Scott Mulder Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm assuming cement, but would like to know the finish method to achieve the rough look and stain skipping. Thanks in advance!
If you'll notice right below the photo is a "more info" link. This nice architect is in Italy. She also provided us a link explaining the material.
It is essentially concrete with ground up tile used as aggregate.
Scott - There are different ways to approach a finish like this. Mix design, forming materials, stains, and slurries could all be incorporated. The mix design used for the piece in the photo may have cause a lot of efflorescence. Color can give the appearance of texture.
Pauleen - My company, or another high quality concrete artisan, could make a sink like this for you. Where you live will make a little difference in costs. If this counter was seven feet long, two feet deep, with a two inch edge, with an integral rectangular sink(say 30"x17"x9.75"), and a twelve inch high backsplash you could expect to pay around four thousand dollars.
We are in the Seattle area but we ship all over if you are interested.
mjschneider28 - I know it can be frustrating, but keep in mind that much of what is showcased on Houzz is custom work. The professonals on this site are trying to promote their work and as a result bring in more business. Many things, like the integral sink above, are beyond the safe scope of a DIY project. Just so you know, I feel your pain, I couldn't afford much of what my studio produces if I were on the buying end.
Vince Cathcart
VC Studio Inc.
vince@vcstudioinc.com
Scott Mulder Thank you for your response, much appreciated. I may bug you with a few questions going forward if you don't mind as I fully intend on pouring one of these in place in my new house (I've done both in place and formed counters, but never gotten such a great efflorescence and texture as this. Did you have a few suggested additives you think may make this with a similar texture and efflorescence and great dark color?
2. Wall-mounted faucets. It is much easier to wipe a counter down with a wall-mounted faucet. To get this piece right, you'll need to know where the finished wall surface will fall once the backsplash is installed and where the sink will be centered so you have a faucet that comes out above the drain. Before the plumbers start roughing in pipes, every decision needs to be made or you risk ending up with elements that don't work well together.