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Japandi Style with Concrete

A growing hybrid trend

What exactly is Japandi-Style?

The fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics, dubbed Japandi, has combined the use of two design influences that support a healthy, meaningful lifestyle to reinforce a connectedness to nature. The zen-like elegance of Japanese wabi-sabi and warm minimalist elements of Scandinavian hygge come together to produce a look that is serene, organic and thoughtfully refined.

It’s a natural marriage between two cultures that value minimalism and tranquility, while their differences also compliment one another. Scandinavian concepts utilize light wood, crisp neutrals and simple layouts that bring a sense of earthiness to any space; while Japanese design offers warm, rich colours and statement pieces rather than an abundance of decor.

  • thick concrete benches in mid century modern home

How to achieve Japandi Style with our concrete

Simplicity and functionality are the pillars of the Japandi style – standing out for its timeless minimalism. Light and muted colours blend with natural dark shades to create the perfect earthy colour palette. Our concrete offers a variety of natural tones ranging from light beige to a muted black. Introducing raw or distressed textures aligns with Japandi’s natural aesthetic by highlighting weathering and patina as a naturally occurring process.

Japandi interiors strive to be intentional and avoid overcrowding by treating elements in your space as unique, works of art. The phrase “one of a kind” is celebrated in our products due to the nature of concrete and its properties. Colour variation, bug holes and grain lines are all elements that occur naturally and cannot be replicated. The process of hand-casting is an artform which Japandi interiors can utilize to create a natural statement piece.

doublespace photography

According to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), concrete is the most widely used man-made product on the planet.

While the majority of concrete’s worldwide use is isolated to large-scale construction projects, using concrete in interior design is gaining quickly in popularity.  The reasons for concrete’s growing popularity in home design are many–it is durable, versatile and often more economical when compared to other stone cladding materials such as granite and marble.

At Anthony Concrete Design, precast concrete panels are at the core of what we do as they can be utilized in a variety of ways and make incorporating the look of concrete in your home so accessible.

Anthony inspecting a residential panel before installation

Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

What are precast concrete panels and how are they made?

Precast concrete panels are thin, lightweight real concrete tiles that can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, colours and textures. Precast concrete tiles can be applied to fireplace facades and surrounds, and walls to create striking design features in your home.

Precast concrete panels are produced by casting concrete in a mold or form which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the project site, and then installed on-site. It is cast prior to being taken to the project site, hence PRE-CAST. The advantage of precasting concrete is that, as it is produced in a controlled environment with close monitoring, there is greater control over the material quality and workmanship, resulting in a high quality custom concrete product.

 Fireplaces

Since concrete is a non-combustible material, it is a natural choice for covering a fireplace wall or surround and for fabricating fireplace hearths and mantels.  Precast concrete panels are highly customizable–colour, texture and size–allowing you to achieve the exact look you want, whether it be a minimalist, contemporary look…

Concrete Fireplace Surround with Distressed Concrete Panels, Bench and Shelves
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

…a sleek, modern look…

Custom Built Concrete Fireplace Surround with Smooth Concrete Precast Panels and Cantilevered Hearth Bench
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design  Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

…a raw, industrial look…

White Raw Concrete Fireplace Surround with Raw Precast Concrete Panels
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design  Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

…or a warm, textured look.

Concrete Fireplace Surround with Board Formed Precast Concrete Panels and Floating Concrete Mantel
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

Precast concrete panels are installed using a flexible, high performance polymer adhesive, which allows the concrete to expand and contract with the warmth of the fireplace without cracking and any seams are finished with a tinted caulking to achieve a clean, finished look.

Take the comforts of your indoor living outside with an exterior fireplace clad in precast concrete tiles. Precast concrete’s durability can withstand the elements and true lovers of concrete treasure the natural patina that concrete achieves with time and wear.

Smooth Concrete Outdoor Fireplace Surround
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design  Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

Wall Cladding

While applying precast concrete panels to a fireplace surround transforms the fireplace into your room’s focal point, cladding an ordinary wall in precast concrete panels creates a stunning statement!

