What's up benches?

This is an idea I had for a smaller bench that came to life recently.

This was inspired because every time I visit someones house I have to take a knee to put my shoes on before I leave.

I am working on a bench, shelf and mirror combo that I hope will go well at any foyer.

I've been framed

I have been experimenting with concrete picture frames.

Again not as heavy as you might think at 3/4" think.







Getting the hardware fixed to the back was a challenge.

Some careful drilling and two part epoxy does the trick.







With color and design combinations seemingly endless, I am very excited about concrete frames.

The conex

"So I did this project."
If I were to post this in only pictures and just a few words it just wouldn't do this project justice.
It started when Emily asked me if I could help her get counters in her office.
This was a three year project in the works and she wanted counters open underneath so cabinets were out of the question.
We designed a concrete bracket to cantilever the 26" and 30" concrete counter tops.






A tremendous amount of time and resources went into these brackets which were built in the garage just outside the office itself.
Well...a design flaw left me with a pile of broken concrete and one broken heart.












So... Back to the drawing board we went with the brackets.
I was determined to have this done by Christmas but there was a lot of work to be done.
The bracket would have to hold all of my weight without failing.






By the time the brackets were completed I had all of the countertops poured and staged outside of the office door.












With a little help from Emily's mom and dad we were able to get her out of the house long enough to finish mounting the brackets and install the countertops.
I went so far as to make it look as if the countertops were still outside the door to the office so it would be a surprise.
On Christmas morning I gave her the keys.












It was "The best Christmas ever".