Concrete Design and Fabrication Group Features GFRC

Concrete Bathroom

2012-01-02T14:28:00.000-05:00

This Bathroom was designed by Reinboth & Co. This custom tub has a hand hammered copper texture for the exterior and a limestone finish. The tub is 7' long by 3' wide by 2' tall. Only weighs 400lbs! Matching pedestal sink and double sink. Fabricated by JM Lifestyles

2011 in Photos

2011-12-23T11:57:00.001-05:00

One of the biggest challenges is getting back to some of these projects to get some pictures. I am highlighting some of the projects we actually got pictures of this past year. Below is our latest Woodform (with live edge detail) installation in Key Largo, FL. Beautiful kitchen design by Peter Salerno, Inc

NYC Kitchen

Amazing vision! Darwin's Kitchen fossils and personalized details throughout. Fiber optic nautilus fossil sink! Check out the cracked concrete drawers with ammonite details.

The loved Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf moves East!

Beautiful Pool House

Hoboken Ferry Terminal!! Artist Kate Dodd

King of Prussia Mall Bathrooms

Rocketown donation

Papisito Restaurant NYC

Toyota Dealership

TLC Moving UP Shoot!

Woodform on DIY tonight!

2011-12-13T09:21:00.000-05:00

JM Lifestyles' exclusive line Woodform ™ Concrete will be aired tonight on the DIY network at 10:30pm on the show I Hate my Bath. If you can't see it tonight be sure to tune in any of the times listed below.

Here is a link for the show http://www.diynetwork.com/i-hate-my-bath/90s-flower-power/index.html

Woodform Concrete is a specialty finishing process developed exclusively by JM Lifestyles. It is concrete that looks and feels like wood meant to out perform wood and to be used in places that wood is not always conducive (bathrooms, outdoors etc).

Tune In

December 13, 2011
10:30 PM e/p
December 13, 2011
1:30 AM e/p
December 17, 2011
6:30 PM e/p
January 03, 2012
10:00 PM e/p
January 03, 2012
1:00 AM e/p
January 24, 2012
9:30 AM e/p
January 28, 2012
11:00 AM e/p

WoodForm by JM Lifestyles

2011-09-29T13:30:00.000-04:00

5'x12' WOODFORM table with Custom Edge detail. Concrete countertops and Custom Farm sinks against the wall. Design by Sage Designs. Fabricated by JM Lifestyles. Photography by Andrew Pitzer

In Honor of Shawn Harrison

2011-08-22T14:15:00.001-04:00

In honor of Shawn Harrison, an Honorary Marine

Shawn Harrison's dream was to be a United States Marine, a stature of tremendous honor for those who understand their sacrifices in protecting our freedom. He was involved in The Young Marine program where his ambitious nature fostered many achievements.

He began when he was 10 years old becoming Young Marine of the year and achieved the highest rank in the Young Marine program. He also was in ROTC in High school where he also was cadet of the year and achieved the highest rank.

When he turn 18 and could not join the Marine Corp since he was afflicted with Epilepsy. While his age prevented him from continuing to be a Young Marine, he decided to be a Adult leader.

His father told us that Shawn touched a lot of people and changed a lot of young lives. He believed In God, his Family, his Country and the Corp. He was, always faithful....Semper Fidelis. He believed that if you can change 1 young person's life, you can change the world.

Over 700 people attended Shawn's funeral including many Young Marines from around the country. Shawn's dream was to be a Marine and his dream came true.

The Marine corp made him a Honorary Marine. A fact that even in spite of what is considered service you can make a different and change lives.

The day he died he was serving his country at a Young Marine function.

Shawn had gone to the restroom by himself and he had a seizure the way he fell cut off his airway and he stop breathing.

Shawn was an only child and he was a Marine, his father wanted to do this one last thing for him to honor him. We were honored to be asked and humbled to be able to give something with such meaning to Shawn and his Dad. We respect those like Shawn, who in spite of the length of their service can speak volumes to the value, and interminable memory of a determined soul. Shall we always be true to our dreams and respect those who strive to live theirs.

Lonnie Harrison, Shawn's father wanted a marker to go over Shawn's grave site. These are integral colors that will not fade and mark the place with great pride and stature, a unique symbol for a unique individual.

King of Prussia Mall

2011-08-18T13:40:00.000-04:00

J&M Lifestyles was commissioned to do bathroom sinks and changing areas in concrete for the King of Prussia mall! They look great!

Pool House

2011-08-12T15:26:00.001-04:00

Waterfront Island, North Carolina...no air conditioning new construction

2011-08-02T17:31:00.000-04:00

Concrete vanity

2011-07-29T08:34:00.000-04:00

GFRC information according to SureCrete

2011-07-21T09:07:00.000-04:00

http://www.surecretedesign.com/products/systems/GFRC_Glass_Fiber_Reinforced_Concrete.html

GFRC - Glass Fiber

Reinforced Concrete

Looking for a material that is lighter in weight and durable?

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) delivers unparalleled design flexibility along with a limitless variety of colors, textures and shapes. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) is gaining popularity with concrete contractors and countertop fabricators, who are being presented architectural plans with custom designs. Traditional fabrication materials limit how quickly they can complete their stage of the project. In today’s market, extended labor hours eat up what profit margins are available, making it difficult to keep their business profitable. With Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), designers are given the opportunity to maximize the architects imagination by utilizing the light weight, high early strength, sprayable attributes that are inherent to the Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) process.

Why is Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) selected over other building materials?

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) offers unparalleled versatility in applications such as: interior and exterior wall panels, shower walls, concrete countertops, facades, lightweight architectural trim, balusters, fireplaces and many other precast opportunities. If you have experienced using traditional Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) formulas before, you realize that there is a learning curve in the precise measuring and spraying of the Face Mix.

What is the startup cost for Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)?

Typical Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) formulas have a high start up cost due to buying minimum quantities on all its components, most contractors’ average $1,500-$3,000 in startup Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) material costs. Through relentless research and testing, the Xtreme Series technology by SureCrete, developed a hybrid Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) formula that has addressed the learning curve of GFRC and reduced the mixing inconsistencies by creating it as a two component mix with a start up cost around $250.

What are the design restrictions for Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)?

The Xtreme Series Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) mix design is a blank white canvas with the ability to take on any color scheme, texture or shape you can imagine! The SureCrete Design team has 7 reproducible texture finishes that our taught in the introductory PreCast Concrete 4-Day training course. These textures can be combined, used individually and altered with many different coloring agents for an unlimited color and texture combination. For the first time concrete is a manufacturable fabrication material with consistent, reproducible looks and finishes. Here are just three of the Xtreme Series finishes:

Travertine & Veining Using GFRC

• XS Precast Mix
• XS Backer Mix
• Xtreme Veining
• Xtreme Slurry Mix
• Baking Soda

"Pressed" - AKA

the famous Buddy Rhodes look

• XS GFRC Face Mix
• XS Backer Mix
• Color Packs

Sand Stone Look Using GFRC

• XS GFRC Face Mix
• XS Backer Mix
• Color Packs

What makes it a hybrid Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) system?

Typical Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) formulas are made up of cement, sand, polymers, plasticizers, acrylics, and high amounts of glass AR fiber. The Xtreme Series technology uses cement, sand along with 3 types of fiber (PVA, Glass AR, and Nano). There are NO polymers and acrylics in its formula. Why is this a unique attribute? GFRC fabricators now have a larger temperature swing during the mixing and spraying stage of 45-85 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to typical 70-75 degrees with traditional GFRC formulas. The second component to this mix is the Precast Modifier, this product does lose its potency even if it freezes during delivery of material, reducing waste and loss of time for the fabricator. The three fibers used are unique because they are pre-blended into the 50 lb bag mix.
When you take advantage of this technology you quickly realize how it accelerates the learning curve of how to mix GFRC. The Glass AR, PVA and nano fibers are already blended into the 50 lb bag, reducing errors during both mixing and application. The Xtreme Series material exceeds the performance of typical GFRC formulas with its impressive 10,500 PSI compressive strength and 1,450 PSI flexural strength. With all these features combined, GFRC fabricators achieve demold times between 8-12 hours after spraying.

