A concrete wall has a back surface supported by a back panel while a decorative material is applied to an opposing front surface of the wall by hand or by pneumatic projection while the surface is still plastic, and without using bonding agents. The decorative material may be further exposed by a surface treatment before or after the front surface is floated and finished, with a sealant optionally applied thereafter. The front surface may be created by pneumatic methods or by pouring concrete into forms and removing the front panel to expose the front surface while it is still plastic but hydrated enough not to slump.