Warm, Lustrous, Elegant Hardwood

There’s nothing as elegant and inviting as a rich, warm, hardwood floor. But there are so many to choose from! It used to be that oak and maple were all you could get. Now, there are gorgeous exotics such as Tigerwood, Jatoba, Ipe, Cabreuva, Brazilian Cherry and more. Not only are these exotic woods beautiful, they are sometimes much harder than domestic woods.

Wood hardness is important if you have pets and an active family. The hardness of a specific wood is compared to other types of wood using the Janka Hardness Scale.

The Janka scale measures the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in the wood being tested. It’s one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear.

Besides the Janka hardness rating, there are other factors that contribute to the durability of a wood floor. The type of cut used to mill the wood (for example, plainsawn, quartersawn, riftsawn), the density of the wood cell structure, and the finish used.

Handscraped and distressed woods are popular with those who like a textured, rustic and antiqued finish. Nicks and scratches will only add character instead of ruining the look of these floors. Also, they usually come with a matte, rather than glossy finish, which helps hide scratches better.

Planks that are 4” to 7”in width are popular. They work especially well in large spaces and in homes with a more casual décor. If your home is small with a lot of hallways, it’s best to stick to planks that are narrower than 4”. Also, if you have a more formal, more traditional home, narrower planks look best.

The newest trend in hardwood is towards a yellowing and/or greying of the palette, which is still rich in tone, but lighter than the espresso brown of a few years ago. Domestic woods are making a comeback, with Hickory being especially popular.

Engineered wood is generally more dimensionally stable than solid, so it will expand and contract less with changes in temperature and humidity. It can also be sanded 1 or 2 times, depending on the thickness of the top layer.

If you have a plywood subfloor, you can use either solid or engineered hardwood. If you’re on concrete and /or on radiant-heated floors you must use engineered.

Hardwood flooring is a great option for people with allergies, it’s environmentally friendly and it increases the value of your home. It’s also one of the most beautiful, timeless and elegant flooring choices on the market today.

I have some gorgeous hardwood samples in the showroom, that can be lent out to you, and I have excellent installers too! We carry hardwood flooring by Mohawk, Tarkett, Dansk and Armstrong.

I used engineered Brazilian Tuauri in my home. I love it!

Wool: Outstanding In Its Field

This is my pet lamb, out standing in its field....Sorry, I couldn't resist!

I love the luxurious soft feel and durability of wool carpet! Synthetic fibre manufacturers are always trying to come up with new and improved ways to simulate the look and feel of wool. This is because wool is still the crème de la crème of luxury in carpeting.

Wool carpet develops a rich patina over the years because of its lanolin content. Lanolin also acts as a natural repellant to dust mites and is a natural stain inhibitor. Liquid spills are repelled to the upper surface of the wool, which can then be easily blotted up.

Wool resists static and mildew. Static is reduced by wool’s natural ability to retain up to 30% of its weight in moisture. Wool has a naturally low PH, which makes it resistant to mildew, mold and fungi in almost any climate.

Wool is naturally flame retardant, is difficult to ignite and has a low flame-spread. Wool carpets do not melt and contribute less to smoke or toxic gas formation compared to other carpet fibres. That is one reason why airplanes, hotels and restaurants use wool as their carpeting of choice.
Wool fibre is made up of overlapping scales, arranged much like roof shingles, in an upward fashion. This helps keep the dirt particles on the surface, where they can be easily vacuumed.

Wool has natural fibre elasticity that can stretch up to 40% and bounce back again and again, making it extremely crush resistant in a high traffic area.
Wool carpet is perfect for people who are allergic to dust mites because dust mites seem to be allergic to wool and cannot survive in that environment!

Wool carpet used to be more expensive than synthetic. This is no longer always the case because the price of petrochemicals has been rising, bringing the price of nylon carpet closer to that of wool.
With more people thinking about allergies, green design and sustainability, wool carpeting might become the floorcovering of choice for many.

As an underlay for wool carpet my manufacturers recommend either a wool felt pad, or eco cushion rubber underpad.

If you're looking for wool carpet, I'll show you a great selection of options. We carry the beautiful Karastan wool line by Mohawk as well as Colin Campbell's luxurious Nature's Carpet . I'll also provide you with our very best installers, for a lifetime installation warranty!