Again, because of concrete’s versatility, the only design limit is your imagination. Choose to create a stunning staircase…

Board-Formed Concrete Walls Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design  Photo Source – Mark Olson Photography

 

…a sophisticated wine cellar…

Raw Concrete Wine Cellar Wall
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design  Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

…or increase the curb appeal of your home’s exterior.

Design Credit – PBW Architects Photo Credit – Jay Goodrich

 

The design possibilities with precast concrete tiles truly are endless! Due to their lightweight construction and versatility to customize to your desired look, incorporating concrete into your home’s design is easy with precast concrete panels.

 

Let’s Work Together!

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate precast concrete panels into the interior or exterior design plans for your home.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.  We also ship our concrete panels worldwide.

The Green Side of Concrete

For the last installment of our ‘Versatility of Concrete‘ blog series, we are focusing on concrete’s use in Eco Design.

It seems like the words ‘green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ are being used so much these days but can refer to everything from sustainability to energy efficiency to recyclability. In terms of Eco Design, eco-friendly refers to building a home—inside and out—with a focus on lowering the environmental impact by using materials and technology that reduces the home’s carbon footprint and lowers its energy needs.

Design Credit – Etica Studio Photo Credit – Heather Robbins

 

Concrete plays a large role in Eco Design. The inclusion of concrete in an eco-home is often a functional decision and a design decision.

Design Credit – SAOTA Photo Credit – Justin Alexander

 

For interiors, Eco Design focuses on using materials that improve the inside air quality and bring a sense of the outside in. This is achieved in a number of ways—using plants and living walls as decoration, maximizing the available natural light, mixing furniture that is made from natural materials with up-cycled used furniture and antiques, installing flooring made from natural materials such as bamboo, stone, concrete and cork, shopping for and sourcing products locally, and lastly, reducing exposure to VOCs commonly found in paints, glues, stains, fabrics and carpets.

Photo Source – BHG.com

 

Using concrete for floors eliminates the need for glues commonly used when installing carpet and vinyl flooring. Concrete floors also assist with the energy efficiency of an eco home thanks to thermal mass, meaning that, in winter, the heat from the sun coming into the home is captured in the concrete floor and released back into the home as the temperature drops at night. In summer, the sun is higher in the sky and blocked from entering the home so the concrete floors stay cool throughout the day.

Concrete is durable and easy to maintain. Therefore, concrete floors and countertops eliminate the need for harsh chemicals for cleaning as microfibre cloths and mops with warm water is often all that is required.

Photo Source – homestolove.com.au Photo Credit – Martina Gemmola

Concrete is naturally fire-resistant, eliminating the need for potentially harmful flame retardants that are applied to carpets and manufactured flooring products and making it the perfect material for fireplace surrounds and hearths. Concrete’s ability to retain heat and release it gradually into the room gives your fireplace the ability to regulate the room’s temperature and reduce heating costs.

Design Credit – Olson Kundig/ Photo Credit – Erhard Pfeiffer

For several reasons, the exteriors of Eco Design homes are often constructed with concrete. As mentioned above, concrete is naturally fire-resistant, making it an ideal home construction material in areas susceptible to forest fires. Concrete is also naturally rot- and pest-free. Because concrete is so durable and the life of the building is much longer than that of a wood-constructed home, eco-homes made of concrete have a low carbon footprint. The need to rebuild or repair and therefore, consume more building materials, is very low with a concrete home.

While the naturally high thermal mass of concrete assists with heating and cooling the interior of an eco-home, the exterior design of an eco-home often includes concrete overhangs above the home’s windows. This design feature not only creates a lot of visual interest but also serves to help reduce the amount of summer sun coming through the windows by blocking the high summer sun’s rays.

Design Credit – SAOTA Photo Credit – Justin Alexander

 

Aesthetically-speaking, concrete’s neutral grey tones pair well with the nature-inspired colour palette often utilized in Eco Design interiors and exteriors. With an abundance of greenery and wood accents, the natural stone-like look of concrete reinforces the all-natural look and feel of the interior space.

Design Credit – Edition Office/ Photo Credit – Ben Hosking

At Anthony Concrete Design, we take several measures to decrease the carbon footprint of our products.

