This modern home in New Buffalo, Michigan had its concrete polished up to a 400 grit concrete polish by Dancer Concrete out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This polished concrete floor system incorporates a polished concrete Densifier and concrete stain guard for durability. The benefits of doing a polished concrete floor in your home are: easy maintenance, increased light reflectivity, and long term durability. We like how this otherwise warm space with its red wall accents is complemented by the cool gray color of this floor. Share your thoughts with us below!

Natural planked oak, paired with chalky white and concrete sheeting highlights our Jackson Home as a Scandinavian Interior. With each room focused on materials blending cohesively, the rooms holid unity in the home‘s interior. A curved centre peice in the Kitchen encourages the space to feel like a room with customised bespoke built in furniture rather than your every day kitchen. My clients main objective for the homes interior, forming a space where guests were able to interact with the host at times of entertaining. Unifying the kitchen, dining and living spaces will change the layout making the kitchen the focal point of entrace into the home.

In the hills of San Anselmo in Marin County, this 5,000 square foot existing multi-story home was enlarged to 6,000 square feet with a new dance studio addition with new master bedroom suite and sitting room for evening entertainment and morning coffee. Sited on a steep hillside one acre lot, the back yard was unusable. New concrete retaining walls and planters were designed to create outdoor play and lounging areas with stairs that cascade down the hill forming a wrap-around walkway. The goal was to make the new addition integrate the disparate design elements of the house and calm it down visually. The scope was not to change everything, just the rear façade and some of the side facades. The new addition is a long rectangular space inserted into the rear of the building with new up-swooping roof that ties everything together. Clad in red cedar, the exterior reflects the relaxed nature of the one acre wooded hillside site. Fleetwood windows and wood patterned tile complete the exterior color material palate. The sitting room overlooks a new patio area off of the children’s playroom and features a butt glazed corner window providing views filtered through a grove of bay laurel trees. Inside is a television viewing area with wetbar off to the side that can be closed off with a concealed pocket door to the master bedroom. The bedroom was situated to take advantage of these views of the rear yard and the bed faces a stone tile wall with recessed skylight above. The master bath, a driving force for the project, is large enough to allow both of them to occupy and use at the same time. The new dance studio and gym was inspired for their two daughters and has become a facility for the whole family. All glass, mirrors and space with cushioned wood sports flooring, views to the new level outdoor area and tree covered side yard make for a dramatic turnaround for a home with little play or usable outdoor space previously. Photo Credit: Paul Dyer Photography.

Located in rural western Sonoma County, this artist studio and garage are placed adjacent to a modest late 19th century farmhouse. The design envisioned a simple space, which would integrate with and embrace the landscape, while capturing the vocabulary of farm structures. Both buildings consist of a pre-manufactured Quonset hut ribbed roof, raised on a six foot board-formed concrete stem wall. The two buildings have end walls with 10 foot by 12 foot openings, a glass garage door and three folding patio doors surrounded by cement panel walls. Quonset ribs are a self-supporting structure of galvanized metal. It was initially assumed that such a roof structure would save costs, but that ultimately was not true due to the modifications necessary to make it completely watertight, rural fire zone requirements and energy efficiency measures. The concrete stem walls are exposed board form and the garage features an imbedded stone wall sculpture from Borobudur, Indonesia. The garage building is oversized to allow for a future glass studio or workshop at the rear. A fiberglass skylight is integrated into the ribs and provides additional daylight. The second building, which functions as an art studio, has insulated walls and ceilings with double glazed windows and doors. The vaulted roof and its insulation is sheathed with ash plywood with integrated LED lighting at the perimeter. To maintain the light throughout the studio structure, translucent plastic panels were utilized above the concrete for the areas enclosing the toilet and shower space and the service sink areas. The sliding bar wood and metal barn door were reused from the farmhouse. Sustainability was considered from the design, selection of materials, energy conservation and ongoing construction waste recycling. The design began with a simple form, allowing for cross ventilation and daylighting. A minimal palette of materials were selected while maximizing their use. Materials were chosen for their multi-use characteristics, to be used as structure and well as finish, where possible, such as the concrete walls, manufactured Quonset hut roofing system and cement panels. The ribs of the vaulted roof system sit atop 10” concrete stem which adds to the thermal mass of the building. The garage building is unconditioned allowing for a single layer of materials. The artist studio is well insulated, double glazed with low-e glass; a hydronic radiant heat system supplied by a 99.8 efficient on-demand water heater is powered by photovoltaic panels.

1950’s mid century modern hillside home. full restoration | addition | modernization. board formed concrete | clear wood finishes | mid-mod style. Photography ©Ciro Coelho/ArchitecturalPhoto.com

The minimalist living room is anchored to a single board-formed concrete wall. Floor to ceiling Fleetwood windows bring in views from all directions.

