Antique Herringbone Floors, Modern Furniture

Paula Abdul knows it, scientists know it, and of course, the most interesting designers know it: Opposites attract.

Ask any artist or writer and they'll extol the virtues of juxtaposition. Having opposing items next to each other exposes the qualities of each to greater degree. This, I hope, explains the excitement I had when I first saw Herringbone Natural from Exquisite Surfaces. Although the floor is shown here in a traditional setting, imagine it under more modern furniture.

For dust haters like me, a floor with such warmth and variation in texture and color is a reprieve from rugs. Who would want them, with a floor like this?

The dark color is also a tribute to feng shui principles of nature. The floor, or ground, should be darkest in the room with the walls lighter and ceiling (representing the sky) lightest.

For me, these floors are the perfect backdrop to modern furniture icons, like the Le Corbusier Chaise or Platner's wire Lounge Collection, and the ideal base for a minimalist home.