Color concrete garden project

INDEX

acid stains Cast-in-Place Side Table, 158–167
application by dipping, 75, 80–81 Concrete Sphere, 40–47
process and composition of, 26 Pressed Stool, 23, 100–109
protecting work surfaces, 39 Side Table, 92–99
spraying, 33, 39, 177, 185 Buddy Rhodes Bone White Spray Coat
unpredictability of color finish, 26–27 in custom mixes, 79, 87, 193
using protective gloves, 39, 80 description, 18–19
Hanging Concrete Pendants, 12, 74–81 high strength properties, 19
Simple Bench, 176–185 for slurry mix, 89
Tabletop Planter, 32–39 Hanging Concrete Pendants, 12, 74–81
Modern Birdhouse, 19, 31, 186–195
Address Sign, 54–59 Simple Dish, 82–91
admixtures, 18, 19, 78, 128 bugholes
aggregates as aesthetically pleasing, 129, 133, 148, 156, 169, 175
as characteristic of pressing technique, 23, 24
in Cheng Pro-Formula Mix, 19 vibrating to decrease number of, 173
composition of, 16 See also voids
as factor in strong concrete, 16
straining out large, for slurries, 45, 98, 107 candleholder, 60–65
variability in concrete mixes, 18, 19 casting
all-thread rods, 128, 130–131, 133
analogous color schemes, 28, 29 board-form technique, 119, 121–124
aquarium pump, 116 clean-up, 24
concrete consistency and, 23
ball and chain, 66–73 face coats with backer coats, 24, 96–97, 105–106
benches, 12–13, 176–185 pouring, 23
Bike Stand, 168–175 techniques, 22–24
birdhouse, 19, 31, 186–195 See also pressing; individual projects
black, using, 49, 51–52 Cast-in-Place Side Table, 158–167
Board-Form Fire Pit, 118–125 caulk, silicone
bromeliads, 49 as adhesive in constructing forms, 51
Buddy Rhodes Bone White Concrete Counter Mix importance of full cure, 113, 131
sealing seams in forms, 22
description, 18
for slurry mixes, 45, 98, 107

200

securing knockouts, 35 See also acid stains; color, integral; pigments; water-
caulking gun as common tool, 25 based stains
cement vs. concrete, 16. See also Portland cement
centerpieces, 60–65, 82–91 color-light dynamic, 28
chair, child’s, 134–141 color stains, 26–27. See also acid stains; water-based
challenging projects
stains
Bike Stand, 168–175 color wheel, 28–29
Cast-in-Place Side Table, 158–167 commercial-grade concrete mixes, 18, 111. See also
Garden Swing, 150–157
Modern Birdhouse, 19, 31, 186–195 Quikrete 5000 Concrete Mix; Sakrete 5000 Plus
Simple Bench, 176–185 Concrete Mix
Wood-burning Fire Pit, 15, 142–149 compression strength, 17
Cheng Pro-Formula Mix concrete
as concrete additive, 19, 132, 139, 143, 146–147, 155, aesthetic versatility and resilience, 15
cement vs., 16
173 creative process, 11–13
contribution to finished appearance, 127, 129 elements of, 16
description, 19 raw concrete project, 176–185
chess park, 15 reactions from direct contact, 20
Child’s Chair, 134–141 sealing, 24
cleaning step in processing project pieces, 26 strengths and weaknesses, 17
clean-up, 24 concrete mixes
color, integral about, 18–19
defined, 25 admixtures, 18, 19, 78, 128
dry pigment as preferable, 25 commercial-grade, 18, 111
gradated, 49, 51–52 custom mixes, 78–79, 87, 193
uniform and solid color results, 26 e ect on final color, 25
when to add to concrete mixtures, 25 mixing and mixing tools, 20–21

See also individual projects See also specific brand names
color e ects Concrete Sphere, 40–47
creating with concrete
mingled, 111, 116
mottled, 26, 177, 185 failure as a learning experience, 11–12
subtle layers, 93 planning, importance of, 11–12
tone-on-tone, 101 unexpected results, 12–13
two concentrations of the same color, 111, 114–115 curing
two-toned, 75, 80–81, 155–156, 177, 185 avoiding during clean-up, 24
unpredictability of acid stains, 26–27 e ect on pigment color, 45, 58
See also finishes process of, 17
coloring concrete curves, 19, 85, 153
about, 24–27
basic color principles, 28–29 demolding process
black, 49, 51–52 care with, 12
choosing colors, 29 e ect on forms during, 22
creating brilliant white, 101, 187, 193 vulnerability of freshly cured concrete, 12, 37, 106,
darker, earth-tones, 24 149, 185
e ect of curing on, 45, 58
e ect of vibration on, 114–115 See also individual projects
dish, 82–91
Doorstop, 66–73

