Finished Projects - The Vertical Artisans Forum2024-03-28T13:04:51Zhttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/forum/categories/finished-projects/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=noIntroduction/First Time Carvetag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2017-02-12:2294914:Topic:1907112017-02-12T04:01:09.917ZShawn Scapeshttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/ShawnSimmon
<p>A quick introduction...</p>
<p>My name is Shawn, I'm from southern California and my background is mostly machining and construction. I have always carved tikis as a hobby and I had a company that molded and mass produced tiki planters. Our molds were carved out of foam, wood, and stone so I have some carving experience. </p>
<p>Fast forward to about two weeks ago when I came across a vertical carving video on you tube. I couldn't sleep that night just thinking of the possibilities. After a…</p>
<p>A quick introduction...</p>
<p>My name is Shawn, I'm from southern California and my background is mostly machining and construction. I have always carved tikis as a hobby and I had a company that molded and mass produced tiki planters. Our molds were carved out of foam, wood, and stone so I have some carving experience. </p>
<p>Fast forward to about two weeks ago when I came across a vertical carving video on you tube. I couldn't sleep that night just thinking of the possibilities. After a bunch of research I ordered everything I needed from walttools.com the next day. They then passed my number to Nathan and he spent a lot of time on the phone with me explaining some things. I really appreciate the time you spent. I look forward to taking some of your classes. Also a huge thanks to Dion and Jeff at Kirtbag mix. Dion has spent a while a couple different times on the phone while he was on a job site to help me out. Way cool! I can't wait to try the Kirtbag mix when it gets here. Either way I am going to get a pallet shipped. </p>
<p>Here are my first attempts at carving today. I learned a lot from today and can't wait to carve more tomorrow. One thing I learned is I used the chip brush way too much to clean the grout lines early on causing my corners to round leaving no sharp edges. Any suggestions please give them too me. I am all ears. I am real excited about learning as much as I can. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307559?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307559?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307605?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307605?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307619?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307619?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307865?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307865?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307944?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060307944?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-left"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060308188?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060308188?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p></p> My first projecttag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2015-07-17:2294914:Topic:1761172015-07-17T03:22:47.913ZMorrishttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/Morris
Ok I did a bad thing. I didn't practice first. I did learn a lot though. Learned a lot about the mix. Thank you to Walt tools for answering my questions half way through the project. Also thanks to Nathan for always promptly texting me back when I have questions.<br />
I know a lot of my mistakes and know my next project will improve greatly. I will stain it this weekend.
Ok I did a bad thing. I didn't practice first. I did learn a lot though. Learned a lot about the mix. Thank you to Walt tools for answering my questions half way through the project. Also thanks to Nathan for always promptly texting me back when I have questions.<br />
I know a lot of my mistakes and know my next project will improve greatly. I will stain it this weekend. mt lion and mt goat scene...tag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2012-01-11:2294914:Topic:883082012-01-11T13:34:40.358Zmatt kapraunhttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/mattkapraun
<p>This is a project our studio recently made. The rock work was done with cast rock panels and the mounts are held by steel posts that are inside the rock work. </p>
<p>This is a project our studio recently made. The rock work was done with cast rock panels and the mounts are held by steel posts that are inside the rock work. </p> Our first projecttag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2011-05-24:2294914:Topic:563032011-05-24T23:24:37.352ZAngus McMillanhttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/AngusMcMillan
<p>After a few weeks of "perfecting" our mix design, we finally settled on one that works for us. So we decided to do the real test, which was a small project in our offices operations room.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We haven't painted yet, as we're waiting to do some on line training for that first.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Criticism welcome!</p>
<p>After a few weeks of "perfecting" our mix design, we finally settled on one that works for us. So we decided to do the real test, which was a small project in our offices operations room.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We haven't painted yet, as we're waiting to do some on line training for that first.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Criticism welcome!</p> stamped countertag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2010-04-05:2294914:Topic:257332010-04-05T17:41:39.493Zcatherine wendy mattinglyhttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/catherinewendymattingly
This is the sides of a counter at Nevada Concrete Supply in Reno , NV. . using Proline's horse stamp. Proline really has some special stamps.
