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Concrete For Unique Countertops And Furnishings
By Christine McCall
Daily News staff
Newport Daily News
 When you walk into a kitchen, most of the
countertops you see are made of laminates, granite, quartz or soapstone. Recently, though, cast concrete countertops have grown in popularity and are making their way into more kitchens.
Newport resident Ted Sturtevant, owner of E.G. Sturtevant LLC, is a fabricator of fine furnishings of all sizes, shapes and colors. He also makes and
installs cast concrete countertops.
Sturtevant said granite, marble and soapstone are
all beautiful in their own right, but concrete is unique in that it gives people "an option to
create something that has a very raw look or a very refined look." He also said the
distinguishing factor that sets concrete apart is that it can be customized to fit a client's particular needs.
With an array of color palates and edge options, the only limit is one's imagination when it
comes to concrete countertops, he said. Sturtevant custom-makes his countertops at his
shop on Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Boulevard in Newport. Initially, he has to go to a client's
home to make a template for the countertop mold. Once the template is made, Sturtevant
and assistant Loring Rowe make the mold. After the mold is complete, it is filled with a
concrete mix. Plastic is then placed over the mold for a couple of days so the concrete
can set. When that happens, the mold is flipped and it is ready to be diamond polished and sealed.
Though the process seems simple, there have been a lot of growing pains along the way.
Sturtevant has been in business for about five years, but because the technology still is fairly new, he has learned a lot from trial and error.
In the beginning, he said, "You're literally trying to invent solutions to problems under a time constraint."
When it comes to pricing, it all depends on the size of the job and how much labor goes
into making the mold. Sturtevant said prices range from $95 a square foot up to about $165, if the client wants materials embedded in the concrete.
As for maintenance, concrete countertops do not require specialized care. Sturtevant
recommends cleaning with soap and water. He discourages people from using bleach
-based cleaning products. He also advises people to refrain from cutting on and placing
hot objects directly on concrete countertops. If acidic liquids such as wine or lemon juice make contact with the countertops, they should be wiped up immediately.
Sturtevant recommends a monthly application of a finishing wax. If done properly, the
countertops will develop a hard protective coating that helps repel stains.
One of Sturtevant's most recent projects is the bar countertops for Scales & Shells on Thames Street in Newport. He expects the installation to take place soon.
Not only does Sturtevant custom-fabricate cast concrete countertops for residential and
commercial kitchen use, he also makes and installs bars, tables, furnishings and art for
indoors and outdoors. Some of Sturtevant's other work can be seen at Wave Lengths
Salon & Spa in Newport, Laura Jean Denim Shop in Newport and on the grounds of St. George's School in Middletown.
Though he enjoys seeing his finished products after weeks of labor-intensive work,
Sturtevant said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is making personal connections with his clients.
He made one such connection with Gerry and Danielle Campbell of Middletown, when he
made concrete countertops for their kitchen. The couple decided on concrete because they appreciated the versatility of such a surface.
"You're so limited with granite, soapstone and marble," Gerry Campbell said. "This is so unusual and it's kind of unique."
The Campbells' kitchen countertops were made with a mix of olive and black concrete.
Sturtevant also created a top for an island in the Campell's kitchen. It is embedded with
sea glass and seashells collected by their children at Easton's Beach. "It really gives (the kitchen) a personal touch," Gerry Campbell said.
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