If you have ever been to one of the Bass Pro Shops there are a lot of things you will probably notice.  First of all, every Bass Pro Shop I have ever been to is huge.  Secondly, from the moment you walk in, you are in another world – the world of outdoors – and you feel like you could settle in and explore for a couple of weeks without seeing everything they have to offer.

When I say huge, we are talking 150,000 square feet!  Imagine an area that large with only concrete floors and steel beams that, when completed, has turned into an outdoor wonderland.  In that scenario, there are over 4,500 yards of concrete alone.

Once the walls are up, they provide the backdrop for the atmosphere in the store.  Murals are hand painted throughout, and the other artifacts and effects are put in as complements to one another.  Tony Hujik, Project Engineer for a new store being built in Toledo says, “The way they look at it is that it’s not just a store, it’s a museum.”  This becomes evident upon entering the finished store.  Sixty foot pine logs, a waterfall, fresh water aquarium and cliffs with deer, elk, wolves, moose and cougar set the stunning outdoor tone.

All of that being said, the look and feel of the store is carried through from top to bottom.  The idea is that every inch of the store represents part of the outdoor experience.  The Toledo Free Press comments, “Even the store’s concrete floors contain some kind of artwork throughout the structure.  The surface uses etchings made using a hand grinder, metal inlays in the shape of wildlife or animal tracks stamped into it.  Such features make Bass Pro unlike any other project or store because of the detail that goes into it.” 

Bass Pro Shops have been using the idea of decorative concrete for years.  It’s an art form that people notice, yet is subtle enough to help create the atmosphere without overpowering it. 

There are many types of decorative concrete that will enhance the look and feel of retail space, such as a store, boutique or restaurant.  Of course, there are also designs that will work well in homes.  New, easy to clean and maintain styles are available from simple changes in color and texture to hand stamping and etching.

When designing or remodeling a retail space, it is important to think from bottom to top.  Create a total atmosphere.  Let the floors be part of the art that enhances everything else throughout.   Decorative and artistic concrete is an idea whose time has come again.  Don’t forget to include it in your plans.

When you walk into a restaurant one of the first things you see is the floor.  You may not notice it at first because of the decorations, booths and tables, and lighting, but eventually you will notice how the flooring in a nice restaurant enhances everything else and helps to create the atmosphere and ambience.

There are some older restaurants that you might dine at where the food is incredible, but the atmosphere isn’t as warm and inviting as it could be.  Sometimes, you only need look at the floor to see why.
It may be older, dull, needing an upgrade or just plain needing another look.

This is where the trend in decorative concrete comes in.  It can be a huge expense to tear out flooring and put in new flooring.  If you have ever seen a restaurant just after the frame has gone up, you usually see steel beams, maybe some wood as part of the frame, and cement where the floor will go.  There are a lot of ways that the cement can be used becoming a stunning and artistic part of the décor.

Stained concrete, for instance, can take the bare concrete you have and change the look and color of it to blend with your design.  There are numerous types of treatments that can change the texture and color, make the concrete look new, make the concrete look hand carved or overlaid.  There are ways to stencil the concrete and processes that will also make the concrete look like various types of rock.

The great thing about these treatments is that they can be sealed, they wear and clean well – especially important in a restaurant – and, as we’ve discussed, they will enhance any décor.

If you own a restaurant or manage one and are considering remodeling or upgrading, don’t forget the floors.  Just as a woman buying a gown would purchase matching shoes and purse to enhance the outfit, if you are re-decorating anything from a restaurant to a room, the flooring is like the shoes – the ensemble is not complete without attention to those details.

The wealthy in Italy used an art form with concrete called Venetian Plaster to create an elegant look for their walls.  This method of creating walls has lasted through the centuries, and weathered the ravages of time and the elements very well.  This art has been found on the walls of Egyptian and Greek tombs and was written about during the Roman Empire.  During the Renaissance, many homes were covered with this to show their wealth.  The finest example of Venetian Plaster can be found in Venice, Italy.  Not only have they stood for centuries; they show no signs of decay.  Because it was used so widely in Venice, its name became Venetian Plaster. 

Incredibly, Venetian Plaster has made a comeback, and is available in decorative concrete designs.  For many years during the Victorian era, Venetian Plaster was used in the U.S. on civic buildings.  It was also used on private buildings as well.

Venetian Plaster is a unique combination of plaster or cement with particles of marble mixed into and incorporated in it.  The actual method was not known for many years, as it was monopolized and kept a secret, however, through information and experience, it has become a favorite of individuals who are looking for an opulent and upscale design. 

