Concrete's use in kitchens and bathrooms may still be considered relatively "modern" design-wise by the standard homeowner. But while concrete can be used to create a modern or minimal look, it's also perfectly adaptable to a more traditional setting � where it was so extensively used in the first place.
Recessed lighting and a combination of switching options can give a room many personalities to suit any mood. From bright light for working conditions to subtle lighting for a romantic setting can all be accomplished with switches and dimmers. Accent lighting to highlight certain aspects of a project that were carefully planned but would barely be noticed otherwise. Cove lighting above crown moldings helps focus attention to the detail of the room.Builder: Madden Corp., Rockville, Md.; Architect: KUBE Architecture, Washington, D.C.; Photographer: Alan Karchmer. * Resources: Cabinets: Burger Custom Cabinets, Circle 175; Countertops: Concrete Jungle, Circle 176; Dishwasher/oven: KitchenAid, Circle 177; interior doors: Raydoor, Circle 178; Kitchen fittings/fixtures: Grohe, Circle 179; Lighting: Illuminations Inc., Circle 180 and W.A.C. Lighting, Circle 181; Paints: Duron, Circle 182; Patio doors: NanaWall Systems, Circle 183; Refrigerator: Sub-Zero, Circle 184; Sinks: Blanco America, Circle 185; Windows: Sherwood Windows, Circle 186.4. Recess the appropriately sized or proportioned ceramic tiles with some embossing on them into the face of the countertop or into a cast backsplash. Allow the recess to be at least 1/4" in depth.A cooking area to the left as you enter the kitchen now occupies the former powder room, which was moved to the stair landing. At the far end is a square bar sink and compact computer space with a fiat-screen monitor mounted beneath wall cabinets. And an existing 4-foot-by-4-foot pantry is hidden behind a full-height cabinetry door. "We wanted to keep everything very flush to make it look neat and clean, which is what the clients wanted," Bloomberg says. The result is an unabashedly 21st-century work space, one with enough texture and warmth to span two time periods.--Cheryl WeberLet�s take a turn-of-century "Craftsman" style kitchen for a hypothetical example. The cabinets would most likely be frame-and-panel with flush inlay doorframes. There would be wood wainscoting in the dining area and perhaps tile around a single porcelain sink. The lighting fixtures might have beveled glass or echoes of Tiffany lamps. What concrete application would be appropriate in this situation? I would look into one or more of the following ideas in combination:2. Keep the front face, or thickness, of the countertop at a minimum of 2-1/2" up to 5".A California cottage we renovated recently moved from "traditional" to "transitional". A large concrete curved wall/counter boldly separates the living room from the kitchen. Meanwhile, a stainless steel integral sink countertop straddles one wall� yet, by inlaying glass tiles into the backsplash and inserting a traditional plate holder in the cabinetry, enough balance is achieved to avoid a conflict of styles.The new plan replaces the opening between the kitchen and dining room with a sweep of floor-to-ceiling translucent pocket doors. Bloomberg centered a large window and sink on the opening to share light between the rooms. "The doors tie the two sides together," Bloomberg says. "We also used very warm materials, which help to carry through the palette of an older house." Stylistic differences are neutralized with cherry cabinets that complement the house's pine floors, Italian slate flooring with rich color variations, and a concrete countertop.Concrete can act as a substitute for more traditional materials. Rather than just using concrete to explicitly re-create something from the past, you can also combine it with other elements to suggest a timeless quality. In my work, I always strive to strike a balance between innovation and emotion, between spare contemporary and warm traditional. Adding mosaic tile along the front edge of a concrete surface, inlaying bits of tile along a backsplash, or even embedding a fossil in a countertop all connect us to the past.1. Choose an earth tone color or natural gray. No bright colors.
As they say, it's all in the details.
Author: Fu-Tung Cheng
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