Recast! Meet the Artisan Turning Concrete into a Design Statement - Indoors and Out

This is the first in our "Made to Spec" series, where we'll be shining a spotlight on the people behind the products and materials that shape the luxury homes you build. From artisans to innovators, we will be celebrating the craftsmanship and passion driving the details. Feel free to send suggestions our way: [email protected].

Concrete has long been celebrated by modernists for its raw, industrial aesthetic. But Yifat Arbely sees something different in the material. She sees it as a design medium with untapped potential for vibrant, handcrafted luxury.

Through her Las Vegas-based company, Concretti Designs, Arbely began reimagining concrete through colorful, handcrafted sinks, casting the industrial material in a new light as a luxury surface.

Concretti’s reputation for hands-on service began with its very first sink sale back in 2018: an Etsy customer who canceled her order, unsure about her choice of color. After two hours of consultation with Arbely, the buyer purchased two sinks instead. That early moment now defines how Arbely approaches every trade partner.

Three-Decade Passion Turns Professional

Her own relationship with concrete spans three decades, rooted in her background across traditionally male-dominated trades—working as a carpenter and in venetian plaster work. "I've been drawn to professions not typically associated with women," she says, earning her the nickname "Concrete Queen."

That instinct to experiment first took shape when she made concrete pieces for her kids' school projects, evolving into explorations of different forms and functions: fruit bowls, benches, and sinks.

"I've been playing with concrete for 30 years, and people thought I was crazy," she says.

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A Turning Point: Sinks

These hands-on experiences with raw materials helped shape her approach to design and craftsmanship and laid the foundation for the creative direction of Concretti. The turning point came with a focus on sinks. "We were trying to give the market something it didn't have, a variety of colors and shapes," she says. "And that's the moment I realized it could be much more."

As demand grew, so did the offerings: tubs, planters, fountains, and even benches and chairs were added in response to client feedback and design needs.

Today, it's truly a family affair: In 2020, son Ty joined the company officially as vice president of sales, while daughter Noa joined in 2021, coming on as creative director.

As the company has grown, Arbely has been able to create these strategic roles for her children to help direct the business forward. "At the beginning, we were doing everything. We were mixing, pouring, sealing. We did it all," she says. "I was sealing a sink, and on the other hand answering customer service."

Now they have defined roles that leverage their individual strengths. "They're doing it with passion. And they are great partners," Arbely says. "I thank God I have both of them here. I cannot ask for more."

Currently, the company produces 500 to 1,000 units each month. The biggest collection is the line of sinks, which offer an organic look and feel.

The models span from a compact, semi-freestanding 15-inch bowl to a 48-inch vintage-style bucket sink with dual faucets; options include wall-mount, surface-mount, console, and even corner units, with a mix of faucet configurations. Shapes vary (rectangular, square, round, oblong) and the line includes ADA-compliant models and space-saving designs. It's a far cry from what most people expect from concrete.

Nobody thought this material could have the air of luxury and be adaptable for every home, Arbely says.

So, how does she explain this shift in perception? "We don't sell concrete," she says. "We sell style." 

Concretti's breakthrough lies in treating concrete as a design medium rather than just a building material. Unlike traditional concrete work that's stained or painted after curing, Arbely infuses natural pigments directly into her proprietary blend of cement, sand, and aggregate, ensuring color consistency throughout each piece.

"The pigment is part of the formula," she explains. "If the sink has a chip, you see the same color inside."

"Perfectly Imperfect"

Arbely's philosophy centers on “perfectly imperfect” craftsmanship. Each piece emerges from the mold with subtle variations in color and texture—air bubbles, slight shifts in tone, unique veining—that are marks of authenticity rather than flaws, she says. 

“I love the imperfection of this material,” she says. 'We can do the same thing, and yet each one will look different.'

And while the company celebrates these natural variances, it has a well-defined set of quality control standards guiding every part of its production process, with pieces approved only after meeting criteria for structural integrity and aesthetic quality.

The expansion beyond sinks happened organically through customer feedback. "It just took a few months to realize people are looking for something more. They want to have a matching bathtub with a sink or a matching planter to the bathtub, and so, little by little, we added more at the right time," Arbely explains.

Concretti's unique advantage lies in that expansive range, offering the ability to connect design intent across spaces, Arbely says, noting that one recent project featured coordinated sinks and planters in the same color, which carried a cohesive palette from master bathroom to the outdoor terrace; something nearly impossible to achieve when sourcing from multiple manufacturers.

"Every single project has its own way of standing out," Arbely says. Whether it's a tiny powder room sink in bold navy or a master bath featuring matching concrete tub and double vanity, the consistent feedback focuses on uniqueness, with clients getting something they can't find anywhere else.

For custom builders, Concretti’s artisan concrete offers differentiation while meeting client desires for one-of-a-kind spaces. Unlike traditional custom work, though, the company’s approach provides that artisan flair with predictable timelines and professional support.

Based in Las Vegas, USA Made

The production process spans three to five weeks (though lead times may be longer): there’s mixing, pouring into custom molds, curing for several days, then hand-finishing and sealing with a proprietary treatment that eliminates ongoing maintenance.

“We do it one time, and your sink is as good as any marble or porcelain,” says Arbely. “Use it as you would any other sink.”

Concretti operates from two Las Vegas facilities with concrete quarries literally "right across the street," which keeps raw material costs controlled, supplies local and reliable, and helps the company ensure that the quality of products stays consistent, Arbely says.

One facility handles sinks, while the other focuses on larger items like bathtubs, planters, and fountains. And with all her natural pigments sourced domestically, Arbely is proud to say the products are 100% American made.

The team has grown substantially since that first online sale, now numbering around 50, with Arbely especially proud that women make up half the workforce across all roles, from production to management. "It's not just women owned. It's women operated as well," she notes.

Shifting from a product-focused mindset to a system-focused one has been her biggest challenge, she says. "It’s no longer just about making beautiful pieces — it’s about building a team, creating repeatable processes, and managing a growing operation."

Still, the emphasis on craft hasn't wavered. Arbely describes the company’s sinks as “firmly on the artisanal end of the spectrum,” with each one made entirely by hand. “Every step in the process requires a human touch,” she says.

Because of that level of craftsmanship, she notes, the only fair comparison is to materials like stone, quartz, or marble. Even within that category, she says, Concretti’s products remain competitively priced, with a range of options to suit different budgets and project types.

Looking back, Arbely sees more than just a business taking shape. She sees a material reimagined; a transformation rooted in her ongoing passion and hands-on work with concrete. That passion has been building for years, she says; she was just waiting for the right moment to “share it with the world.”

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