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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Are Two Better than One?

When it comes to decorating I tend to favor pairs of items in symmetrical arrangements– two lamps on my buffet, two potted plants on the mantel, pairs of pillows on my sofa, pairs of candle sticks on my dining room table, and matching footstools tucked under a console table.   I could go on and on but you get the point.

Recently, however, I came across this ad by Hickory Chair and was captivated by the asymmetrical placement of a single large mirror.


It reminded me of another favorite photo – this one by designer Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home – featuring a large piece of art placed slightly off-center.

Pure Style Home

The asymmetrical arrangement in these two photos really has me thinking about how I approach design.  Perhaps two is not always better than one?

I would love to know what you think.  Do you decorate in symmetrical pairs or do you prefer a more asymmetrical look with a single large focal point like the photos above?


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10 comments:

  1. MorganJuly 28, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    I think that in those pictures despite having asymmetrical designs, they do have balance. But somehow they still make me feel uneasy. I'm not sure what it is that makes me feel that way, but I do think they have designed those spaces well. I think it's just not for me though. =)

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  2. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJuly 28, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    Great photos and interesting. I am actually a little of both. I really do love pairs though, so maybe that is first thought. Hugs, Marty

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  3. KarenaJuly 28, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I like both and I think it is about balancing it out with High/ lows if you don't use a pair of something!

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    Exciting New $150 Giveaway from Dr Perricone! Artful Beauty from the inside and out! Come and Enter!

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  4. Kathy @ Creative Home ExpressionsJuly 28, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    I do both, Stacy. In a more formal room like my dining room, I go the symmetrical route. In a more casual room, like our den I do asymmetrical.

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  5. Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and AcornsJuly 28, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Love these photos and ideas. Lauren does very interesting things, I love her!

    I do both, depending on the room.

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  6. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}July 29, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Yes, Lauren is a smart woman! The Hickory photo is a bit much for me, though. I think that they were attempting to get the viewer's attention as much as make a design statement.

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  7. PammaJuly 29, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Thank you for sharing...I love both of the photos you show, so unexpected! Love it.
    ~Pam
    pamspaintparlor.typepad.com

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  8. Patricia @ 9th and DenverJuly 29, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Interesting how the Hickory photo grabs you with the Asymmetry of the arrangement...
    Yet, the reflection in the mirror indicates... a twin dresser and chair!
    The next photo the same thing!
    The room positioning is asymmetrical but the subject matter in the artwork...Symmetrical!
    I think that helps me to accept it even more!...LOL!

    Pat

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  9. StephanieJuly 31, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I agree with what Corn in my Coffee-Pot said. But also, if you take away the tall flower arrangement in the first picture and the lamp in the second picture, you would not have balance. It is just important to have positive space as it is to have negative space. Thanks for bringing up this discussion!

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  10. {darlene} @ fieldstonehillAugust 1, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    another gorgeous blog!!! thank you for sharing such beauty with us :)

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