Although often said, it always surprises me when contractors say they can’t find good laborers — people who want to work. Or, put another way, people who want to learn a trade, especially one like decorative concrete. I find every aspect of this trade fascinating. On any given construction project, […]
Magazine
Which is best?
Give thanks:
This year is almost over!
Dear Decorative Concrete Enthusiasts, Please allow me to share a little Thanksgiving perspective: Thank goodness for Thanksgiving! That’s a bit of an overstatement, wouldn’t you say? I mean, WOW! What more could 2020 have up its sleeve? I’m just thankful the year is almost over. Riots, the media, a pandemic, […]
Open for Business
Concrete Decor now has a store
Concrete Decor has made some great improvements this year that I’d like to share with you. In May we launched the new website, ConcreteDecor.net. The change included some big improvements. Among them is improved organization of our content so you can more quickly find what you’re looking for. Concrete Decor […]
The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla – A Lithomosaic Installation
The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla in La Jolla, California, is a breathtaking LithoMosaic installation that’s leaving visitors in awe of its wonder. Installed by Brailsford Public Art, it has been created using thousands of tiny tiles. It’s the newest arrival to La Jolla Shores Park. The […]
Hard Work is One of My Guilty Pleasures
This is what the yard looked like before the new concrete was placed. Photos courtesy of Bent Mikkelsen. I will have spent the better part of three months this summer helping some friends with a backyard project at their home. When asked to stop by and offer my “concrete” advice […]
Quarantine, Cabin Fever and COVID-19
As I write this article, I’m on day 11 of a 15-day self-quarantine. On a recent ski trip, I was in close contact with people that had come from a known virus hot spot. In an abundance of caution, my family and I went into a self-imposed lockdown. In a […]
Publisher’s Letter – April 2020
Recently my youngest son, Kannen, and I were driving by Cabela’s and I said, “Wow! That parking lot is empty!” His response: “I wish I was back at school. This situation sucks. I just want things to be normal again.” That conversation led me to think about how this pandemic […]
The Strength of the
Decorative Concrete Community
At the World of Concrete, Concrete Decor kicked off the New Year by hosting the fourth annual Decorative Concrete LIVE! It was our most successful not just because of what we accomplished, but what happened in the space — community! Artisans and company reps were all working together! It reminded me of […]
Turning Trade Skills into Your Livelihood
After 10 years in the trades, I decided to take my business education and trade skills in a new direction. I started a trade magazine called PaintPRO. For nearly eight years, that magazine catered to the needs of a nationwide community of painting and decorating contractors. And while big box […]
Getting a College Degree without Going into Debt
Getting a college degree was a difficult process for me. While academics weren’t my strongest suit, I knew there were answers to making a good living hiding in those textbooks. There were also some answers behind what the professor was preaching to me from a podium in the classroom. Mom […]