For additional tips and tricks on sealing your concrete countertop you can go to www.SureCrete.TV, or SureCrete offers the ability to purchase the Xtreme Series Training manual. If you are a concrete contractor, and have the desire to make concrete countertops a business, SureCrete offers certification courses which are 4 day courses. You can see the schedule for these events at www.SureCreteDesign.com.

New Fireplaces

2011-07-18T12:37:00.001-04:00

Irongate Designs

Great new fireplaces!!

Concrete Wood Table

2011-07-14T13:20:00.000-04:00

Concrete Wood table and base!

Summer Updates II

2011-07-06T14:27:00.001-04:00

2011-07-06T09:05:00.001-04:00

new blog post http://ping.fm/vMFYz

Summer Updates

2011-07-05T13:57:00.000-04:00

Here are some photos of some recent projects, more to come!!

Choices

2011-06-29T11:04:00.000-04:00

There are a lot of choices out there, I encounter many people making choices and with the overwhelming myriad of options available it can be overwhelming. Recently, I was shopping for a wedding dress. I think it was the 3rd dress I tried on that became the one. I am not particularly decisive, I can mull over a decision with the best of them. Two things were in my favor, I know what I do not like, and the dress I wanted was the last one, discontinued and if I wanted it I had to make a hasty decision. I just thought I would share this video about happiness and the brain. One of the main ideas from it is, "We should have preferences that lead us into one future over another. But when those preferences drive us too hard and too fast because we have overrated the differences between these futures, we are at risk. When our ambition is bounded, it leads us to work joyfully. When our ambition is unbounded, it leads us to lie, to cheat, to steal, to hurt others, to sacrifice things of real value. When our fears are bounded, we're prudent, we're cautions, we're thoughtful. When our fears are unbounded and overblown, we're reckless and we're cowardly."
Dan Gilbert asks, Why are we happy? | Video on TED.com

Just thought this was an interesting point of view to share. It a world where options are endless the way to walk away happy is to limit our options and not put too much weight on the differences between the futures of our choices. Essentially living in the moment of what is happening and allow what has happened to be just that, what has happened.

Hoboken Ferry Terminal Project

2011-06-06T09:59:00.001-04:00

Hoboken Ferry Terminal art installation of Fiber Optics in concrete panels. Kate Dodd local artisan and teacher created the concept and initiated the help of J&M Lifestyles to bring her vision to life. The wall contains a 64' length of concrete panels housed behind water jet cut corrugated metal panels in a picture frame pattern of history. The panels contain 18,0000 pinpoints of light and 40 miles of fiber optics to draw the picture of the Hoboken skyline through the century. Kate Dodd used ECO-Stain to super-impose the silhouettes of people walking the station throughout it's long history. This is a tremendous example of concrete being used in a functional artistic application, in a public space.

SureCrete Training in New Jersey!

2011-04-28T13:34:00.006-04:00

Surecrete Design Products comes to New Jersey!

3 day Professional Fiber Reinforced Concrete Training Event

This class centers around advancing your concrete product offerings and knowledge with:

· A 2 Hour classroom presentation in J&M Lifestyles showroom on design application and sales points to the end user.

· Specifying, Mixing and Applying Surecrete’s suite of casting materials

· Vanity design, and application of the versatility of Infinicrete sinks

· 3-D manual templating for fireplace surrounds or large panels

· Fireplace surround construction and installation.

Although this class assumes prior knowledge and application of mold building it is a crucial addition to any level of fabricator’s toolbox of skills.

What you will learn:

· How to Use the Surecrete’s advanced suite of concrete mixes

· Design procedures and layering of different mixes to achieve multiple outcomes

· Using and adapting sink molds

· Using the Infinicrete “Drain Jig”

· How to properly use Edge detail molds and stack layers

· Templating, designing, and installing fireplace surrounds

· Use ARS 400 sealer

Bathroom Trends

2011-04-27T11:12:00.000-04:00

I have been reading several design sites/blogs that are saying that a new or "returning" trend to the bathroom is Wood! The sites, (http://news.wickes.co.uk, http://viewhometrends.com, http://hometolife.co.za )have these beautiful pictures of wooden bathtubs and of course aesthetically it is awesome, however, one can't help but think about the maintenance issues of wood.

J&M Lifestyles offers an alternative to wood. Woodform ™ It is a concrete composite that has all the details and realism of wood without the maintenance of wood.

The look of wood is not a new trend by any means, however, using that look in areas that “wood” is not a viable option is. We have to say “wood” because JM Lifestyles has created concrete to resemble real wood so exactingly you have to look underneath to make sure. J&M has been considered masters of illusion and this product is no exception.

It all started with the idea to make a vanity top that would allow “wood” to perform as a surface in a wet environment. These pieces are so convincing that even the occasional cabinetmaker that come to the showroom has to look underneath to quench their curiosity.

On a green note, the Infinicrete™ mix is composed of a very high recycled content and as far as wood goes, it is probably the most sustainable “wood” out there!

J&M Lifestyles in Heaven!

2011-04-25T11:23:00.001-04:00

J&M Lifestyles work has been a part of "reality" for quite some time now. Now we are a part of fiction as well!
Justin Valmassoi is a writer/publisher who has a zine about living in Heaven with Rosario Dawson. He stumbled upon our concrete wood countertops and commented, " I thought it was brilliant, as well as aesthetically pleasing. I try to name drop random things/people I enjoy/admire into my little fiction outlet, since Heaven wouldn't be complete without fancy things, right? So basically I was impressed enough by your countertop that I thought people would want it in the afterlife."
I thought that was quite a compliment so I am sharing it along with the link to the blog http://rosariodawsonlovesme.tumblr.com/

2011 Cheng Awards Best Kitchen!

2011-04-04T09:30:00.001-04:00

This year at the Concrete Decor Tradeshow in Nashville were the 2011 Annual Cheng Awards. JM Lifestyles took home the Best Kitchen award and an honorable mention for one of our Commercial Applications.

This kitchen uses new fiber reinforced technology which allows for the long spans without seams and intricate island shapes with no seams. It is also an ideal material for the large format tiles 3'x3'.

2011-03-31T16:23:00.001-04:00

At Birdsall Bath. Giving a presentation on concrete in the bathroom!!

Birdsall Bath

2011-03-23T18:02:00.002-04:00

Come see J&M Lifestyles and hear us talk about the many uses of Concrete for the Bathroom!

Birdsall Bath

993 Rt 22 West

North Plainfield, NJ 07060

March 31, 2011

5:30-7:30

2011-03-11T16:29:00.001-05:00

Concrete Decor Tradeshow next week! See you in Nashville! Jeff's class is full!! :)

Hester Street Playground

2011-02-28T12:55:00.002-05:00

JM Lifestyles worked with Hester Street Collaborative to create blocks for one of their community projects.

