Pnache Custom Design:Pouring Artistic Concrete into the Ohio Marketplace
Family-owned Pnache Custom Design, located in Ravenna, Ohio, is helmed by father Dana France and his sons Brandon and Brian. The company specializes in decorative concrete with products and services for both residential and commercial work, including concrete countertops and design elements, acid stained and dyed flooring, stamped and textured overlays, and sealers, finishes and coatings. France started out making concrete countertops as a hobby, and since his first installation of a concrete countertop more than a year ago, he has been immersing himself in the decorative concrete world, and in doing so, he has brought a new design element to Northeastern Ohio. After taking some classes with the likes of Fu-Tung Cheng, Pnache now has enough work that France is contemplating quitting his "real job" to pursue concrete full time. For now, he's happy to be running a 2,400-square-foot workshop, but France says his dream is to open a showroom / gallery with his artist brother-in-law—a place to show both art and decorative concrete. (Todd is currently offering his design talents to develop a few commercial concrete offerings.) Which makes sense, because as France notes, "It's people with an artistic side that drive this business." A lack of a showroom has done little to slow France down. Pnache is showing pieces in a high-end appliance store, where he says there has been a lot of interest and activity generated. "We like to put pieces out there so people can touch the concrete and feel it and see what it's like," he explains. He's also been creating 12-inch by 12-inch concrete countertop samples for potential clients. "We give it to them and tell them to take it home and beat it up," he says, "and they see how they like it and how durable it is. Concrete is a big investment, and we want our clients to be sure it's for them." In fact, Pnache is big on educating their clients and managing their expectations. After all, France adds, "The idea of selling concrete suggests misrepresenting it. People need to fall in love with it and embrace all that concrete is about, or they won't be happy with it." One thing Pnache steers clear of is surface sealers likes epoxies, urethanes and acrylics on their concrete countertops. "I don't put plastic on my countertops because then it's not concrete anymore," France observes. "We make our countertops as stain resistant as they can be and still be concrete and feel like concrete," he adds. Pnache tends toward using simple colors and edge treatments to create warmth and natural looks, because France laughs, "You can do anything with concrete, but a lot of what you can do doesn't necessarily look good." France says that Ohio is a bit behind, with consumers just now starting to take an interest in decorative concrete, most of which are still requesting the industrial look. "We're in a conservative market," he says. "People want it five years later at half the price." Pnache's pre-cast countertops and elements, such as fireplace surrounds, come in looks ranging from contemporary to traditional, can be produced in unique colors and shapes, with decorative aggregates, inlays and edge treatments. Customers looking for flooring from Pnache are offered acid stained and dyed flooring that can beautify existing concrete, resurface a worn floor or create striking new looks with stain, as well as restore or add texture prior to staining or dyeing. And Pnache's stamped and textured overlays can give a facelift to pitted or soiled sidewalks, patios and driveways, all while allowing for stamped, stenciled and textured looks in a multitude of colors, textures and stains. France's business philosophy is simple and pure, just like his countertops. "Decorative concrete is not just another way to make money," he explains. "That's not the right approach. We're not out to get rich...we just want to make a living and work with our hands." As the Pnache website attests, "When used for its warmth and substance concrete need not be a passing fad. This will separate the artist from those wishing to capitalize on a passing new trend." Customer service is of utmost importance to Pnache. "People want to be happy with what you put in their home, and we want to make them happy," France concludes. Find a Concrete Contractor 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada © 2008 ConcreteNetwork.com None of this site may be reproduced without written permission |
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