. You could try setting up a fund on Kiva.org and possibly get enough donations to purchase food grade buckets instead of using ones from paint. Good luck with this project and please update us as to your progress.

You should contact a staircase contractor to provide info and pricing for this cantilever stair design. http://www.caliperstudio.com/fabrication/project-types/stairs/stone-cantilever-stair

Hi there - I think if you are able to post any photographs at all with your question, you will have loads more helpful suggestions. People around here are just so visual! 🌈👍