Sunlight

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.

MCK Architects designed the Queens Park House to include this bathroom that houses just the essentials surrounded by long, wooden boards that start on the floor, continue up the wall, and onto the ceiling. The planks stop just short of an elongated skylight that gives the feeling of the bathroom being outdoors. Photo by Willem Rethmeier