http://www.househacker.com/ househacker/tags/countertop previously) for the kitchen. There are 64 pics in the set so you get a pretty good idea of what's involved in the project, including the mixing, pouring, grinding and subsequent application of a finishing sealer/enhancer. It at least looks to be a doable project for the brave novice, but the authors seem to know a lot of the tricks and techniques that usually come from experience (or maybe just a lot of pre-work research).

See also:

More slick examples of what people have done via the concrete countertop tag on Flickr.

This couple is making a countertop that will have an embedded 'stream' of glass in the shape of the Mississippi River which will be lit via fibre optic cables running below!]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Making-Concrete-Countertops-Flickr-Set this one) it's easy to see why. Concrete combines solid, chunky beauty with a lot of flexibility-through-moldability, enabling designers to create some stunning countertops in both kitchen and bathrooms.

The site does a nice job of describing a concrete countertop's personal value to its owner:

But remember, don't fall too deeply in love with anyone else's piece. You can have the exact same design and color as they have, but yours will be yours alone. Because as the mixture of sand, stone, water and cement cures, it captures a moment in time that's unique. The pattern of stone will always be different. The color will always vary slightly. And that's what makes it uniquely yours.

See also: Concrete Countertop HowTos]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Gorgeous-Concrete-Countertops
View the complete process with pics and video here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Tile-Over-Laminate-Countertops-with-Tavy-Thin-Skin-Underlay-System gallery of soapstone countertop installations. It's a little surprising that soapstone can be used as a countertop, as one might have assumed that because of its use by the Inuit and others as sculpting material, it would be too soft to stand up to the wear and tear of a kitchen countertop. Perhaps it's the fact that, according to the Soapstone West FAQ, countertop scratches can be repaired easily by sanding it with

...120 grit sandpaper to remove the blemish then mineral oil can be reapplied to achieve a good as new look.

The company clarifies the material's properties here:

What is Soapstone?
Soapstone or Steatite is a metamorphic rock that comes in degrees of hardness. It is composed of talc, magnesium silicate and chlorite. The softer is known as "talc" and is used to carve or crush to a powder for a variety of purposes. Soapstone West uses the harder version of steatite, which makes it appropriate for countertops and other similar uses that require durability and other unique properties. It is a quarried stone that comes in shades such as green/gray, blue/gray and charcoal gray in its natural state but turns quite dark to almost black with the application of mineral oil.

The material seems to have real drama and weight, even if it doesn't appear to be the most flexible or versatile stuff available for countertop installations.

Here's their soapstone sink gallery.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Beautiful-Soapstone-Countertops DIY concrete countertop project, although that might not be the case once one becomes more acquainted with both jobs, but it does explain why kitchen work can be so costly.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Kitchen-Countertop TCC Kitchen Center food processing unit lays innocuously flat on the countertop, unlike the clunky food processing space-hogs most of us are familiar with. The genius of the TCC system lies in the fact that the unit is nothing but a control panel and motor - at least until the processor is activated when different attachments (mixer, chopper, blender, etc...) are coupled with the base.

Not only is the unit slim to begin with, but is also installable in a pull out drawer (like the Sharp Microwave) which would obviously save even more space.

Via Mocoloco.com.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Ultra-Low-Profile-Food-Processing-System-by-TCC diynetwork that covers template construction, mold making, pouring, and finishing up.

Here's another very detailed tutorial from NaturalHandyman.com. Both are good, but the diynetwork breaks down the materials needed in a nicer format.

For some inspiration, take a look at Cheng Design to see some amazing examples of what's possible to accomplish with concrete.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Concrete-Countertop-HowTos