Trendy or Traditional Tile and Stone

Tile and Stone Trends
Of the entire palette of materials available to me, tiles offer the most options for creativity. Now, more than ever, their diversity is huge. Not only do tiles come in a wide variety of textures and colours, they are available in more sizes than ever before.

The most popular format for 2013 is the rectangle. Kitchen splash tiles now come in a variety of elongated rectangular shapes. It used to be that the 3" x 6" subway tiles were all the rage. Now you see 4" x 12", 6" x 18" or even 2" x 18" sizing.

Floor tiles are often as large as 24” x 36”. The rectangular forms are usually used to create a horizontal, linear effect on walls, with accents and borders used vertically. On floors they are sometimes staggered for abrick-like effect, but a herringbone and chevron pattern can also look spectacular. For 2013, rectangular tiles are mostly being stacked rather than staggered, for an ultra-modern, grid-like effect.

Floor tile surfaces are smoother now with rectified edges, which allows for a much tighter grout joint.
Wall tiles are now trending to highly textured and 3 dimensional. I love the look of wavy, sculptural tiles on a fireplace or backsplash. They also look sensational on an entire feature wall or as a bed headboard.

Many ceramic and porcelain tiles mimic the look of slate, marble and limestone. The newest trend, though, is to simulate wood,leather, linen, fabric, wallpaper, alligator skin and even sisal carpet! Inroads in ink-jet technology have enhanced the aesthetics of tile by creating less repetition of graphics.

Glass tiles have also become increasingly popular. They usually come in a smaller mosaic format, whether round, rectangular or square, in a wide array of vibrant colours. They can be used as accents combined with larger tiles, or alone to create a spectacular shimmering effect.

Tiles with a brushed steel, nickel, bronze or copper surface are being used as borders and inserts, both for floors and walls. Some metallic tiles are now also available in a larger format for floors.
Accent tiles are now being seen in a mixture of materials - stone, glass, metal, all be combined in a single trim piece. It's like wall jewelry to dress up a field tile.

Aside from the vibrant colours of glass, most tiles are in neutral earth tones. Crème brulee, charcoal, warm white, concrete grey and walnut are especially popular.
Classic white and cream marble looks are also big, especially those withsubtle veining, such as Cararra and Calacatta.

Tiles are an inherently green product. They are made of natural substances and have the longest life cycle of any floor covering choice. When installed correctly a tile floor will last a lifetime.

If you’re looking to do a tile project, come see me at Surdel Carpets, Flooring and Design Centre. We have a huge selection of the latest looks. We carry tiles by Mohawk, Daltile, Tierra Sol,Centura, Euro, Julian, and more. I can help put it all together for you as well as coordinate the tile installation.

The Design Versatility of Cork Flooring

I love cork flooring! It's warm and resilient, and it comes in a wide variety of fashionable colours and patterns. We carry Eraco's Solida brand of cork in our showroom.

Cork flooring is not new. It has been used in high traffic public buildings for over 100 years. Also, Frank Lloyd Wright used cork flooring in some of his residential projects in the 1930‘s, and they’re still in use today. Just recently, one of my clients put cork flooring throughout her entire house (all 3500 square feet!), and she has a dog and 4 kids!

I prefer Solida's glue-down cork tiles to the floating click-together cork planks. I realize that floating cork is easier to install and is good enough for such areas as living rooms and bedrooms; however, sealed-on-site glue-down cork tiles are completely water-proof, so they can be used in bathrooms and kitchens without fear.

Glue-down cork tiles also come in a wide variety of patterns, sizes and colours, for a truly custom look. A popular size right now is the 24" x 24" large square as well as the 12" x 24" rectangle with bevelled edges. Another popular look is the 12" x 6" smaller rectangle done in a herringbone pattern.
You can do borders and inserts in accent colours and in a variety of sizes, to help tie together various elements of a room for that WOW factor!

What I also like about cork flooring is that it’s anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, and environmentally sustainable. Cork is the bark of the cork-oak tree, which is harvested by hand every nine years, without killing the tree. In fact, some cork oaks are several hundred years old!

I like the way cork looks next to other natural materials such as hardwood or bamboo. In fact, I often specify cork flooring for areas that are adjoining existing hardwood floors. Sometimes I even mix and match the two; for example, cork flooring on stairs with hardwood bullnoses can look great together.