"Hester Street Collaborative is a design/build non-profit organization created to improve the physical environment in under served NYC neighborhoods. HSC works with residents and students in affordable housing developments, public spaces, and schools on participatory architectural projects. It is our belief that a design-build process can improve the quality of life in underserved communities in two ways: By creating compelling places, which serve the local residents; By building social capital through the process of articulating and realizing a shared vision." http://www.hesterstreet.org/

Information about the project is below that I got from their facebook posting on the project,
"HSC together as part of the SDR Coalition has been involved in bringing community members to the table with the parks department around the design of this playground. Back in 2006, HSC and the SDR Coalition held a series of events to get community input about how people used this playground and what they need and would like to see in the renovated playground. Each member of the SDR coalition helped with a different activity to get people thinking creatively about the park. Over 1000 people became involved.
We were really interested in getting youth involved, students from M.S. 131, or the Chinatown YMCA who use the park every day, to hear what they think. Ultimately this input process expanded the conversation between the community and the parks department and a design was developed for the playground that incorporates a lot of the ideas and suggestions from people that have participated. Something that grew out of this was a desire to get kids involved in making things for the park to beautify it temporarily over the last few years like lanterns for each lunar new year. Now students from M.S. 131 and the Chinatown Y have created mosaic blocks that will be permanently installed within the new brick walls of the playground to leave their mark on their new park!"
For more information about Hester Street Collaborative visit their website or blog:
http://www.hesterstreet.org/
http://hesterstreetcollaborative.blogspot.com/2007/03/pavers.html

2011-02-11T13:29:00.001-05:00

http://ping.fm/LNVly

Concrete in the Shower, Yes it is Concrete...

2011-02-09T11:07:00.001-05:00

The designer of this completely unique shower is, Rae Design Group. The designer applied all of what they learned about what could be done with our material and expanded. The designer wanted to have corrugated steel and wood, a very industrial look, we used our concrete wood to wrap panels cast on corrugated metal and used a pearl in our sealer to enhance the metal finish.

The shower pan was molded to accommodate the water dripping off the glass doors and run back in.

A stainless frame holds the glass sliding door with adapted track and glass panels.

The realism and completely unique look created by the designer has given an environment to the client that is very personal and an extension of her eclectic personality.

Darwin's Kitchen...

2011-02-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

The tops were to capture a time frame of the turn of the century and the the naturalist movement during the time of Darwin. The tops were to be individual sections of stone carved out of the earth and joined with Japanese joinery having the illusion of being held together with the integrally cast bronze embed pins.

The custom carved fossil sink and the face panels produced a virtual environment that married the minimal color scheme throughout. The realism of the fossil beds far exceeded the expectation....

The design behind this kitchen was to create a unique presentation of countertops in the main kitchen in and around the atrium. The kitchen extensions looked very institutional akin to the original buildings in the bronx zoo. While keeping true to the exploration and discover of nature through the period in which the home was built, we are experimenting with the leaders in science of the day; whereas, the process of evolution theorized by the naturalist Charles Darwin, the discoveries of new forms of life throughout the world and the discoveries of the vast beautify nature held and still holds are presenting in a tangible form. And held within these surfaces are delicate fossil discovers like that of Carl Akeley, but these are peculiar fossils that seem to be left behind in an anomalous process that turned them into metallic form of Trilobites, ferns fish, etc.

This kitchen has select concrete drawer faces, custom edge detail and the home owner's children made imprints hidden within the fossil beds.

Not to mention fiber optics in the fossil sink and a shell depression behind the farm sink.

One Piece and Sleek- Concrete in the Kithen

2011-01-18T19:38:00.003-05:00

Reinboth & Co. designed this great space where we got to showcase some very unique concrete pieces that not too many fabricators could pull off. The design of this kitchen was structured around BIG.

Large expansive islands 50"x100" that wrapped the cabinets. Both Islands were a challenge. The one with the waterfall legs to the ground does not have any seams and has an oversized 33" integral sink.

The second island is a unique Parson's style top with integral 4"x4" legs supporting the top completely which was a very unique complex cast.

Also completed was a mud room top with an integral sink and waterfall leg win a bench. This project also included 1200 sq ft of 3'x3' concrete floor tile which replaced the originally specified granite.

2011-01-12T17:03:00.001-05:00

New Blog Post http://ping.fm/oKzbu

Restaurant and Hospitality

2011-01-12T13:51:00.001-05:00

Concrete is a perfect medium for the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry, durable and design specific! The detail and versatility allows for many different ways to capture the public's attention. Also with the different textures and finishes you can use concrete in many ways, making it more cost effective while not making the space look monolithic or like the same material is being used everywhere.

Store front with integral signage

Bar with front panels and concrete floor to look like wood

Concrete to look like wood wall panels

Concrete and steel hostess stand

concrete interior column to match outside store front, floor, bar, panels

Detail of concrete steel hostess stand

Integral signage that glows at night!

Photos by Andrew Pitzer

2010-12-22T16:43:00.001-05:00

new you tube video http://ping.fm/foo4F

2010-12-21T17:31:00.001-05:00

Hamptons Install Today http://img.mu/ARRVSX

2010-12-21T17:30:00.001-05:00

http://img.mu/igpqyB Hamptons install today

2010-12-21T16:41:00.001-05:00

Hamptons Install today http://img.mu/qVlgwT

Concrete Vanity

2010-12-10T09:35:00.001-05:00

Concrete in many Forms

2010-12-02T16:03:00.000-05:00

Concrete in many forms, here used as part of a solution to water falling off of a roof into a courtyard that doesn't drain. Solution was to make a concrete basin with a trough so the water has a place to go.

Custom Vanity

2010-11-19T09:28:00.000-05:00

Concrete Vanity with Steel Drain Pan and Custom Wood Legs and Glass Shelf.

Worked with Mason Barrister in Livingston, NJ

Mason Barrister Interiors

Large Island GFRC

2010-11-12T17:16:00.001-05:00

One piece Island 6'x14' just out of the mold!

2010-11-02T14:32:00.001-04:00

Our New Showroom is Officially Open! Come visit!! 215 Rt 10 East Randolph, NJ 07869
973 668 5057

2010-10-28T10:12:00.001-04:00

New Showroom is awesome! Thank you AIDP for coming last night to see it and hear Jeff present about concrete applications!

Concrete Wood Outside!

2010-10-26T13:41:00.000-04:00

Our concrete wood is not meant to replace wood, but to allow to put it in places that you wouldn't normally be able to consider wood as an option. Here is an outdoor BBQ area designed by Bosenberg Landscape Architect.

The client's kids added their names to personalize the piece!

2010-10-20T08:32:00.001-04:00

Will be in NYC today

2010-10-19T17:37:00.001-04:00

testing ping...

Adam McEwen Art and Concrete Frames

2010-10-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

Adam McEwen is an artist based in NYC. He has had exhibitions all over the world. For one of his viewings, “One Feeling” he used concrete to frame his work. His concept JM Lifestyles fabricated them.

Commercial Concrete

2010-10-08T16:02:00.000-04:00

Concrete work done at the Toyota Dealership in Freehold, NJ. Designed by Interior Motives Fabricated by JM Lifestyles.

Concrete Vanities for Restaurants

2010-10-08T15:46:00.000-04:00

Bathroom Sink for a GREAT restaurant Papasito Restaurant in NY. Concrete to look like wood and stone held together by Iron dovetails.

Fireplace Surround

2010-10-01T11:20:00.001-04:00

Balancing Design and Diversity

2010-09-17T08:48:00.000-04:00

Balancing Design and Diversity
Kimberly Johnston
By Kimberly Johnston
Associate Editor

J&M Lifestyles is a design-build decorative concrete contractor. The Randolph, N.J., company has over 20 years experience in the concrete industry focusing on the decorative precast industry in the last five years, says Jeff Kudrick, product manager.

