Antique furniture versus work capsule- the decor debate goeson

Perhaps it is just the time of year, but the old twocultures problem is showing up again. Two images are enough to give it away. One, in a property supplement, shows the corner of a pale blue room with a stuffed armchair, an alcove with shelves displaying a row of Spode serving plates, an open door showing a glimpse of bare floorboards, an old stand up radiator, and an antique clock on the wall.The other comes from an in-flight magazine. It is dominated by a glistening kryptonite kitchen ...