When we first embarked on the master bathroom remodel, I had no vision for the overall look. I wasn't feeling particularly remodel-y and nothing inspired me out the magazines or blogs I perused.
Until I came across a photo of a poured concrete tub in Michael Bay's house in Elle Decor. Suddenly, we had something to work around.
This is usually all I need: one piece to build everything else around. (With our kitchen remodel in the old house, I based the entire project on cup pulls.)
The problem with putting poured concrete in a house built in the 20's is the risk. If the house shifts, poured concrete will crack and there is no easy fix. Also, poured concrete countertops are strangely expensive. I would have thought the opposite - pouring a countertop like it's a sidewalk seems like it would be cheap, right? Not so. They have to build a whole framework to support the concrete and it is much more expensive than you would think. So you're paying extra for a "rough" look. Kind of like using a ton of makeup to make it look like you're not wearing any makeup at all.
With these things in mind, I set off looking for an alternative to poured concrete but that would give me the same idea. Caesarstone (a man-made stone) makes a finish called, appropriately, "concrete." Just what I was looking for! Caesarstone is very damage-resistant and much more reasonably priced. And the shade of gray looked great with the marble stone and glass tile I'd already chosen. (Gray can be tricky, reading either too warm or too cool and can clash even though it's technically a neutral.)
The countertops went in earlier this week and I couldn't be more pleased. They're slightly polished (they're a bit shinier in the pictures than they are in real life) and are maybe too perfect looking if you want the actual rough texture of concrete, but for our bathroom and the style of our house, it is just what I want: the best part of the concrete "look" without a Barney Rubble effect.
I chose the three inch lip and the sharp edge on purpose. I wanted it to look chunky and a rounded edge wouldn't have fit with the lines of the long, skinny subway tile.
We have approximately two weeks left on this project. Believe me when I say I'm ready to have my bathroom back.
