by Heather Shoning
it’s not just for sidewalks and building blocks
Concrete is extremely functional and aesthetic, and the ever-present material makes interesting decor for indoors or out.
1. Bright Side
The Sima pendant light is the epitome of modern elegance. This exquisite fixture redefines luxury lighting with its harmonious blend of materials and minimalist design. Its sleek, bell-shaped shade combines high-quality cement and metal and offers a contemporary aesthetic with an industrial edge. This pendant light—perfect for illuminating dining areas, kitchen islands or living spaces—adds refined style to any interior. Sima Pendant from Bright Ideas, Inc., $275, shop.lightingfordesign.com
2. Top Tables
Transform your backyard hangout spot with this stylish side table. It’s crafted from weather-resistant cement and showcases a contemporary square silhouette in a neutral stone-gray finish. It features UV- and rust-resistance to withstand various conditions, so it’s a stylish addition to your outdoor space. Still, its sophisticated look is also perfect as an indoor side table. Novato Indoor/Outdoor Cement Side Table, $165, wayfair.com
3. Outdoor Ambience
This striking fire pit bowl brings a touch of modern sophistication to your outdoor space. Made from Supercast concrete, the contemporary design features color variations and casual pitting that add to the organic nature of the concrete. It’s the perfect focal point for your outdoor living area. Manual ignition with a battery-operated sparker is standard, or you can upgrade to an electronic Direct Spark Ignition. The glass wind guard is optional and sold separately. Cove Gas Fire Pit Bowl, The Firebird, $3,699, (wind guard, $449), thefirebird.com
4. Well-Worn Walls
With a stylish, dark gray shade and a matte finish, Color One charcoal 2×8 matte cement tile is a fresh, scaled-down riff on subway tile. The dusky appearance of this tile is only part of its appeal—the process of hand-pouring pigment directly into wet cement results in intriguing surface variations and enhanced shading possibilities. No two nuanced, hand-hewn tiles are perfectly alike. Color One Charcoal Gray 2×8 Matte Cement Tile, $20/sq.ft., tilebar.com
5. Sculptural Centerpieces
Concrete gives these Lorin candle holders a modern, sculptural presence. The candle holders come in large oval and small and medium circular bases to elevate taper candles in a contemporary style. Subtle texturing gives the look and feel of artisan creations. Grouped together, this set’s three candle holders create a multilevel interplay of intriguing, midcentury-esque shapes. They accommodate standard taper candles (sold separately). Lorin Cement Taper Candle Holders, Set of 3, $90, crateandbarrel.com
