DESIGN FEATURE 04 | BLEND CONCRETE DESIGN
Made to Belong | Custom Concrete for BLOK Design Co.
When interior designer Zoe Miles of BLOK Design Co. brought her vision for a Toowong pool house to the team at Blend, the result was a custom concrete dining table and bench built for the exact scale of the space. A look at the collaboration, the colourway and the install day that followed.
Perched on a leafy Toowong hillside, this home is unlike most. Rather than stacking neatly floor over floor, its levels cascade down the slope, some separated by lush, sprawling landscaping. Pockets of greenery and rock that thread between the spaces, drawing the garden inside so that nature is never out of view. Designed by architect Christopher Furminger, the home carries a palette and materiality that feel genuinely timeless.
Each level holds its own energy — the lower floors given to comfort, a shaded open air kitchen and dining area second from the top, and at the very summit, the pool: sun drenched and made for entertaining. It is here, between the pool and the pool house, that a custom 3600mm concrete dining table in Fawn resides, paired with a matching concrete bench seat.
More than simply outdoor furniture, the setting has become a destination within the home. A place for long lunches, afternoon drinks and easy entertaining beside the water. The table's warm grey tones settle into the home's calm, layered palette, while its generous proportions anchor the space, bathed in Queensland sun and made to be enjoyed year round.
A piece designed for the space
This table began with a vision — one that interior designer Zoe Miles of BLOK Design Co. brought to the team at Blend, setting the collaboration in motion.
"We were drawn to Blend because of their incredible attention to detail and, for this particular project, their ability to create something custom, refined and highly considered," says Zoe. "We wanted subtle curves, structured edges and a piece that felt designed specifically for the space. Blend were able to take my inspiration, along with design details from their existing Umbria and Ren tables, and work with us to develop something unique to the home, the family and the exact scale of the pool house."
There's a particular satisfaction in projects like this. Receiving a designer’s idea and giving it form in concrete, a material the team has spent years refining and mastering.
Why concrete
For a setting this considered, the choice of material was everything. Concrete was selected because it spoke directly to the architecture of the home and the raw, natural materials that flow from inside to out.
"I wanted the furniture to feel grounded, architectural and completely integrated into the space," explains Zoe. “The warmer fawn tone was selected to softly complement the timber details of the home and connect with the other materials and finishes selected throughout, while still being durable and appropriate for a family pool house setting.”
Unlike natural stone or timber, which must be cut, shaped and assembled from existing material, fibre-reinforced concrete is cast into moulds. This process allows for exceptional flexibility in form, scale and detailing, opening up opportunities for truly bespoke pieces without compromising structural integrity. At Blend, years of material development and refinement have produced a concrete that performs exceptionally well outdoors while retaining the sophistication expected of luxury furniture. Finished with high quality sealants, each piece is made to age gracefully alongside its environment — developing character while remaining resilient through years of use.
The beauty of fawn
Colour plays a significant role in the success of this setting. Neither distinctly grey nor overtly beige, Fawn occupies the space between, bringing warmth, softness and subtle complexity to the design.
One of the most versatile tones within our core collection, Fawn responds beautifully to changing light. Throughout the day it shifts gently in appearance, taking on a soft glow beneath the sun and lending warmth to the outdoor space. Its understated nature also allows it to sit comfortably alongside a variety of surrounding materials. Here, it complements the creamy terrazzo flooring underfoot while creating a seamless connection to the more traditional grey concrete of the barbecue bench nearby. The result is a palette that feels layered, balanced and effortlessly cohesive.
A thoughtful approach to styling
Styled by the team at BLOK Design, the dining setting demonstrates how thoughtful furniture selection can elevate a space beyond functionality alone. Rather than pairing the table with matching seating on both sides, the designers opted for a single concrete bench seat alongside a collection of steel dining chairs. The combination introduces contrast while maintaining a cohesive design language throughout the space.
The bench mirrors the table's clean lines and monolithic form, sitting neatly beneath the tabletop and reinforcing the strong architectural qualities of the piece. Opposite, the steel chairs introduce lightness, texture and variation, adding another layer of interest through materiality. It is a subtle design decision, but one that speaks to the power of considered styling — and, more importantly, highlights concrete's versatility, demonstrating how seamlessly the material can sit alongside a wide range of finishes, furnishings and architectural elements.
Install day
A piece of this grandeur was always going to come with an install to match. Getting a 3600mm concrete table to the summit of a multi-level home meant carrying it up several flights of stairs by hand, with our team of makers.
"The installation was unforgettable," recalls Zoe. "The process with Blend was incredibly collaborative and enjoyable, and we have built a real trust with their team. They understood the level of detail we were trying to achieve and helped bring a very specific vision to life. The care, patience and professionalism from the Blend team made what could have been a very challenging install feel seamless."
This collaboration, and its outcome, reflects everything the team at Blend aims to achieve with every project that lands in our hands — attention to detail, care, and a real passion for the vision. "The finished piece sits so naturally in the space," she adds, "it feels like it was always meant to be there."
And really, that is the goal of every custom piece we make: not simply to sit within a space, but to belong to it.
To create a custom piece for your own home or project, get in touch with the team at Blend.