201

drains/sewers, 24 upside down, 23
drill as common tool, 25 waterproofing seams, 146, 180, 181
drill with mixing paddle, 21, 79, 193 See also individual projects
drum mixer, 20, 122, 146, 173, 181 forms, objects used as
dust mask, 20 55-gallon drum, 127
ball, 67, 69–71
easy projects light globe, 41
Address Sign, 54–59 plastic bowls, 111, 113
Concrete Sphere, 40–47 plastic planter, 93, 95
Doorstop, 66–73 plastic trash cans, 101, 103, 187
Hanging Concrete Pendants, 12, 74–81 tubes, 127–133, 160–167
Simple Dish, 82–91 fountain, 110–117
Stacked Ring Planter, 48–53
Tabletop Candleholder, 60–65 garden stool, 23, 100–109
Tabletop Planter, 32–39 Garden Swing, 150–157
gas fire pit, 118–125
electric paddle mixer, 20, 21, 96 gloves. See rubber gloves
embedding objects, 71, 172 gray cement, 19, 24
eye protection, 20
hand casting. See pressing
ferns, 49 Hanging Concrete Pendants, 12, 74–81
finishes hoe and wheelbarrow as mixing tools, 20, 21, 146, 169

glossy, 116, 127 inlaid objects, 71, 172
intriguing, 127, 129 integral color. See color, integral
melamine forms for smooth, 22, 135, 148
natural burnished, 159, 176–177, 185 knockouts
rough, industrial character, 55 about, 22
striations, 127, 129, 133, 148 numbers as, 55, 57, 59
subtle and natural, 111 securing with silicone, 35
textured, using sawdust, 61, 63, 64, 65 See also individual projects
trowel, 23, 159, 163, 165–166, 177, 183–184, 185, 194
wood-grain pattern, 22, 119 ladder wire
See also bugholes; color e ects; slurries; veins; reinforcing concrete with, 17
Cast-in-Place Side Table, 158–167
voids Simple Bench, 176–185
fire pits, 15, 118–125, 142–149
floats and floating, 165–166, 183, 184 Large Oval Planter, 126–133
form materials
margin trowel. See trowel, margin
being creative with, 31 melamine
common, 22
plywood, 22, 119–125 as form material, 22, 33
See also melamine forms for smooth finishes, 22, 135, 148
forms predrilling holes in, 35
building, 21–22 waterproof properties, 22
as distinguished from molds, 21 mixing and mixing tools, 20–21. See also individual
petroleum jelly for plywood, 122
sealing seams, 22 projects
tightly constructed for pouring into, 23

202 INDEX

moderate projects bugholes as characteristic of, 23, 24
Board-Form Fire Pit, 118–125 slurry, 28
Child’s Chair, 134–141 specialized cement mixes for, 24
Large Oval Planter, 126–133 technique, 96, 105–106
Pressed Stool, 23, 100–109 using protective gloves, 20, 43, 96, 105, 106
Side Table, 92–99 veins as characteristic of, 23, 24, 43, 93, 96, 101
Water Feature, 110–117 voids as characteristic of, 41, 43, 44, 93, 96, 101
projects by level of di culty. See challenging projects;
Modern Birdhouse, 19, 31, 186–195
molds, 21 easy projects; moderate projects
monochromatic color schemes, 28 psi ratings, 18, 19
moss, 33 pump, installing, 116
PVA fibers, 16, 18, 79, 87, 193
numbers as knockouts, 55, 57, 59
Quikrete 5000 Concrete Mix
paddle mixer, electric, 20, 21, 96 adding Cheng Pro-Formula Mix, 19
pendants, 12, 74–81 description, 18
pigments rough, industrial character of, 55
Address Sign, 54–59
adding to concrete, 25 Board-Form Fire Pit, 118–125
adding to slurries, 45, 89, 98–99 Doorstop, 66–73
black, 49, 51–52 Stacked Ring Planter, 48–53
color a er curing, 45, 58 Tabletop Candleholder, 60–65
dry for integral color, 25 Tabletop Planter, 32–39
hues for concrete, 26
using protective gloves, 25, 45 raw concrete project, 176–185
white with gray-based cement, 127 rebar
planters
plants for, 33, 49 reinforcing concrete with, 17
Large Oval Planter, 126–133 Garden Swing, 150–157
Stacked Ring Planter, 48–53 reinforcing concrete, 16–17
Tabletop Planter, 32–39 removing forms. See demolding process
plasticizers, 17 river rocks, 110, 111, 116–117
plywood as form material, 22, 119–125 rubber gloves
polystyrene foam as form material, 22 applying slurry, 46, 98, 107
polyvinyl alcohol fibers. See PVA fibers as common tool, 25
Portland cement handling / pressing concrete, 20, 43, 96, 105, 106
as concrete element, 16 removing glass form, 44
gray as color limiting, 19, 24 using pigments, 25, 45
for slurries, 41, 45, 98, 107 working with acid stains, 39, 80
for thin objects, 78 rubber tubing, 36, 37, 191, 192
white for vibrant colors, 24, 101, 187
pounds per square inch strength ratings, 18, 19 safety and safety equipment, basic, 20. See also rubber
pozzolans, 16–17 gloves
premixes. See concrete mixes
Pressed Stool, 23, 100–109 safety glasses, 44
pressing Sakrete 5000 Plus Concrete Mix
about, 24
adding Cheng Pro-Formula Mix, 19, 132, 139, 143,
146, 155