From using locally-sourced and recycled materials whenever possible and sourcing a contemporary, more eco-friendly cement compared with traditional cement to recycling and reusing our waste water and crushing our waste concrete to be used as base for new road and driveway construction, we pride ourselves in the steps we take everyday to make our concrete as eco-friendly as possible.  As a fabricator of custom precast concrete products, we produce our concrete in small batches, lessening the amount of water needed and the amount of waste that is produced.

Now you can fall in love with the look AND the eco-friendliness of Anthony Concrete Design’s beautiful concrete products!

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate concrete design into the interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.  We also ship our concrete panels worldwide.

5 Ways to Incorporate Concrete Design in Your Home

Concrete is versatile, durable, often more cost-effective than other cladding materials, such as marble or natural stone, and let’s be honest, just looks great!  It is for these reasons that concrete is becoming more and more popular in home design and decor.

Concrete’s versatility allows it to mix easily with almost any design style–farmhouse, bohemian, industrial, minimalist and more.  It creates a neutral backdrop that helps balance a space and blend effortlessly with other materials–wood, metal, etc.

Because of its visual weight, commanding presence, and interesting texture, concrete instantly draws the eye and grounds the space, making it an excellent choice for creating a focal point in your home, whether it be a concrete fireplace surround, a concrete dining table, a concrete feature wall, or a concrete coffee table.

So how can you incorporate this concrete design trend into your home?  The many ways to do so are as diverse and varied as the design possibilities that concrete offers.

Creating Balance with Raw Concrete & Minimalist Design

Minimalist design is often described as serene and peaceful.  It is devoid of clutter and as such, each element of the design stands out.  This design style really showcases the raw beauty of concrete and allows the concrete to be so much more than just a building material.

To combat the innate hardness of concrete, minimalist design often incorporates wood.  The warm, inviting tones of organic wood elements balance perfectly with the cool and sometimes harsh tonal energy of concrete.

Photo Source – wardrobinson.com

Shades of Grey

While our minds first go to industrial, minimalist, perhaps even brutalist design style when we think of using concrete in home design, it’s not always so black and white.  Concrete works in almost any design style and it’s these ‘shades of grey’ that allow it to do just that.

Concrete is available in a variety of colours but concrete purists insist on keeping true to concrete’s natural grey shades.  This isn’t to say that concrete colours can’t still be varied and interesting. Each shade of grey lends itself best to a particular design style.

Concrete’s lighter shades work best with a minimalist design style.  The less intrusive colour of the concrete allows the other design elements–furniture, artwork, textiles–to stand out and be the statement pieces they tend to be in an uncluttered minimalist space.  Light grey concrete also feels more light and airy as opposed to darker grey tones and helps create that open feeling common in minimalist spaces.

Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

In its natural colour, concrete tends to have a medium grey tone.  This slightly darker grey hue can lend itself well to an industrial aesthetic full of rich brown leather furniture, dark woods, and metal accents.

Photo Source – Civico 24 Design

 

Dark grey shades of concrete, or even black, can impart a sense of drama to a room.  Paired with a dramatic rich colour palette and plush textures, dark concrete tones can add a surprising sense of warmth and comfort to a luxe design space.

Photo Source – Studio Mcgee

Limitless Design Possibilities with Microcement

When envisioning concrete in your home, think beyond just the walls and the floors.  With microcement, you can add a concrete look to just about any space in your home–fireplaces, stairs, countertops, bathrooms, furniture, and so much more. Microcement can be applied to virtually any surface–tile, metal, wood, plastic, plasterboard, cement, and stone. The design possibilities are truly limitless.

2019 Concrete Interior Design Trends Thumbnail Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

Because microcement is troweled on by hand much like paster, there are no joints, making it a truly seamless surface.  While other concrete products create a focal point in a space, microcement is more subtle, acting almost like a canvas upon which the other design elements are showcased, such as a work of art or a statement piece of furniture.

Photo Source – Impera Italia

Touches of Concrete

If you wish to get your toes wet in the sea of concrete design but aren’t ready yet to dive in head-first, decorative concrete pieces can allow you to sample the concrete trend in your home without committing to concrete walls or concrete floors.