I have a beautiful selection of cork samples to show you, in various patterns and colours. I also have highly skilled cork installers that can transform your floor into a work of art!

Linoleum: A Natural Alternative to Vinyl Flooring

Many people get confused between linoleum and vinyl sheet flooring.  Real linoleum, also known as Marmoleum or Marmorette, has been around since 1863 and is made from natural raw materials.  It contains linseed oil, wood flour, powdered cork, pine resin and ground limestone.  It also has a natural jute backing.

Vinyl sheet flooring is made from polyvinyl chloride. Its main advantage over linoleum is that it comes in a wider variety of patterns and colours; it is 12 feet wide ( linoleum is 6.5 feet wide), and is easier to install.

Natural linoleum is a much more durable product than vinyl sheet flooring. It is highly resistant to heavy rolling loads and foot traffic; it resists cigarette burns and staining from chemical spills; it is anti-static and repels dust. If well maintained, linoleum can last well over 60 years!

Linoleum used to be more difficult to maintain than sheet vinyl because it required regular waxing. Now, it comes with a protective "Topshield" coating, so waxing is no longer needed.  Just make sure you clean it using a PH balanced product, or it might discolour.

Linoleum comes in a wide variety of vibrant colours. Borders and shapes in contrasting colours can be cut into it for a custom look.

Linoleum has traditionally come in sheet goods only, but it now also comes in a glue-down tile format as well as a floating click plank. We carry  Marmoleum tiles as well  Marmoleum Click.

Marmoleum Click was the first flooring product to be certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation as being Asthma and allergy friendly.

Linoleum in its various formats, offers many opportunities for a custom look. It is a natural and sustainable product that will provide many years of strength, beauty and durability.

Image Credits:  apartmenttherapy.com 

The Magic of Bio-Based Smartstrand Fiber

I have to tell you about the biggest fiber advancement of the last 28 years. It's a Mohawk exclusive and it's the biggest innovation since Dupont introduced Stainmaster in 1986.

Smartstrand combines key benefits of nylon, olefin and polyester into one fiber - Triexta. It has the dyeability and resilience of nylon, the stain resistance of olefin and the softness of polyester. It is available in a wide variety of colours, textures and styles.

Smartstrand's stain resistance is engineered in. It is not a treatment applied to the fiber that will eventually wear off.  No matter how many times you clean it, the stain resistance will not disappear.

Smartstrand has a stain resistence that handles problems other fibers can't match, including red wine, mustard and bleach. Tough stains can be removed with just warm water and a mild detergent. That is why all of our Smartstrand carpets offer a lifetime stain resistance warranty!

I was amazed when one of my coworkers poured red wine on a Smartstrand carpet sample, left it there for 2 weeks, then washed the stain completely off using only warm water. Wow, I was sold after that!

Smartstrand's Sorona polymer has a strong environmental story: 37% of the fiber is made from renewable resources such as corn sugar. This reduces reliance on petrochemicals. It requires 30% less energy in its production than nylon. Greenhouse emissions from its production are 63% lower than from that of nylon. Just think: one gallon of gasoline is saved for every 7 square yards of carpet produced - that's huge!

The newest Smartstrand innovation is the Silk Series. It is luxuriously soft yet extremely durable. Once you touch it you won't want anything else!

Smartstrand is the carpet of the future. With the price of oil going sky high, I foresee more and more carpet being produced with this amazing fiber.

If you'd like more information about Smartstrand, check out the link below:

http://www.mohawkflooring.com/flooring-products/carpet/smartstrand.aspx

Luxurious Limestone

The decision to use polished limestone in the high traffic areas of this home, gave it a timeless elegance  that few other flooring choices could match. 

For this project, I chose Chenille White elongated rectangles.  I used the 8 x 36 size in an offset brick staggered pattern for the main areas.  I also created 2 inset "area rugs",  using the 4 x 36 size in a chevron design, bordered by charcoal mosaics that mimic the colour of the adjoining hardwood flooring.

The substrate was radiant heated concrete, so I made sure to specify Ditra Matting  as an antifracture membrane throughout.

Limestone is porous, requiring us to seal it immediately. It should then be resealed every 2 or 3 years, depending on traffic.

These floors are elegant, timeless and durable. I feel they will continue to bring satisfaction to my client for many years to come!