Entry gate at mid-century home in Berkeley, California with custom Ipe entry gate, walkway wih board-formed concrete walls. - Photo by Bruce Damonte.

The built-in dining bench frames the stairwell leading to the lower floor. The stairwell is lined with board-formed concrete walls with large windows that bring in maximum light & views.

We had the awesome opportunity to complete this 8ft Western Red Cedar board-on-board privacy fence that included metal gate frames with industrial hinges and 2x6 single stage trim cap. We used exterior rated GRK screws for 100% of the installation, not a single nail on the entire project. The project also included demolition and removal of a failed retaining wall followed by the form up and pouring of a new 24” tall concrete retaining wall. As always we are grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing clients who allow us to turn ideas into reality. If you have an idea for a custom fence, retaining wall, or any other outdoor project, give 806 Outdoors a call. 806 690 2344.

Bathroom. Photography by Manolo Langis Located at the intersection where Sunset Boulevard meets the Pacific Ocean, this iconic board formed concrete structure was neglected for years. SUBU Design Architecture was brought in to reimagine the space along with a team of professionals. Through a collective effort, this unique structure has been reorganize to fit a variety of lifestyles and commercial needs.

Photo by: Lucas Finlay A successful entrepreneur and self-proclaimed bachelor, the owner of this 1,100-square-foot Yaletown property sought a complete renovation in time for Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. The goal: make it party central and keep the neighbours happy. For the latter, we added acoustical insulation to walls, ceilings, floors and doors. For the former, we designed the kitchen to provide ample catering space and keep guests oriented around the bar top and living area. Concrete counters, stainless steel cabinets, tin doors and concrete floors were chosen for durability and easy cleaning. The black, high-gloss lacquered pantry cabinets reflect light from the single window, and amplify the industrial space’s masculinity. To add depth and highlight the history of the 100-year-old garment factory building, the original brick and concrete walls were exposed. In the living room, a drywall ceiling and steel beams were clad in Douglas Fir to reference the old, original post and beam structure. We juxtaposed these raw elements with clean lines and bold statements with a nod to overnight guests. In the ensuite, the sculptural Spoon XL tub provides room for two; the vanity has a pop-up make-up mirror and extra storage; and, LED lighting in the steam shower to shift the mood from refreshing to sensual.

Redolent of Cape Cod and other seaside locales, the pool house is appointed with relaxed furnishings — slip-covered sofas, rugged tables and sturdy, natural fiber area rugs. In keeping with the industrial/modern look, a Gregorios Pineo chandelier and Jamie Young Steampunk floor lamp illuminate the interiors. Cleverly concealing the entertainment center when not in use, a sliding barn door, created from reclaimed lumber from a farm in Oregon, gives the structure a rustic, relaxed feel. It’s become the family’s hangout of choice since completion. A small galley kitchen, covered in Ann Sacks tile and custom shelves, serves as wet bar and food prep area for the family and their guests for frequent pool parties. Vinyl covered walls in the powder room protects from moisture—and kid paws—and lends a beach-y, sandstone texture to the room. Polished concrete flooring carries out to the pool deck connecting the spaces, including a cozy sitting area flanked by a board form concrete fireplace, and appointed with comfortable couches for relaxation long after dark. Poolside chaises provide multiple options for lounging and sunbathing, and expansive Nano doors poolside open the entire structure to complete the indoor/outdoor objective. Photo Credit: Kerry Hamilton

Photography By Joe Dodd
Design ideas for a large contemporary backyard gravel landscaping in San Francisco with a fire pit.

Chang Kyun Kim
Kitchen - contemporary concrete floor kitchen idea in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Trendy living room photo in Los Angeles

A board-formed concrete console separates the living zone from the stair without closing it off, holding open display shelving and a linear electric fireplace. Past it the dining and kitchen run straight out to the open glass wall and the skyline beyond.

Example of a trendy home design design in Los Angeles

Ceiling of existing entry was raised to 10'. New flat roof installed. 4" Artisan hardie siding added with mitered edges that nicely contrasts with 6" hardie siding covering the majority of the exterior walls. Tongue and groove cedar smooth siding on ceiling of porch. Painted steel column. Board formed concrete retaining wall added to make planter box. Wide concrete steps leading to open front porch. Added integrated door and window system. Photo: Charles Quinn

Our homeowners were looking for a garden where they could sit by the fire, grow vegetable and hear the sound of water. Their home was new construction in a modern farmhouse style. We used gravel and concrete as paving. Board formed concrete firepit keeps it feeling modern. The vegetable beds supply season vegetables and herbs.