Picture perfect dressing table with gorgeous lamps, Kelly Interiors
Pairs at their prettiest, Shannon Bowers
A pair of over sized lanterns in this charming kitchen, M Elle
Windsor Smith used a pair of backward facing sofas and a number of other pairs in this dramatic room
Love the many pairings here, the lamps, the stools, the chairs, Mary McDonald
Pretty things come in pairs at HB!
A pair of pendant lights grace this pretty island in this timeless feeling kitchen, Kitchen lab
Thomas Pheasant used several pairs of accessories and consoles in this gracious foyer
A pair of beautiful fixtures graces this elegant and airy dining room, HGTV
Handsome pairings...DTI
Sometimes a large pair of objects on a table is just what a setting calls for, John Jacob
Sherill Canet effectively used two pairs of lanterns above the island next to a pair of stools
A pair of chandeliers over an island is a beautiful idea, Southern Living
James Michael Howard designed this elegant room with plenty of pretty pairs
Good things come in twos...image by Jean Allsopp
Love these two pairs of bunk beds...so beautifully done, M Elle
Matthew Quinn designed this kitchen around this pair of islands topped with a pair of matching lanterns..beautiful!
De Cesare Group used pairs of tall backed sofas, chairs and parings in all accessories here
James Michael Howard went for a very symmetrical look here with several exact pairs...it works!
Mabley Handler used pretty crisp white upholstery in pairs for this chic beach house
Love the pairs of bunk beds and the chunky lamps on the dresser..what a fun room! P Dunham
Dynamic duos in navy and white! Max and Co
Kathryn Scott chose restrained pairs in this understated sleek Manhattan living room
Love the unexpected pair of chunky lamps on that gorgeous island..what a kitchen! P Dunham
Perfectly paired.....earth toned bathroom, M Elle
A perfect pairing...Cathy Kincaid
Its prettier in twos...gorgeous vanities in this elegant white bath, Victoria Hagan
Christina Murphy went with exact pairs of matching sofas and pillows in this vibrant living room
Beautiful showing of elegant pairs, Windsor Smith
LOVE this space...Thomas Pheasant had a pair of built in cabinets for this gorgeous sitting room
Christina Murphy went bold with her pairs of geometric chairs and pillows..but I like it!
Elegant pair of stools and mirrors are all that's needed for this stunning ocean view foyer, Intrinsic Interiors
Pairs galore....Kendall Wilkinson
Pairs of pendants line a pair of islands in this kitchen by Morgan Creek
A pair of Pagoda style chairs is placed in a bathroom by John Jacob
Beautiful room of pairs....found in the pillows, the artwork,lamps and the chairs, James M. Howard
Perfect pairs...sconces, vases, jars on the mantle, and sofas facing one another
Look familiar? Lol...a beautiful example of a match made in heaven...Cathy Kincaid
This stunning theater gets two pairs of super comfy looking chaise lounges, Nathan Egan
Susan Lovell went with the popular arrangement of placing a pair of sofas in front of each other
Susan Lovell used a pair of chairs and a pair of small tables in perfect symmetry
Nathan Egan went with symmetrical placements of a pair of chairs and throws in this fabulous room
Even in a bathroom, pairs work, James Michael Howard
Love the charcoal and orange, such a cool masculine vibe, Ron Marvin
Christina Murphy went with pairings in two sets of chairs, lamps and pillows all in perfect harmony
Sherill Canet used pairs beautifully here in this foyer
A pair of sofas with pillow pairings are flanked by a pair of stocky white lamps
So are you at all surprised by how many pairings there are in so many of these rooms or is this something you were already well aware of? (Knowing how astute all of you are....you probably have this pair thing covered) Its an interesting concept to think about how when decorating we choose to use a very balanced approach with many pairs and symmetry or sometimes we choose to do quite the opposite. I am sure some people are not comfortable with their rooms being totally balanced and symmetrical. I wonder if there is a correlation between how we live our lives and how we choose to balance and furnish our interiors. Something interesting to think about, isn't it? Hope you have a wonderful day!
