living spaces
Integral Color Concrete Floor How it was made: Indigo Architecture & Interiors achieved this texture using a granite aggregate, also known as pea gravel. They then added Davis Colors‘ Outback 667 into the mix to create this gorgeous gray. Why it works here: This concrete floor enabled Indigo to further blur lines between indoor and outdoor spaces in this home. Tip: Indigo founder Jeb Thornburg points out that while it’s possible to achieve your desired concrete color, it will never be exact. “Concrete coloring and finishing is a lot like cooking,” he says. “You can make the same dish 10 times, and each time it comes out a little bit different.” Thornburg points out that many factors can influence the way your floor turns out — everything from the local sand mix to the air temperature during the pouring and curing. “To us this is just part of the nature of the material, but it is something to keep in mind up front,” he says. “You need to make sure you are comfortable with the imprecise nature of the color outcome.”
Portland Mix Concrete Floor This subtly shaded concrete floor showcases the homeowner’s love of natural products and clean, minimal lines. How it was made: The texture was achieved using a chemical-free Portland mix aggregate with natural gray and blue tones. “Unlike typical construction processes, we did not construct the frame until the foundation had a week to cure, while watering and cleaning the concrete twice a day,” says Stephen Heiman of Steven Allen Designs. The concrete was then diamond polished and sealed with a light gloss. Why it works here: A light gloss finish like this one requires minimal maintenance for keeping concrete looking new and clean.
Bookcase idea
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