Closeup of mosaic inset and transition to hardwood 

A view of the foyer from the loft

The larger of the 2 limestone 'area rugs'

All I Want for Christmas is a Rose Red Rug

This amazingly soft, velvety rug is the new seasonal addition to our showroom's decor. I love the carved rose petal pattern. It looks even better in person. Come see it and feel it!

We have a large selection of beautiful and unusual area rugs from all over the world, many of which have just recently arrived. We have vibrantly coloured shags, traditional prints, bold contemporary patterns, curvilinear transitional styles and more.

Many of our in stock area rugs are now on sale from 25% to 50% off!

I'll help you choose the perfect rug for your particular needs. But if you want to know what's new, here are some trends to look  for when buying a rug in 2013.

• Touch: Fibres are either silky and soft, or highly textured and nubly (think macrame and knit wear).
• Large patterns, such as massive flowers or tribal geometrics, on a white background.
• The layered look: Rugs in various colours and patterns, scattered over top of one another.
• Rugs not only on the floor, but as wall hangings too.

62 years ago....and now it's back.

I accidentally found this image while searching for cocktail party ideas. Can you believe it's from 1950? It's an example of  midcentury "California Modern". Aside from the hairstyles and the smoking , it looks so 2012!

Check out the shag upholstery on the chair, the large rectangular fireplace tiles, the walnut stained coffee table, the sofa, lamps, frieze broadloom, the red accents anchored with grey as the main neutral.... There's even a mirror-view television built into the table.....a kind of flat screen TV of the 1950's.  Now, how cool is that?

Credits: Image taken from the  "Have2Ask" blog. Home of Architect Richard Spencer, Kodachrome transparency by Julius Shulman.

My latest interview with Tom Lucas on the AM 650 Radio Real Estate Show, and Graeme Huguet of 
My House Design/Build.

Main Topic: The importance of custom in flooring choices.

Interior DesignTrends 2012

This picture exemplifies some of the design trends that I see developing for 2012: Handscraped, reclaimed, distressed, sunbleached hardwood floors; woodpanelling on ceilings and walls; lots of texture and visual interest; oiled bronze, circular shapes; personal imprints, handwriting; sleek, modern elements juxtaposed with those that are old and weathered.

Below are some interesting blogs that showcase a variety of design trends for 2012:

This one is out of the U.K. and points to Britishness, Nostalgia, Aztec and Tribal influences, and Typography as being the leading Interior Design Trends for 2012.

http://whoartnow.co.uk/interior-design-trends/253-interior-design-trends-for-2012

This blog talks about grey being the main neutral for 2012, with yellow as the main accent. Think industrial with antique, "Paris flea market meets driftwood salvage".

http://www.pr.com/press-release/369047

The idea of decorating a home for re-sale, in a generic, impersonal style, is becoming less popular. People are staying in their homes longer and are injecting their own personalities into their spaces. They're using more colour, more pattern, more unique art objects and furniture. This blog exemplifies these ideas:

http://www.adesignerspot.com/decorating-styles/2011-2012-trends-in-interior-design.html

This is a fascinating blog that categorizes and analyzes the following colour trends: Preservation, Heritage, Process, and Protection:

http://yourhomeonlybetter.com/color-trends-for-2012-balance-to-preservation/

This last blog is not about design trends, but about the top 10 lifestyle trends for 2012. Examples are community gardens, working from home, single-level houses and multi-generational homes.

http://ht.ly/7JVEp

OK I'm ready, now bring on the new year!

Photo credit: Contemporist.com. Loft Apartment by 2B Group.

Put a Cork in It - I Mean Your Floor, of Course!

Photo credits: Gord Whenham, flooring installer.

I helped some clients recently with a problem they thought would be impossible to solve.

They were tired of their outdated ceramic tile floors but didn't want the mess and cost of having the tiles removed. They also didn't want to raise the floor height too much, and most of the floors they looked at would have been too thick.

They wanted an eco-friendly, sustainable product that was warm and comfortable, low maintenance and high quality. They wanted a floor that could be used in the entry, kitchen, laundry and bath without risk of water damage.

It turned out that glue-down cork was the perfect solution for my clients. Unlike the floating, click-together cork planks that you see in most flooring retail stores, the Solida Cork tiles we chose could be glued to a properly levelled ceramic tile floor. They were then further sealed with 3 coats of a flexible water-based urethane specifically manufactured for cork floors.

