Concrete Countertops Don't Need To Be Ultra-Modern

This is a small section of a beautiful concrete countertop in a kitchen I designed a couple years ago.  While most people think that concrete is cold and industrial, this proves that it can fit in traditional and refined settings as well.  

This particular top was made by Scott Thomsen at ConcreteXpressions here in Salt Lake City.  It was such a fun and personal process!  He worked directly with my client, making several samples until she had exactly what she wanted regarding background color, and the size & spacing of the various flecks.  The flecks are actually recycled brown glass mixed with mother-of-pearl pieces.

Rust-Oleum Transformations: Another DIY option

Recently, Rust-Oleum flew 10 design bloggers to New Orleans for a hands-on workshop to introduce their new line called Transformations.   I read about it on Apartment Therapy.

Cabinet Transformations
I've talked about painting cabinets before.  But now achieving the look of stained & glazed wood doesn't seem so impossible for an amateur DIY homeowner.  The Cabinet Transformations kit comes in 70 different colors.  The website claims "no stripping, no sanding, no priming" (although in the FAQ section they do recommend a Zinsser Primer if using raw wood).  They claim it works on all wood, melamine, and laminate surfaces.

Here's a before & after cabinet photo from their website:

Countertop Transformations:

This is a simple (yet messy) kit that covers existing laminate countertops (also claims to work on wood or metal trim) using 3 layers:  1)  Adhesive base coat, 2) Decorative Color Chips, and 3)  Protective Coating.

It is currently only available in these colors:

Here's a before/after countertop photo from their website:

I haven't used this product, and only know info from the bloggers' opinions and from Rust-Oleum's website.
But it sounds like a great product and I'd be willing to try it (maybe it's finally time to do something with the honey oak that I despise so much in my kitchen and bathroom?)  I sure wish Rust-Oleum would use me as a guinea pig with their product...

Caesarstone's New Deep Ocean

I am absolutely in love with the new Deep Ocean color from Caesarstone!  For years the only blue countertop options have been laminate, Corian, or granite (which only has specs of blue, and you typically pay a lot for those specs).  I guess blue pearl granite would count, but it often appears more black or grey than blue.

As the name states, this new blue is inspired by the deep blues of the ocean.  It's muted, yet there's no mistaking that it's blue.  It's a great color and I hope to use it soon!