Provided by Networx.com

One of the most contemporary and versatile materials we know, concrete is very much in the home decorating spotlight these days. You will be amazed at the wide variety of concrete applications. It can be used for exciting designs that run the gamut all the way from stylish, hardwearing countertops to a tres chic garden bench. Here are 8 cutting-edge concrete projects from Hometalk.

1. Concrete Kitchen Island

How do you come up with the ultimate kitchen island? Create a sinuously curved concrete island wall! The Chirping Frog had her heart set on this distinctive design for her new home. Eighteen bags of concrete later, she loves the finished product, which was sanded and then re-sanded to bring out its subtle gradations of color. Notice how perfectly the island coordinates with that cute pebble backsplash.

2. Garden Globes

Concrete decor is BIG for gardens right now ... but it tends to come with a big price tag to match. Kathy @ TBDTGGDYSS decided to mold her own garden globes with the help of inexpensive thrift store lamp covers. The easy DIY results are gorgeous and cost only $5 apiece. Optional: add coloring and embellishments like marbles or bits of bright ceramic or glass.

3. Carved Concrete Fireplace

This beautiful stone fireplace isn't ... real stone, that is. Amazingly, it's actually a concrete fireplace, hand-carved by the Chirping Frog as a living room feature in the home she and her husband built. She worked with a vertical concrete mix, using stamps and a small pointed trowel. A warmly tinted stain provides the finishing touch to this outstanding project.

4. DIY Chevron Inspired Concrete Garden Bench

Chevron stripes are so cool, and even cooler is the idea of styling a concrete bench with zigzag panache. C. Renee of the Garden Frog Boutique put together a reusable frame out of wood to craft several of these unique, inviting garden accents, which are as much a form of sculpture as they are seating.

Read more:
Creative uses for concrete in your home and garden

Related Posts
December 25, 2014 at 8:53 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Countertops