INDEX 203

description, 18 reinforcing, 16–17
Bike Stand, 168–175 striations, 127, 129, 133, 148
Board-Form Fire Pit, 118–125 swing, 150–157
Child’s Chair, 134–141
Garden Swing, 150–157 tables, 92–99, 158–167
Large Oval Planter, 126–133 Tabletop Candleholder, 60–65
Simple Bench, 176–185 Tabletop Planter, 32–39
Water Feature, 110–117 tape measure and pencil as common tools, 25
Wood-burning Fire Pit, 15, 142–149 tensile strength, 17
sand thin pieces, 19, 78, 111
as concrete element, 16 tools and equipment
in spray coat mix, 18
sanding clean-up, 24
avoiding aggressive, 116, 185 common, 25
to distinguish veins, 108 mixing and mixing tools, 20–21
removing residue, 46
sandpaper as common tool, 25 See also individual project tool lists; specific tool
as step in processing project pieces, 26, 39
names
See also individual projects triadic color schemes, 28–29
sawdust, 61, 63, 64, 65 trowel, margin
screeds and screeding, 23, 163, 164, 183
sealing concrete, 24 applying slurry with, 89
sealing seams in forms, 22. See also waterproofing demolding forms, 65, 115–116, 124, 141, 148, 174,

seams 194
Side Table, 92–99 digging out knockouts, 37, 106, 194
silicone caulk. See caulk, silicone as indispensable tool, 24
silicosis, avoiding, 20 leveling / smoothing surfaces, 36, 52, 58, 64, 87
Simple Bench, 176–185 mixing concrete, 20, 21, 35, 45, 51, 70, 71, 105, 114
Simple Dish, 82–91 packing concrete, 36, 155–156
skin reactions to concrete, 20 vibrating poured concrete, 114–115
slurries trowel, proper use of, 165, 183
trowel, steel, 165, 184
for filling voids, 27, 46, 89, 98, 107 troweling as finishing technique, 23, 159, 163, 165–166,
mixing and applying, 45–46, 89, 98–99, 107
multiple on one project, 98–99 177, 183–184, 185, 194
straining concrete mixes for, 45, 98, 107
timing when removing residue, 46, 99, 108 veins
uses, 27–28 as aesthetically pleasing, 23–28, 41, 47
using protective gloves, 46, 98, 107 as characteristic of pressing technique, 23, 24, 43,
sphere, 40–47 93, 96, 101
Stacked Ring Planter, 48–53 sanding to distinguish, 108
stains. See acid stains; water-based stains
stencils and stenciling, 86, 89 vibrating
stonecrop, 33, 49 color mingling e ect, 114–115
stool, 23, 100–109 to decrease bugholes, 173
strength of concrete purpose of, 36
psi ratings, 18, 19
voids
filling with slurries, 27, 46, 89, 98, 107
pressing concrete and, 41, 43, 44, 93, 96, 101
as textural element, 44, 93, 107
See also bugholes

204 INDEX

water
concrete problems due to excessive, 17
evaporation during curing, 17
mixing amounts and concrete strength, 21
role in concrete and cement, 16

water-based stains
composition and process of, 27
Board-Form Fire Pit, 118–125

Water Feature, 110–117
waterproofing seams, 146, 180, 181. See also sealing

seams in forms
water reducers

adding to concrete, 79, 87, 164, 193
in Cheng Pro-Formula Mix, 19
purpose, 17
Wood-burning Fire Pit, 15, 142–149

INDEX 205

Nathan Smith has a BBA in business manage-
ment with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. He
started his journey with concrete in the form of
countertops for his own home. The material was
fascinating and the medium was too much to
resist. Since its formation in 2007, Set in Stone
has slowly assembled a team of talented and
creative individuals. They all consider them-
selves a part of a concrete evolution, using the
seemingly limitless material to enrich lives ulti-
mately through the creative process. He resides
in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He feels at home in
the shop, on a bike in the woods, and especially
hanging out with his family.

Michael Snyder is an artisan craftsman with
a background in sculpture and carpentry. He
works at Set in Stone, a concrete design com-
pany with a focus on making beautiful useful
objects. He lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Charles Coleman is a photographer based in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, with over nine years
in the field. His works are fostered from a desire
to express stories through mediums ranging
from tintype photography to video documentary.
Visit charlescolemanphotography.com for more
information.

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