Concrete Countertops – Art For Your Counter

by Tim Layton

in Design,Kitchens,Trends


concrete counter with real shells


You don’t often see the words “medium” and “countertop” used together. But you can, and should! Counters, just like any and all of the other elements of your home, have the potential to be a work of art!

Sometimes, the art is in the material itself and the artist is God Himself! This is true with granite, onyx, and beautiful woodgrains! At other times, the art is a creation of the skilled hand of an artistic soul.

concrete counters with leaf sinks

These photos are of concrete countertops! Aren’t they amazing? The top one is a photo I took myself today of a sample I have from Downing Designs, an amazing concrete and glass studio in Tampa, FL.

I visited the studio a few months ago and I was amazed! I’ve had images of wonderful concrete creations dancing around in my mind ever since and the sample I left there with has not been buried in the sample graveyard!

While the top photo shows a real shell set in a beautiful, beach sand color, concrete mix along with colorful bits of glass and smaller shells, the bottom photo is the one I can’t get out of my head! I’ve seen this in person and it’s just really awesome!

Downing used real leaves (I’m not supposed to know what kind) to create these custom formed sinks which are truly incredible! It’s hard to see, but there is a tiny hole in the bottom where the water runs into the drain!

Availability: Good Most major cities have custom shops and concrete counters (maybe not like above) is something you can learn to do yourself  The materials themselves are readily available everywhere.

Lead Time: Normal This will vary greatly depending on the shop. Since this can be art, some shops (artists) are very far backlogged. I would say that on average, the lead time will be about six weeks.

Cost Range: Medium Again, this will vary dramatically depending on the company or individual. Generally speaking, concrete counters have similar costs to granite. For the DIY’er, the cost can be extremely low… if all goes well.

One more thing for the wish list! 

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Article by Tim Layton

Tim Layton, aka Remodeling Guy, worked his first full week on a construction site at age 11. Learning the ropes from his grandfather, he became a licensed contractor in Florida at age 19, which remained his profession for twenty years.

Tim got involved in blogging in 2009 and now focuses much of his energy on encouraging and inspiring people to dream big remodeling dreams here at RemodelingGuy.net, and as a writer for various publications in both online and traditional media.

Tim also helps his wife, Kim, with an inspiring and growing online community at her site, EverythingEtsy.com.

Tim and Kim split their time between their hometown of Tampa, Florida and the historic harborside town of Punta Gorda, FL. They have been married for 21 years and have two awesome sons.

Follow Tim on Twitter: @RemodelingGuy

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

1 Pam December 2, 2009 at 9:19 am

I have been enamored with concrete counter tops for a while now. They can be simple or ornate and seem like they would be very durable. I just wonder how many dishes I would end up breaking of them! LOL!

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