StyleTrend Spotting: Balanced Asymmetrical February 18, 2014 {via} I thought I was a lover of symmetry. In my last house, everything needed a match. If I had a pillow on one end of the couch, I needed a matching one on the other end. If I had something tall on the right side of the mantle, something equally as tall needed to be on the left. This love of order really cracks me up because it is so opposite of how I really am. I like things flowy and bohemian, not set up in perfect lines. And so I’ve coined a brand new design term that I’m going for in my designs: balanced asymmetrical. {via} I like for things to have balance, yes, but that doesn’t mean we can’t break out of our “center the picture over the table” box. I love in this image above from Smitten Studio how Sarah hung her gorgeous wall hanging to the left, but she balanced it with a leaning picture on the right. Not symmetrical, but balanced. {via} I think one of the masters at this trend is Emily Henderson. Of course, I love everything about her style, but I really love the artful, and accessible feel of her design. I was looking at some of her work recently and thought, it’s balanced asymmetrical! Okay, well maybe I didn’t think that exactly, but she isn’t afraid of throwing things off a bit. {via} Like, let’s throw a string of lights in one corner just because. And it works. It’s artful. {via} And doesn’t work too hard. Do you ever look at design and think, “It just feels too perfect, too contrived,” ? Like someone worked seriously hard to make it look this way and it doesn’t feel lived in. {via} I want lived in. I want pretty. I want artful. And the best part about loving the asymmetrical? No more measuring, no more seeking that perfect placement. You can’t really go wrong! *** On a totally different note, I just found out that we made it onto the list for Apartment Therapy Homie Awards. I’m totally not expecting to win, but I’d love your vote! If you like my style, consider us “homies” (haha, sorry I had to), or just generally like hanging around here, head on over and vote for The White Buffalo! Go here to cast your vote and there’s so many other amazing ones! Vote for them too. It takes two minutes and you can vote through e-mail or facebook. Id’ be so grateful!
Katrina @ hurricane sandwich and the casita says February 19, 2014 at 12:38 am Love this! There’s so much freedom in creating our spaces, if we allow ourselves to not be constrained by the old rules! Reply
Lindsay says February 19, 2014 at 3:18 pm I totally agree! I say throw rules to the curb and do exactly what you love. If you love symmetry, go for it! If you love having things look a little funky, go for that too π Reply
emily says February 19, 2014 at 1:33 am love asymmetrical balance and the easiness it brings a space. it looks easy, but i think it’s actually hard to pull off…i hope you share some of the ways you use it! Reply
Lindsay says February 19, 2014 at 3:18 pm I’m planning to, Emily! I already have several spots where I’ve used it, but have several more in the works π Reply
Julia at Home on 129 Acres says February 19, 2014 at 4:02 am Balanced asymmetry is completely my style. For me, the matching pairs mirroring each other just don’t appeal. I think asymmetry is much more interesting… although perhaps more challenging to style. Reply
Lindsay says February 19, 2014 at 3:17 pm Julia, I agree it can be so challenging to style well. I think that it’s easier in a lot of ways…it doesn’t have to be perfect. But I’ve noticed that I often feel like my asymmetrical design might look weird to other people so I tweak it forever and then end up exactly as I started. I’m trying to get rid of it and just style it how I like it and move on π but it’s hard to let go of that! Reply
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says February 19, 2014 at 11:43 am I love this too. The first photo is so whimsical, chic and fun. And on another note, I have been obsessed with macrame. Reply
Lindsay says February 19, 2014 at 3:16 pm I know, I am so obsessed with macrame too, Julia!!! I really want to use it somewhere. Reply
angela says February 19, 2014 at 1:12 pm Awesome inspiration pictures! I completely love asymmetrical design (although it drives my husband a little crazy)! Angela @ Number Fifty-Three Reply
Lindsay says February 19, 2014 at 3:16 pm My husband doesn’t always “get it” either, Angela! I still love it though! Reply
Amber says February 20, 2014 at 3:22 am This is too funny because my husband is the exact same way! Reply
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says February 19, 2014 at 3:45 pm I love how this all looks because it’s not “perfect”…it’s realistic and beautiful. I recognized that dining room that Emily put together immediately…I love the whole space she did! All of these images are wonderful eye candy, as usual! π Reply
Jennifer @ Brave New Home says February 19, 2014 at 4:49 pm I love asymmetry it’s just a little harder to pull off. Congrats on your nomination—you have my vote! Reply
Erin says February 19, 2014 at 6:08 pm Perfectly said! I am sooooo “balanced asymmetrical,” after years of being Ms Perfect Symmetry. I love the looseness of it, but I also think it takes greater skill to pull off. It takes more trial and error sometimes, but anyone can be match-matchy and the work it takes to get balanced asymmetry right is worth it. Separates the women from the girls, I say! π Reply