HOME FINISHINGS: Decorative concrete

It's humble enough to start. Concrete, made from a mixture of cement, sand, crushed rocks and water, performs many basic functions all around us, as sidewalks, bridges, foundations, posts, blocks.

But since decorative concrete was developed sometime in the 1950s, with polishing techniques appearing in the late 1990s, this blended material has moved into the home, and is now seen in rough or smooth finishes and a variety of colours as countertops, floors and even tables and sinks. In the atelier of artisans like Claudia Croteau, you might say concrete has attained the status of functional art.

Croteau, 36, who graduated from environmental design at L'Université du Québec à Montreal, formed Design M3beton with her concrete artisan brother Guylain, 35, in December 2007, after both had completed apprenticeships in Geneva, Switzerland.

"Concrete is sustainable for different reasons," she said. "Durability, for one. Also, it's very good for the quality of the air because there are no fumes, and it's easy to clean because it has no joints. It's a very clean, very modern, natural product and visually, it's really relaxing, very beautiful."

Of all the products they make, Croteau says, the countertops are the most popular.

The fireplace mantel comes a close second. Because concrete doesn't burn, the opening can be close to the fire, she says, while the material also retains heat and lets it go slowly.

On average, Croteau says, kitchen countertops will cost between $3,000 and $5,000, while bathroom vanities will start at $1,000.

"If anything is three-dimensional, which means we have to work on them from both sides, it will be more expensive," she said. For more information, go to www.m3beton.ca.

("Decorative concrete creates a solid attraction" prepared by Donna Nebenzahl/Vancouver Sun)