INTERIORS
59 Sealing concrete’s interior future
Architects and designers are broadening their concrete horizons – firmly cementing the time-honoured material’s place in ‘softer’ interior applications. Craig Bell from Osmo provides advice on maintaining its durability
rends in interior design change constantly, and it can be hard to keep up with what is the latest style, product or material that is currently on- trend. Interior designers and architects like to try new things, and one shift that is particularly noticeable, is the transition of concrete from a ‘hard’ building material used in all types of construction, to a contemporary and stylish finish for interior design elements such as flooring, furniture and surfaces.
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Concrete in its various forms has been around for centuries. However, it is only in the last few years that it has made this transition to an interior product. It has a proven industrial heritage of extreme durability, a quality that translates well to an interior environment. The benefits of concrete furniture for example go far beyond strength and durability however. The potential designs can range from the very simple, to the ornate, with each piece
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custom created to complement the surrounding decor. Typical concrete pieces might be dining, coffee and side tables, kitchen worktops and even lighting fixtures. The material’s simple style and colour also make it a great contrast feature for monochrome interior features, and it’s an ideal material to create an ‘industrial’ design aesthetic. It also pairs extremely well with other materials, and the unusual texture can really make an impact in any interior scheme.
Maintenance Like many materials, concrete needs care and attention to maintain the qualities that make it an appealing product in the first place. Each concrete piece is usually uniquely designed to suit the application, and it is important to look after them. A good way to treat interior concrete products is to use a good clear, satin impregnation oil. This combines the
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One shift that is
particularly noticeable is the transition of concrete from a ‘hard’ material to a contemporary and stylish finish for interior design elements such as flooring, furniture and services
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