CONCRETE STYLES...New Stenciling Process Merges 1840's Early American Design with 21st Century Concrete Floors

Designs from the 19^th century, applied to concrete floors, inspired a course of action for Les Stever. His interest in stenciling, along with a taste for Early American and Victorian patterns, came together in an interesting way. With a background in concrete and masonry and now decorative concrete, Stever, the owner of Concrete Styles, Lansdale, PA offers contractors a new-patented process for stenciling Victorian Floor Designs onto Concrete. The Patent 6,652,907 Method of Coloring Concrete introduces a system that includes a variety of stencils and very effective gel material.

Stencil process to create circa 1780 Victorian pattern on concrete.

Finding Resources and Business DevelopmentStever says, "A few years ago I stumbled onto the Historical Society of Early American Decoration, www.hsead.org while browsing the Internet looking for information about stencils." He explains, that HSEAD carries on the work of Esther Brazer--a woman Stever admires greatly. "She traveled all around New England to chronicle the work of 19^th century artisans. Without her work, many early patterns would be lost," he added. Brazer passed on in 1945, but HSEAD continues her work today. A book she wrote, Early American Decoration, is still available. The 19^th century method of patterning floors was popular as an art form, developed as an economical solution for people who could not afford carpets. These patterns recorded by Brazer are the basis of Stever's stencil ideas—all uniquely American designs. If you want to get a better idea about New England floor stencils, circa 1740-1840, a good resource is www.MBHistoricDecor.com. They have the Esther Stevens Brazer collection from the Museum of American Folk Art.

Stever began like many contractors doing plain concrete flatwork. As the market developed for stamping and staining concrete, he realized he needed to know more about decorative concrete. After some learning and training experiences and an investment, the business evolved and he formed Concrete Styles. At first his emphasis focused on imprinting and stain work. As a result of his frustration with acid and water-based stains, which tend to migrate during application, he sought other ways to achieve decorative floor finishes. That led to his discovery of Victorian floor stencils and his current specialty. His work is now gaining the attention of homebuilders, architects, interior designers and homeowners, who are attracted to the intricate designs and are specifying them for their projects.

Stever sees the new process as a benefit to concrete contractors and wants to get it into their hands. To that end, one of the first distributors is The Stamp Store, Oklahoma City, OK.. Doug Bannister, owner, says about the gel material, "It blocks out stain as nothing else does!" The Stamp Store is lending a hand to bring the process to contractors and will soon team up with Stever to offer training.

But, I am Not An ArtistThe best part about stenciling is that you do not have to be an outstanding artist in your own right. The art is something you purchase. With this art in hand, craftsmen can easily install especially interesting patterned floors. Utilizing this 19^th century art with his 21^st century approach to concrete is what Stever offers—unique stencils from Concrete Styles, along with a water based gel resist material that efficiently blocks out stain and controls the color application. Stever emphasizes, "The process offers contractors a way to go beyond stamping concrete and concrete guys can be artists!"

Brief Process:

1. Stenciling may be applied to new or old concrete floors. Do the necessary preparation to make sure the slab is clean, from removing old mastics and sealers to dirt and dust.

2. Have stencils ready along with whatever tools you need such as paint brushes, coloring materials, rags, tape etc.

3. When stenciling make sure the stencil is well attached to the slab. The stencil may be a positive or negative cut out.

4. Paint over with the gel resist material. Pull up the stencil and the resist creates the image left on the floor. When it dries, apply color directly onto the slab. The stain will not run under the resist material, as you might expect from acid or water based stains, and the pattern will be very crisp and precise.

5. Once the staining is complete, peel off the gel, then wash off and neutralize the slab. After it is thoroughly dry, protect it with sealers. Clients must maintain the finished work with sealer to keep the original brightness and clarity of the images.

Following gel application and removal of stencils, patio sprayed with cola and tan colored stain and final sealed. The homeowner says it's her "Leather Patio"

Variations with StencilingThe spectrum of possibilities with decorative concrete adds variety to the stenciling process. By placing an integrally colored slab and then stenciling, you automatically create layers of color. You can enrich the color with multiple stain applications. Using water based stains opens a large range of colors for unique treatments. Stencils can also be used with acid or sand blasting for one of a kind effect.

Contact InformationWorking with the old designs, Stever says, "You feel a union with artisans working in the 1830's and 40's." If this decorative patterning tradition and new gel products sound interesting, learn more at the Concrete Styles website, www.concretestyles.com which features pictures of completed projects in the stenciling section. For additional information:

lesstever@comcast.net

Call: 866-906-2006

Jeanne Fields is the owner of Fields Marketing, which provides marketing services for contractors and manufacturers in the decorative concrete industry.