Newspaper
Put concrete, brick to work on the inside
The Arizona Republic
Concrete and brick aren’t just for outdoors anymore.Materials that you once reserved for use on sidewalks, driveways, exterior walls and patios have become among the most popular for interior decorating.
Concrete, for instance, is among the fastest-growing new materials of choice for kitchen countertops.
We’re also seeing more exposed concrete on kitchen, den and even living room floors. And the simple slab has become high style for sinks and bathtubs.
If you’re building a home or remodeling the one you live in, consider stone, brick and concrete to give your indoor rooms a unique, modern edge. Some ideas:
In the bathroom, you can replace a worn-out laminate countertop or even a porcelain sink with a concrete version. Marble and granite are still popular in the bathroom, but concrete is ultra-modern. An oversized, bowl-shaped concrete sink can turn the vanity area into the room’s showpiece.
Even the bathtub can be made from cast stone or concrete. Ask your installer about embedding heating coils into the tub. You’ll never want to get out.
If you want a kitchen that shows off the latest design trends, take a look at concrete countertops and sinks. Ask for a stainless version.
And consider substituting brick or stone veneer for tile or wallpaper in the backsplash area above the sink and countertop. Lightweight veneers can warm up a room as well as add a splash of color.
Same goes for stone or brick wainscoting around the bottom of a wall or around a built-in wet bar or a kitchen island.
Brick veneer comes in a number of shapes, textures and colors, so you can embellish almost any surface with it—in any room. Think: arches over doorways, accent walls; fireplace surrounds and even floors. A little bit in every room can serve as a decorating theme that ties the rooms together.
Brick and concrete floors, in fact, first took off among the young occupants of downtown lofts but are slowly finding their way into high-end, single-family homes.
Brick can add charm even in small doses—and if you have small children at home, limiting its use on the floor might be smart. A hard brick surface won’t provide as soft a landing as wood or carpet should your little one fall. A compromise: Splash brick around the perimeter of the floor, in front of the fireplace and in the powder room instead of all over a room’s floor.
Likewise, concrete floors create a stark, modern design and can be custom-stained or stamped to show off your family’s personality.
If you’re going to go with brick, stone or concrete for indoor floors, walls and countertops, take some time with your choices. One of their selling points—their permanence—could also be their biggest drawback. It’s not so easy to switch out a material that’s designed to last for the long haul.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. Rosie Romero is an Arizona contractor who has been in the Arizona home building and remodeling industry for 35 years. He has a radio program from 8-11 a.m. Saturdays on KTAR-FM (92.3), from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson, and from 8 –11 a.m. Saturdays on KAZM-AM (780) in Northern Arizona.
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