"With precast you get more control over variables and are able to create a manageable system," Kudrick says. That control helps J&M reach its customers' expectations; and in this industry, it's all about expectations, Kudrick says.

Along with precast concrete countertops, J&M also fabricates concrete furniture, facades, vanities, bars, wall panels, wall and floor tiles, cabinetry, and rock work. J&M likes to add in extras, too, such as fiber optic and other lighting applications.

J&M has found a niche market for its design-build precast decorative concrete in both residential and commercial. The company services the tri-state area but also ships pieces all over the world. "We have a steady flow of residential, but commercial - which was slow over the last few years - is starting to grow," Kudrick says.

The commercial customers are looking for ways to capture their customers, something that will get customers talking and refer other customers. The unique pieces J&M creates fit the bill. J&M has also started doing work for municipalities. Kudrick refers to these as functional pieces that are artistic projects.

"We find a balance between good design and diversity," Kudrick says. J&M works with the client from the design phase through the finish. "We take the custom work the client wants and turn it into a package. Everything is turnkey," Kudrick adds.

And creating unique custom pieces allows J&M the opportunity to come up with unique processes as well. Since each piece is different, the process and approach will vary. J&M is always working on developing processes and finding ways to make it consistent and easy to replicate for future jobs - and other contractors.

Kudrick says the company wants to actively help the industry grow. Currently, J&M is starting to expand into becoming a supplier. It wants to help other decorative concrete contractors learn its processes and learn how to manipulate decorative precast concrete. "We want to give them the tools to start creating the decorative concrete on a regular basis," he says. Kudrick adds the company also hopes to increase decorative concrete's notoriety and public awareness.

What's to love about decorative concrete?
Kudrick can't pinpoint just one element. "It's such a personal item that clients feel so excited about," he says. "It's always challenging and always rewarding and every job is so different." He loves the ability to use concrete to create anything he can imagine. And Kudrick also likes how fluently concrete works and fits in with other mediums.

Kudrick also loves incorporating the whole thought process of decorative concrete and how design techniques can differ depending on the job. "The beauty of concrete is that at the end, when you look at it, there's no transparency in the process," he says.

Company Summary
Company:
J&M Lifestyles LLC
Randolph, N.J.
jmlifestyles.com
Decorative services offered:
Precast decorative concrete countertops; wall and floor tiles; cabinetry; wall panels; 3-D furniture; facades; concrete bar tops; concrete vanities; fiber optic applications.
Key products and equipment:
SureCrete Xtreme Series GFRC, Xtreme Series Countertop, ProSeal Ultra Shield 2A, ARS 400 Concrete Countertop Sealer; Infinicrete RJSC 2K Urethane and G series epoxy combination and fiber optics; Cheng Concrete NeoMix products, countertop sealer and wax.

Concrete Bars

2010-09-01T12:22:00.007-04:00

Concrete is a diverse medium which allows for endless possibilities of options when it comes to creating and adding to your spaces. Bars are a great place for something new and different! This residential bar includes personalized embeds and fiber optics in the top.
This bar also features a curved concrete wall and concrete soffit to house the lighting. Another unique feature of this design are the concrete panels with integral colors in the shapes of squares and circles, some circles are translucent embeds!

Design by Faux Real Designs.

Pushing the limits

2010-06-07T14:23:00.003-04:00

Here are some preview pictures of a kitchen with 4'x8' islands. One has two floor returns and the other opposing island, has four 4'x4'integral legs. The use of our mix designs makes for the ability to create mass with illusion by utilizing up to 60% less raw content up to 40% post consumer recycled content than ordinary concrete mixes. These tops are stronger, more dimensionally stable, and more consistent than if cast with traditional concrete mixes. Not depicted in the pictures, these islands sit atop 1000sq ft of large format concrete tiles 3'x3'.

Concrete Bars

2010-05-21T17:52:00.008-04:00

There are many reasons to choose concrete as a surface. It is very durable, stain resistant and completely design specific! Bars are great because there is a lot of freedom for design and to explore something different. Especially commercial applications where bar/restaurant owners are looking to draw attention and interest. I have preview pictures of a residential bar we just finished, designed by Faux Real Designs. The bars are concrete, the shelf separators are made of concrete and the lit panels are also made of concrete. We used our unique color inlay technique that won us a Best Decorative Finish award back in 2008. Not shown are the coin collection from all over the world in the bar top along with fiber optics.

I am including many bar pictures because they are such a point of interest and if you are looking for some unique ideas here are just a few.

Notice the bag tags, divot forks, sand trap sink, and antique golf clubs used for beer taps and towel bars!

Their Sucess set in Concrete

2010-05-14T11:42:00.004-04:00

Published by the Daily Record
Since it was last featured in this section two years ago, J&M Lifestyles has continued to grow and achieve success.

Owners Michelle Radley and Jeff Kudrick have built a reputation for innovative and exciting designs, specializing in creating home furnishings and other home elements out of concrete. Their services include, but are not limited to bar tops, counter tops, vanities, sinks, shower pans, shower and fireplace surrounds, wall panels, furniture, entry surrounds, interior and exterior moldings, lighting, water features, aquariums, design research, period design, modern design and more.

Recently, J&M was awarded the Best in Show and Best Decorative Finish awards in the 2010 CHENG Concrete Circle of Distinction Design Challenge. The company's designs also have been seen on HGTV's "Dear Genevieve." Future TV appearances include "Man Cave" and "Royal Pains."

Why did you start the business?
Michelle Radley: t Love of design and functionality that concrete as a medium allows.

If you could do it again, what would you do differently?
Nothing.

What's the best business advice your have ever received?
Always be willing to adapt.

What personality trait helps you the most?
Commitment and hard-working.

What's the most difficult part of the job?
Finding enough time to balance production and creativity.

The easiest?
Creating new and different functional things.

What's your least expensive product or service? The most expensive?
What we do is all custom work.

Describe your most unusual customer, job or work experience.
Creating an alligator pond in a residential area.

When you leave the business, what will you do?
Start another one.

Briefly, tell us why customers should shop here.
Very experienced, highly engineered custom creations. Everything is unique and different. We enjoy the whole process and building relationships. We engage clients from beginning to end.

A New Spin on GFRC

2010-05-10T14:32:00.003-04:00

Article by Concrete Whisperer

Location: New Jersey

Project: Remodeling a Master bathroom with Spa

Installation by: J&M Lifestyles

Material Supplier: SureCrete Design

Total Sq Ft: 80 sq ft

Products Used: Xtreme GFRC Face Mix, Xtreme GFRC Backer, Xtreme Slurry, ARS 400, custom shower drain, blum drawer slides

So put yourself in this homeowner’s shoes. You have gutted your master bathroom with the intention of creating a European style oasis. Your search begins for the right look, color and design for your countertops, sinks and bath surround. As you exhaust yourself looking at granite and other natural stone you realize nothing is matching the look in your mind.

Six months have passed and well, tensions are rising over getting this project finished. And thats when they found the perfect medium to custom create the design in their minds. The solution was GFRC, glass fiber reinforced concrete. Immediately they fell in love with the diversity of designs, colors and could now create a functional master bath with clean lines and useful applications. Let’s t take a look at how this project unfolded.

The team at J&M Lifestyles, in New Jersey, had the task of integrating the stand-up shower, tub surround and match that with the countertop and other surfaces in the room. After templating each area, they realized that they were in need of material that could help in making this design come to life by reducing the amount of seams that would be visible. J&M Lifestyles choose the Xtreme Series GFRC mix design.

