@Helen427 thanks - and oh yes, I have shared with a few guests already, they cracked up of course with the honest story.
I used a product by Valspar....had to purchase many parts, etching/acid stain, color (not 100% but pretty sure it was called Caramel or Coffee) they stopped offering this product now it seems. I had to find an interior/exterior acid/stain/sealer in a small quantity as my bathroom is 80 sq ft/ 7.4m and so I didn't need or want a huge outdoor amount. Plus, I needed etch/acid wash to first remove any debris. After which massive amounts of water to clean up but not eat up trim/etc. after the actual colored stain, and several coats/ with almost always wetting floors in between when applying any product and then drying times - finally, a sealer in a couple layers also had to be sprayed on....in a particular motion, and rate/speed. It is the most labor intensive job I've done, as room for error is so very small. And certainly a one person job in this size space. It is by no means perfect but I tend to go for the rustic/older look and that helps, I think it gives an edge where perfect is not the goal. I wanted it a bit more rust color but the fact that sunlight and indoor light changes colors in every section depending on the time of day or night, I'm pleased. Most importantly my guests like it and have even asked about it, I want nothing hidden.....I write to my guests and tell them, what you see in the pictures is truly what you will get. Honesty is the best policy as my granddad always said.
Would I do it again? For sure but the next time I'd be much more informed and do the job when the concrete was fresh/new (my only regret) I got pressured when we were converting the funky garage/into my therapy building to put tiles down as that's a quicker option.
I'm pleased though and find staining real cool....I get to try out all kinds of design, colors, fix old stuff, bring in different as part of changes in the cottage and that is extra fun for me. Guess when it stops being fun I'll hang it up. Thanks for asking Helen. Cheers! Clara