Curve Appeal Don Welsh owner of eleven39.com and everydaySolutions contracting in Leucadia CA designed and created the Webster Chair, a unity of concrete, steel and teak. The design is an adult version of his wooden chair he made for his nephew. The “Webster Chair” is available in either CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula mix or CHENG D-FRC. The curved concrete combined with …
Sullivan Outdoor Kitchen
New Kind of “Charcoal” for Green Egg Smoker Bruce Sullivan founded Sullivan Custom Stoneworks in 1999 and has since crafted hundreds of works of art in stone to enhance the beauty and functionality of Maine homes and landscapes.The clients of this outdoor kitchen project, located amidst the majestic backdrop of lush forest, wanted a stone grill, smoker, and a burner …
Drake Concrete and Steel Bench
A Perfect Balance of Materials Project Location: Solana Beach, CA Project Turnaround: 2 weeks Made with: CHENG Outdoor Pro-Formula + Recycled Steel Tubing Color: Platinum, 2.5 cu.ft. ($90) Project Dimensions: 4’4″L x 12″W x 20″H Kudos: Honorable Mention, Circle of Distinction Design Challenge Project by: Ron Haratyk + Brett Haydn Designs Ron Haratyk, a 40-year veteran of concrete and owner …
How to Use Concrete For Designing a Bathroom Shower
Bathrooms: Going Beyond Countertops and Into the Shower Q: What is the feasibility of casting a concrete shower pan? Is concrete too porous to be cast in a concrete shower; can it be sufficiently sealed and stabilized against cracking? We think it would look fantastic, but have come up empty-handed as to whether it would work. A: I do not recommend …
Chipped Edge and Torn Paper Concrete Effects
Custom Concrete Edge Treatments and Simulated Rock Details Q: How can I successfully integrate a “chipped” edge or “torn paper concrete” drainboard effect into the overall look of my concrete countertop? As with any “look” we wish to achieve with concrete counters — or any other medium, for that matter — it helps to understand why we like the look …
Designing and Building a Curved Shower Wall
Q: What are some suggestions for building a concrete wall in a shower and how can I achieve a smooth curved piece? Building a concrete bathroom shower can be a tremendously creative endeavor, especially when you have ample space at hand. However, as mentioned in my article Bathrooms: Going Beyond Countertops and Into the Shower, concrete has its limitations when …
How to Draft Curved Concrete Countertop Pieces
Curved Concrete Pieces: Drafting and Design Considerations Q: How do you smoothly draw out curves for islands, countertops, and curved walls? What are the main functional considerations when designing curved pieces? If you are referring to simply outlining the perimeter of a random curve-shaped countertop, you can do that in numerous ways: Rough out the shape you want by drafting …
Primary Considerations for an Island Countertop in the Kitchen Design
A kitchen island stands alone. It is a gathering spot. It commands attention, it is usually the functional and aesthetic center of a kitchen. An island countertop, by necessity, is the “star” of the kitchen and demands an understanding of what constitutes good design in the context of the whole environment. When approaching the design of an entire kitchen, for …
Good Concrete Countertop Design
The Work of Skilled Artisans is Rooted in the Art of Design More Than Just a Countertop I began teaching countertop-making in February of 2002, shortly after the launch of my first book, Concrete Countertops. What began as classes to gage the amount of interest on the narrow subject of concrete countertops has progressed and evolved into a movement toward …
Nature: A Concrete Contemplation
Calm Inspiration in Contemporary Times Whenever I travel to Europe and Asia, I see art and architecture crafted and merged into so many of the buildings and homes. There exists a sensibility in art, craftsmanship, and design that we associate with works of the past. There is so much detail to appreciate everywhere—and so much expression. In the art of …