Keepsake Vanity Countertop

This concrete vanity counter was embellished with shark teeth collected by a husband and wife during their walks along the Connecticut coastline. After her husband passed away, the woman decided she would like to display their collection in this special way. Alex McKenzie of Cypress Woodworks designed and fabricated the custom piece. McKenzie glued each shark tooth onto a sacrificial layer of plastic within a templated plywood form, with the finished side down. He arranged the teeth in a free-form circular pattern around the sink to resemble sharks circling their prey. For the left-side backsplash, he also added a shark-fin silhouette rising up from the vanity top.

The concrete is a mix of portland cement, silica sand, glass aggregate, alkali-resistant (AR) glass fiber, dye, and water. The concrete was poured on top of the glued teeth and left to cure. Once it cured, McKenzie flipped the piece over and polished the concrete smooth with a wet polisher and diamond pads. The total time to make the top was approximately 24 hours, with a full workday dedicated to meticulously placing each tooth.

Design and fabrication Alexander McKenzie, Cypress Woodworks, Waterbury, Vt., cypresswoodworksvt.com

Photos Susan Teare, susanteare.com

From Fine Homebuilding #279

More about concrete countertops:

• All About Concrete Countertops
• 9 Concrete Countertop Ideas
• A New Approach to Concrete Countertops
• ConcreteCountertop FAQ

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pretty Good House

For anyone interested in a sensible and cost-effective approach to designing and building a home that is comfortable, healthy, efficient, and durable, this book is a fantastic starting point (really, it may be all you need!).

Buy at Amazon

All New Kitchen Ideas that Work

Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in the house. It's where we pack in the most function and spend the most money, so you want something that's convenient and inspiring — this book will help you get there.

Buy at Amazon

A Field Guide to American Houses

If you want to plan, design, or remodel based on the vast tradition of American architectural styles you first have to understand their history, geography, architectural significance, and relationship to one another. This book can help with that.

Buy at Amazon