It’s a colossal stone fireplace measuring 21 feet at the hearth, with an 18-foot mantel. You can’t miss it. Each massive riverbed boulder has been hefted in place and mortared securely. It’s Old World stone-masonry at its finest, except…it’s not. The dramatic fireplace display in a Michigan builder’s residence is […]
Vertical & Carved Concrete
Concrete isn’t just for smooth, horizontal applications anymore. More and more consumers are interested in vertical concrete applications that typically involve specially made mixes carved and colored to resemble natural stone and concrete blocks.
Mass Customization Through Digital Fabrication
Imagine being hired for a new job, then having for your first assignment a project outside your area of expertise. That being digital fabrication. Oh, and by the way, it will display the new employer’s capabilities and be installed at the building’s front door. That’s the challenge faced by Evan […]
Wood Wins in Concrete Designs
Concrete and real wood don’t usually mix well when used together in a design because of wood’s inherent shrinking characteristics. However, wood-look concrete designs can be a winning combination in a variety of ways. Park perks Contractor and regular Concrete Decor contributor Karen Keyes recently wrote about how more and […]
On the Up and Up:
Decorative Concrete Finishes
Aren’t Just for Horizontal Slabs
What comes to mind if I asked you to define decorative concrete? Pretty patterns, color, texture, vibrant designs? The medium of decorative concrete is vast and exciting, which is why so many of us are drawn to it. But when we think about it, most of us usually think of […]
Polished Concrete Tops Off Coffee Table
When Cody Carpenter invited Warren Ness as the vertical concrete carving instructor for Carpenter’s Plan B Studio training program last fall in Tacoma, Washington, Ness detailed plans to make a coffee table. It would resemble a large boulder with pops of color, dendritic plant embellishments and a flat top. The […]
Additional “Tools” for the Concrete Faux Rock Trade
In general, if you work with concrete now, you likely have the tools you’ll need to create synthetic rocks, but here are a few items that might make the job a little easier. Start with some proper training, especially if creating synthetic rock is new for you, or you’re moving […]
Ideas for That Great, Beautiful Wall Go Way Over the Top
Reports say several hundred companies were expected to submit initial proposals for various portions of the proposed border wall. Ruling over this pageant is the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.
Vertical Concrete Artistry, Part 1: 3-D Miniature Models
Welcome to the exciting world of vertical concrete artistry! In this series, we’ll explore in great detail the process of completing a real-world project from start to finish.
20-foot Carved Concrete Fireplace Stands Out in Parade of Homes
When Troy Lemon the concrete sculptor met up with Troy Wolfiss the home builder, a fireplace of great proportions ensued. Wolfiss, owner of Artisan Craft Homes, busily designed his new home which would be part of the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids’ Spring Parade of Homes.
Decorative Concrete Techniques: Faux Rock Tricks-of-the-Trade
A comprehensive list of important aspects of the faux rock trade. From tool choice to customer expectations, here are some tried and true tips, tricks and techniques to take your faux rock skill to the next level