I pair SO many things, we have the same lamps in different heights in the living room. Pairs of cushions, the same frames through the whole house. It's a great design philosophy which I'll keep on doing :) :) :)
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great weekend honey!!
Given that I'm an identical twin, I've been thinking in pairs all my life - whether it's furniture, accessories, kids (two boys) or dogs (two labradoodles), it's seems that I'm drawn to pairs, too.
ReplyDeletexxoo
I tend to like balance and symmetry, but don't necessarily think that everything has to be identically matched to have that balanced feel.
ReplyDeleteI love the symmetry in these pics. A new design focus for me!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday Tina! This may be my favorite post of yours yet…and that's saying a lot since you always feature the most beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of symmetry and it appeals to people who like a sense of order. I recently had a client who tested my 20 years of design capabilities by demanding that most things I did for her be asymmetrical- especially when it came to pillows. What an order! But I did it and I have to say it was quite fantastic.And it's always good to grow as a designer. But for me? Give me a pair any day.
Amy
I am VERY drawn to symmetry and pairs! Somewhere I heard that you shouldn't have more than 2 or 3 pairs in each room....and so I try to stick to that. Balance in primary places...lamps, chairs, ottomans.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that first image.....made my heart leap. That's one for the files!!!
Happy Monday!
xoxo
Symmetry fan here too! Beautiful examples of balance you shared with us. I saved the foyer picture to my files to reference that gorgeous mahogany paneled door with the brass hardware.
ReplyDeleteI think balance is so important..I like pairs of lamps and I love when I see pairs of sofas facing each other as I see in a few of these pictures. My favorite rooms are the Thomas Phesant rooms and the room with the snow outside and the very high ceilings and the chairs looking out, so beautiful! Great post.
ReplyDeleteJust like the first person to comment I'm a twin too so I'm used to pairs. You need balance in a room with pairs even if they don't match otherwise one side of the room looks heavy and off. Love these photos and wish sometimes my home looked almost as perfect. Happy Monday Tina!
ReplyDeleteWow, you really did your homework on this post! But I do agree, everything in my interiors is symmetrical. If it isn't I go nuts and everything feels off!
ReplyDeleteTina, this post was fun! An interactive "find the pairs" project - very clever. I too love using pairs, but also groupings in odd numbers. I saw a number of groupings in these photos also. And, since others have mentioned their twin relationships, I am the mother of two beautiful, mirror-image twin girls, um, young women. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteTina,
ReplyDeleteBeing born on the cusp of Libra & Scorpio I consider myself a designer with balanced passion. We naturally look for symmetry becauce we seek patterns to comprehend new things.
Our body is balanced by pairs and we first learned about balance when we took our first steps (as babies) and clapped in sheer joy of taking baby steps. In many areas of life we balance and don't realize how natural we are at it until we step back and look at it and it's at that point we "see" many good things.
I love symmetry and I've noticed I purchase in items pairs, clothing, household goods and technology tools (for my husband and I) iPhones, MacBook's etc. There's another double balance present, I've observed, with my clients and myself and it's a personal balance of male/female and light/shadow...here again patterns....it's fascinating. I enjoy it all as a detail, that many overlook, and it's a gem within the huge treasure chest of life.
Bette
I love how you pointed out the symmetry in these rooms, sometimes you look at a room and can't put your finger on what makes you drawn to it but it could very well be the sense of order you get from things being in pairs, now I will be more aware of symmetry when I look at interiors!
ReplyDeleteSymmetry is so classic and beautiful! I loved the John Jacobs kitchen and the Marvin bedroom is one of my all time faves! Beautiful stuff.
ReplyDeletehttp://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/
My Mom has worked with two interior designers and one hated symmetry but the current loves it. We always joke that our home is half symmetrical and half not now! Gorgeous pictures-helps me to plan my dream house for when i'm older! I think you should be able to follow me now-I added the feature to my page. I also noticed your commented on another blog saying your son has high hopes of attending UVA. I go there as well so let me know if you have any questions!
