Home Improvement by Abyssal » Home Decoration

Decorative Concrete – Artistic, Available, Affordable

abyssal — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:47:01 +0000

Not so long ago, if you had a garage or driveway that was weathered, worn and/or stained, or if you had a fireplace that you wanted enhanced by a rock wall, or you had walk ways or outdoor areas you wanted to beautify, your choices were limited to bricks, blocks, rock, cement and a few other items. Not that there is anything wrong with those items.

More recently, however, decorative elements for a home – indoors or out – have become more readily available. Many of these decorative concrete ideas used to be reserved for the more expensive homes or exclusive estates. Today, the use of decorative concrete to duplicate these types of artistic decorations is cropping up everywhere.

For instance, 30 years ago, if you wanted a fireplace set into a wall of flagstone rock, the rock had to be brought in and set. If the wall was 12 feet high by 6 feet wide, it involved a lot of flagstone. Today, decorative concrete can be used in conjunction with hand carving to create a wall that looks the same, but at a better price, custom look and feel and a fast and long-lasting process.

You might have a patio area that has basic concrete on the ground, but you want something more warm and inviting. You could bring in various types of tile or other materials and have them set, or you could use decorative concrete in various colors and textures, and even stamps. This patio resurface could then be sealed so that it would last for a long time. Instead of purchasing tiles – especially expensive stamped tiles – decorative concrete could be used to create the same effects with much less work and time and a beautiful, custom finish.

You can also learn to do this yourself from professionals who present various workshops through a number of decorative concrete suppliers throughout the country, or you can hire an experienced professional to do some or all of the job for you.

If you are thinking about making changes to enhance any part of your home – indoors, outdoors, walls, floors, patios, decks or more, now is a great time to contact a decorative concrete company in your area.

The Early November’s video for “Decoration”

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Decorative Concrete – Artistic, Available, Affordable is a post from: Home Improvement by Abyssal

Got Decorative Concrete? It’s not Just for Driveways Anymore!

abyssal — Mon, 11 May 2009 09:47:06 +0000

It used to be that when we thought of concrete, we thought of just a few things, such as sidewalks, driveways and cement slab house foundations. Most of the time the concrete used has been a pretty dull gray. Once in a while, for instance, in some southwestern towns, we could find some sidewalks that were various shades of rust and orange that mimic the beautiful mountains in their midst.

In the past decade, however, concrete has changed from a basic utility to a decorative enhancement, a creative and artistic essential in creating the

mood of resorts and homes throughout the world. Decorative concrete has become an integral part of the planning for many building plans – whether

commercial or private. The colors and textures of decorative concrete have become so important that often they are the centerpiece or focal point of a floor plan.

This phenomenon has changed the way that homes are created and office buildings, malls and other buildings are created. Imagine your basement

floors being the color of your choice, sealed to keep out mold and setting the tone for everything from the color and texture on your walls and the

furniture you buy.

Think about your kitchen counters being custom poured and cured right in your home in the color and texture you want – at about the same cost as a

pre-made countertop. Think of the hundreds of ways you could plan your decor around your custom countertop and matching or complementing floors.

Decorative concrete can do all this and more.

If you are planning to build or remodel a home, office, mall or any other type of structure, landscape, patio or pool, take the time to look into decorative concrete. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

bit.ly Decorating a cake is easier than you think. Watch baker and author Liv Hansen for Betty Crocker Kitchens demonstrate how it’s done. After you practice a little, you’ll be piping like a pro. Cake decorating ideas and piping tips How To Make A Pastry Cone 1. Roll out a square…

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Got Decorative Concrete? It’s not Just for Driveways Anymore! is a post from: Home Improvement by Abyssal

Decorative Concrete a Stunning Backdrop for Quaint Rosemary Beach

abyssal — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:47:04 +0000

Decorative concrete is in the news everywhere these days. Varieties of decorative concrete are used everywhere from private homes to public squares. Its use involves many types and styles including overlays, stamped concrete, polished concrete and the use of a variety of colors and textures.

One quaint town along the famous and well-traveled scenic Route 30 along the Gulf coast of Florida, Rosemary Beach, has literally been built around the idea of a Caribbean village with a town square. The atmosphere in this town that reflects and is inspired by the qualities of the town of St. Augustine, the West Indies and other classic Pan-Caribbean areas.

If you have never traveled to the Caribbean or to Rosemary Beach, they are both inspiring. The streets in both places are actually mainly for pedestrians. In Rosemary Beach, they are composed of bricks, cobblestone and stamped concrete, surrounded by the walls of homes and businesses that reflect the hues and the textures of the Caribbean. Each street/pedestrian path leads to the beach at one end and the public square at the other end.

The interior that surrounds the public square, frames it with concrete finished to resemble the stucco textures and colors of the Caribbean. The pillars that help create the atmosphere of an easygoing Caribbean beach town rise up and melt into graceful arches which give one an easygoing, calm feeling.

The public square is the hub of all activity for the town. With its interactive fountain, grassy areas and Dutch West Indian architecture, it is filled with shops and businesses. The square draws you into its ambience and atmosphere with its cool decorative concrete turned cool earth toned stucco shop fronts.

The design and artful West Indian atmosphere of Rosemary Beach could not have been achieved without the use of decorative concrete. By using concrete creatively, the seaside town – especially its public square – is a work of art that is both stunning and durable. What is even better about the way that the concrete was used is that when it is time to spruce things up over the years, there are many finishes that will do the job without having to destroy and rebuild or re-pour.

Rosemary Beach is a tiny, seaside town centered around a public square and built artistically to resemble the Caribbean by using various methods and forms of decorative concrete. Your project might be much larger, such as a hotel/conference center or smaller, such as a private home. Regardless of size and scope, decorative concrete can be poured, shaped, stamped, polished and molded to turn your finished project into whatever your vision is. The ideas are virtually limitless. They can be created as far as your imagination can travel.

Some pictures that me and my wife took when we decorate weddings…

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Decorative Concrete a Stunning Backdrop for Quaint Rosemary Beach is a post from: Home Improvement by Abyssal