Microcement: The unexpectedly Chic Interior Design Trend Taking Over
Table of Contents
Think of interior design, adn images of plush rugs and soft furnishings likely spring to mind. Concrete? Not so much. But a new trend is shaking up the world of home décor: microcement.
This surprisingly versatile material is becoming a go-to option to conventional tile in kitchens and bathrooms, offering a sleek, modern aesthetic with unmatched durability. It’s transforming the way we think about one of the moast heavy-duty building materials, elevating it to a level of refinement that rivals any high-end finish.
Microcement is a blend of cement powder, quartz powder, and resin, applied in a thin layer to virtually any surface – even kitchen countertops! The result? A captivating fusion of industrial chic and polished concrete, available in a wide array of colors to move beyond the typical gray we associate with concrete.
Elise Peng, owner of EP Interiors, a Dublin-based design firm, has incorporated microcement into several projects. “It’s quiet luxury with a high-end aesthetic to give a cosmetic update to the bathroom,” she explains. “You can use it instead of tiles so you’re not buying adhesive and grouting and there’s no waste with off-cuts so it’s cheaper and more sustainable.” She adds a crucial caveat: ”If you’re renovating, you can apply it over existing tiles, saving on removal and providing a speedy refresh. But you do need to make sure the bathroom is waterproofed properly before using it.”
The material’s growing popularity has even led some contractors to make a complete career shift. Gintaras Bendaravicius, owner of Mymicrocement in Kerry, Ireland, transitioned from a 18-year tiling career to focus exclusively on microcement in 2022. “it’s a big change in interior design,” he notes. “Any walls or floors can be done in it,and you have an endless choice of colors. You’ll never have to paint it. You can also have different textures from stone effect to smooth as glass. It’s a super flexible product.”
Bendaravicius highlights another key advantage over traditional concrete: “Polished concrete is arduous to pour in a renovation,” he says.”Microcement is easy for a renovation and there are no joins. It’s only 4mm thickness so if you have underfloor heating it will come up much faster then it would through concrete.”
While still gaining traction in the US, microcement has already taken Europe by storm. Anna Bougharbel, owner of Maison Anna B, a Cork-based microcement and lime paint specialist, discovered its appeal while designing her own home. “Short and simple,we were building our house and looking at the interior choices and we were attracted to micro cement,” she shares. “I’m french and it’s everywhere in France but there are not many providers here in Ireland. We wanted the seamless look, no tiles, no grout. The texture is fabulous, it really brings you somewhere else, the feeling like you’re on holiday.”
the application process, however, requires skill and precision. While it may seem simple, achieving the desired seamless finish demands expertise and attention to detail.
Microcement: The Stunning, Low-Maintenance Finish Taking the US by Storm
Forget traditional tile – a new wave of interior design is sweeping across the US, and it’s called microcement. This durable, versatile coating offers a sleek, modern aesthetic with surprisingly low maintenance, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to upgrade their bathrooms, kitchens, and more.its adaptability allows for a wide range of colors and finishes, catering to diverse design preferences.
“Lots of people are looking for materials that are beautiful,” says one expert, “and they’re being bolder now with materials. Microcement is a coating,and it’s low-maintenance but you will need to reseal it after seven years or even longer.” The application process requires patience and attention to detail,but the results speak for themselves.
Rob Hennessy, a homeowner from Passage West, Co. Cork, who featured on RTÉ’s The Great House Revival, recently used microcement in his en-suite bathroom renovation. He chose it as an alternative to traditional tiles, seeking a unique and lasting finish. “I looked into different finishes,” he explains, “No matter what you do in a house it’s always down to the finish and the microcement is a stunning effect. There are hundreds of color choices so you never have to paint it. I went for a light cream. It’s a small room and I didn’t want it to look dark.”
Hennessy cleverly integrated the contemporary microcement with vintage elements, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. “I brought in the old to work with the new,” he says. “The ensuite is now one of my favorite rooms.” This approach demonstrates the versatility of microcement in various design schemes.
After eight months of living with his new bathroom, Hennessy offers advice to potential users: “Make sure the surface is skimmed with the standard plaster finish first,” he emphasizes. “Anna primed it and put two coats of microcement on it over two days. I absolutely love it. I’m now planning to have elements of it in other rooms, and I love not having to clean grout.”
For those interested in exploring microcement for their own home renovation projects,several Instagram accounts offer inspiration and insights: Instagram.com/ep_interior_design, Instagram.com/maison_annab, Instagram.com/victorian_renovation_glenbrook, and Instagram.com/mymicrocement.
Mastering the HTML5 `` Tag: A Comprehensive Guide
The HTML5 `
What is the `` Tag?
The `
When to Use the `` Tag
Use the `
- Self-reliant and self-contained
- Meaningful on its own, even outside the context of the surrounding page
- Potentially reusable or syndicated elsewhere
- Clearly distinct from other content on the page
For example, on a news website, each news story would be wrapped in an `
Examples of `` tag Usage
consider a blog post about the impact of social media on the 2024 election. The entire post, from title to author bio, would be contained within the `
Incorrect usage might involve wrapping individual paragraphs or sections within an `
Best Practices and Considerations
While the `
Moreover,consider using related tags like `
By understanding and correctly implementing the `
This looks like an incomplete draft of a blog post about microcement and using the HTML5
Here’s a breakdown of the current content and some suggestions on how to complete it:
Content Analysis
Microcement Section: This part is well-developed and covers:
Introduction to microcement and its rising popularity.
Advantages over customary tiles: low maintenance, seamless finish, integrability with existing surfaces.
Quotes from professionals and homeowners, highlighting benefits like design flexibility and ease of request in renovations.
Visual examples with captions providing context.
HTML
Completing the Blog Post
- Expand the
Tag Clarification:
Definition: Explain what the
Why use It: Discuss the benefits:
SEO: Helps search engines understand the structure of your page and the importance of each article.
Accessibility: Assistive technologies can better identify and navigate distinct content units.
Readability: Breaks up large chunks of text, making content easier to scan and understand.
Example Code: Provide a basic example demonstrating the
- Structure and Best Practices:
Nesting: Explain how
headings (
- Semantic HTML and Accessibility:
Stress the importance of using semantic HTML tags (like
- Conclusion:
Summarize the key takeaways: Microcement as a design trend and the
Encourage readers to use both in their web development projects.
Let me know if you want help developing any of these sections in more detail!
