Concrete counter tops, recognized first by architects and designers for their aesthetic capacity and project flexibility, are fast becoming the answer to homeowners’ demands for a reasonably affordable counter top alternative that doesn’t require a top-level of know-how to install. In addition, they provide house owners an amazing chance to literally try their hands at being innovative. Step-by-step books, videos and hands-on training are now readily available for property owners to confidently take part in such diy (Do It Yourself) projects as building concrete counter-tops.
Married couple Chris and Ali were thrilled to take on a Do It Yourself job after acquiring their San Francisco flat. A logistical property developer/construction manager and an educational expert, Chris and Ali are also architecture and home design lovers. With a fondness for getting their hands filthy, building and installing their own concrete counter-top seemed a natural option for them.
Chris happens to be no stranger to concrete: “My interest goes back a number of years when I was constructing dining establishments and retail spaces. I installed concrete counter-tops and worked with concrete artisans doing essential color and stained concrete floorings.”
In April of 2003, Chris and Ali purchased a two-flat building in space-challenged San Francisco. Recently, they offered the lower flat as a tenant-in-common system and now inhabit the upper flat, which uses roughly 950 sq. ft. of living area. Prior to they considered developing their own cooking area concrete counter-top, they worked with a specialist for an extensive remodel of the home. The result is an open, loft-like living space where the kitchen area and living zones flow together.
” We both enjoy the procedure of designing and producing our own home to fit how we live. This applies to the area we inhabit as well as the details within it,” states Ali. “We both like the idea of dealing with our hands, utilizing materials that are natural, available […] and versatile.” Chris included, “Concrete counters are beautiful, cool, earthy, strong, and you simply desire to touch them. The counters were a best way for us to produce something beautiful out of our own ideas and tough work, and the individuality of completion item is a representation of our unique concepts.”
Their kitchen area, 10 feet wide by 15 feet long (150 sq. ft.), didn’t use much room for Chris and Ali to work– however that didn’t stop the big plans they had for their narrow kitchen area. They wanted to have a logical cooking zone with a work triangle, a lot of counter space and still have adequate space to accommodate a dining location.
Like the majority of city San Francisco homes, area is generally a problem. To fix this, a straight run of upper and lower cabinets and a concrete counter-top with a dishwasher, sink, oven and stove were placed along one wall of the kitchen area. A built-in banquette and table are situated opposite the concrete counter-top work area. A nearby wall hosts a fridge and tall cabinets.
Chris and Ali concur that the most intriguing addition to the kitchen is the concrete counter top. The couple’s educational guide and source for design inspiration was acclaimed designer Fu-Tung Cheng’s Concrete Counter-tops: Design, Forms, and Completes for the New Cooking Area and Bath (Taunton, 2002), a nationwide bestseller in the renovation and design category.
The ended up counter-top is a visually stunning work surface area with rich, intricate colors: reddish-brown with flecks of semi-precious Leopardskin (yellow and black) aggregates. “This specific color combination combined completely with the color style we had for the cabinets, tile back-splash, flooring and wall finishes,” says Ali.
Understated style details of the 12-foot long, 3-inch thick concrete counter top consist of rounded edges at the counter top front and the sink openings along with a decorative metal strip under the leading edge of the counter top to hide the plywood sub-top.
Chris and Ali took unique note that in spite of the tight working space of their basement, their collective work ran smoothly from pour to finish. “Like the rest of our renovating job, building the concrete counter top brought us closer together,” says Chris. “We work really well together. It starts from the reality that we interact effectively and our style concepts complement each other.”
With the completion of the project and the creative work done, Chris and Ali admit that their most significant obstacle was building the concrete types. “Particularly for the sink cut-out, which has radius corners and 2 various size basins,” says Chris.
Despite a couple of minor knowing curves, Chris keeps that there is a frustrating sense of achievement upon completing their concrete counter-top. “The very best part is seeing and feeling the ended up product and knowing we did it!” It’s been stated that if a couple can make it through a home remodel– particularly a Do It Yourself job– together, they can endure anything.
From the appearances of a task well done on their first concrete counter top, these delighted do-it-yourselves remain in it for the long run. Chris states of future tasks, “We plan to develop a concrete fireplace surround and perhaps a hearth to choose it!”