Using Concrete Inside the Home

Concrete (once reserved for sidewalks and driveways) is now being used inside the home in unexpected and beautiful ways. Floors, countertops, tables and even chairs can be made from the world's oldest building block, which is comprised of sand, cement and water.

Figure A

• Concrete can be pigmented, stained, etched, scored and even made into tiles for flooring. Once scored and painted, this bathroom floor could easily be mistaken for terra cotta (figure A).
• Since concrete can be poured into a mold, it can take on almost any shape and allows for an individual's customization much more readily than manufactured products . The ability for concrete to be cast in very thick shapes and/or free forms while also being water/heat resistant and natural looking provides a nice alternative to the synthetic materials that seek to imitate stone or stone itself.
• Adding pigment and unexpected items like computer chips and parts, buttons, zippers , bottle glass or old watch faces turn concrete items into conversation pieces while adding humor and interest to a room.
• Be sure to have concrete sealed with a coat of wax before using it inside or outside your home because it can stain like stone.

	Figure B
	Figure C

Look for smaller items made of concrete such as vases, business card holders, decorative bowls, soap dishes and clocks for quick accents (figure B).

Pour concrete into a plastic mold or foil pan, and then embed old keys, coins , buttons, beads, glass pebbles, etc. to make unique steppingstones for a garden accent or path. Be sure to seal each when dry for protection (figure C).

Resources
concrete items
concrete desk and divider, concrete sinks without faucets, concrete with aggregate, outdoor concrete fountain, outdoor concrete stools, outdoor concrete stamped walls, concrete vases, concrete business card holders, concrete bowls, concrete soap holder, concrete coffee table, concrete picnic table
Syndesis Studio Inc.
2908 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90403-3616
USA
Phone: 310-829-9932
Fax: 310-829-5641
Email: inquiries@syndesisinc.com
URL: www.syndesisinc.com

concrete sinks with faucets
Lavish Showroom
51-59 Greenfield Avenue
Ardmore, PA 19003
Phone: 610-649-1577
Fax: 610-649-0187
Guests
David Hertz
Architect / Founder, Syndesis
Website: www.syndesisinc.com
Also in this Episode

Smart Design : Episode SDN-110
•	Using Concrete Inside the Home
•	Decorative Screens
•	Table Topper
•	Night-Lights