Customization Will increase Aesthetic Attraction and Actual Property Funding for Householders
From top-dollar houses within the San Francisco Bay Space to sprawling mountain houses within the Colorado Rockies, discriminating householders are demanding customized designs and finishes of their kitchens. Specifically, they need to categorical their individuality and distinct design preferences with the fast-growing design materials of alternative — concrete.
In reality, concrete counter tops have grow to be considerably of a
standing image for kitchens, rivaling granite and different high-
finish countertop floor choices. Client Studies Journal
(August 2004) ranked concrete highest for its “customization” and “exclusivity” amongst high-end kitchen counter tops.
As a customized product, the period of time and craftsmanship required to provide concrete counter tops locations them as essentially the most labor-intensive and priciest amongst main countertop supplies.
Nevertheless, concrete counter tops have gotten extra accessible for these on a modest finances. The most recent do-it-yourself (DIY) development to captivate householders and builders is constructing your individual concrete countertop. This phenomenon has gained reputation largely attributable to Cheng’s best-selling e-book Concrete Counter tops: Design, Kinds, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). In response to Cheng, there may be little financial funding in making concrete counter tops, but the inventive positive factors of working with concrete are plentiful.
THE SHOWSTOPPER
More and more, householders are shifting away from the monotonous, manufactured look of conventional countertop surfaces and selecting concrete for its earthy, timeless enchantment. Plus, the choices for personalizing concrete counter tops are countless: one can colour, polish, stamp and stain concrete or imbed private objects like stones, seashells and fossils into the countertop’s floor, including sentiment and character. Practical options similar to drain boards, cleaning soap dishes, and trivets may also be included to go well with the householders’ personal wants and life-style.
Concrete is slowly changing into demystified as characteristically chilly and industrial. In opposite, this age-old materials is heat and surprisingly tactile; individuals can not assist however contact their easy, polished surfaces. Actual property agent Pleasure Rasmussen, who has not too long ago bought her mountain residence — a short-term funding property in Steamboat Springs, CO — recounts her guests’ experiences with concrete: “After I had open homes, guests gravitated to the concrete counter tops — many individuals round right here have by no means seen them”.
Pleasure’s 2,265 sq. ft. mountain residence was customized construct by her husband, Ken Otterman, together with KJ Otterman, president of Traditional Particular Customized Houses. They constructed pour-in-place concrete counters for the house’s kitchen and three loos through the use of Concrete Counter tops as their information. The sand-colored concrete counter tops have been polished easy, then paired with pure slate of various colours — like charcoal, rust and gold tones — that varieties the backsplashes within the kitchen and baths. As a design accent, small rectangular slate tiles have been added to
the rim of the lavatory sinks, which offered a novel element to the customized vanities kitchen countertops Orlando.
When Pleasure and Ken determined to promote their home, their funding in concrete counter tops proved its worth. “We have been in a position to checklist the home $20,000 over market worth, and had no issues promoting it,” feedback Pleasure, whereas discussing the lengthy checklist of upgrades all through their home, together with knotty pine stable doorways, pure slate wall accents and hardwood flooring. “The concrete counter tops have been simply essentially the most distinctive and spectacular of all of the finishes. I consider they have been an enormous half in
including worth to the house. Round right here, all you see in houses are granite counter tops –and I actually suppose homebuyers are getting fairly numb with granite.”
“Concrete counter tops are a novel providing to homebuyers who see the identical finishes utilized in home after home they go to,” explains Pleasure, providing her remark as a seasoned realtor. “Having concrete counter tops virtually offers you bragging rights — you might have one thing totally different out of your neighbors.”
BREAKING THE MOLD
One other benefit of concrete is its adaptability in both trendy or conventional settings, particularly when coupled with different supplies like diverse metals, wooden or stone. “Concrete provides so many [possibilities] to stone, and the mixture with slate, which is massively fashionable right here, offers the mountain houses an general heat, pure contact,” says Pleasure.
Pleasure and Ken have since constructed a a lot bigger residence (4,000 sq. ft.) that gives expansive views of the Steamboat Ski Resort and is supposed to function a long-term funding for the couple. They’ve additionally expanded their checklist of customized finishes, together with hand-troweled partitions, elegant oil-rubbed bronze {hardware}, knotty pine doorways that arch on the prime, cupboards in a pure, knotty alder, and their favourite — concrete kitchen counter tops.
In contrast to of their earlier residence, KJ and his specialty crew poured charcoal-colored counter tops utilizing the pre-cast methodology within the unfinished basement of the brand new residence. Earlier than pouring the concrete, they sprinkled an array of semi-precious stones within the mould together with Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mom-of-Pearl and Turquoise. After the floor was floor and frivolously polished, the completed outcome was a formidable mix of colours, “By far, the Mom-of-Pearl was essentially the most unbelievable,” says Pleasure.
The L-shaped concrete countertop has a tough, rustic stone look, complementing its rugged nation environment. An integral drain board and trivets gives operate and added curiosity to the concrete countertop. Pure slate backsplashes, distinct wall accents, and a butcher block countertop on the kitchen island all resonate with the standard heat and earthiness of the concrete counter tops.
Pleasure and Ken’s respective backgrounds in actual property and customized homebuilding, and as funding homebuyers, have helped them understand that concrete counter tops can add large aesthetic and monetary worth to a house. Concrete’s customization and “show-stopping” enchantment is like no different countertop floor. Cheng is a proponent of emotional aesthetics and constructing houses that seize these feelings, as within the case of Pleasure and Ken Otterman. Cheng concludes: “Individuals really need differentiation, one thing private, one thing customized – and concrete can try this for them.”
For extra details about concrete counter tops please go to: http://www.ConcreteExchange.com/