Decorating 101: Creating balance

One of the key elements of successful design is balance.

There are two styles of balance.

1. Symmetry
2. Asymmetry

First, lets talk about symmetry.
This is where visual balance is achieved by both sides being a mirror image of each other.  A pair of candlesticks on either side of a dining table or a topiary plant on either side of a sideboard is a classic example of symmetry.

Hello symmetry

Symmetry tends to have the following characteristics:

Formality
Quiet
Calm
Orderliness

Its downside is that it can be predictable and monotonous.

Serious symmetry here - even the 3 triangular stools under the table conform to the plan.

This room has such strong symmetrical elements that you almost miss the asymmetry of the items on the coffee table and the large black vase on the left of the room. Note the round mirror also helps to soften a symmetrical room such as this one.

Note the large round mirror on the wall - its a good way to soften the sometimes harsh lines that a symmetrical room produces.

Sometimes the symmetry isnt precise, however both sides have equal visual weight despite the forms not being identical.

Note the items on the coffee table and the mantle - they are not symmetrical/identical pieces, however they balance each other out in terms of their visual weight. The effect is the balance of symmetry.

Here symmetry is achieved with two different armoires on either side of the fireplace. Notice how it is less formal than if the room had identical armoires on each side.

This one is interesting. The vase balances the lamp - they are of the same size and they frame the artwork. The effect is symmetry.

Now lets look at asymmetry.

Asymmetry tends to have the following characteristics:

Movement
Vibrancy
Excitement
& Less formality than symmetry

The large picture on the right is balanced by a greater number of smaller frames on the left. It's asymmetrical but it's balanced. It works.

Artwork with a vase on either side is very predictable. Here, there single large vase is balanced by the artwork. It's asymmetrical but it works.

The three vases are heavier than the glass bowl with the balls. However balance is achieved with the white stool which counterbalances the white vases.

Most people aim for balance when decorating their homes – 

they don’t want rooms to appear like they are tilting because 

all the “heavy” stuff is on one side.  That is, they want to

create spaces that are in balance. 

Here are some "rules" about creating balance:

1. Larger items (like chests or an armoire) appear visually 

heavy – balance can be achieved by also having something 

equally large or by a placing a few smaller items against the 

large piece.

2. Bright, dark or warm colors look heavier than cool, lighter 

and greyed colors.

3. Striking patterns and textures draw the eye’s attention 

more than smoother, plain pieces. 

4. Items placed above eye level appear heavier than those 

placed lower.

5. Brightly lit areas attract more attention (ie: have greater 

visual weight) than dim corners. 

TIP: Anything that draws attention or focus can be 

considered “heavy” because your eye constantly returns 

to it.  

Light colors, transparent elements, small, plain elements 

all have little or no visual weight and would not be good 

counterpoints to a large armoire or dark colored sofa.

Everytime we sell an item in the store, we have to consider how to re-decorate to the space looks balanced again. This can be fun and it can also be painful.

Today, we had a balance incident in the store. A cabinet left for a new home and a lamp that was placed on it had to find a new position in the store. The lamp seemed to fit on a column (which was bare as a result of a floral arrangement being sold). Problem was the blingy artwork (mushroom & black) behind the column was fighting with the lamp.

So we stepped back & rotated the blingy artwork 90 degrees.  All of a sudden the distance between the bling and the lamp worked. 

But the bling wasnt a symmetrical piece. 
Here is a photo of the bling as we originally placed it (left) and rotated 180 degrees (right).

Which looks better?

     Option #1                                                          Option #2

Option #1 looks better. Why?

In Option #1 the dark bling colour balances out the dark lamp shade. Option #2 has too much dark on its left side and this is accentuated even more with the dark framing board which is also on the left side. 

Effectively, option #1 throws some of the black to the right side and hence creates a more balanced (ie: pleasing) look.
What can you do?
French style decorating is traditionally quite formal. Hence symmetry tends to prevail. You may also find yourself gravitating to symmetry. 

On the other hand, maybe you gravitate toward a more casual mismatched look? That way you can avoid having to buy doubles of everything!

Interestingly, at Glamour Living some of our staff are symmetry nuts and some are not, So we can give clients both perspectives.