This is the sides of a counter at Nevada Concrete Supply in Reno , NV. . using Proline's horse stamp. Proline really has some special stamps. My first real sample board! Critizism welcomed!tag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2010-02-03:2294914:Topic:242212010-02-03T06:04:36.686ZErik Bhttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/TERRABELLA
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060305188?profile=original"></img> So I have been watching lots of videos and started playing around a week ago. I did one flat piece that turned out nice but wanted to produce a sample with return corners to provide the stone depth illusion. Let me know what you think and don't hold back if you see something I can improve on. I will also post pictures after the whole thing is colored. The size is 4' wide and 32" tall with 12" returns.<br></br><br></br>Erik Buck<br></br>Wichita,KS…<br></br>
<img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060305188?profile=original"/>So I have been watching lots of videos and started playing around a week ago. I did one flat piece that turned out nice but wanted to produce a sample with return corners to provide the stone depth illusion. Let me know what you think and don't hold back if you see something I can improve on. I will also post pictures after the whole thing is colored. The size is 4' wide and 32" tall with 12" returns.<br/><br/>Erik Buck<br/>Wichita,KS<br/><a href="http://www.terrabellaks.com">www.terrabellaks.com</a><br/><br/><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060305337?profile=original"/><br/><br/><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2060305459?profile=original"/><br/> Happy Turkey day and Welcome to Mexicotag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2009-12-01:2294914:Topic:229802009-12-01T22:55:57.775ZNathan Giffin Vertical Artisanshttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/3ucr8q1tge3t5
For the last 11 days I have spent some time in Pharr TX with family and friends for Thanksgiving. While I have been down here, I went to Reynosa Mexico to actually do a project for my father on one of his buildings. I had no tools to speak of and with the help of the local hard ware store I managed to do the project.<br />
I did film it and that will be cool for all the subscribers, however, I did want to share the experience with all on this forum.<br />
<br />
The only tools I used for this job was a 14" round…
For the last 11 days I have spent some time in Pharr TX with family and friends for Thanksgiving. While I have been down here, I went to Reynosa Mexico to actually do a project for my father on one of his buildings. I had no tools to speak of and with the help of the local hard ware store I managed to do the project.<br />
I did film it and that will be cool for all the subscribers, however, I did want to share the experience with all on this forum.<br />
<br />
The only tools I used for this job was a 14" round finishing trowel and a hawk.<br />
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I literally had no rollers or skins and did 't have time to make any. I did have a abundance of sand, small rocks and dust.<br />
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I was able to secure a 3/8" tuck point trowel and local cement and sand.<br />
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So I am calling this project "How to stone face in a foreign country survivor series"<br />
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It was very fun and rewarding at the same time. To be stripped down to the basics and beyond was a challenge that proved exciting at the least. Working with sands that were black and gray and other unfamiliar elements was a real treat.<br />
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It was simple fast and easy. The final looks great. I was unable to paint the feature due to time and weather but the locals were so blown away by the aperance it has caused several to desire it for their own homes. I would really like to see if any of them do it.<br />
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I will post some pictures as soon as I get back to Chicago.<br />
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I am currently in Harlingen TX and going nowhere fast due to weather. I hope I can get a plane to Huston soon.<br />
<br />
Nathan Chicago Kitchentag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2009-07-29:2294914:Topic:210352009-07-29T19:25:15.142ZFauxhohttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/Fauxho
<a href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/pingree/1682318,Headless-Horsemen-House-gets-kitchen_el072309.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/pingree/1682318,Headless-Horsemen-House-gets-kitchen_el072309.article</a><br />
<br />
<b>Kitchen Photos</b><br />
<a href="http://thalmandesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/9087285_JijmA/2/605344640_6YivC#605344640_6YivC">http://thalmandesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/9087285_JijmA/2/605344640_6YivC#605344640_6YivC</a><br />
<b>PASSWORD:…</b>
<a href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/pingree/1682318,Headless-Horsemen-House-gets-kitchen_el072309.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/pingree/1682318,Headless-Horsemen-House-gets-kitchen_el072309.article</a><br />
