The right and wrong way to use materials.

Often people's use of materials is similar to putting a picture on the wall...  its additive.  They begin with an average house and insert alternate finishes in order to "upgrade" the house.  Wood and other materials find their way into cabinets, trim, casings, and railings.  It's similar to "tricking out" your Honda by putting a lot of bells and whistles on it.  In the end, it's still a just a Honda. 

Visually this room looks very cluttered.  Wood is used sporadically in the trim, columns, and window casings, and not in one or two stronger elements so it appears weak and lacking punch.

What I really enjoy are the white light switches by the pictures next the kitchen and by the door.  Both pictures and switches are stuck on the wall, but we're meant to ignore the switches and focus on the pictures.

Though the wood in this photo begins to work itself into the structure of the house, it stops abruptly and ends up having an uncomfortable relationship with the rest of its surroundings.  One subconsciously asks the question "is this house held up by wood beams everywhere, or just in this location?  Why do the beams stop there?"  They would have been better off leaving them out in this instance. 

The bed and nightstand are nicely crafted pieces of furniture; beefy and massive.  The wood casing and base trim are meant to relate, but aren't strong enough to create the right setting for the furniture so the overall space is an uncomfortable relationship between the two. 

 -Christian Liaigre-

In this sitting nook Christian Liaigre integrates shelving into the space by means of a black high "base".  By connecting it with black doors, it is further integrated.  Walls are left clean and the black and white act as framework for the wood.   

Mmmmm...  so sexy... 

Throughout the house, concrete is added for its materiality and additional structural support.  The effect is a combination of materials whose relationship is not only strong in its tonal quality, but its architectural language as well.  Though the materials are old and worn, the spaces created are new, clean and modern.

Note that there are almost no visible light fixtures or switches which can clutter up a wall and detract from its visual mass. 

Though the wood in this bath room is not as old as the rest of the house, its use is similar so it maintains the same flavor.  -You don't need a ton of old materials to create wonderful space, just an eye for how to use them.