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Health & Fitness

A Refined Table Made of Concrete and Wood

Called the "stump table," The Refinery's newest furniture piece consists of a large hemlock block, squared off, and topped with a piece of 4-inch thick concrete.

SEABROOK — Known as a design studio specializing in handcrafted eco-conscious
concrete sinks, countertops, fireplaces, and architectural elements, The
Refinery Concrete is expanding its product line to include several furniture
pieces. One piece is a side table that melds wood and concrete, combining form
with function for everyday use. And it’s a work of art.

Called the “stump table,” The Refinery’s newest furniture piece consists of a large hemlock block, squared off, and topped with a piece of 4-inch thick concrete. The concrete – a fusion of natural substances that can be formed into any shape, color, and texture – is cast, finished, and sealed by hand. Other variations of the stump tables include steel hairpin legs, a furniture element that was first made popular in the 1950s and 60s.

“The allure and beauty of this table is the connection between raw, roughly finished wood and highly refined concrete,” says Kate Simons, co-designer. The table, along with three possible variations, targets customers in local furniture boutiques. “We love that it gives customers the chance to make a quick purchase and take home the table right away rather than waiting to custom order it.”

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Kate and her husband, Patrick, own The Refinery Concrete, a cutting-edge concrete design company that specializes in green techniques, designs and products. Soon after setting up shop on the Seacoast in 2010, The Refinery joined the Green Alliance, a local green business union that certifies and promotes sustainability-minded companies throughout the region.

The Refinery Concrete can proudly tout the label eco-conscious for many reasons. The owners work out of a small shop and use recycled materials in creating the concrete such as fly ash and slag cement. They purchase their sand, cements, and mold making supplies locally. The shop recycles and consumes minimal water. And, because the ingredients in concrete are calculated specifically for each individual job, there is virtually no waste. For the stump table, the wood is responsibly harvested locally in Northern New Hampshire and dried naturally by the sun. 

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“Our customers are buying a product that is created by hand right here in New Hampshire. They are buying a conversation piece, a beautifully crafted piece furniture,” says Kate.

Patrick designs and produces the tables, having honed his craft over many years, along the way developing techniques and methods that render the traditionally rough and cold concrete into something sleeker, warmer, and more inviting. Kate uses her eight years of design and marketing experience to help develop The Refinery’s products.

The stump table is in the early stages of marketing; Kate is in talks with local shops in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and has touched base with some regional companies for distribution. Customers can also view the stump table and its variations on their Web site or in the couple’s showroom.

For more information on The Refinery Concrete or to schedule an appointment, please visit www.refineryconcrete.com . For more information about the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz

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