We were able to do herringbone patterned inserts and borders in a contrasting colour. This is because with glue-down cork tiles there is a huge selection of tile sizes, formats, colours and patterns to play with, allowing you to do a truly unique custom design!

If you'd like to find out more about the sustainability of cork, and view some beautiful design possibilities, here's a great video featuring Candice Olson from Divine Design, talking about the merits of cork flooring:

To find out more about cork flooring, click here: http://www.eraco.com/cork_about_cork.asp

and here: http://solidacork.com/

Is It Waterproof Hardwood or Luxury Vinyl Planking?

I often have clients that would love to put hardwood throughout their entire house, including their bath, laundry, kithen and foyer.

Hardwood is beautiful, but not recommended in high moisture areas, so what to do?

When I show my clients samples of such realistic looking vinyl flooring as Karndean's Da Vinci Plank or Armstrong's Luxe Plank, they're amazed it's not hardwood. It looks and feels that realistic!

What I love about Karndean's product in particular, is that you can integrate such high-end details as the mitered double border shown here.

Karndean makes a luxury vinyl tile, as well as plank. This allows you to mix and match different looks without having to worry about height differences. For example, I will sometimes use a Karndean tile in the kitchen and foyer, bordered by a Karndean woodplank. I then carry that same wood plank into the living and dining areas, for a cohesive and ultra elegant look.

Armstrong's Luxe Plank doesn't allow for this type of design versatility, but it has the advantage of being easier for the homeowner to install than Karndean. This is because it does not have to be adhered to the subfloor, but is glued together with self adhesive tabs.

Luxury vinyl plank flooring now comes with a protective topcoat that doesn't require polish. You simply use a PH balanced cleaner for regular maintenance. It's that easy!

If you would like to see a beautiful example of Karndean, take a look at this year's PNE Prize Home, where it was used throughout the entire main floor!

If you would like to find out more, go to the following websites:

http://www.karndeancanada.com/site/home.cfm

and: http://www.armstrong.com/flooring/products/luxury-vinyl

Japanese Inspired Bath Tiles

Bath as restful retreat, natural sanctuary and ethereal spa is a concept that appeals to many homeowners with stressful, busy lives. This is why a Japanese-inspired zen look is becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms.

There is an enormous selection of natural stone and ceramic tiles available on the market now that help create a zen environment.

I have tiles in the showroom that simulate bamboo strips, tatami mats, pebbles, canvas, linen and hardwood planking. These tiles can be used either on the floor or wall, or as decorative accents.

The idea is to simplify the look. Don't use too much pattern; have one focal point only; and use muted, natural tones.

You should imagine yourself stepping outside into a natural forest clearing, where you've encountered soothing hot springs or a cool bubbling brook.

Make an appointment to see me and I'll help tie it all together for you. I want you to leave feeling both rested and energized!

Photo credits: www.juliantile.com.

Un-Decorating, and Why your Home is a Path, not a Place

This room might be a bit too cluttered for my taste, but I love how it oozes with personality!

The owner of this space isn't afraid to show the world who she is, what her interests are, what is meaningful to her. She is unique, fun and whimsical. She doesn't care about some expert's cookie-cutter approach to decorating or staging....wait, maybe she's un-decorating. Hmmmm, I see the beginnings of a new trend happening!

People are starting to tire of the blandness that often passes for tasteful interior design. In this high tech world we often feel the need for a high touch sanctuary to come home to.

We want to put our feet up, not worry about cookie crumbs on the floor. We want our homes to have the feel of a sun-faded beach house, where the timeworn, scratched,weather beaten look is oh so inviting, where we can have fun and be playful.

The picture shown here is from Michelle McCormick's "The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces".

Here is an excerpt from her book:

"Stuff comes and goes, as do styles, but the creation of home is something that we develop over time. Those skills stay with us. Which is to say that your home is a path, not a place. It’s something that you do with aspiration, it's an activity that never stops. It will help you learn, grow and change over the course of your life."

Yes it's so true...there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home.....

My Interview with Tom Lucas of Radio Real Estate and Graeme Huguet of My House Design/Build

In this latest interview I talk about the best flooring to use if you want lasting quality and style and are staying in your home for 10 years or more.

What Everyone Else is Doing, or Not?

I'm hooked on the steady stream of information from the design sources I follow on Twitter.

