Buddy Rhodes

Buddy Rhodes Studios

Buddy Rhodes manufactures a concrete product which has been widening its market over the last fifteen years to include indoor and outdoor floor tiles, pre-cast counters for kitchen and bath, sinks and tubs, surrounds and architectural elements cast to suit individual projects. The product is entirely handmade and colored.

Originally a ceramist with a craftsman's interest in architectural integrity, Buddy abandoned his clay and potters wheel when he developed a way to meld the warmth and earthy handmade quality of pottery with the strength, versatility and architectural applicability of concrete.

His extensive product development and practiced understanding of the material coincided with the growth of international interest in concrete as a widely available and sustainable material capable of providing a timeless earth element to a broad spectrum of projects. Applicability in the kitchen and bath has taken off in the last few years and Buddy Rhodes' name has become synonymous with "designer concrete".

Experimenting extensively in the early stages of product development, Buddy learned how to solve many of the problems of adapting concrete to new applications. Natural elements inherent in the material's nature had to be addressed. The cracking, warping, coloring consistency, sealing and psi strength, which those new to concrete fabrication must address, were among the issues he worked hard to resolve early on.

The material is made entirely out of cement, sand and binders. It is reinforced with an expanded galvanized steel diamond mesh. The concrete is hand packed into molds of different sizes and shapes. Removed from the mold, it is then troweled over, producing its characteristic surface of varying color and texture. Three surface styles are produced: the original mottled and two-toned marble-like texture, the monotoned and smooth hand-trowed surface, and the ground surface with exposed sand aggregate.

 Residential clients who choose concrete are seeking an alternative to the polish of granite and marble, the antiseptic coolness of plastic products such as Corian and Formica, and the grout lines of repeated ceramic tiles. BRS clients appreciate the warmth and handmade appearance, as a pottery collector enjoys the look of a hand thrown bowl. They understand that no tile or slab surface is identical to another. Color and texture vary somewhat with each casting.

Although Buddy Rhodes Studio (BRS) has pre-cast concrete for such varied applications as fireplace surrounds, retail counters, public fountains and sculptures, exterior sills and bases, signage, and office work stations, the most common projects are kitchens and baths. Kitchen and bath applications include vanity tops, kitchen counters and islands, table tops, custom cast sinks and tubs, shower basins, back splashes, and tiles for floors and walls. Kitchen counters exceed all other residential fabrication orders.

Kitchen and bath counter surfaces have hand polished finishes, sealed with a penetrating concrete sealer. Accordingly, they are smooth and stain resistant, withstanding spills and promoting easy clean up. We do recommend that you treat them with care. Avoid placing hot pans on the surface, which can damage and discolor the sealer. Use a board rather than cutting directly on the counter, which can leave a mark. Acids like lemon juice and vinegar can etch the surface, and oil left for a long period can seep into the concrete and discolor it. Neither is harmful if wiped off quickly. Over time, concrete counters may develop a patina of use that most clients appreciate.

BRS advises clients to reseal every two years for optimal maintenance of the original look. A monthly waxing protects the sealer and enhances the warm glow of the surface. BRS has developed a food grade beeswax topping, which is ideal and available online or through our distributors.

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