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See the Hottest Trends in Decorative Concrete
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Greetings!
Do you want to be on the cutting edge when it comes to decorative concrete, and dare to go beyond a simple stained concrete floor or stamped driveway? Creative concrete contractors are always experimenting with new looks and applications for this versatile material, often in response to the desires and changing lifestyles of their customers. Here are some of the hottest trends we've been noticing at The Concrete Network, based on recent projects concrete contractors have shared with us. Hopefully, they will spark your imagination and embolden you to use concrete in new ways.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Outdoor fireplaces
Outdoor fireplaces continue to grow in popularity, with the trend in outdoor rooms fueling the fire. According to Scott Cohen of The Green Scene, homeowners are catching on to the fact that concrete fireplaces and other outdoor enhancements are a great way to add value to a home. And you can find concrete fireplace designs that suit any budget, lifestyle and size requirement. Learn more.
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Getting personal
More people are beginning to discover that decorative concrete is anything but cookie-cutter. It's the perfect material for anyone who wants to express their personal tastes, whether through color, pattern, shape or special inlays. That's especially true when it comes to concrete countertops, which offer endless possibilities for creative expression. See these examples.
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Back to nature
With the growing concerns about our environment and preserving our natural resources, more homeowners are using concrete because it's a sustainable, eco-friendly building material. Plus, it also has an organic look and feel that can enhance and even mimic the surrounding environment. See these projects for ideas.
Concrete Mimics Natural Stone
Natural Pool Designs Brought to Life
Concrete Lava Rock Driveway
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Custom concrete furniture
More furniture designers and artisans are abandoning wood and other traditional furniture materials and using concrete to build one-of-a-kind pieces that bring a unique sense of style to homes and businesses, indoors and out. See the endless ways you can use concrete furniture to add character to your decor.
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Fiber-optic lighting
The same fiber-optic cables being used to speed up telephone lines, cable TV and the Internet are also a new-age way to light up decorative concrete. These fine strands of optically pure glass or plastic can be cast directly into concrete to create fascinating visual effects. See these examples.
Hand-seeded glass beads mimic grapevines
Fiber-optic wine bottles light up concrete countertop
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