They began the process by creating their mold and casting surface. Incorporating a custom color blend from SureCrete with the Xtreme Series GFRC Face mix, they sprayed the cream coat on to all the surfaces. After letting that setup for about 10 minutes they followed behind the candy shell surface with the same custom color mixed in the Xtreme Series Backer mix. This material provides the structural and flexural strength to the ultra smooth, pinhole free surface of the GFRC face coat.

With each piece finally casted and made, it was allowed to sit and cure. The Xtreme Series GFRC is the ideal mix design for Glass fiber reinforced concrete users, as it allows for a faster cure and demold time, as little as 6 hours. And delivers the ability to begin the next stage of design, secondary coloring or sealing within 8-10 hours after pouring. Additional positive attributes of Xtreme GFRC is it’s ability to save time and labor on each project by allowing you to maximize the tables you cast on and increasing the down time between the next station or stage.

The next important step was to apply the appropriate sealer. With many quality choices out there, the team at J&M Lifestyles chose ARS 400. A break through in nano-technology sealers, ARS 400 is an excellent GFRC sealer, and has the ability to penetrate and bond to the almost 11,000 PSI surface of the Xtreme GFRC.

The installation of the precast GFRC panels and GFRC countertop vanity was down with multiple products. The vanity was installed with standard wall mount bracket. The GFRC wall panels for the tub surround were installed with an acrylic mastic.

Chicago Concrete Wood

2010-04-27T13:40:00.005-04:00

Even though I witness it everyday, even I take for granted how things are made and what it takes to make them, transport them, coordinate trades and install commissions.
Thanks to Apartment Therapy and our friends at BDC Supply we had our first commission in the Chicago Area of Illinois. The client saw our concrete wood and had to have it for their home. Compliments to their beautiful new home! We are now offering our services in the Chicago Area thanks to BDC and Images by Kaminski & Moon, a Design Build firm. Our products can now be offered and serviced through our colleagues in Chicago.

2010 BEST IN SHOW!

2010-04-15T11:53:00.005-04:00

J & M Lifestyles
Upper Manhattan Master Bath

Project Location: New York City, NY
Weight: Vanity = 200 lbs; Tub surround =115 lbs;
Cast leg = 260 lbs
Concrete Mix: CHENG GFRC custom color
Other Materials: Stainless steel drain covers

CONCRETE MASTER
Taking concrete to a new level, this New York City master bathroom combines interlocking vanity, tub surround, and shower elements and seamlessly integrates them with a bath of glass and tile to create a peaceful urban oasis. No material but concrete could produce the complex intricacies of this design in such a cost-effective way while allowing such diversity in finish.

Project Objective and Client Feedback
Designed and fabricated by J&M Lifestyles, a decorative concrete studio in Randoph, NJ, Jeff Kudrick, product manager, explained that the clients had a concept of “clean and sleek and simple” for their master bath and asked for as much vanity space as possible next to the glass shower. Upon project completion, Kudrick said, “They [the clients] loved it! It was everything that they wanted in their bathroom.”

Design and Expertise
J & M Lifestyles was given the freedom to design the bath within the clients’ overall aesthetics. The biggest challenge during the design process was aesthetically and functionally bringing together two very different materials, glass and concrete, where the vanity meets the shower. To beautifully integrate the materials while fulfilling the request for maximum vanity area, Kudrick decided to bring the vanity into the shower, effectively cutting through the shower wall with the vanity extension. This led to the idea of casting a monolithic concrete leg—half in and half out of the shower—that became both vanity support and shower seat. To further carry the design throughout the bath, the tub surround carries into the shower and cast vertical shower niches finish out interesting spaces created by breaking the conventional planes of the shower.
To save the client some cost, Kudrick decided against a custom shower pan and instead cast a single piece curb that would give the illusion of a full shower base and tie together the two sections of the bathroom, tile and concrete. Completed in only 3 ½ weeks, J&M Lifestyles pre-cast the project without templates before the bathroom was built; they pulled two “control” points--one horizontal level line for the floor and a vertical line in space, a control point from which all pieces were assembled. Because of this measurement method used, general construction for the master bath was uninterrupted and the client’s challenging schedule was met.
BEST OF SHOW: J & M Lifestyles
CHENG Concrete’s 6th Annual Members’ Circle of Distinction Design Challenge

Recognized in the industry as the pinnacle of exceptional design and craftsmanship, the 2010 CHENG Concrete Circle of Distinction Design Challenge showcases talent and technical skill of the very best in creative concrete. With over 100 entries, each were judged and then awarded in 11 categories on elements and principles of design, design planning, innovative concept/creativity, use of color, presentation, innovative forming techniques, problem solving, and creatively meeting the demands of the client.

J & M Lifestyles’ Upper Manhattan Master Bath was awarded the Best of Show for this year’s design challenge. According to Fu-Tung Cheng, head juror, “This project shows the complete fusion of concrete with incredible craftsmanship and the sophisticated use of many pieces that wrap together in three dimensions. The concrete fits well into the environment as a whole without being monolithic. The look is timeless.”

ABOUT J & M LIFESTYLES
Building on nearly twenty years of experience, J & M Lifestyles, LLC continues to push the limits of concrete as an artistic medium. Experts in a variety of materials including metal, glass, wood, light and water, J & M Lifestyles leads the way in the decorative concrete industry, creatively integrating proprietary techniques and fine craftsmanship to produce beautiful and functional results.

J & M Lifestyles collaborates with each client, including them in the creative process with detailed descriptions and conceptual images. Whether it’s furniture, countertops or other surfaces, each project receives the personal and professional touch of the firm’s vast knowledge and experience in concrete and other fabrication materials.

Contact:
J & M Lifestyles , Michelle Radley
215 Route 10, Bldg 3, Unit 3, Randolph, NJ 07869
973.668.5057 www.jmlifestyles.com

Concrete Furniture

2010-03-31T10:47:00.005-04:00

Our concrete wood is finding many uses! We made some concrete wood panels for wall finishes. Also, we have even started to make some furniture! Check out this concrete wood and steel hostess stand for a restaurant!

NYC Restaurant and Concrete

2010-03-31T10:35:00.005-04:00

Concrete can be used not only for surfaces, but also for building facades! GFRC is a very durable, long lasting, DIVERSE material that can be used to accent the outside of any building. We use it for soffits, surrounds, architectural details. What is nice is that it is a molded material so any necessary access panels can be molded in before not cut after. This Restaurant also has its logo and address embedded in the surround and is lit from behind. Very cool, very different!

Concrete Vanity

2010-03-26T13:16:00.007-04:00

This Concrete Vanity is for a residential master bathroom designed by John Fanelli of Floor and Decor.

The concrete vanity is supported by concrete legs complimented with a wood shelf and bridge in the sink. J&M Lifestyles also fabricated the concrete seat and curbs of the shower.

Cheng Awards!!!

2010-03-18T09:58:00.003-04:00

A little news from the Decorative Concrete Show in Phoenix AZ, Jeff's class went very well yesterday.
We joined ISFA!
We won Cheng's Best Decorative Finish and BEST IN SHOW!!

Press release to come!

Concrete or Wood?

2010-03-12T10:58:00.004-05:00

Here is another sneak peek at a project that we are finishing up. The bar top is concrete, the wood on the floor is CONCRETE!!!! Final Pictures to come!!!

White Concrete Spa Surround

2010-03-11T15:08:00.005-05:00

Sneak peek at an amazing bathroom...

Concrete Countertops

2010-03-05T12:06:00.007-05:00

These concrete countertops are our rustic troweled finish. The center island appears to be wood wrapped stone, however it is all concrete, one piece. Our concrete wood isn't meant to replace wood, but to expand the uses and looks of wood in places where traditionally it isn't practical. Countertops, outdoor applications and shower pans.
This kitchen also features a concrete farm sink with drain pan areas. J&M Lifestyles, fabricated the punched copper drain pans as well. We also embedded a curved copper towel bar.

