The Members’ Circle of Distinction Challenge received 80 entries, with a total of seven category winners. At the reception, Concrete Exchange members from all over North America enjoyed socializing with Fu-Tung Cheng and other concrete artisans as well as a slideshow presentation showcasing the winning projects.
“The amount of people that attended the Design Awards reception really showed a phenomenal interest in concrete countertops,” said Luc Lafrance, a Concrete Exchange member. “Concrete Exchange’s booth was buzzing with people.”
The design contest’s submissions were evaluated on exceptional design, technical skill, and overall appeal of the countertop surface.
For more information, visit the Concrete Exchange Web site or call Jeff Osteen at (510) 849-3272, ext. 217.
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Best of Show Karen Smith, Countercast Designs, Surrey, British Columbia |
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Best Decorative Finishes Andrew Simon & Jaimie McGuire, Lokahi Stone, Honolulu, Hawaii |
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Best Bath Countertop Josh Feigin, Seattle, Washington |
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Best Integral Sink Mike Moncrieff, Monart, Lynden, Washington |
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Best Functional Feature Mike Moncrieff, Monart, Lynden, Washington |
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Best Kitchen Countertop Dale Blayone, Concrete Cuisine, Hamilton, Ontario |
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Best 3-Dimensional Application Steven Pollock, Woodstone Design, Vancouver, Canada |
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Honorable Mention Pat Bigelow, Hollow Rock Designs, Two Harbors, Minnesota |
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Honorable Mention Brian Brown, Soul Focus Stone, Mendocino, California |
Concrete at Home
Fu-Tung Cheng’s eagerly awaited second book, Concrete at Home, is now available. A follow-up to the best-selling Concrete Countertops, published in 2002, the new book has an expanded scope that includes concrete floors, walls, mantelpieces, fireplace surrounds, water features and more.
Cheng, as always, combines his respect for antiquity with striking modern designs to create homes that are simple yet elegant. Always at the cutting edge of decorative concrete, he never fails to find new ways to use this age-old material. “My vision,” he says, “is a throwback to the era of the guild, the artisan and the craftsman — integrated with the tools of the 21st century.”
Featuring 350 color photographs, Concrete at Home begins with basic information about concrete, including an overview of pouring a slab, what makes a good mix, etc. Subsequent sections are devoted to floors, countertops, walls, fireplace surrounds and other features. Writing in an engaging, almost conversational style, Cheng takes readers behind the scenes on 22 projects, offering both practical information and inspiration.
While Concrete at Home contains a lot of basic information that seems to be aimed at readers with relatively little knowledge of concrete, it also offers plenty of detailed advice and great illustrations. Also of interest to our readers will be invaluable tips Cheng has discovered, such as how to fix stains on concrete countertops and even a suggestion to avoid putting a concrete sink in the kitchen.
Concrete at Home will inspire you, and you might want to show it to your customers to inspire them as well.
