Page 5 - Dockside Magazine Muskoka, Summer/Fall 2018

Creatively
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT TURNBULL
DECEPTIVE
Will Hicks, Owner
of Dare To Be Different (D2BD)
ETxplore your imagination with concrete
“ hat’s a beautiful wood feel to perfection. The same Muskoka Modern Lounge “It’s amazing what you can do countertop you have. precision is used for interior Chair. Combining comfort with concrete when you have Where did you get it?” and exterior custom products and durability, the chair is the knowledge and tools,” says
Although many
see a floor as just that,
the versatility of concrete
gives you the option to create art you can walk on. Colours, looks and finishes can all be customized: put your favourite sports team on your garage floor or design a wilderness getaway in your Muskoka room.
“Explore your imagination,” says Will. “You can do amazing and beautiful designs with concrete.” DS
BY CHRIS OCCHIUZZI
The answer is that it’s not wood: it’s actually made from concrete and it was created by Dare To Be Different (D2BD). Skillfully designed by owner Will Hicks and his team,
the custom countertop’s rich brown tones and texture are virtually indistinguishable from wood.
“Our client wanted
the durability and easy maintenance of concrete but customized to look like wood,” says Will, who founded the company around 15 years ago. “The result is incredible.”
By focusing on the finer details, such as grooves and lines present in natural wood, D2BD mimicked the look and
in a variety of forms: picnic tables, desks, fire tables and more have been fabricated for their clients.
Personalized pieces have also included original works by local artists. They even offer the option to add “flare” to countertops, vanities and desks by incorporating a glow-in- the-dark mixture during the product creation.
“It’s functional art,” says Will. “Using precision tools and hands-on expertise, concrete can be molded, stained and coloured to meet your desired designs.”
A popular design – and exclusive creation – by Will and the D2BD team is the
strong enough to withstand the elements year-round, making it perfect for cottage use.
“It’s also designed with proper posture in mind,” says Will. “The form allows you to lay back on your deck or dock with slightly bent knees and no slouching. All the while, your body is feeling extremely relaxed.”
Production items
Years of experience and top-of-the-line equipment – including their own CNC machine for 3D designs – allow Will and his team to fabricate quality production items such as patio stones, wall panels and lintels
for cottages, home and businesses.
Will. “We can integrate laser- cut stainless-steel logos into various concrete molds. It’s a sleek look for your business.”
Art you can walk on
D2BD are adept at handling
all manner of flooring projects. From standard commercial
and industrial floors to unique garage items, they meet the needs and wants of their clients. Concrete doesn’t rust or rot and is also resistant to fire.
Masterful craftsmanship makes a concrete counter that looks and feels like wood.
1 Crescent Road, Ground Floor Studio, Huntsville 705-349-2288 www.Dare2BDifferent.ca
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