The method of creating Venetian Plaster is truly an art form.  Not everyone who works with cement and plaster can create with Venetian Plaster, and not all who do work with Venetian Plaster are as experienced and artistic as others, so it is good to find someone who has a portfolio, references and experience.

The trend toward Venetian Plaster has taken hold, and is moving forward.  This art form is being used by architects, builders, and individuals alike. 

Take the time to look into this time-honored craft.  If you are looking for elegance and durability combined into a practical art form that will stand out in originality, Venetian Plaster is not to be overlooked.  There is nothing like it under the sun!

Imagine taking the concrete you have and treating it to change the color.  This could create a seamless transition from the inside of your house to the outside depending on the colors you choose.  There are various treatments available including liquid surface dyes (also called translucent dyes).  These are applied over dried, hardened concrete, and they can be tints, dyes, stains or acrylics in water based or solvent based dilutions.  There are amazing finishes that these treatments can provide to change your concrete to an artistic part of your home.

If you are just getting ready to pour concrete, the color can be mixed into the concrete itself.  This will give you color that is disbursed throughout the concrete itself and once the concrete is poured, it can be finished by using a sealer on top of it.

Another decorative concrete idea is to use dry surface hardeners which are put over the poured concrete while it is still wet before it is finished.  Once the color is “broadcast” onto the surface and absorbs into it, a second broadcast is applied and can deepen the first color or add a different color resulting in a layered effect. 

One other way to make your concrete more decorative is by using a coating system, which is just what it sounds like.  They are painted over the surface to coat it either with a clear coat or various colors.  These are applied rather equally, however there are additives that can go into the coating to create different more artistic or creative looks.

No matter what your situation is regarding the concrete surrounding – or inside – your home, exploring decorative concrete will offer you unique, artistic and affordable choices that will create a unique look that will last for years.

The snow has melted (for the most part), and the sun has finally come out.  With the exception of a few drops of rain here or there, Spring is here and Summer is on the way.  That means barbecues, pool parties, swimming and more.  Is your pool area ready?

If you are like a lot of people, you have just muddled through the weather that we are leaving behind and haven’t had time to think – or do – very much outdoors.  There are some ideas that will help you get your pool area ready for summer.

Plant some colorful flowers or purchase some potted flowers.  Get new patio furniture – or possibly just new pillows and storage containers.  Add a portable fire pit which will create a great centerpiece.  All these things will make your yard and pool area more inviting and festive.

One more important part of your yard and pool deck is to look at it and see what condition it is in.  Does it have stains or cracks?  Is it dull or drab?  Does it overshadow all the other steps you have taken to create a wonderful hangout for summer festivities?

If your answer is “yes” don’t fret.  There is something easy and affordable that you can do to create the beauty that may have eroded over the past few years.  The solution to your situation is decorative concrete. 

Decorative concrete is an idea whose time has come.  It has been around for quite a while, however, it has been used commercially more than on private property.  Recently, decorative concrete has been used more and more in private homes to make old concrete look new or newer concrete look better.

With decorative concrete, you can change the color and texture of your current concrete – even creating the look of stamped, hand cut concrete, tile or rock – and all of this can be done over your existing concrete.

So, as you prepare your yard or pool area for spring and summer, look into decorative concrete.  Do some research.  Find out how much it can spruce things up and how little it will cost. 

It used to be that when we thought of concrete, we thought of just a few things, such as sidewalks, driveways and cement slab house foundations.  Most of the time the concrete used has been a pretty dull gray.  Once in a while, for instance, in some southwestern towns, we could find some sidewalks that were various shades of rust and orange that mimic the beautiful mountains in their midst.

In the past decade, however, concrete has changed from a basic utility to a decorative enhancement, a creative and artistic essential in creating the mood of resorts and homes throughout the world.  Decorative concrete has become an integral part of the planning for many building plans – whether commercial or private.  The colors and textures of decorative concrete have become so important that often they are the centerpiece or focal point of a floor plan.

This phenomenon has changed the way that homes are created and office buildings, malls and other buildings are created.  Imagine your basement floors being the color of your choice, sealed to keep out mold and setting the tone for everything from the color and texture on your walls and the furniture you buy.

Think about your kitchen counters being custom poured and cured right in your home in the color and texture you want – at about the same cost as a pre-made countertop.  Think of the hundreds of ways you could plan your decor around your custom countertop and matching or complementing floors.  Decorative concrete can do all this and more.

If you are planning to build or remodel a home, office, mall or any other type of structure, landscape, patio or pool, take the time to look into decorative concrete.  You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

If your concrete is not looking as fabulous as it once did, if years of wear and tear and taking away the beauty that once was, why not resurface the concrete. Resurfacing is great way to take the old concrete and make it look new, at a fraction of the cost of a completely new slab.

