Once viewed as a material best concealed, concrete is now being viewed in a new light thanks to innovative craftsmen like Jason Lett and Dan Wyeth from Concrete Nation. The pair, based in Burleigh Heads, have found a synergy between homewares and concrete with their wares popping up in homes and venues around the Gold Coast including Brooklyn Depot, Bonita Bonita and Ze Pickle, to name a few. The local company has also created bespoke pieces for singer/songwriter Xavier Rudd, the World Surfing League Commissioner and even a MasterChef judge.

While a standard mix of concrete is prohibitively heavy for regular domestic use, Concrete Nation has added glass fibre into the mix, which actually makes the material stronger, lighter and easier to move. Driven to fulfil their mantra of ‘inspire, design, create’, Concrete Nation specialises in making polished concrete kitchen bench tops, outdoor barbecue benchtops, bathroom vanities, vessel sinks, bathtubs, fireplace surrounds and general household furniture. Basically, if you can dream it, they can create it with concrete.