Versatile Flooring Helps Set the Mood at Bass

If you have ever been to one of the Bass Pro Shops there are a lot of things you will probably notice. First of all, every Bass Pro Shop I have ever been to is huge. Secondly, from the moment you walk in, you are in another world - the world of outdoors - and you feel like you could settle in and explore for a couple of weeks without seeing everything they have to offer.

When I say huge, we are talking 150,000 square feet! Imagine an area that large with only concrete floors and steel beams that, when completed, has turned into an outdoor wonderland. In that scenario, there are over 4,500 yards of concrete alone.

Once the walls are up, they provide the backdrop for the atmosphere in the store. Murals are hand painted throughout, and the other artifacts and
effects are put in as complements to one another. Tony Hujik, Project Engineer for a new store being built in Toledo says, "The way they look at
it is that it's not just a store, it's a museum." This becomes evident upon entering the finished store. Sixty foot pine logs, a waterfall, fresh water aquarium and cliffs with deer, elk, wolves, moose and cougar set the
stunning outdoor tone.

All of that being said, the look and feel of the store is carried through from top to bottom. The idea is that every inch of the store represents
part of the outdoor experience. The Toledo Free Press comments, "Even the store's concrete floors contain some kind of artwork throughout the
structure. The surface uses etchings made using a hand grinder, metal inlays in the shape of wildlife or animal tracks stamped into it. Such
features make Bass Pro unlike any other project or store because of the detail that goes into it."

Bass Pro Shops have been using the idea of decorative concrete for years. It's an art form that people notice, yet is subtle enough to help create the atmosphere without overpowering it.

There are many types of decorative concrete that will enhance the look and feel of retail space, such as a store, boutique or restaurant. Of course, there are also designs that will work well in homes. New, easy to clean and
maintain styles are available from simple changes in color and texture to hand stamping and etching.

When designing or remodeling a retail space, it is important to think from bottom to top. Create a total atmosphere. Let the floors be part of the
art that enhances everything else throughout. Decorative and artistic concrete is an idea whose time has come again. Don't forget to include it
in your plans.