Concrete is great for adding accent details. We made them this a corbel to make a clear ending of the backsplash in this desk area.

Concrete Night Light

2010-03-05T09:57:00.005-05:00

Fiber Optics in concrete has a great effect. Always a conversation piece and it creates a lot of draw. This is why, as one would expect, we do a tremendous amount of fiber optics for bars, restaurants and hospitality. The next most popular application for fiber optics is a little more unexpected...nightlights. "Kids" Bathroom vanities are the second most popular application for Fiber Optics in Concrete. This one in particular is unique because we have added the concrete filler blocks on either side of the cabinet.

Concrete Decor Tradeshow Presents, J&M Lifestyles

2010-03-04T10:12:00.004-05:00

Don't miss the Concrete Decor Show in Phoenix, AZ March 15-19. We will be teaching a seminar there:

For more info: http://www.concretedecorshow.com/

Transitioning from a Contracting Business to a Manufacturing Business
General Session - Business Strategies
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Venue: Phoenix Convention Center North Hall
Room: 221A

The seminar will address the challenges of adding manufacturing to an existing custom design and installation business. J&M Lifestyles will offer their experience to answer questions relevant to a business owner in the decorative concrete industry when evaluating what it takes to make a smooth and successful transition between contracting and manufacturing. This course will help minimize the learning curve and eliminate many costly mistakes. The nuts and bolts of tracking systems and the value of setting up a showroom will be included. Attendees will gain insights on finding the right level for a business to set up operations that will maximize profits.

Learn how to effectively create a business strategy that will produce growth.
Understand customer-relations methods for dealing with potential issues and the public in general.
Be able to establish standards and manage expectations for different manufactured products.
Gain knowledge of the market for interior decorative concrete products and architectural features.
Improve tracking of customers and products while minimizing mistakes and maintaining quality control.

Featured on Apartment Therapy

2009-12-21T14:10:00.002-05:00

Please check out our concrete wood featured on Apartment Therapy!

Wine Enthusiasts and Concrete

2009-12-21T10:49:00.004-05:00

Small spaces make excellent areas for unique statements. Wine is an integral part of these client's lifestyle, enjoying eating and entertaining with friends and always enjoying a newly discovered vintage. So when designing this special vanity we decided to incorporate one of their latest finds as the faucet.

What better host to a vanity having an old world style than wood. This fact polarizes the need for our concrete wood to complete a desired look without compromising the function of the space. The custom vessel was designed to present wine bottle. Iron shelf supports were included to enhance the iron details in the wood top. Wire glass shelf was a nice visual touch. Also in the top are the client's initials "carved" in the "wood".

More Concrete Wood

2009-11-17T10:11:00.002-05:00

This custom residential kitchen features our unique "concrete wood" the perimeter countertops are made of concrete to look like wood, indistinguishable from the real thing, with much more durability and functionality than real wood. Custom iron dovetails and nail heads are embedded in the concrete to enhance the realistic look of the wood.

The island top is an acid stained two-tiered island with a flamed edge detail complete with custom iron clavos detail.

Concrete Sinks

2009-11-12T10:43:00.019-05:00

Concrete Hood

2009-10-08T15:30:00.005-04:00

This Custom Concrete Hood is now a part of our standard hood designs. The design is sectional, the columns are separate from the corbels, the breast is separate from the moldings, all these pieces can be exchanged for others or made in different sizes. It is 66" wide and 65" tall. Installation is simple since it is lightweight GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). Each piece is held together with adhesive and masonry screws. The entire assembly is attached to the wall by way of clips into the blocking installed prior to the hood. The upper section can be made removable for easy access and/or service since code requires rigid pipe. This is our limestone texture and color.

Two Sided Concrete Fireplace Hearth and Mantle

2009-08-20T09:22:00.012-04:00

This fireplace is a two sided fireplace shared but completely different in the Master Bath and Master Bedroom. The bedroom hearth and mantle are a distressed textured finish that looks like leather. Designed by Peter Salerno, fabricated by JM.

The opposite side of the fireplace is in their master bathroom. This has a repetitive carved wave tile pattern, which is carried through in a custom edge detail. The fireplace mantle has fiber optics embedded to emit light upward that highlights the natural wave movement in the tile.

Lighting aspects are very important to the overall look and feel of a room, embedding them in concrete allows for subtle convenient lighting options without fixtures. Spaces that contain a lot of texture or varying dimensions, allow for lighting to create therapeutic environments through light.

Diversity Only Limited By Imagination

2009-08-14T11:55:00.008-04:00

Concrete is a completely design specific medium. It allows you to conceive any color, size, shape, thickness and pattern. Pieces like this one really illustrate the limitlessness of the material. GFRC takes it a little farther allowing smaller thicknesses, splashes of color with color inlays, and irregular, free form shape. This conceptual piece also has an area we ground to expose glass. This table is 40"x 72" and 3/4" thick.

Concrete: The perfect medium in the Bathroom

2009-08-04T17:35:00.006-04:00

This bathroom includes a concrete shower pan, tub surround and concrete vanity with integral sinks and concrete drawers.
The 9 1/2' seamless vanity with 3 self closing blum drawers hangs on our standard wall mount brackets. The undermount drawer boxes allow for easy mounting of finished hardware such as towel bars. Perfectly suited project for GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete). The advantages include long irregular shapes without seams, maximizing drawer space, vanities light weight enough to be mounted to wall brackets. The drawer face panels are able to be mounted directly to the drawer box without the use of bulky face panels on the drawer box.

The shower pan includes a custom stainless steel square drain. These can be made any shape and material. The tub surround is one piece with an integral seat into the shower, and the face panels finish off not only the tub surround but the interior of the shower under the seat.

Professional Club offers solutions, camaraderie

2009-07-17T14:02:00.005-04:00

That's the way it's been for more than a decade as small-business owners from Chester, Long Valley, Mendham and Mount Olive gather with other members of the Chester Area Professional Club. The group meets Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at the Chester Diner on Route 206.

"It's so relaxed," said the club's newest member, Michelle Radley of J&M Lifestyles LLC, a company that uses concrete to create decorative elements such as countertops and furniture. "Everybody seems like they're friends and helping each other."
That's exactly what members Robert L. Davis, of Black River Mortgage Co., and Larry Gersten, local certified public account, had in mind when they started the organization about 10 years ago...
Other members also talked about the number of business leads they've received from the group. Radley said she received leads from members after her first meeting. Attorney Eric Kaiser says it works that way because people get to know each other....
"It's not just about the money," says McAleney. 'It's about helping each other."
For more information, stop by the Chester Diner any Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. or call President Larry Gersten at (908) 879-3993.

For full article visit the Daily Record

Glowing Concrete Fossils!

2009-07-14T15:44:00.008-04:00

This is a residential bar fabricated by JM Lifestyles and designed by Living Spaces. The bar sink is a unique half crescent shape with embedded ammonites throughout. The upper bar is supported integrally with no brackets. The backsplash is textured rock face with our glowing concrete. We plasma cut steel in the shape of a fossil which glows!

Concrete in the Bathroom

2009-07-02T17:15:00.016-04:00

Concrete is becoming a more popular material not only for kitchens but also in bathrooms. There are so many places that concrete can be used. It is great because it is completely design specific and can take on any color or shape. People are no longer limited to the standards out there because of its completely custom nature.

