Concrete

The unadorned street-facing facade of the house belies the light, open, tranquil space inside.

Pros: Concrete countertops are durable, resistant to heat, and can be less expensive than natural stone, especially when completed as a DIY project. Cons: Concrete must be sealed before being used; otherwise, its porous nature means that it will stain very easily.

Concrete stairs leading up to a sleeping loft are illuminated with wall sconces.

Concrete is used for the walls and ceiling and stone for the floors to maintain an urban, industrial feeling.

A mesh steel bridge sits above a cast concrete outdoor canopy on the patio. Concrete floors are polished on the inside, and kept rough on the outside. A pine door leading to a lower level bedroom adds warmth.