<br />
<b>Kitchen Photos</b><br />
<a href="http://thalmandesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/9087285_JijmA/2/605344640_6YivC#605344640_6YivC">http://thalmandesigns.smugmug.com/gallery/9087285_JijmA/2/605344640_6YivC#605344640_6YivC</a><br />
<b>PASSWORD: "rock"</b><br />
<br />
I have to say when I got off the plane to do this job for my sister in law I had no idea what was in store for me or how amazing this project was going to end up. What started out as a week long project doing cabinets and a simple wall finish turned into a three week learning experience slash love fest with a few of my decorative finishing colleagues.<br />
It all started when Nathan was giving a class at The Chicago Institute of fine finishing. I had not intended to attend but my sister in law Dale encouraged me to go as long as we could work in the evenings. Dale realized how important this class was to me and I was glad to oblige her. In class Nathan was making columns out of dry stacked stone. I have not had the opportunity to carve stone so this was the perfect chance. I learned about layout, carving, prep, and color. My classmates were a very talented and good group to work with and I learned allot about the system.<br />
After class I asked Nathan if he would be interested in assisting me on the kitchen project as now I had gone from a simple Travertine finish to wanting a dry stack look m (You think class had anything to do with it??) He agreed to help. Then I went to my classmates and asked if they wanted to get some practical experience after class and offered them the opportunity to help. For those of you that have taken a class and forgotten all that you learned in a week you know how valuable a chance like this is to learn the ins and outs of this craft.<br />
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Day one-<br />
Nathan showed up and my nephew Danny and I started mixing concrete and Nathan and I started putting up concrete above the cabinets in a 1’ veneer (I was trying to save time seeing as I was leaving in four days) as we started Gary one of Nathan’s students and now a very dear friend of mine showed up and started pitching in. We worked all day and Nathan and Gary stayed late to complete the 1st phase. After they left I received a call from Kris one of the girls from class and she had just finished her job and offered to help. We worked until about 11:30 that night and she offered to come help the next day. Dale and I worked until 3am on the cabs so as not to get behind.<br />
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Day 2 “Go large or go home”<br />
Nathan showed up and we got started. All of a sudden we were using more mix then before and the relief was about 2-3” (Mind you this was in drywall with no lath and only the scratch coat we put on the day before) I was like Excuse me but what happened to my veener? ….Nathan said he was not used to working so flat…Go large or go home I said. Who was I to argue with the master..lol On Sunday I attended a party at my friend Jodi’s and saw Sigi, Tracy, and Linda and told them of my quest. They have all worked in so called vertical concrete (micro toppings) and were very curious what was going on…I think they new I never do anything small..lol<br />
Tuesday afternoon Sigi visited and lent a hand bringing a few friends and ladders from her son (Thank you!) and from there we had people coming out of the woodwork to help. Dale’s friend Penny helped and Linda came who said “I’m a muralist I don’t do faux” After watching Linda sling concrete and clean out I now consider her a great finisher and friend. Kris showed back up and carved a wall soup to nuts and did a great job. I don’t know how I would have done it without them.<br />
At lunch after she was done slinging concrete Sigi got into a conversation about food with Danny and soon ordered food for all of us and went and picked it up…Best Barbeque in town…They truly love their food and know were to get it..Thank you Sigi.<br />
Dale and I worked with Kris till 1:am finishing cleaning out and Dale kept cleaning up (God bless you Dale)<br />
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Day 3 My day<br />
On the 3rd day I spent the whole day carving with Nathan and Gary showed up to clean out while Danny mixed concrete. Gary did a great job and turned some of my smaller stones to rubble which looked so cool. I finished my beams and carved my initials in a log to sign my work..looks cool.<br />
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Day 4 Change ticket<br />
After a ticket change and a almost divorce we started coloring. We have a flagstone fireplace in the adjoining room so we had our muse. We kept the colors light and used the oxide tones…looked sick! My brother came home and I asked his input. He is older and more anal then his gay brother. He had a couple of problems and Nathan being the true professional that he is blue taped the stones and we changed them to his liking. (Allot easier then I thought)<br />
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The floor<br />
Nathan had never done a floor before and neither had I ..Especially one as bad as this one no skim stone micro topping for this floor …<br />
I went to Specco were they make Vertifaux and asked the chemist Zed what to do…They hooked me up with the proper mix, bonder, and patch and away we went. Specco is an amazing co. they can help you with anything you need and make all kinds of products besides vertical mixes I HIGHLY recommend them.<br />
