Looking over my shoulder as I correspond with you, dear reader, is my beloved daughter, snapping her Trident (fruit flavored, I suspect). And out of her angelic mouth she utters, "So what's up with this DESIGNER CONCRETE!"

Well! What better time than now to take a moment to discuss concrete flooring, from contemporary to rustic, in hopes that it will be of some small service to you (as well as to my sweet daughter).

If you're at all like me you probably got fooled into assuming that when it comes to concrete flooring one is only talking about the gray stuff we see in a mechanic's garage.

Far from the truth these days! For design schemes that range from contemporary to rustic, concrete flooring offers beauty and durability. Today's designer concrete can be brightly colored or naturally stained.  Stamping and staining the surface can, in fact, crate the illusion of other materials, such as travertine or marble. You can also inset concrete with other objects or materials, such as tile or metal medallions. The sky's the limit!

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, you can purchase concrete polymer overlays to pour over an existing concrete slab and stain. But for truly exquisite results, however, you should hire a professional -- you won't regret it -- especially when you see the results!

To prevent stain absorption, a concrete floor must be sealed. Ask your installer which cleaning products are best for the selected sealant.  Plan to regularly vacuum a concrete floor, and immediately wipe up spills.  Occasionally damp-mop, and use a mild soap recommended by your installer.

Several of our high-end oceanfront mansions have stained and stamped concrete flooring.  Exquisite and tasteful.  Check out some of the pics on the hartmanhometeam.com website.