Thursday, January 7, 2010

Concrete Observations

I'm surprising myself here, liking the fairly new look of concrete in homes. Concrete in and of itself is hard, cold, and boring (did I mention that's it's hard, because it is). My Puerto Rican abuela lived in a concrete house in an attempt to shelter her belongings from repeated hurricanes and other inclement island weather. She wasn't uppity or modern in any sense of the word and I loved the way her doilies would complement the harsh interior walls.
The spaces below may not look like my grandma's home but they do achieve a design balance that makes me think re-think my assumptions about how harsh concrete can be...

via newhouseofart


via Apartment Therapy


via dolanh's photostream


scanned from fresh home March 09


scanned from vogue living australia


scanned from vogue living australia
What do you think about concrete interiors? Are they too harsh for your liking or do you like the look?

38 comments:

LifestyleBohemia said...

These concrete spaces look gorgeous. I can't see myself living in a home like this, but the concept must work great in hot climates. Thanks for sharing.
xx

Unknown said...

i'm a huge fan of concrete kitchen countertops. love it. i think it looks clean and smart.

Jilian said...

Hi...Just found your blog yesterday and really enjoy it. (Thinking of joining the book club, and even if I don't I plan on buying the most recent book)

On to concrete. I LOVE the look of concrete countertops as well as floors. Esp when they are polished and not your typical sidewalk grey color either. Wether in a modern home, or a cozy country home they can look great.

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

I do like the look. With the right decor I think concrete walls can look urban and chic rather than cold.

BuenoBueno said...

ooooo I LOVE the use of concrete! I love contrast and I'm thinking for my next move, concrete might be the way to go. -Kelly

Jackie said...

I haven't been able to get behind the concrete trend. A bit too harsh for me. It kind of reminds me of a skate park or something.

jdavissquared said...

I think these spaces are beautiful, but not for me. Too cold!

Melanie's Randomness said...

I think it looks cozy but I imagine it might be really cold for some reason.

Jen said...

So funny, I just posted a blog on horse pictures used as art. Your first picture would have fit in perfectly!!

Jen

www.slumberdesigns.com

Live a Colorful Life said...

I really like the picture from Fresh Home, with the pops of green, and the great blackboard. I was in kind of an industrial phase a while back. Now I could probably do concrete countertops, but not much more.

HeatherClark said...

those spaces are look nice, but I think concrete is still a little cold for my taste...

http://www.heatherincandyshop.com

Alina said...

I think concrete works in warmer climate, Trust me in New England the last thing you want is a cold concrete wall on a winter morning curled up by the fire. The may be phychological but the warmer you decor the warmer you feel in winter.

I would be all for it, if I live in AZ!

Laura Trevey said...

love the 2nd image... but brrrrr

I would get cold!

Unknown said...

these designers really make concrete work! however, it would never work for me...to much of a romantic.
xox alison

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

Concrete can also be mixed with different colours so that the grey is not prevalent.

You can also acid wash it to make it different.

Concrete can be very warm as well!

Hautemocha7 said...

I have lived in concrete homes all my life so I knew nothing else until i move to North America. These types of homes can be very warm & inviting. Concrete homes are commonly used in contries where the weather is mostly hot. Interesting blog.

The Noisy Plume said...

Love that concrete, in the right light, in the right place.
Love your blog too!

Crystal Ball said...

What a cool idea. I never would have considered concrete but the pictures above prove to me otherwise.

Monika said...

They do not look harsh to me, but I think you have to make concrete look softer with the help of textiles and lighting and warm colors. Love these images!
eco-stylista: sourcebook for eco-concious living

drollgirl said...

I LIKE IT!!! a few years back a museum i worked at put polished concrete floors in the bookstore. some kind of gorgeous swirly color was also put on the floor before they sealed it with some kind of clear coat. i am not explaining well, but it is AMAZING. and it looks easy to clean which is a biggie in my book!

E² - Esther Eve Metalsmith said...

I absolutely adore the look of these concrete abodes! Also, since there is so much information out there concerning tinting, glazing, staining, etc., concrete (mostly floors), I can only imagine the endless possibilities to change the 'grey monotone-ness' of these concrete walls!


Esther Eve

escapade said...

Love this - sometimes can be a bit cold but large scale art like that gorgeous piece in the top photo is the perfect way to 'add a soul' to the space.

Chic Coles said...

I really love the first picture with the Sable Island horses!

Aline said...

those are all beautiful interiors...i think personally, it would be a bit too cold for my taste, but i do appreciate the look!

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

I love the look and feel of concrete. I already miss my concrete floors in my last house. :(

Anonymous said...

some of them are too harsh for me, but i do like the 4th one, i think the sunny cabinetry helps balance it out nicely!

christina said...

I'm a fan. I think I might love them in the kitchen; but not so sure how I feel about them in the bedroom. Great photos, btw.

Courtney said...

It certainly is different (& a bit too "harsh" for my tastes) but I do enjoy looking at it, especially paired with bright colours.

bananas. said...

i'm a big fan actually. saw it once on HGTV and couldn't believe how amazing it looks in a kitchen.

Anna White said...

I actually dont mind it at all..I think it looks better in large open spaces with beautiful furniture pieces and artwork to compliment it.

Nikkieve said...

love that first pic,
awesome blog!
x

http://nikki-inthenet.blogspot.com/

iheartkiwi said...

that kitchen from apartment therapy is awesome. i love the open shelving...

p.s. i have a puertorican abuela too! aren't they the best.

Unknown said...

Such a great post!! I think about concrete a lot for re-doing my upstairs floor, but then the thought of the cold always gets to me in the end. LOVE that photo of the horses in the first one!!! Have a great weekend Christina!

xo

alissa said...

its amazing how cozy these look - very unexpected

Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life said...

I actually don't mind concrete interiors! LOVING that large horse photo in the first image!

Post Grad Hair Cut said...

What a fabulous compilation. Whoever thought concrete could be so fantastic.

Thanks for sharing m'dear.

Samantha

april brooks said...

Concrete can be so many things. I am starting my own decorative concrete business and am constantly amazed by the things my fellow concrete artisans are doing. Here is a link to the uber-cool Gore Design. http://goredesignco.com/ These are the guys I learned my skills from. Here is a link to my facebook page with pictures of my very own concrete! http://www.facebook.com/4BrooksDesign?v=photos#/4BrooksDesign
Thanks for the great post!

TERI REES WANG said...

Concrete can capture the subtle layers and patterns and texture of all the earthly delights. Sand and wood, and leaf and water. It can be soft to the eye, and strong to the touch. Still, too much is just can be beyond enough.

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