topic Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT? in Holiday

DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Oznell — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 01:03:43 GMT

I always notice in Valerie's holiday shows that she advocates the impact of having "pairs" of things, of achieving symmetry by having two of something, at either end of a mantle, or a table perhaps, or whatever. (This is separate and apart from the other decorating rule of numbers, the rule of three, or odd numbers, in decorating. I like that one too.)

Designers are always recommending achieving symmetry in a room this way, and say that it induces tranquillity. Do you agree? I do, more and more, and I used to think I preferred assymetry! I thought that was more original and unexpected. It can be, but I like to start with a certain symmetry, and then you can always tweak it and throw it off a bit.

Let's see, in my living room alone I have pairs of:

sconces

lamps

chairs (flanking a curio cabinet)

candlesticks (natch)

pictures (two moody, oversized black and white photographs over the sofa, framed identically; four little watercolors of Paris street scenes massed together (so TWO sets of pairs) also identically framed.

votives

vintage bookends (but then you have to have a pair of them, ha)

ceramic pheasants

alabaster owls

throw pillows

My latest "pair" of things is a set of large Vietnamese pottery jars in cream and chocolate. I loved the color combo, the "rusticity" and the fact that I could get two of them for almost nothing at a local shop-- they were "seconds"!

Do you decorate with symmetry? How?

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

froggy — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 18:38:16 GMT

I tend to prefer symmetry also although I don't do it much with lamps. But definitely with candlesticks, candles, etc. Sometimes my symmetry takes the form of two items which are not the same but are of similar size - that's what I do with Polish Stoneware in my hutch - plates or bowls which are not identical but of similar size.

To me symmetry can also take the form of balamcing the weights of items, for instance one tall candlestick at one end of a table and two smaller graduated sizes at the other end. Just so it doesn't look like one end of the table is going to fall over.

For the dining table, when formally set, I'll go as far as having salt & pepper and butter dishes at both ends of the table.

I do like the rule of three also. Sometimes I just have to sit and look at an arrangement until a little elf whispers in my ear and tell me what to change!

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

jackthebear — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 18:53:02 GMT

years ago when I was a bear cub, I worked at a dept store in hard goods , the display people told us no pairs of stuff and no symmetry

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

ECBG — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 19:04:24 GMT

Symmetrical placement is considered "Formal" placement. Asymmetrical is considered informal.

Since my furniture is primitive antiques, I want the area to have a relaxed feel, so I use asymmetrical.

Formal Balance Slightly less Formal Balance is also reached if the two bowls are items are almost identical in size.

Informal Balance

Informal Balance can be very pretty.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

tucsongal — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 19:13:20 GMT

Not at all. The places where I have decorative items tend to be groupings of three with attention to height/scale. My style is definitely informal so I guess it makes sense that I don’t like symmetry.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Kachina624 — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 19:28:34 GMT

I intensely dislike symmetry with objects lined up like they were on display in a store. Not pleasant to the eye and shows a lack of imagination. Asymmetry is much more interesting.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

RedTop — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 19:40:53 GMT

I don’t go for the decorated look.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Oznell — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 20:32:38 GMT

@froggy, your approach reminds me of mine. Not only do I like symmetry, I like "balance", in which you can have something on one side, and something on the other side that is NOT identical, but has a similar "weight" or spatial footprint or something and therefore acts somewhat like a symmetrical object...

There is that little voice, or as you say, "elf" in your ear that whispers "good" when you finally hit on what is most pleasing to the eye! A lot of it is intuitive, I think... But it is fun to re-evaluate and switch things up, even throw off the symmetry sometimes, or create it elsewhere...

As I've gotten older, and feel more of a need for serenity, I think that's the appeal of pairs and balance, for me at least-- that's my armchair analysis for the day!

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

PA Mom-mom — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:11:48 GMT

@Oznell The only symmetrical place in our house is in our family room. But it isn't really symmetrical. The cabinets are not even on each side, and our mantel decor isn't quite the same. I like it that way

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

GCR18 — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:13:11 GMT

I need symmetry. It's in my DNA. I like matching or sometimes similar. I can't do total opposites.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Oznell — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:17:52 GMT

Oh, how pretty, @PA Mom-mom! I would say that you created quite a bit of symmetry there, amid your non-symmetrical beautiful paneling. Love your use of books, too.

Also forgot to say, @ECBG, thank you for your examples and use of illustrations-- always so informative!

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Caaareful Shopper — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 22:47:30 GMT

I find that I purposefully buy one of something, hardly ever (if ever) pairsof the same item. But I do like to use similar and complementary objects when decorating.

On my mantle, on one end, I have a 14” abstract sandstone sculpture of a woman. On the opposite end of the mantle is a 9” ceramic candleholder, with a 6” candle on it. Similar heights, color and width, but purposefully not the same. There’s a vertical, framed mirror in the middle, with a few varying items to finish it all.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

software — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 22:49:11 GMT

I'm kind of Monk-ish about things.

Things need to be even & symmetrical.

I prefer angles and straight edges to anything flowery

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

mousiegirl — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 23:34:06 GMT

@Oznell Yes, I do, but it gets expensive always getting two of everything, sometimes three. I have a thing about balance. Once, in another house, there were two windows on one side of the living room, one was straight on, the other on the side, L shape, but on the other side was olyn one window straight on, and a door. When I had drapes made, I had them made for two windows on both sides, one couldn't tell that there wasn't a corner window there.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

AuntG — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 23:31:47 GMT

@software, not Monkish; I like that! For me, symmetry is easier to do. When I think outside the box, the results are bad.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

software — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 23:32:59 GMT

@AuntG wrote:
@software, not Monkish; I like that! For me, symmetry is easier to do. When I think outside the box, the results are bad.

Symmetry is soooo satisfying!

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

simplyfriends — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 01:43:15 GMT

I don’t really pay attention. I love to decorate and just do what makes me happy at the moment. Homey and cozy🏡

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

Kachina624 — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 06:39:10 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
@froggy, your approach reminds me of mine. Not only do I like symmetry, I like "balance", in which you can have something on one side, and something on the other side that is NOT identical, but has a similar "weight" or spatial footprint or something and therefore acts somewhat like a symmetrical object...

There is that little voice, or as you say, "elf" in your ear that whispers "good" when you finally hit on what is most pleasing to the eye! A lot of it is intuitive, I think... But it is fun to re-evaluate and switch things up, even throw off the symmetry sometimes, or create it elsewhere...

As I've gotten older, and feel more of a need for serenity, I think that's the appeal of pairs and balance, for me at least-- that's my armchair analysis for the day!

@Oznell. Believe it or not, you've stated a principle of asymmetric design....balance but not duplication.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

CAMOGIRL — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 10:39:04 GMT

No.

Re: DO YOU DECORATE SYMMETRICALLY, OR NOT?

pattypeep — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 13:15:15 GMT

@Oznell Definitely asymmetry. Even in art when I partook, I preferred asymmetry. I use lots of lifts and levels along with textures and put up what I love. I also change things around a lot.