This bathroom has a custom floating concrete vanity, custom drains, concrete tub surround, shower pan, and one piece shower niches with no seams. Concrete in the bathroom is completely practical and shower pans are one piece with finished curbs, any color, pitched attached to like materials so you don't need to worry about leaking.

You can use concrete elements like door saddles and surrounds also. This bathroom has a poured concrete leg at the end of the vanity for support that also serves as a partial wall for the shower and an integral seat is in the leg.

Behind The Curtains

2009-06-19T12:29:00.003-04:00

Check out the blog post on Pure Contemporary's Behind the Curtains by Allie! It features an abstract concrete countertop we did with color patterns!

Thank you!!

Muse Hotel New York City Themed Bathrooms

2009-06-12T09:09:00.012-04:00

A while back we had a post, "Small Spaces, no room for a vanity". The post featured a sink, now dubbed, "The Manhattan Sink" that was made for a small unique space. As we all know, Manhattan is filled with huge, unique finds when it comes to hotels, eateries, and bars and sometimes located in relatively smaller spaces. Anyone who has been in a bathroom in New York City knows about space limitations!
The designer, Puccini Group and architects Faithful+Gould wanted to make a statement with these 6 bathrooms located in the lobby/restaurant of the Muse Hotel in New York City's Theater District. They are themed bathrooms and definitely make a statement and the most of their spaces!

These concrete sinks and concrete plumbing covers add to the overall appeal of each individual bathroom. These sinks are not only visually appealing, some have texture too. Three of them have tile embeds to match the walls, one has a metallic sheen in the finish, one is ground terrazzo, and one even has a snakeskin texture so when you feel the sink you can feel the texture of the snakeskin! Concrete is a very diverse material when it comes to design specificity. We take it a step further using GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) gaining greater detail and curves without the limitations of poured concrete. For more pictures email or visit www.jmlifestyles.com

Commercial Concrete Desks and Signs

2009-06-08T12:17:00.010-04:00

This front desk is at Chakra Salon and Spa in Asbury Park, NJ. The number 1 priority was to capture the attention of the public during and after hours. This desk faces the store front on a busy main street so this front panel/sign in the desk easily captures the attention of any passerby with the fiber optic details in the front facade. With the long low voltage life of the LEDs the desk can stay lit with low power consumption and provide a constant advertising platform.
The desk is bar height for comfort, the legs are cast concrete with architectural tie holes and accent depressions. They also contain attachment embeds for steel supports that allow attachment of the front facade panel as well as stabilize the base as this desk is bar height.

The 4 in thickness of the top gives the illusion of mass while it is GFRC and lightweight. The organic staining patterns blended seamlessly with the wood copper and used brick motiff of the spa. It also matches the spas marketing material and card colors and logos.

Floating Concrete Vanity

2009-06-01T15:48:00.006-04:00

Floating concrete vanity with concrete drawer faces. Tile embeds to conceal the drawers in the drop front. Tile/concrete detail around the perimeter of the bathroom to tie in the elements. Concrete tub surround and shower elements as well.

Concrete in the Kitchen

2009-05-29T12:43:00.003-04:00

These concrete countertops are in Watchung, NJ. They are 2" thick countertops throughout very sleek and we have added metallic sheen in the coloration to match the tiles. The island top is one piece 7'x 8'.

Cosmopolitan Bar

2009-04-22T16:46:00.002-04:00

These are preliminary photos of a bar we just finished in Lakewood, NJ. Just a quick glimpse, more pictures to come. This bar has an integral concrete drink tray, and fiber optics. This bar is a dark plumb in color with clear recycled glass aggregates. This bar is 61' around. Every time we do one of these commercial fiber optic bars we get great feedback from the owners about the draw it creates!

Highlights Fiber optic "How To" video By JM Lifestyles

2009-04-15T11:49:00.002-04:00

Check out the trailer for our new instructional DVD on Embedding Fiber Optics in Concrete!

Sneak Preview!! Muse Hotel New York City

2009-03-30T11:36:00.009-04:00

Soon we will have finished pictures of the lobby at the Muse Hotel 130 W 46th Street
New York, NY 10036 (212) 485-2400. JM Lifestyles fabricated custom sinks for their themed lobby bar bathrooms! These bathrooms will be by far some of the most unique talked about bathrooms in New York City, designed by Faithful+Gould and Puccini Group.

Concrete, Steel, and Wood; Composite Design Furniture

2009-03-11T11:24:00.004-04:00

Custom Furniture and composite design! This entertainment unit fabricated by JM Lifestyles composite design, wood concrete and steel. Hardware fabricated by JM. Overhead concrete panel not only a decorative component but a movable door on linear bearings. Concrete drawer faces.

Custom furniture in any capacity is an option. These pieces are no more expensive than already made pieces that you may find, but now there is no settling get the dimensions you want, the heights you want, colors and finishes. Let us create what you can't find. "We bring your lifestyle to life"

HGTV!!! Dear Genevieve Concrete Countertops

2009-02-23T21:13:00.002-05:00

Did you catch our countertops on HGTV? IF not the show re airs tonight at 12:30am, March 12th at 8:30 pm and 12:30am also March 22nd at 4:30!!

Floating Inverted Bowl Sink

2009-02-17T13:47:00.006-05:00

This white sink is concrete and it is floating. The drain is in the back so the water flows like a moat around to the back. Extensive mock ups were made to ensure no splashing. The drain is custom punched steel plate and could be any shape. We fabricated all the supports to float the sink.

Free Form Concrete

2009-01-22T09:21:00.004-05:00

Free form concrete furniture base was created for a Wine Room in a residential home. This hand carved concrete base is to resemble a tree stump. The base is made to hold a 80" 3/4" thick piece of glass. In the limbs is a nook for a bottle of wine to be held. All the limbs are the exact height without having to grind them flat. This piece required a lot of handwork and precise carving was required to achieve the perfect outcome. No one believes it is concrete!

The Year's Best Projects 2008 in Review

2009-01-06T10:01:00.010-05:00

The beginning of a New Year and we are busier than ever starting on a lot of new great projects and are looking forward to see them completed! For now though I want to reflect on the year past.

We came up with an exciting new system for concrete to look and feel just like wood with more detail than any other system we've seen so far. We are going to be supplying materials and providing classes in the spring for this system.

We have made great advancements in fiber optic design and glowing concrete. We are now offering our design and consulting services as well as distributing fiber optics. You won't just be receiving the optics but support from our in house experts tailored to your job. We will also be offering classes for fiber optics come spring time.

To top it off we are also offering our design services. We have a knack for designing and knowing the limitations of concrete and mixing mediums, we want to share our knowledge and experience and help maximize your projects! In a time where originality counts our design services can offer your concrete fabrication company an edge. We are versed in many mediums and problem solving, like this restaurant bathroom, another year's best, the restaurant owner wanted to use fountain heads he bought in Thailand and use them as faucets. We re machined parts so it can be used as a faucet and hid the electronic eye in the concrete wall panels. We designed and fabricated the wall panels, frame, and inverted bowl sink.

Mixing mediums is one of our specialties and a natural is mixing concrete and metal. We will be providing metal details and brackets and for concrete fabricators so that fabricators can maintain their profit margins for specialty jobs rather than spend a lot of time and effort making something you just may not be set up for. We have spent years putting together a comprehensive tools for concrete fabricators and what is unique about our supplies is that they come from experience and proven application.

