Design Trends 2019: Styling Asymmetrical vs. Symmetrical

[show_ms_widget id="36014624" image_id="41878707" width="683" height="683"][show_ms_widget id="36014625" image_id="41878712" width="683" height="683"][show_ms_widget id="36014626" image_id="41878715" width="683" height="683"]Ok, so most people are drawn to either symmetrical or asymmetrical design & styling. I get a lot of questions on styling in general so thought this might be a helpful topic to address. I've been asked which kind of look I like best and the answer is actually that I feel the best kind of design combines the two! What I mean is that if you lean toward symmetrical styling, then in my opinion the best way to go for a symmetrical look is to mix in just a touch of asymmetry. You can see this in my first example above! The overall design feels very symmetrical, but instead of copying both sides exactly, which can get boring, you swap out one element-- in this case instead of doing two of the cream ceramic forms I did a stack of books with a bowl on top. They are similar in height, but offer some slight visual variation which adds interest and keeps the overall look from being bland or boring.On the flip side, if you're a person that likes asymmetry, I feel the best way to get a complete asymmetrical design is to bring in a touch of symmetry for balance. To explain this better you can see my second design above which shows how although there is only one lamp, the height of the small olive topiary helps balance the overall look so that you actually have asymmetry with a touch of symmetry in the balance & height of objects used. You'll notice it retains more of an eclectic look than my symmetrical example, but doesn't feel "unruly" or "overwhelming" to the eye because it's well balanced.I always like to remind people there is more than one "right way" to design. You can see this in the 3rd design above, which shows how interchangeable the decor items are. In my opinion this design looks great both ways! Different people may be more drawn to one over the other, but proof that both can look good!One last thing I wanted to mention when it comes to styling is that keeping it simple is a great way to go. In fact, I think it's better to invest a little more into a few substantial & timeless design pieces (like these matte finish forms-- they look like ginger jars, but are actually a single ceramic form that is created from an antique lamp mold) than to buy a bunch of random knick-knacky stuff. You know some of my other go-to styling favorites are marble bowls, wood or bone decor beads, olive trees/plants, and of course books!!PS. The lamp slips come in matte black & matte cream, if you're wanting a more true white, this is the other collection I have and love! You can shop some my other favorite styling accessories below!GET THE LOOK:[show_shopthepost_widget id="3436816"][show_shopthepost_widget id="3436820"]Note: these design boards are used to show design concepts and were created by Design Loves Detail. Please note they are not exactly to scale and if you plan to utilize this design in your own home, you should check measurements of each item to make sure it works for your space! XOXO.