Touches of concrete in the form of a coffee table, a bench, vases, a dining table, lamps or accessories can bring the concrete design trend into your home with subtlety.

 

custom concrete bench tops and legs integrated with wooden beamssource – Anthony Concrete Design

Photo Source – ecsel2010.com

 

Photo Source – ecsel2010.com

 

Photo Source – ecsel2010.com

 

Photo Source – ecsel2010.com

 

Photo Source – ecsel2010.com

 

Concrete Table with Blackened Steel Supports, Toronto Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

Board-Form Concrete: From Construction Technique to Trendy Design Element

Board-formed concrete is a common poured-concrete wall construction technique that requires the building of wood forms in which the concrete is poured.  The wood forms impart the wood grain pattern onto the concrete as it cures, giving your concrete the look of wood grain.  What was once simply a technique for creating concrete walls has now become a trendy concrete design element!

The wood grain pattern on the board-formed concrete visually softens and warms concrete’s somewhat cooler appearance while still allowing the concrete to express its industrial side.  Board-form concrete lends itself really well to industrial chic spaces–a design aesthetic that takes modern farmhouse style and gives it more of an industrial edge.  Full of exposed brick, raw woods, exposed beams, concrete floors/walls, industrial metal lighting and plenty of glass, the allure of industrial chic design is in the mixing of textures and patina and texture is what board-formed concrete is all about.

concrete board formed kitchen industrial
Photo Source – styleblueprint.com

Whether on walls, just a feature wall, or a fireplace surround, board-formed concrete is a great transitional way to introduce concrete into your home without committing to a full industrial decor makeover and allows those afraid of concrete’s perceived “starkness” to experience the concrete design trend for themselves with the help of warm wood grain details.

Board-Formed Concrete Feature Wall - Toronto
Photo Source – Anthony Concrete Design Photo Credit – Mark Olson Photography

 

So, whether you fully embrace concrete design and go all in with an industrial home makeover complete with concrete walls and/or floors, or wish to simply sample concrete design with subtle touches of concrete in your home, the growing trend of concrete design really can be for everyone and for every home!

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate concrete design into the interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.  We also ship our concrete panels worldwide.

The Romantic Side Of Concrete

In the previous two posts of the “Versatility of Concrete” blog series, we looked at concrete in both a luxe design style and a modern farmhouse style.  In both of these decor styles, concrete acts as a ‘grounding agent’, balancing out the other design details to keep the overall look from feeling too ‘over the top glam’ or ‘too precious’.

In the third post of this blog series, we look at concrete’s place in an industrial romantic decor style and much like the previous design styles, concrete again–along with the other industrial elements of this style–acts as a balancing element, keeping the overall look from reading ‘too sweet’.

A romantic design style is defined by the use of soft colours, often pastels, and a dominance of pink tones.  The furniture tends towards antiques and vintage items with gilded or ornate details.  Lighting is often quite dramatic with sparkling chandeliers and bedrooms and living room contain an abundance of layered textiles and pillows.  It’s all quite soft and dreamy!

Now, add in concrete and other industrial design elements, such as exposed beams, brickwork, pipes, and exposed ductwork, and the design style becomes Industrial Romantic.

 

The Allis at Soho House in Chicago (Photo Source – thisisglamorous.com)

 

The Allis at Soho House in Chicago (Photo Source – thisisglamorous.com)

 

The exposed and aged concrete columns at The Allis at Soho House in Chicago paired with the worn wood floor and cozy antique furnishings lends a lot of character to the space.  Add in the ornate, crystal chandeliers and the whole space becomes elevated.

Industrial Romantic is, if nothing else, all about the balance of opposites–the pairing of the soft, romantic, feminine details with the hard, industrial, masculine elements.

romantic side of concrete bedroom photo in French renaissance feeling room
Photo Credit – creativemaxx.com

Much of the romance of this decor aesthetic comes from a sense of nostalgia.  The antique pieces bring a Victorian elegance to the decor with elaborately detailed furniture backs, arms, and feet and ornate chandeliers while the industrial elements give a nod to the Industrial Revolution–metal, wood, concrete, and brick.

