Concrete Countertops

Indecision about countertops in the new poolhouse turned into inspiration and we decided to build them on our own out of concrete.

I researched the many ways to do this and eventually decided on the Buddy Rhodes "press technique." We got concrete from Lowe's and pigment and other ingredients online and set to work.

The forms were fashioned out of 2" hard foam. Prior to pressing the concrete we coated everything with Pam as a form release.

I have to say it worked better than expected.

Shawn and Jake both helped with the skim coats of contrasting colors, the sealant, and the wax.

I cut out a space for the drain flange and they are awaiting final hookup in the poolhouse. I'll have to grind a bit out of the bathroom counter as the front of the sink extends a bit too far. The 24" x 48" piece will get special treatment as a custom island.

Very satisfying project. I may have found a new medium.

Putting them to Bed

Lisa was in Florida for a weekend with her mom and sister, and call was kind to me.

The back porch project took another step forward. We removed the railing in the center of the porch and I'm removing a section of concrete to make the center bed more balanced. I cut the concrete last weekend but it did not yield to a sledgehammer. I rented a jackhammer to finish removing the concrete, and it worked like a charm.

I dug out the concrete and put up the two white boards I had. I'm short by 6' 8" so we can't close the book on the project quite yet.

I put the hydrangeas to bed. The last few years I've quit putting up chicken wire baskets in favor of simply a pile of limbs to trap the oak leaves.

Those piles of limbs and leaves are hiding the hydrangeas

I can't recall ever getting the plants into the greenhouse this late, the second to last day of October. Jake helped me with the plastic a couple of weeks ago when he was home. The plants which spent the summer inside the greenhouse look great. The plants which have been outside look a little rough. Without the bananas, there was room for everything. I recorded a little tour.