ReplyDeleteI am the same way...I'm a pairs person! Whether it be the mantels, the sideboard, the sofa tables, my large kitchen sink widow area, my bathrooms and the bedroom side tables. Sometimes I have to step back and look and say "can I have so many pairs in the same room"?
ReplyDeleteI always love scrolling through your pictures! I'm a big fan of symmetry in decorating, as well, though I don't think exact symmetry is always needed. I think balance is an absolute must, though. For example, on a mantle, I don't think you have to have exact symmetry, but if you have a large piece on one end, you need to have something of equal size/breadth that will balance it out! And that's so cool that you're son is interested in UVA. I have loved my time here and would be more than happy to even answer any questions he may have!
ReplyDeleteI love symmetry! It's so hard for me to put things in threes! Funny! These are all fabulous photos. Truly I could stare at them all day.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lila Ferraro
also have the symmetry..that brings balance to your home :) nice images as always, :) take care/Marie
ReplyDeleteI adore symmetry too! In every place I lived before...I did not have symmetry in my living room...but I moved into this house....and hung my fabulous antique chandelier centered in the room....centered with the fireplace and it dictated that all else had to be centered around it. I tried it with the sofa on an angle....no...didn't work. The chandelier had to have the table directly under it and all else radiates out from the center of the room.
ReplyDeleteI'm still looking for the perfect piece of furniture to go on one side of the doorway to compliment the french desk on one side....
I didn't intend that this room would have such a formal layout...but it just told me it must.
I do like two of things in a room too.
There are SO many things I love in this post, that I don't know where to start! I think what caught my eye the most was the room by Christina Murphy... the matching sofas are simply stunning. What a simple concept - yet she executed it in such a carefully edited way. Gorgeous post! xo
ReplyDeleteI also do some pairing in my home while decorating..but not too often..it certainly haromonises a room..but i also appreciate the unexpected and unique touch that a lack of symmetry brings to a room..earlier i would always put a pair of lamps on a console..now I often try and use only one..and i do like it! love the rooms you have featured her..also the predominant blue hues in most of them..my favourite color in interiors! have a lovely day and do visit my blog to answer a simple question..xx meenal
ReplyDeleteYou always have the most gorgeous pictures! I'm a little OCD, so anytime I decorate, I usually use pairs! I can't wait to see pictures of your new house once you've decorated--you have fabulous taste!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of symmetry and the only image above where I am not sure is the chairs in the bathroom....why do they need more than one?windows....and my husband and our architect are wanting to put windows in these spaces....but they are
ReplyDeleteBoth in my master bedroom and my daughter's room there are shuttered openings for each near a corner of the room....so I am already trying to think of a way (large mirrors perhaps?) to create the feel of symmetry on either side of the beds as adding additional windows isn't an option for our project.
I'm big on pairs too...sometimes to a fault. Love the dressing room in the first image of Kelly Interiors...gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my alley, everything comes in pairs, no? (Insert goofy cackle here, I know that's not the way it is. Sniff.)
ReplyDeleteThe James Michael Howard room is beautiful, and the Kathryn Scott so, so pretty! Now if only The Spousal Unit understood the importance of symmetry!
Lovely post!
tp
Love the orange in Christina Murphy's room. I was so happy to visit you this evening, a lovely respite from all the devastation on the news. Beautiful post! XX
ReplyDeleteI love pairs of objects and furniture in a room...especially lamps and chairs! Love looking through all of your pretty pictures as usual!
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing! The kitchens and bunk beds take my breath away! Have a wonderful day, Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteI love the lacquered navy walls from the Max and Co. photo. It just really took my breath away. Beautiful images!
ReplyDeleteJust love symmetry in design and architecture. It is so pleasing to the eye and gives the design a sense of balance.
ReplyDeleteYou find the best images! I am all for pairs but only max 2 pairs per room. Yes, really! It can sometimes look too contrived otherwise. Look at some of the top designers like Saladino and Wolf etc. Just a few pairs! But just right!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the 4 bunk beds with curtains! Heavenly!
Warm hugs,
Mon
all look so great,, love this..
ReplyDeletefind what u need here, please..
Gorgeous! I'm all for symmetry. I'm a Gemini, enough said.
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