Twitter is stimulating and informative, but it never ends! After a while I can no longer absorb it all. There's only so much inspiration one can glean from it, or any other outside source of information for that matter. After a while it's important to sit quietly, look within, and figure out what's really going to work.

We usually know what works for us. We know in our gut when it feels right. When we look to exterior sources for inspiration we sometimes get caught up with what's in, what's trendy, what everyone else is doing, instead of listening to our own voice and extracting what it is we really want.

The kitchen in this picture is beautiful; it's stylish, trendy and sophisticated. It would look great in a showhome. Would it function well for the average person? Would it work for me? I don't think so.

This kitchen has hardwood flooring. Hardwood will cup if exposed to water, and will scratch and dent with regular wear and tear. Hardwood in a dark tone shows dust and dirt more than a lighter tone will, so requires constant cleaning to look 'showhome' perfect.

Marble countertops such as the ones in this picture, stain easily and need to be frequently sealed. Also, this particular colour and veining of marble is trendy, so will look dated in a few years.

The average person doesn't want the high maintenance this kitchen involves; but it's easy to get seduced by the emotional impact of the pretty picture, rather than asking what's really going to work for our own needs and lifestyle. I'm sometimes guilty of this myself. Are you?

photo credit: contemporist.com; Brentwood residence by MLK Studio.

Timeless Design

Despite the fact that trends come and go, a well designed space can be timeless.

To me, there are 3 crucial elements that make for good timeless interior design. They are the reason why certain spaces make me feel peaceful, comfortable and happy.

The first is to incorporate natural light through the use of large windows and skylights, and through the strategic placement of reflective materials, such as mirrors and glass.

The second is to bring the outdoors in, by maximizing views of nature through proper window placement, and by using natural materials such as hardwood, cork and stone.

The third is to create fluidity within the space, so that one can move freely without obstructions, removing all clutter and sharp corners and making sure that all objects are functional, beautiful and meaningful.

Ultimately, good timeless design is about what speaks to our essence as human beings. We need natural light; we need to feel close to nature; we need to have comfort and warmth; we need a peaceful sanctuary; we need to be surrounded by objects that are useful and meaningful to us.

photo credits: the Wurzburg Lakehouse, www.archimania.com.

Tile Jewelry

In a recent issue of Design Quarterly there was an article about the latest tile trends, one of which involved using accent pieces as "jewelry to dress up the field tile"....I liked that analogy!

Accent tiles are more interesting now than ever before. A variety of different materials are sometimes used in one decor piece of glass, metal, ceramic and stone.

Linear and square mosaics, put together on a mesh are the decor format of choice, rather than the 'listello' bars of a few years ago.

We have a wide selection of beautiful accent and field tiles in our showroom. I look forward to helping you put it all together, so that your kitchen or bathroom will glisten like fine jewelry!

I threw a few mosaic odds and ends into this chest and took a picture with my Iphone G3. Not the best resolution, but not too bad...or maybe I should have held out for the G4:)

Wabi-Sabi Interiors

I recently had beautiful, lustrous Brazilian Oak hardwood installed in my house. I proudly babied it, polished it, admired it....Then came the inevitable first scratch; I was mortified! Scratches and dents are part of life, so why was I vainly searching for perfection? Why did I want to stop the clock? Luckily I soon came to my senses and remembered Wabi-Sabi.

Wabi-Sabi is an ancient Japanese aesthetic that embraces the imperfect, the transient and the incomplete. It reminds us that there is beauty in objects that are time-worn, objects that bear our uniquely personal imprint, that evoke the cycles of nature.

The above picture is a good example of Wabi-Sabi. Note the driftwood table and rustic wood flooring. The room is highly personal: The mismatched chairs suggest there are individuals living here, each with their own seating preferences. The simplicity of the tea setting suggests that there is no need for extraneous ornament and fluff, it would just interfere with the pure appreciation of tea.

These two pictures also illustrate Wabi-Sabi. The man-made is juxtaposed with the organic, the new with the old. Nothing 'matches', but everything works together harmoniously. Objects are pared down to their essence. The idea is if it's beautiful and/or useful then keep it. If not, remove it from your life. Remember, though, that beauty can be imperfect, so appreciate those scratches and dents!

Photo Credits:

1. style-files.com.

2. trendis.com.