What is GFRC: GFRC vs Poured or wetcast Concrete

2008-12-19T13:03:00.006-05:00

FYI This is a very basic summary....Any concrete mix has a "matrix", in poured concrete there are four components, water, portland, sand and aggregate (some sort of stone typically maybe glass). Depending on the engineering of the piece they may use extra reinforcement which can be steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber,etc..These reinforcements can be in the shape of rods or mat and is suspended in the mix in one or more levels where it will transfer concretes compressive strength into flexural strength when it is stressed. It is poured into a form, vibrated to release cavities of air and to create a tight finish on the surface (of the mold), it is then demolded and the process goes on from there. Although poured mixes can have fiber reinforcement for certain purposes it is restricted to thin polypropylene or similar fibers that do not show up in the finished surface. GFRC is typically sprayed in layers and instead of the stone aggregate there is sand and alkali resistant (because concrete is basic) recycled fibers in the mix. Sometimes extra reinforcement is necessary as well...GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) is used in many "pre cast applications" and has been used on the facade of high rise buildings, it is a "100 year product". When you look and touch it as far as anyone is concerned it is just like any "poured" concrete, for example if your neighbor had conventionally poured concrete countertops and saw your GFRC countertops they wouldn't think they were any different than theirs. We sometimes do poured concrete in the right application, but very rarely does it come up. We have been working in concrete in all its capacities for over 20 years and have found through our experience that GFRC has more flexural strength and more design capabilities than poured concrete. Our main focus is design and we are followed in our industry and are always written up for our unique designs, other fabricators are always watching us to see what we do next as we have a reputation for pushing the limits and coming up with new applications all the time. We can accomplish this mainly because of the flexibility of our mix. We have a proprietary mix design that is green and high percentage recycled content, higher than typical GFRC. Our mix is much lighter than poured concrete and allows for larger spans without seams and ease of installation. A concrete bathtub is typically over 1000lbs and if wanted on a second story bathroom requires extra reinforcement in the floor. Ours are 450lbs typically and do not need the extra reinforcement. Most poured fabricators do not know how to work in GFRC as it is a much more complex "mix design" as far as I know we are the only decorative GFRC fabricator on the east coast, certainly in the Tri state area, most GFRC fabricators for countertops are on the west coast (where concrete kind of began as a surfacing material).

Now GFRC is the "newest" thing (not actually but they make it sound that way) in the decorative concrete industry, I have heard trade names for it like "earthcrete" it is nothing new, just a better proven system for making concrete and in the slower times, businesses look to expand their reach/markets and try new things. JM Lifestyles wants their clients to know we have been working with GFRC in all forms for 20 years, we have been doing it longer than anyone on this coast (that we know of). You can trust we won’t be going through any trial and error period, we already have it down!

We are also launching GFRC training on the East coast this Spring. If you are interested in learning, email or contact us for further information.

Thanks,
JM Lifestyles' Team

Concrete Illusions

2008-12-17T11:28:00.005-05:00

JM Lifestyles has come up with a new system that makes concrete indistinguishable from wood. Making wood a viable option in places it wouldn't always be considered.

We are holding concrete wood classes and fiber optics in concrete classes come the Spring. Please email me about further information, will post a site with more information as we get closer.

Concrete In All Its Forms; Concrete Bar Top, Concrete Wood, Glowing Concrete

2008-12-14T14:51:00.007-05:00

JM Lifestyles designed and fabricated this residential bar top. Using a new technique which you will hear much more about at a later time, we have perfected concrete wood. The system allows for the look of wood in places it would not usually be a viable option. The illusion is so real it is indistinguishable from the real thing. Many different fabricators, not only in concrete, but other materials have tried to imitate wood and maybe replicate the look, never the feel and usually very little detail.

In this project the wood is the perimeter that goes into an acid stain top with glowing concrete accents. A very unique cool piece!

To enquire about classes on how to make concrete wood please email michelle@jmlifestyles.com

Modern Fireplace

2008-12-03T14:12:00.005-05:00

Modern Fireplace Surround in Chappaqua, NY residence. The wall panels are textured and undulating. The hearth and mantle are off center to create a modern sleek look.

Every Golf Enthusiast's Ideal Bar

2008-11-19T14:10:00.002-05:00

Custom Bar top out of GFRC concrete, made to look like a golf fairway. The sink is to look like a sand trap and the beer tap is the shape of a hole on the green. All the client’s bag tags ball markers and divot forks from all over the world are embedded in the top. A truly unique and personal piece. Two antique golf clubs were made removable through cutouts in the top. These areas can be used for paper towels in his case, golf towels. On the underside of the top by the columns, we embedded electrical boxes for easy exterior access of electric for blenders, etc. A depressed dish drain aids in the removal of water from glasses and dishes into the sink drain.

Pool House Kitchen Countertops

2008-11-18T14:18:00.002-05:00

Pool house kitchen we just finished up. The center island is one piece 12'X4' 3" thick terrazzo finish. This is one of the many benefits of using GFRC vs poured concrete larger spans without seams and more flex strength and it is much lighter than poured concrete. With GFRC we can make lengths as long as 20!

Wellmont Theater

2008-11-04T11:15:00.007-05:00

JM Lifestyles fabricated the bars at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. We embedded fiber optics in the bar tops for the Mezzanine and Orchestra bars. The pictures are from opening night at the Wellmont Theater, where the Counting Crows opened. This bar top is a steel blue green in color with clear recycled glass exposed by grinding, and 4 1/2 miles of fiber optics run through the tops. The bar top is in 3 sections and nearly 100 feet in length.

We also fabricated the upstairs Mezzanine bar which also features optics but glowing voids as the bar wraps around trusses that provide second story support.

Concrete Saves the Day!

2008-10-30T17:55:00.003-04:00

Attached are photos from a project we just finished. We did a complete concrete shower pan and surround complete with ceiling for steam shower. The shower pan is charcoal and has river rocks embedded in the pan to tie in the bathroom floor. We also did the concrete rock door surrounds the tight spaces made it difficult to do any sort of tile borders to finish the edges of the shower surround and the tile border on the wall. We used a gray base concrete with acid staining techniques to tie the vanity into the shower surround. The vanity is concrete with a Celtic knot design on the drop front and we incorporated the family crest. The crest was designed according to historical research done Patrick Gallagher, our resident genealogy expert! Concrete saved the day while trying to buy some time by building the vanity top before the cabinets were in, the cabinet maker made standard kitchen depth cabinets instead of bathroom vanity cabinet. To promptly resolve this issue without making a new cabinet or a new vanity top, we made a backsplash with a rolled face to make up for the difference of space and it ended up being a much nicer design adding to the overall look of the bathroom.

Also attached in the same house is the boy's bathroom vanity. Great use of fiber optics for nighttime lighting. Since there was not a lot of surface space (although from the picture they used the most of it!) we made a stainless steel bridge that slides across the opening of the sink for added space.

Something Old...Something New

2008-10-22T18:03:00.005-04:00

Turn something old into something new. This month JM Lifestyles collaborated with C. R. Interior Designs to make this piece as a donation to the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Center Fund raising event/auction.

The piece was transformed to a basin removing the top and replacing it with a faux limestone concrete sink and replaced the legs with a matching faux limestone concrete base.

Twin Maples Carriage House Summit NJ

2008-09-30T15:03:00.010-04:00

Starting tomorrow, October 1 through November 2, Twin Maples Centennial Show House will be open. The location is 214 Springfield Ave at Edgewood Road in Summit NJ. Above is a preview of the Carriage House which is a totally green renovation. Architecture done by Hiland Hall Turner Architects building renovations by, Polo Master Builders Kitchen design and cabinets by Peter Salerno Inc JM Lifestyles did the concrete countertops, concrete farm sink, concrete drawer faces, and featured in the show house for the first time animation with fiber optics in the concrete center island. It is something you won't want to miss. Link to the 360 degree view of the space in the carriage house

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