Concrete makes its way to top- Bar counter top
Concrete makes its way to top
Polished countertops lend themselves to contemporary looks with traditional feel
October 04, 2007|By Nzong Xiong, McClatchy-Tribune Newspapers
Tony and Laurie Adamo of Fresno, Calif., needed a countertop for the bar in their game and bar room. But they didn't want just any kind of countertop.
Tony Adamo's instructions to his interior designer, Linda Zoerb of Fresno: "I told her to design it and stay away from my taste because I'm more conservative. I wanted something more fun."
Concrete
What she did was go with concrete. And after the concrete mixture was poured into a mold at the house and had hardened, Zoerb made a swirl design using gray and black pigment powder before it was sealed.
"She did a great job," said Adamo, 56 and owner of All American Sports Fan stores in Fresno, Clovis, Calif., and other locations. "I love it. We entertain a lot, and it gets a lot of use."
Concrete isn't just for floors. It also can be used for countertops. And if you want something custom, you can't beat concrete.
Custom countertops
The concept of using concrete for countertops has been becoming more popular, especially in the last five years, said Sergio Ilic, president of Heritage Bomanite in Fresno. His company has created concrete countertops since 1992. "At the time, it was one here and one there. ...Now, we do it on average about three a month."
Evan Lloyd, owner of Solid Solutions Studios in Fresno, agrees. When he started his business in Los Angeles 10 years ago, concrete countertops were very popular there.
Then he relocated to Fresno about four years ago. "We used to do one a month, and now we do three or four, which is about all we can handle," he said.
What has some people eyeing concrete for countertops is its versatility. "We can really customize your countertop," Lloyd said. "It's not just a rock that's cut to fit; it's custom-made for that home."
Concrete has its own unique appeal, said Zoerb, who owns Professional Design Consultants.
"I think more people would be more open to it if they could see it, touch it and feel it," she said. "It's a really neat surface. There are so many applications for concrete, but it's not the first application that comes to mind when it comes to countertops."
Concrete countertops tend to lend themselves to contemporary looks, she said. But, as Adamo's bar countertop demonstrates, they can have a slightly traditional feel, too. In this case, she accomplished the look by surrounding the countertop with traditional wood and copper cabinetry.
"It needed to be playful, classy and functional," she said.
Concrete countertops can come in solid colors or color blends. They can be acid-stained or dyed. They can have additional accents, such being inlaid with rocks, tile or shells. Recycled glass or rocks also can be mixed in with the concrete. Cutting-board space or metal bars for trivets can be included. They also can have muted, rustic-looking tops or glossy finishes.
Would love to have this in a family room.