Second attempt was with Windex and same paper towel, which cleaned the two honed surfaces up pretty well. The lighter Raw Concrete seems to have been easier than the Sleek Concrete. And finally, to get rid of that pot scratch I used a non-scratching Scotch brite pad (what we usually use on dishes) with some diluted Soft Scrub. This one took a little more elbow grease but I'm satisfied with the results. My opinion is that comparing the two surfaces (honed vs. glossy) there is a marked difference. That being said, I currently have tile from 1978 and grout lines that are so deep and narrow I have to scrub them out with a toothbrush. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. We decided to go with the Raw Concrete after all, and like others have said, just expect that it'll take a little more work and show a few more stains. But then again, isn't that the whole point of concrete? That it looks industrial? I hope this has helped someone. If anyone is interested I'll try to post some more photos and real life feedback in a couple of weeks once ours is installed.

I would get in there to enliven up the space without taking away from the clean lines. You don't do that by repeating more of the same. You make the rest of the kitchen, with all its weight and clean lines play into something not the same. I would suggest you look at a gold leaf look ( ie with a little texture in it. Obviously not actual gold leaf) and put the most vibrant magenta pink/red that you dare in a horizontal line about 2 inches wide and going the full length of the area. Just very well executed paint. Make it above your average pot size so it does not disappear behind pots and pans. That way every time you will look at that place in your home and think Oh Yeah! Also, if you would rather .... make the coloured line turquoise.

Lovely kitchen you have, and a butlers pantry is heaven. I think the shelves next to the fridge make the kitchen come undone. Why not extend the shelves along the wall. You can add books, style the shelves and have practical and design options in the space. Once you put a rug, I would do a round one like armadillo and co make the floor feature with a small round table sitting on the rug. Just search small round table and everyone from Kmart, Ikea to custom will have something in your price range. I think you need to soften the look with wooden chopping boards, a few rustic elements and maybe a collection of similar items on the top of the cabinets. Happy styling

Oh, forgot to add...........If you painted / wallpapered then put clear glass on top, if adhered/glued, there is no guarantee the glass will come off in one piece. However I have a friend who wallpapered, then put clear glass that was fixed on the corners with bolts (can't think of the word), so that it was removable. You can probably get a tiled look paper. Each to their own. I'd stick with a painted glass splashback.