An Optional Finishing Touch
Before the concrete became firm, he carefully opened small sections at the top of several bags. He did not remove all the plastic. Instead, he exposed only enough wet concrete to press in a few decorative stones. Some were smooth and pale, while others had been designed to glow faintly after dark.
He used the decorations sparingly. Placing too many on the surface would have made the result look cluttered and could have created uncomfortable raised areas. The small stones were pressed securely into the concrete, mainly near the edges. During the day, they added gentle color. At night, the glowing pieces would provide subtle points of light.
You could personalize this stage with river stones, outdoor mosaic pieces, or small objects that have sentimental value. However, anything placed in concrete should be durable, weather-resistant, and free from sharp edges. The surface should remain comfortable and safe, particularly if you are creating something that will be used frequently. Once the decorations were in place, there was nothing more to do but wait. The sealed bags remained exactly where he had arranged them while the concrete slowly hardened inside.