Concrete makes stone dreams a reality
It’s easy to dream, to imagine what it would be like to have a cook’s kitchen or a spa bath. But turning those dreams into reality is the tough bit.
In my initial “dream” state, I have come across some spectacular designs and uses for decorative concrete. It has caught the attention of designers and homeowners in recent years.
At first seen as a basic substrate for commercial interiors and modern lofts, the versatility of the material has opened up its application to decorative styles across the board, from cool urban to traditional farmhouse and transitional plans.
All methods of applying colour and design work well with concrete; it can be stained, stamped, stenciled, etched and polished; it will take inlays and can be moulded to any shape.
On concretenetwork.com, I met Kristina and Steve Silberman, owners of Absolute Concrete Works. They worked on a stunning project that shows off their company’s vision — fusing art with function.
“The concrete starts in liquid form, so there is boundless opportunity for personalization,” says Steve.
In this kitchen, themed “a river runs through it,” the flowing design on the concrete surfaces literally runs around the kitchen, beginning at the island, along the kitchen counter and sink and on the either side of the range.
The colouration has been etched into the concrete, pulling from the homeowners palette, also reflected in the slate floor and kitchen cabinetry. Geodes have been embedded in the concrete. (You could embed stones or shells from your property.) The concrete is polished, sealed and finished with a coat of wax. Hardwearing, practical and beautiful, this is concrete recreated. Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Email questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. Follow Debbie on Twitter at twitter.com /debbie_ travis, and visit debbietravis.com. More Debbie Travis columns at thestar.com/ homes