Concrete Designs

When it comes to either commercial or residential concrete, there are countless design options. There are so many decorative concrete applications these days that choosing which one suits your project the best can get overwhelming. A very popular and cost-effective way to go is concrete stamping (also referred to as concrete imprinting), which allows you to apply a design or pattern right into freshly laid concrete. These patterns can resemble stone, brick, tile, flagstone or even wood, and give plain old cement a custom, high-end look.

Where is Concrete Stamping Utilized?

Concrete stamping can be implemented onto interior or exterior concrete floors or surfaces. Driveways, swimming pool decks, entryways, outdoor living areas and courtyards are commonly seen with imprinted patterns. You will also see stamped concrete at outdoor venues for concerts, shopping plazas, boardwalks, fairs and theme parks. Often times, these larger establishments will add color to concrete before the stamping process to add even more decorative qualities.

Who to Hire

Concrete stamping is an intricate process and should only be performed by expert concrete contractors who have been in the industry for a number of years. Decorative concrete projects – either residential or commercial – can, and often do, go awry; so be sure to hire a qualified, skilled professional. If you are in the Murrieta, Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Moreno Valley and surrounding areas, there’s no company with more know-how when it comes to concrete than Blue Rose Concrete Contractors Inc. for residential projects, and J.C. Concrete when it comes to commercial jobs. If you need a service other than stamping, Blue Rose and J.C. also offer: foundations, sidewalks, site concrete, curbing and a vast array of decorative techniques.

For more information on Blue Rose and J.C. Concrete Contractors call 909-823-6190 ext. 204.

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.

My family and I live in a small town in the western United States.  It’s one of those proverbial one-horse towns.  Main Street is five miles long at best.  Traffic stops at our main intersection several times per year when, in the middle of the day, ranchers move their sheep from the highlands to the lowlands and vice-versa, so they can be in the right place as the seasons change.  Because there is no exact time that this is done, we often find ourselves sitting at a stoplight or top sign on Main Street while waiting for the sheep to get where they’re going.  We don’t have a mall, a Costco or a Target, and we just got a Starbucks a few months ago!

Even in a pretty small town like mine, where horses live next door, or down the street and cows graze in the fields around the corner from us, there are modern and beautiful methods of decorative concrete used in a lot of areas.  I hadn’t really noticed before starting to research for articles, but as I became more aware of decorative concrete hot shots free download

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I have been to the library numerous times on quests for a particular book my son needed for an assignment.  It’s a nice looking library, but I didn’t realize until lately, that the entryway and foyer are done in beautiful jade green color concrete overlay. The walls are a pale grayish-green stamped concrete that are textured to look like oversized bricks.  The general décor is finished off with oak shelves, oak beams from floor to ceiling and areas of carpet.  Without the use of decorative concrete, the library would be nice, but would not be enticing and creative in the way that it does.  It would simply be a large room with bookshelves and carpet. 

Then there is the main bank in town.  The polished concrete used in the entryway and near the teller area, creates an interesting and elegant area that meshes with the carpet quite seamlessly.  The textured concrete

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walls – inside and out in rich buttery colors – draws people in by the warmth the walls project due to the combination of color and texture.

These are just a couple of examples of the use of decorative concrete in a tiny western town.  As I explored town, stopping by places I visit regularly, I found other stunning examples at two hotels I stopped at, the Visitors Center, my doctor’s office and the building he and other doctors practice in, and more.

If you are thinking of building or renovating, think about decorative concrete, and look into the ideas of how it can be used in beautiful and affordable ways. free lost city the

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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!