Stenciling is a great way to add a pattern when planning to resurface cement. Stenciling allows a design to be laid over the cement before resurfacing. Because the design goes on top of the concrete, the possibilities are endless. The other nice thing about stenciling is that the design need not be perfect. Your design may range form conservative to flamboyant.

Standard stencil patterns are available but it is also possible that one could design their own-stenciled look by using nylon fiber tape and arranging in a pattern that suits the surrounding décor.

If your driveway, patio or concrete slab has seen its last days and must be removed, it is always possible to lay fresh concrete, and of course stenciling is still a workable solution and a very creative idea.

The stencils consist of a pattern of grout lines. The stencils can create patterns of bricks, stones, or other natural elements.

If you are looking to work on a budget and create a totally unique look while enhancing the stain resistance and durability of your old concrete, think resurfacing, and in that way everything old will be new again.

I realized while surfing the net that we all take certain things for granted. One of the items we take for granted is concrete.

Oregon and Washington State have decided they will no longer aid and abet this trend of failing to recognize the Superstars of the concrete industry. I found this article on www.constructionpros.com.An important component of the building process, often unsung, will be honored at this year’s Excellence in Concrete awards.

Presented by the Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association and the Oregon Chapter of the American Concrete Institute, the April 11 awards ceremony will recognize architects, engineers, contractors, finishers and ready-mix suppliers that have excelled in the use of concrete in Oregon and Southwest Washington construction projects.

The nominated projects have been narrowed down to three finalists in thirteen categories.In the bridge category, the finalists are the Collier’s Promenade Bridge/Spring Creek U.S. Route 97, Depot Street Bridge/Rogue River Bridge replacement, and the Vancouver Land Bridge.

In the commercial category, the finalists are the Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Medford, Market of Choice and Stoller Winery.

I was so inspired I decided to write a poem.

Ode to Concrete
I think that I shall never see anything as lovely as concrete
Concrete gives me a place to walk
Concrete offers a curb to sit and talk
White concrete is way less hot than the black top
All though I never thought of it before
I want to thank them men who pour!

For those of you who are thinking, Wow! she missed her calling, I know what you mean. That is my only poem and was brought on by the awards ceremony.

I recently came across an add for stained concrete installed for .95 cents a square foot. Wow! I almost fell off my chair. How can someone advertise this when you can’t even buy the right products for that price; let alone labor, insurance, phones and business expenses? I understand that we all should try to find the best deal, but does that mean the cheapest? How on earth can you expect a proper installation for 2$ less that the average going rate?

When companies decide to secure jobs solely based on price, than it is the end user that should be aware that you get what you pay for! When the system flakes, delaminates, looses its color in a year and looks bad, don’t blame the products or system - blame the installation company who didn’t use the right amount, proper surface preparation or type of material for the job.

Everyone knows that you can dilute and thin out a paint and it will still color a wall. The problem comes when you decide to wipe or clean the wall. The paint will come off and the same goes for decorative concrete.

When decorative concrete is installed properly and done right it will often outlast many other types of decorative finishes.

Lets remember though, low bidders who cannot afford to do the job correctly cannot install a system that will last. So perhaps when you’re selecting a company for your next project, you may consider throwing out the low bidder and going with #2. In fact, many experienced general contractors do exactly that. We can learn from their experience.

Also let’s keep in mind, companies that make a profit will also be around a year or two from now to help with any issue or problems that may arise. ‘Fly by nighters’ are gone in the wind! Support the companies that choose to do things right and you will be glad you did when years from now you are still enjoying your Decorative Concrete Finish.

The big reveal of “concrete ideas worlds first 2008″ will be proudly displayed at booth # S14221 make a note of the booth, you won’t want to miss this!

If you thought last years, worlds first all concrete poker table was innovative, you will not believe what we have for you this year! It will without a doubt KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!

You also won’t want to miss out on your free “Limited Edition” T-Shirt. Over 1000 to give away. Grab your Scratch and Win ticket and come by our booth. Scratch tickets can be found at the Concreteideas.com booth as well as all our sponsors’ booths (listed below.) You have a 1 in 4 chance at winning.

Join Concreteideas.com at the Show and get one free! Ask us about our WOC show sign up special!

Lets hope for another record breaking year, and success to all who attend. We can expect a never ending supply of Diamond blades, anti fracture fibers, and grinding equipment. We will be on the lookout for new and innovative products and systems for the decorative concrete industry, and will let the world know about them in the innovative products section of the site. I know concreteideas.com has something special planned for this years World of concrete 2008 - WOC 2008.

Be sure to pay us a visit at booth# S14221

If you want details of the Show click here to visit their website.