Richard Smith Custom Concrete Aims to Inspire Through HGTV Segment,New Web Site, Upcoming BookRichard Smith wants to inspire. And he's ready to do it in more ways than one: via television, the Internet, and a good old-fashioned book. He wants to encourage homeowners to think the unthinkable, take a chance, and live in a home that decisively reflects their essence - their passions and dreams. "The message will be don't be afraid to make mistakes. It is part of the creative process. With a little intelligence and a lot of passion, anything can be done." -Richard Smith, Richard Smith Custom Concrete Smith and his 20-year-old company, Richard Smith Custom Concrete, are always there to answer the call through his overlays, rockwork, micro toppings, stained and stamped concrete, saw cuts and etchings, and concrete countertops.
Smith is gearing up for three new ventures that celebrate decorative concrete and — he hopes — ultimately to wow people with all that concrete has to offer. Smith will be part of an upcoming segment on HGTV's Designer Challenge series, he just unveiled a refurbished web site, and a book is in the heavy ruminating stage. "I want to inspire people," Smith says. Smith will begin work on the Designer Challenge any day now. The series allows a homeowner or couple seeking an interior design project to choose from the plans of three designers who each create renovation plans specifically tailored to the homeowners' requests. The chosen designer is featured on the show bringing a great new look to the room. Smith said the project designer, Sally Marshall, approached him about collaborating on the project, located in Woodland Hills, California. The project will include preparing the floor with an overlaying system, and creating patterns through soft-cut staining and dying techniques. "We're going for a cutting-edge design with a timeless effect," Smith said. "This will be an accent room that sets a mood and has the wow factor." The floor will burst with hues of red, blue, and green. But, Smith said, the colors aren't too overpowering, just enough for the floor to pop out a bit and emanate a life of its own without overstating itself. Smith also describes it as having a feel that's a cross between retro '60s and the high-tech '90s. "It's hard to explain. There are a lot of different elements," Smith said. One of the keys to the project's ultimate success — and any project for that matter — is developing trust and understanding with your client, Smith said. "I need to have a key understanding of what red means to them," Smith said. "It's like learning a different language. Our job is to subtly and compassionately work them through it. "When you get to know the client — that's when the magic starts," he has said, adding that he's never been to court, been sued and says hello to each and every client he may happen to see in the supermarket. The other part of the Designer Challenge segment involves a concrete countertop. What will it look like? "We haven't decided yet. But I think it will have gray tones and a micro topping," Smith said. Many clients are choosing concrete countertops to achieve that sense of exclusive ownership. Smith describes his countertop creations as functional works of art that take on lives of their own. He begins with a natural base color and adds pigments to match the client's desires. The countertops combine state-of-the-art reinforcing technology with old-world, handmade quality.
Smith is looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead. "It's an honor and privilege to be asked to create the owner and designer's vision, and especially to be able to excite the curiosity of a focused audience," Smith said. "When using colors, its important to understand what the client envisions the color to be. Using red as an example, there is a multitude of variations. It is important to listen to every descriptive word to help solve the issue. Having a good attitude and a friendly work environment can be beneficial." In addition to the upcoming HGTV segment, Smith just launched his revamped web site at www.richardsmithconcrete.com. Smith's motivation was to make the site more user-friendly and, again, transform it to inspire visitors and to serve as "an invitation that this can be done." "Whether it's a high-powered office or a one-room apartment, I want to inspire people. I want people to believe in it," he said. And the overhauled web site will parlay into an upcoming book, which Smith is preparing to embark upon. In addition to being a how-to manual, like the new web site, it will serve as another stimulus to contractors, designers, homeowners — anyone — who has been reluctant to take the leap into concrete. "The message will be that people make mistakes — I've made mistakes. But with a little intelligence and a lot of inspiration and passion, you can master it," he said. The book, Smith said, will open a whole new door. "The Number One thing is that you have to try," Smith said. It's a message that goes much deeper than concrete, he said. It's something he instills in his three children every day in every aspect of their lives. "It doesn't matter if you fail. It will come. The question is 'did you do it right?' and 'did you honor the trade?' The money follows passion, passion doesn't follow money" he said. "There's nothing that can't be done." About Richard Smith Custom Concrete Smith's early days in the business involved new-home tract developments. As big home projects upon bigger home projects, he found himself somewhat unfulfilled. "I've always enjoyed sculpting and the artistic side of things ... So at the time, what I was doing didn't quite quench the thirst," Smith said. Smith quickly absorbed as much as he could about concrete and before he knew it, he was mastering overlays, a process in which worn and aged concrete is topped with a fresh, level canvas styled to match any décor. Overlays, which can be several inches to feather-thin, can be applied indoors or outdoors. Before he knew it, major-name clients were calling on Smith for their projects. The company's impressive client list now includes the likes of restaurant giants Red Lobster and El Torito; amusement parks Disneyland California Adventure and Universal Studios; popular retail stores M.A.C. Cosmetics, Illuminations and Discovery Channel Stores; and major hotel chain Embassy Suites. Richard Smith Custom Concrete 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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