I expected a bit more out of this book than I got out of it. It seems to touch on a little bit of each aspect of using concrete for floors, walls, countertops, etc. But really doesn't go into too much depth, which leaves it up to the reader to do lots of their own experimenting. I would like to have seen the book about twice as thick, with a section more devoted to all the different colour variations and textures that the author has come up with.
People tend to buy books like these so they don't have to spend a bunch of money on trial and error testing. And I think this book could have been a whole lot better in that department.
There is some really nice concrete work in this book that will get the imagination fired up. And there is also some pretty corny concrete work, that may turn some people off. Lots of photo's of some of the kitchens the author has done. Not exactly Johnny Grey work, but quite nice.
Even though I only gave it 3 stars, I would still recommend it. Concrete at Home
Author Fu-Tung Cheng has opened up the idea that concrete isn't just something you skinned your knee on when you were a kid. His first book "Concrete Countertops" was a great instructional book, aimed obviously at amateurs, on how to use the massive substance and form it into any desired shape. Albeit, it leaves you learning from your own mistakes on a few things left out in the book, but all in all, it introduces the reader to concrete and gets them pointed in the right direction.
With his sophomore release, "Concrete at Home", Cheng has assumingly done it again. However, what appears to be an instructional book on how to take your concrete forming ideas to the "next level", just isn't quite up to par. The book shows off over a 1000 pictures of Cheng's work, and while the work is phenomenal in design, the summarized procedures that go along with them, are hardly enough for the reader to mimic the process. Granted, it is safe to say that Cheng doesn't want to give away all of his secrets, but his procedures skip important areas. For instance, he tells the reader that they inserted rigid foam into their countertop to drastically lighten the weight, but what he fails to mention is how exactly they form rounded angles with it, and how they place it in the mold for the pour. Rigid foam isn't the easiest of materials to manipulate into a rounded shape if you're not familiar with it. Another example is Fu-Tung shows you a rough blue-print for a fireplace surround designed to go around a zero-clearance firebox. However, what he neglects to mention is whether or not you are supposed to strip your walls to the studs, insert bolts into the studs that will protrude out into the surround, and then put up green board before you pour your surround, or if you proceed based on what he shows you, assumingly pouring against your existing textured wall, with nothing to anchor it to the wall. Timber!
"Concrete at Home" is a great photo-filled marketing deliverable for Fu-Tung Cheng's business. He purposely sends the reader in the direction of creating something extravagant, but intentionally leaves out key issues so that the reader will become frustrated and in turn, give up and commission Cheng's services.
If you are a professional in the field of concrete, this book is a great visual addition to add to the rest of your concrete books.
We used this book along with Cheng's other book and DVD when making our own concrete countertops. It was very helpful to us because we did a "pour in place" countertop where you build the molds right on your existing cabinets and pour the wet concrete in the molds for a seamless finish. Cheng's method for countertops focuses mainly on building molds in your backyard or garage, pouring the concrete, and then flipping the finished pieces over so you start with a smooth finish. This book has a lot of good examples of poured in place projects, so it was helpful to use this in conjunction with Cheng's countertop book.
That people expect to have the years of knowledge and experience Mr Cheng possesses handed to them on a platter in this book. Any true craftsman wouldn't ask for that, and any novice shouldn't expect it (and particularly not for $22!). This book is a wonderful overview of the amazing qualities and possible applications of concrete. It's designed to get your mind working, and the creative juices flowing. Not as a "Concrete for Dummies" (and how flattering are those books to the average intelligence anyway?). Buy this book for inspiration, for some tips and tricks, and prepare yourself to be amazed. If you want further insight into the methodology, buy the first book as well. And despite another reviewers claims, most of Cheng's work is NOT poured on site, but in the shop, and the pictures on the website are gorgeous! Professional jealousy perhaps, but even as 'just' a coffee table piece, this book is really beautiful.
In his new book, Fu-Tung Cheng gets inspiration from timeless concrete design - found in such places as churches, theaters, hotels or antique walls - and translates it into functional elements for residential homes. It proves to the reader that it doesn't take an army of designers, architects and engineers to transform a regular home into a stylish and expressive living place. Moreover, the book points out that even a small detail - such as creating two different floor levels in a room - can achieve a striking effect while conveying a powerful message about the division of space in that particular room.
Unlike Cheng's "Concrete Countertops" (which was entirely dedicated to creating countertops), "Concrete at Home" is obviously not intended to walk the reader through the entire process of building the concrete forms it talks about. Nevertheless, the book offers a variety of useful tips and indications on what to consider when pouring concrete into different elements and forms.
"Concrete at Home" will inspire you to unleash your creativity while adding elegance and functionality to your home. If you are interested in getting practical design ideas as well as a basic understanding of interior concrete techniques, then this book will reveal a plethora of valuable information you won't find anywhere else. Two thumbs up! - Concrete - Home Design - Interior Design - Construction'
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