stair issues

So we had never quite figured out how we were going to finish the stairs before we built them. Exposed aggregate? Tile? Acid etch and stain? 

In the end we chose to do an exposed aggregate tread. But the problem is that this decision is normally made as the stairs are being poured, so that the aggregate is a feature of the solid concrete. We're now having to use a smaller pebble and do it as a coating. this isn't a problem at the rear of the building- we didn't pour a bullnose on the step at the time, so that becomes part of the aggregate application.

exposed aggregate finish applied to the tread of the rear step. The bullnose is poured as part of this application.

Full rear stair with the tread application.

The stairwell at the front is a different story. Because we already poured the bullnose, we can't apply the aggregate without it being thin and brittle right at the spot that gets the most potential wear. How will we solve that problem? Stay tuned.