Welcome to Bedrock
Working with various concrete mixes and application techniques, Vince Schrementi of Everlast Concrete hand sculpts and molds soft, flowing forms over vertical surfaces such as walls, columns, and fireplace surrounds. He and his team also imprint concrete floors to resemble paved surfaces, stone, and rustic tile; imitate textures of bark and armadillo skin; or create three-dimensional cubic effects.
Extremely large but relatively lightweight features are made possible by the thin-set and micro-top concrete systems Schrementi uses. The look of a 5-ton concrete wall in the middle of a living room can be achieved without having to support such a structure. He just applies thin concrete over cement board or any other supporting material.
Surface textures and finishes are almost unlimited, and Schrementi can create just about any texture a client requires, he says. For more unusual textures, he takes inspiration from anything from photos of rice paddies to wood knots. “We’ve used some very unorthodox methods to get textures. It just depends on what the client wants,” he says. Everlast Concrete. 888.236.9094. www.everlastconcrete.com.
Water World
A walkable, in-floor koi pond? An entry-way rain curtain that shuts off at the owner’s approach? A stream that flows throughout the house? Just name the water feature—no matter how extravagant, complicated, or wild—and Rock ‘N Crab Aquatics can create it. The firm’s only limitations are the capabilities of the physical components and gravity, says project manager Peri Damon.
Rock ‘N Crab’s designers can work with nearly any material and with interactive features to create sculptures, themed environments, aquariums, fountains, and natural-looking waterscapes such as ocean reefs. Clients are encouraged to get creative.
Waterwalls are particularly popular right now, so the firm developed its AquaFrame waterwall. It delivers the same visual effect as a standard waterwall but eliminates splashing and complicated filtration systems, so the waterfall can be incorporated into more projects. Rock ‘N Crab Aquatics. 603.595.2722. www.rockncrab.com.