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Day -1<br />
After patching the floor I asked one of Danny’s friends “Spaz” to help with the layout. This guy has a blood disorder and a bad ankle but it never slowed him down a bit he laid out the floor in no time. Danny and their other friend “Copan” started mixing concrete and away they went. I taught them how to stamp and use release agent. Within hours the beams were done and we were off for sushi (another one of Danny’s choices)<br />
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Day 2<br />
I wanted to make the floor look like flagstone slabs to match the backsplashes so I did them in slabs. It looks great. I did half one day and the rest the next so I had some were to stand. On the second day Gary showed up with his wife and kids and I had the kids help me with the stamping. It was the coolest sight seeing those kids stamping that floor they were so excited to be a part of the project…Then they went and played with our horses and donkey…Sorry Gary for getting them hooked on horses…make sure you bring them back to clean stalls that usually curbs it…but I think your daughter is hooked bad. Poor Gary the beginning of the end.<br />
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Day 3 Color<br />
I colored the floor after washing off the release agent (Much easier vertically ) and it looks great. Linda stopped buy again and shadowed the floor…not bad for a MURALIST…lol<br />
She also helped me choose a proper beam color by retouching my beams in Photoshop<br />
It was a big help.<br />
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The party<br />
On Saturday after postponing my trip a second time I decided to have a party for everyone that helped on the project and their family and friends. It was also an opportunity for everyone to see the unveil of the kitchen and take pictures. I staged the room and started mixing cocktails and cooking salmon from my Alaska trip. Everyone brought food and we had a great evening. I want to thank all the people that were a part of this project for all your time and goodwill. If it was not for you I would still be there….xoxo Pool Side Pergolatag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2009-07-26:2294914:Topic:209122009-07-26T21:19:37.850ZNathan Giffin Vertical Artisanshttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/3ucr8q1tge3t5
These poured pillars measured 16” square and they merited a very large stone look. Not only were the pillars to be impressive but the pergola was to be fabricated out of 12” by 12” wood beams with 6” by 12” joists. Along with the pergola they also had a daybed, couch, a very large fire place with a pizza rack and decorative counter tops that were finished by Tommy Musto of TommyRockInc.com. The decorative iron work for the doors and fire place were provided by the owners brother-in-law John…
These poured pillars measured 16” square and they merited a very large stone look. Not only were the pillars to be impressive but the pergola was to be fabricated out of 12” by 12” wood beams with 6” by 12” joists. Along with the pergola they also had a daybed, couch, a very large fire place with a pizza rack and decorative counter tops that were finished by Tommy Musto of TommyRockInc.com. The decorative iron work for the doors and fire place were provided by the owners brother-in-law John Shepherd owner of PIWCorp.com. All the surrounding areas leading up to the pool and all around the pool are of Butterfield Colors’ Ashler Slate stamps that home owner and his crew used after all the hand carved vertical work was completed. All of the vertical hand carved concrete was carved with Butterfiled Colors Cantera and stained with Butterfields Elements stains.<br />
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The future is bright with hand carved vertical concrete and the response so far has been nothing short of amazing.<br />
Not twenty-four hours after the pergola was finished people, complete strangers, were stopping by knocking on the door asking if they could walk through the back yard. This is what we believe to be the first of many projects of this type here in the midwest with a long and prosperous career. In my eleven years of carving rock out of concrete this project is one of the most impressive pieces of work I have ever done.<br />
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See Pool Side Pergola Photos in the Gallery It's All Cementtag:verticalartisans.ning.com,2009-07-26:2294914:Topic:208912009-07-26T03:05:01.462ZNathan Giffin Vertical Artisanshttp://verticalartisans.ning.com/profile/3ucr8q1tge3t5
Sleepy Hollow home's kitchen really rocks<br />
Actually, it's cement<br />
Comments<br />
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July 24, 2009<br />
By JANELLE WALKER For The Courier-News<br />
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SLEEPY HOLLOW — When Dale Thalman asked her brother-in-law what color she should re-paint her dated kitchen, little did she, or he, know that she'd get a complete renovation.<br />
<br />
What the Thalman family kitchen got, thanks to the help of her husband's brother, Bruce Thalman, and several friends and volunteers, is a custom, eco-friendly, and completely unusual design. Her…
