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Gregory Mata, owner of Cutting Edge Decorative Concrete in Richfield, Ohio, started out in concrete countertops going through his own research process and taking his first class on the topic in 2004. Since then he has taken the knowledge he has learned from others and developed an artistic style all his own that shows through in each precast countertop he creates.

"Handcrafting concrete countertops is another way of using the material I love. The ability to manipulate, mold and detail concrete into beautiful pieces is always exciting," Mata says. "Concrete countertops are nothing like concrete that is on the ground. The fact that they are only a few feet from your face gives the maker the chance to expose the incredible beauty that lies within the material."

For this countertop system Mata worked closely with his client, who was building a space that he wanted to be both classy and relaxing, but also fun and funky when he was entertaining guests. Mata came up with a unique idea and developed glass pieces that he embedded in the countertops that show a mirrored and white glass look under normal light, but a neon-like glow when black lights are on and the party is going. He also incorporated his trademarked fiber optic system, Illumi-Crete™, which includes fiber optic star points and two illuminators that allow for color change and a twinkle pattern. The soft glow of the fiber optics alone give the client a third look for the countertop during intimate or casual gatherings. This countertop system won the award for "Best Decorative Concrete Finish" for the 2007 Cheng Design competition.

Mata's countertop system includes a 41⁄2-ft.-wide and 10-ft. long island, a 7-ft.-long by 26-in. cook top counter, and a 5-ft. by 30-in. sink top. The 11⁄2-in. slabs were cast using Mata's mix design which is exclusive to Cutting Edge Decorative Concrete and includes 35 percent Portland cement, 65 percent aggregates, mixed according to the desired finish, a 40 percent water/cement ratio, a superplastizer, PVA fibers and other proprietary ingredients. He uses both fiber reinforcement and galvanized wire for reinforcement. Mata uses vibrating casting tables for consolidation.

The countertop system includes over 250 pieces of Mata's custom glass that depict colorful words and pictures that are only visible during black light illumination. The countertops were polished out to a 1,500 grit with a diamond disk system, sealed with water-based countertop sealers from the Chas E. Phipps Co. and finished it off with Xtra wax, a granite and marble wax which Mata says polishes up to an "incredible" shine.