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Concrete Countertop Looks Inspired by Mother Nature
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Dear Jim,
Fall is the time of year when nature is impossible to ignore. The leaves dazzle us with their display of color, while the crisp, cool weather beckons us to take leisurely walks in the woods. Many concrete artisans have been inspired by the colors, textures and shapes of Mother Nature and have found clever ways to incorporate her seasonal beauty into their work. They have used leaves to make imprints in concrete countertops and fireplace surrounds. They have used stains, veining techniques and special edge forms to recreate the look of aged stone. And they have made countertops that appear to be carved out of wood. Check out these examples of their work and get ideas and tips for putting a bit of the outdoors into your concrete creations.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Rock-Edge Countertop
Part of what makes concrete countertops so unique is the ability to customize the edges with special forms. For this countertop, Surfacing Solutions of Temecula, Calif., recreated the irregular edges of quarried rock. Learn more about the various types of edge forms and molds available for personalizing concrete countertops.
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Leaf-Imprinted Fireplace
Absolute ConcreteWorks, Poulsbo, Wash., used ferns and maple leaves from the homeowner's property as stamps on this fireplace surround. Once the plants were removed following casting, concrete dyes were applied to the imprints to make them stand out from the background.
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Countertops Resemble Appalachian Stone
Jim Scheetz of Endless Concrete Design, Zionsville, Pa., used acid staining and gemstone-like veining to give these countertops the beauty and texture of natural stone. In fact, the client specifically chose concrete because of the flexibility it provided to replicate stone. Learn more about how these countertops were made.
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Countertop Complements a Log-Cabin Kitchen
This precast concrete countertop appears to be carved out of wood, capturing the essence of the home's log walls and surrounding hillside setting. To create the look, Jeff Klus of Klus Konstruction, Grass Valley, Calif., used six different integral color blends, along with pieces of hand-placed glass aggregate. Recessed into the concrete backsplash is a design depicting blades of grass along with polished stone inlays to accent the rustic nature of the logs.
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