Mixing Wood Tones

My brother just bought his first home (Congratulations again Brian!) and we've been chatting about interior decorating. I'm sure must people struggle at one time or another with mixing wood tones. My thoughts regarding the issue...do it! All of your pieces of furniture don't have to match. Contrast and variety are two principles of design that help to add interest to a room and to break up a monotonous feel. But I think repetition is the key so that you also create a unified look. Use various wood tones but use them repeatedly in your textiles, accessories, and artwork. In this bedroom (photo found here) both dark and medium wood tones are used and it looks great. Even though the storage piece and end tables have a medium finish the dark picture frames don't look out of place because the tone is repeated in the dark leather and in the bedding.