In fact, concrete
countertops have become somewhat of a status symbol for kitchens, rivaling granite and
other high-end countertop surface options. Consumer Reports Magazine (August 2004) ranked
concrete highest for its "customization" and "exclusivity" among
high-end kitchen countertops.
As a custom product, the amount of time and craftsmanship required to
produce concrete countertops places them as the most labor-intensive and priciest among
leading countertop materials.
However, concrete countertops are becoming more accessible for those on
a modest budget. The latest do-it-yourself (DIY) trend to captivate homeowners and
builders is building your own concrete countertop. This phenomenon has gained popularity
largely due to Cheng’s best-selling book Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and
Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is
little monetary investment in making concrete countertops, yet the creative gains of
working with concrete are plentiful.
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Increasingly, homeowners are moving away from the monotonous,
manufactured look of traditional countertop surfaces and choosing concrete for its earthy,
timeless appeal. Plus, the options for personalizing concrete countertops are endless: one
can color, polish, stamp and stain concrete or imbed personal objects like stones,
seashells and fossils into the countertop’s surface, adding sentiment and character.
Functional features such as drain boards, soap dishes, and trivets can also be
incorporated to suit the homeowners’ own needs and lifestyle.
Concrete is slowly becoming demystified as characteristically cold and
industrial. In contrary, this age-old material is warm and surprisingly tactile; people
cannot help but touch their smooth, polished surfaces. Real estate agent Joy Rasmussen,
who has recently sold her mountain home — a short-term investment property in
Steamboat Springs, CO — recounts her visitors’ experiences with concrete:
"When I had open houses, visitors gravitated to the concrete countertops — many
people around here have never seen them."
Joy’s 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was custom build by her husband,
Ken Otterman, along with KJ Otterman, president of Classic Special Custom Homes. They
built pour-in-place concrete counters for the home’s kitchen and three bathrooms by
using Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand-colored concrete countertops were
polished smooth, then paired with natural slate of varying colors — like charcoal,
rust and gold tones — that forms the backsplashes in the kitchen and baths. As a
design accent, small rectangular slate tiles were added to the rim of the bathroom sinks,
which provided a unique detail to the custom vanities.
When Joy and Ken decided to sell their house, their investment in
concrete countertops proved its value. "We were able to list the house $20,000 over
market value, and had no problems selling it," comments Joy, while discussing the
long list of upgrades throughout their house, including knotty pine solid doors, natural
slate wall accents and hardwood floors. "The concrete countertops were easily the
most unique and impressive of all the finishes. I believe they were a huge part in adding
value to the home. Around here, all you see in homes are granite countertops —and I
really think homebuyers are getting quite numb with granite."
"Concrete countertops are a unique offering to homebuyers who see
the same finishes used in house after house they visit," explains Joy, offering her
observation as a seasoned realtor. "Having concrete countertops almost gives you
bragging rights — you have something different from your neighbors."
BREAKING THE MOLD
Another advantage of concrete is its adaptability in either modern or
traditional settings, especially when coupled with other materials like varied metals,
wood or stone. "Concrete adds so many [possibilities] to stone, and the combination
with slate, which is hugely popular here, gives the mountain homes an overall warm,
natural touch," says Joy.
Joy and Ken have since built a much larger home (4,000 sq. ft.) that
offers expansive views of the Steamboat Ski Resort and is meant to serve as a long-term
investment for the couple. They’ve also expanded their list of custom finishes,
including hand-troweled walls, elegant oil-rubbed bronze hardware, knotty pine doors that
arch at the top, cabinets in a natural, knotty alder, and their favorite — concrete
kitchen countertops.
Unlike in their previous home, KJ and his specialty crew poured
charcoal-colored countertops using the pre-cast method in the unfinished basement of the
new home. Before pouring the concrete, they sprinkled an array of semi-precious stones in
the mold including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Turquoise. After the
surface was ground and lightly polished, the finished result was an impressive blend of
colors, "By far, the Mother-of-Pearl was the most incredible," says Joy.
The L-shaped concrete countertop has a rough, rustic stone appearance,
complementing its rugged country surroundings. An integral drain board and trivets
provides function and added interest to the concrete countertop. Natural slate
backsplashes, distinct wall accents, and a butcher block countertop at the kitchen island
all resonate with the traditional warmth and earthiness of the concrete countertops.
Joy and Ken’s respective backgrounds in real estate and custom
homebuilding, and as investment homebuyers, have helped them realize that concrete
countertops can add tremendous aesthetic and financial value to a home. Concrete’s
customization and "show-stopping" appeal is like no other countertop surface.
Cheng is a proponent of emotional aesthetics and building homes that capture these
emotions, as in the case of Joy and Ken Otterman. Cheng concludes: "People really
want differentiation, something personal, something custom – and concrete can do that
for them."