This combination of seemingly contradicting styles can create a very dramatic, even moody atmosphere if the overall design leans more towards the industrial.  It then transitions into what is called a Steampunk style. With its strong emphasis on industrial elements, concrete is less of a balancing agent in the Steampunk decor style and more of an integral part of the overall industrial aesthetic.

 

Photo Source – homesthetics.net

 

Steampunk design can be defined as machinery meets elegance.  Warmer than industrial design and more metallic than rustic, Steampunk incorporates Victorian style and turn-of-the-century technology but cranks up the industrial dial by incorporating mechanical machine parts like cogs and gears into the design.

Photo Source – myloview.com

 

Like the Industrial Romantic aesthetic, Steampunk takes industrial and warms it up.  This time with leather, dark wood, and copper and bronze metallics.

 

Photo Source – homesthetics.net

 

Traditionally, Industrial Romantic decor style is found in repurposed industrial spaces, such as converted urban lofts and old factories. However, just as the modern farmhouse style brought rural style to the city, touches of industrial romantic can be utilized in suburban and even rural interiors as well, especially for those looking for elements of industrial design in their home without wanting to be completely immersed in it.

 

Photo Source – homesthetics.net

 

In the design inspiration board below, the Industrial Romantic style is created by mixing the soft pinks and jewelled purples of the upholstery and rug with the grey and black tones of the concrete and the wrought iron.  The glam of the chandelier offsets the mechanical look of the clock and the industrial nature of the lamp and coffee table.  Overall, a balanced design of romance and industrial.

 

Photo Sources – wayfair.ca

 

Don’t have the exposed brick, ventilation ductwork, and other industrial elements of a converted loft apartment? By incorporating concrete into your home either with floors, countertops, furniture, stairs, a fireplace surround, etc. or by adding microcement to walls in order to create a plaster-like finish, an industrial decor aesthetic can be created in any space.

Then, add in the soft and warm touches of Victorian furniture, soft colour palettes, dark woods, leather, and turn-of-the-century lighting and accessories, and the unique and dramatic Industrial Romantic decor style is no longer reserved just for urban residents.

Interested in an Industrial Romantic interior for your home?  Add concrete!

While this space leans a bit more towards the contemporary, there are definite Industrial Romantic elements.  This smooth concrete fireplace surround by Anthony Concrete Design adds the industrial feel needed to balance out the softer features of the white leather furniture, the statement chandelier, and the romantic pink-purple accent colours.

  • Smooth Concrete Fireplace Burlington OurHomes Magazine Blog Anthony Concrete Design

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate concrete into your interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.  We also ship our concrete panels worldwide.

The Casual Side of Concrete

In our previous blog “The Luxurious Side of Concrete”, we looked at concrete’s ability to pair well with a luxurious decor aesthetic.  Full of plush fabrics, and glamorous gold and brass accents, the concrete helped to ground the space and keep it from going ‘over the top glam’.

Continuing with our exploration of concrete’s versatility and thinking ‘outside the box’ when using concrete in various interior design styles, we now move on to the popular Modern Farmhouse decor style, typically consisting of shiplap, industrial lighting and fixtures, a neutral colour palette, and salvaged materials like barn board and antiques.  And while ‘concrete’ and ‘farmhouse’ may seem contradictory in terms, you will see that they actually pair together with beautiful results.

Concrete & The Modern Farmhouse

 

Modern Farmhouse Blog Concrete Kitchen Countertops Magnolia Homes - Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source: Magnolia Homes

 

Made popular by the successful home reno show “Fixer Upper” by Chip & Joanna Gaines of Magnolia Homes, Modern Farmhouse style presents an updated, modern twist on traditional country decor.  Gone are the roosters adorning everything from curtains and tea towels to plates and kettles!  What remains is the relaxed and welcoming feel of the space, inviting family and friends to gather around and make themselves at home.  While maintaining the comfortable and casual feel of country decor, Modern Farmhouse style also incorporates the sleek, clean lines of contemporary design and an uncluttered aesthetic commonly found in minimalist style. Therefore, with its natural place in contemporary and minimalist design, concrete fits in well with Modern Farmhouse decor and is typically used for floors, kitchen/bathroom countertops and sinks, and fireplaces.