Sleepy Hollow home's kitchen really rocks<br />
Actually, it's cement<br />
Comments<br />
<br />
July 24, 2009<br />
By JANELLE WALKER For The Courier-News<br />
<br />
SLEEPY HOLLOW — When Dale Thalman asked her brother-in-law what color she should re-paint her dated kitchen, little did she, or he, know that she'd get a complete renovation.<br />
<br />
What the Thalman family kitchen got, thanks to the help of her husband's brother, Bruce Thalman, and several friends and volunteers, is a custom, eco-friendly, and completely unusual design. Her peninsula, backsplash and walls are now encased in what looks like the same stone her fireplace is made of. The door lintels now appear to be made of rough hewn wood beams, and floor has stone work and beams, too. However, all of the wood and stone is really concrete, carved and colored by hand to look like the real thing.<br />
» Click to enlarge image<br />
Chicago-area native Bruce Thalman, of New York City, discusses faux stone work using concrete that he is applying at a relative's house in Sleepy Hollow. The kitchen walls are created with the concrete, sculpted and faux pas painted to simulate real rock.<br />
(Michael Smart/Staff Photographer)<br />
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» Click to enlarge image<br />
Designer Bruce Thalman faux pas paints a concrete floor designed to simulate rock Wednesday at the Sleepy Hollow home of his brother and sister-in-law Dale Thalman (right).<br />
(Michael Smart/Staff Photographer)<br />
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"I decided I wanted to paint my cabinets and put in a new floor," Dale said.<br />
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Her house, part of the Headless Horseman property on Sleepy Hollow Road, dates from the 1800s but has had several additions since then.<br />
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The kitchen went from re-paint to renovate due to some unlikely help.<br />
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Bruce Thalman came in from New York for what was supposed to be a week's stay to help with the kitchen but ended up taking a class on vertical concrete applications, too. When the class was done, the instructor, its students and some friends showed up to help redo the entire room.<br />
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In the application, the concrete is mixed to the consistency of peanut butter and tossed onto the walls where it sticks. The concrete is cut, textured and colored on the walls and on the floor.<br />
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Bruce, who works with faux finishes as a designer, had some ideas based on a job he's getting ready for in North Carolina. But, once in the Chicago area, he discovered a class on vertical cement at the Chicago Institute of Fine Finishing in Carol Stream, put on by Nathan Giffin. The two had met at an expo in New Jersey the year before and Bruce was enthralled by his work.<br />
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"We were going to work on the kitchen at night, and I'd go to the class during the day," Bruce said.<br />
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On the last day of class, he asked Giffin if they could hire him to do the vertical concrete in the Thalman's kitchen, then asked the two other students if they wanted some practical experience.<br />
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Bruce also hooked up with Elgin's Sigi Psimenos. The two had met on an Internet forum for artists. She agreed to help, too, even feeding the workers.<br />
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"When he called from New York and said, 'I know you're busy with the Rain Barrels in Elgin, but can you get the Chicago Crew together,' I dropped everything and made some calls," Psimenos said, referring to the "Rain Barrels on Parade" even sponsored this summer by Gail Borden Library.<br />
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Everyone showed up to help on July 13. And everyone was invited back on Saturday night to celebrate the completion, too.<br />
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While the application of concrete is new, Bruce was more impressed by the eco-friendly nature of the project.<br />
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"First, we did not have to kill a tree" for any of the remodel, he said.<br />
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They used the same cabinets, and laid the concrete directly over the existing woodwork.<br />
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"We didn't have to remove or dispose of anything. This went directly on the drywall and studs," Bruce explained.<br />
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And, by having three inches of concrete on the walls, the room's thermal quality "is nuts," Bruce said.<br />
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The vertical concrete is also local, coming from a Lamont-based company, Speco.<br />
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For more information on vertical concrete, go to <a href="http://www.thalmandesigns.com">www.thalmandesigns.com</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1682318,Headless-Horsemen-House-gets-kitchen_el072309.article" target="_blank">Click here for full article</a>