This concrete bathroom trough sink combines well with the rustic wood planks on the wall and the darker gray tones found in the wood are highlighted by the deep charcoal colour of the concrete.  The minimal accessories, wrought iron fixtures and industrial hanging light sconces finish the overall Modern Farmhouse look.

Concrete & Modern Farmhouse Blog - Anthony Concrete Design
Architect: Samsel Architects
Photo Credit: Todd Crawford

 

This kitchen by Magnolia Homes is a quintessential Modern Farmhouse design with shiplap on the island, industrial-style stools, black wrought iron accents, and a neutral black & white colour palette.  The stone-look of the concrete countertop lends an organic element and matches well with the grey cabinetry and the grey metal bar stools.

Concrete & Modern Farmhouse Blog Concrete Kitchen Countertop - Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source: magnolia.com

 

With a wood beam mantel and shiplap on the upper fireplace surround, this fireplace with precast concrete panels on the lower surround meets all the required criteria for a Modern Farmhouse look.  The horizontal shape of the concrete panels matches the horizontal direction of the shiplap, while the wood beam mantel, wood flooring and accompanying furniture warm up the overall look.  Note again the minimal accessories on the mantel and the industrial feel of the left shelving unit’s caster wheels.

Concrete & Modern Farmhouse Blog Concrete Fireplace Surround - Anthony Concrete Design
Photo Source: onekindesign.com

 

Utilizing antique or salvaged items is another key element of the Modern Farmhouse aesthetic and for this kitchen, the light fixtures are old factory lights, the sink is a re-purposed antique water fountain, and all of the rustic wood is salvaged Oregon wood.  The worn, distressed look of the concrete countertops blends well with the rough-hewn texture of the wood cabinets and floor.  The black and white colour scheme, wrought-iron accents and shiplap walls complete the Modern Farmhouse look.

Concrete & Modern Farmhouse Blog Concrete Countetops - Anthony Concrete Design
Designers: Leah Atkins & David Gleeson
Photo Credit: Brigid Arnott

 

Once again, as with the luxurious decor aesthetic, using concrete in a Modern Farmhouse design creates balance–this time between casual comfort and modern edginess.  Each of the rustic design elements of the Modern Farmhouse style warm up and give character to the concrete while the concrete itself prevents the overall look from feeling too ‘precious’ or too ‘shabby chic’ and lends a sophistication to the space.

To compliment your Modern Farmhouse home design, board-formed concrete panels from Anthony Concrete Design are a great fit.

With the look of wood, including wood grain and knot marks, board-formed concrete panels lend a modern, yet rustic feel to a wall or a fireplace surround.

  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Fireplace Surround 1 - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Fireplace Surround 2 - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Fireplace Surround with Concrete Mantel Hearth - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Fireplace Surround with Concrete Mantel Hearth 2 - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Concrete Wall - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Concrete Wall 2 - Anthony Concrete Design
  • The Casual Side of Concrete Blog Board-Formed Concrete Wall 3 - Anthony Concrete Design

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate concrete into your interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.  We also ship our concrete panels worldwide.

The Luxurious Side of Concrete

While industrial design and minimalist decor first come to mind when we think of using concrete in interior design, concrete is so much more versatile.

This is the first in a series of blogs that challenges us to think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to concrete design and explore how concrete works equally as well in a luxe chic decor, a modern farmhouse look, a romantic Victorian aesthetic, and a nature-focused eco design.

Luxe Concrete

Torquay, Victoria, Australia Architect: Auhaus Architecture + Interiors Photo Credit: Derek Swalwell

 

Rich textiles, such as leather, velvet in jewel tones, faux furs and plush rugs lend a softness to concrete and layering the various fabrics adds a feeling of decadence to the space.

Seattle, USA Architect: Mowery Marsh Architects Design: Kaylen Flugal Design Photo Credit: Haris Kenjar

 

Glamorous accents of brass, marble, and mirrored surfaces contribute an element of bling and transform concrete’s inherently industrial look into something more sleek and sophisticated.

Seattle, USA Architect: Mowery Marsh Architects
Design: Kaylen Flugal Design
Photo Credit: Haris Kenjar

 

The simple addition of brass hardware and fixtures in a kitchen with concrete countertops raises the glam factor significantly.

Torquay, Victoria, Australia Architect: Auhaus Architecture + Interiors Photo Credit: Derek Swalwell

 

As each of these glamorous design elements work together to boost the luxe feel of a room designed with concrete, the concrete itself responds by grounding the space and keeping it from going too far ‘over the top’ with opulence and bling.

A luxe concrete design offers a harmonious balance of glamour and industrial!

It doesn’t get more ‘concrete luxe’ than a smooth concrete fireplace surround by Anthony Concrete Design paired with a light fixture composed of silver mirrored spheres!

  • Tall Concrete Fireplace Surround - Toronto
  • Tall Concrete Fireplace Surround - Toronto

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the versatility of concrete and the limitless options it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate concrete into your interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.

Raw Concrete in Interior Design

Natural and imperfect, raw concrete compliments the current popular trend of eco-friendly, natural living and adds a functional and durable element to interior and exterior design.

Natural Imperfections

Raw concrete is concrete in its natural state: it is poured into a mould in a liquid state, formed into hard stone, and stripped from the mould. The original texture remains in the concrete and it is neither polished nor honed so its natural beauty can be expressed, including all of its natural imperfections: chips, bug holes, and a variation in colour, hue and texture.

Beautiful and Durable

Raw concrete is the perfect design solution for the discerning client who sees the beauty in natural flaws. Timeless in its appearance, raw concrete is a style that won’t soon fade; functional in its use, raw concrete is durable and long-lasting. The charm and casual feel that concrete offers continues on as it endures wearing and staining, essentially becoming an integrated and well-established part of your home or workspace.

custom concrete fireplace feature with a nook for decorative elementsraw concrete on a wine cellar wall

Let’s Work Together

At Anthony Concrete Design, we love the natural elegance of raw concrete and the long-term durability it offers our clients. Get in touch with us to learn how you can incorporate raw concrete into your interior or exterior design plans for your home, retail space, workspace, or gallery setting.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA.

Concrete Interior Design Trends of 2019

December is almost gone and the end of 2018 is near. While we can look back on a great year, we may also look forward to next year. What trends are interesting for us and for you concerning concrete in interior design?

Concrete countertops

Although we started our business mainly with concrete countertops, the last couple of years we didn’t do a lot of them anymore. However, concrete is coming back in kitchen designs! Apart from regular countertops, this also includes concrete tops and waterfall edges for kitchen islands. Our sealers, either topical or hybrid, are better than ever, providing the best care and protection to concrete kitchen tops. Yet we obviously don’t advise to try out the strength and endurance of the sealer by cutting straight on the surface or by exposing it to acids and oils longer than desirable.

smooth concrete countertop in the colour buff in a sleep modern gallery

Raw concrete

Raw concrete is the texture we see at concrete structures which are made of poured in place concrete, such as walls. However, with our custom moulding technique, we create thin raw concrete panels, which can be applied anytime, anywhere. The client can enjoy the beauty of bold looking, industrial, authentic aesthetic, produced and installed with the ease of modern techniques.

concrete fireplace wall raw buff Toronto

Microcement

Last but not least: we want to introduce you to microcement. Microcement is a technique of troweling the concrete mix directly unto the substrate, either at location or in our shop. It is a great alternative for concrete panels at complex situations or smaller objects, but it also displays style and grace on walls and fireplace surrounds. The seamless result resembles the artwork of the installer, which adds to the uniqueness of the design.

Anthony Concrete Design services commercial and residential clients across Canada and Ontario including Toronto, Ontario; Hamilton, Ontario; Burlington, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; London, Ontario and the GTA. If you are interested in learning how to apply concrete interior design trends in your home or otherwise, please get in touch.