But whatever you tend to do, we encourage you to try something different. 

The contents of my chair room...

One of our readers is working toward creating a chair room in her home. At Glamour Living we think that is a mighty fine use of space and so we provide some chair inspiration below.

In the French furniture world, all these styles are easy to replicate. The only tricky bit, in some cases is the sourcing of the fabric. 

Our philosophy is that where there is a will, there is a way.....

A statement chair.

Modern floral & traditional shape = Lovely

A pin dot silk - timeless.

A tapestry pattern is forever a classic.

Lovin' the summery butterfly outer wings against the black velvet.

Beyond words. Very cool.

One word: Stunning

This burnt orange colour adds a dimension of richness.

Do you dare?

A silk satin brocade will always work for a French chair. Another way to achieve this look is with a crushed velvet.

We actually have this chair in stock at Glamour Living at the moment.

These are from a Christie's auction...

This is one way to masculine-ise a soft pink - with broad stripes. 

A modern graphic on traditional chairs. It definitely works.

Another modern floral, just lovely.

The warmth of the buttery background captured our hearts.

Very funky

A relaxed choice of upholstery

Your favourite movie star in your home!

Five things you should know about French furniture making

Five things you should know about French style furniture.


1. Country of origin: Indonesia

Most of the best affordable French style furniture is made in Indonesia. Specifically, on the island of Java, in central Java.

The furniture trade in Indonesia is broken down to French style furniture, classic furniture and the domestic Indonesian style furniture.

About 80% of Indonesian people are involved in the furniture trade covering these three styles.

If you were to buy French style furniture made in France or Italy or even made in Australia it would cost many multiples more than the Indonesian sourced pieces do. 

Indonesians has the experience and the manpower to undertake the intricate work required for French style furniture.

2. Timber: Mahogany

The wood used for most French style furniture is mahogany. Mahogany describes various kinds of tropical hardwood, 

most of which are a reddish brown colour. 

It is widely used in furniture making and boat building. 

Mahogany's colour darkens over time and displays a reddish 

sheen when polished. It is also very durable.

It has excellent workability and is hence terrific for the

intricate carving required for French style furniture. 

The tree's large girth makes wide boards and this makes it 

suitable for crafting cabinets and furniture.

3. A labour intensive trade. 

The carving work which is the distinguishing hallmark of French style furniture is the labour intensive component.

We adore this floral motif on the skirt of an armoire. 

4.  Colours & finishes

The basic colours for French style furniture are usually white, cream, black, silver, gold and polished wood. Of course there are many variations of each of these colours. 

There are also many finishes for each colour - matt, semi gloss, glossy, antique, distressed etc.

The brown swirls on this cabinet are a laquer which creates the antique look on the silver paint. It is painted on (as in the photo), then wiped off to give the appropriate look to the silver paint.

The gold and silver furniture has a special "leaf" process applied to it. The process is called gilding and it creates lines and shadows on the furniture surface. The process of gilding adds extra time to the furniture making. Gilded pieces are more expensive than straight painted surfaces such as black/white/cream.

Methods of gilding include hand application/gluing, chemical gilding and electroplating.

In Indonesia, furniture makers use the traditional hand gilding. Firstly the furniture is painted in silver or gold. 
Then very very fine foils of silver (or gold) are applied over the wood to create the gilded look.  
Finally, a clear top coat is applied and this seals the look.

Applying the fine foil to a chair by hand.

This may look like aluminium foil, but it is one tenth the thickness of even the cheapest  kitchen foils.

5. Every piece is unique.

Antique white armoir before the apex carving has been added.

The consequence of this is threefold:

a) Manufacturers do not carry stock. Every piece is made to order, starting from scratch. This helps to explain the long lead time required to make the items. 

In addition to time in production (which includes upholstering), there is time on the boat travelling Australia and the time in customs getting clearance. In total, 4 months isnt an unusual lead time from order to delivery to the customer.

b) As the whole process is so labour intensive, it is impossible to match exactly, sample items to any finished product. For example, colours may be similar, but will never be identical. The same applies to the actual items made. 

Further, even if the same colour pot is used on the sample as is used on the finished product, the different wood used on the two items can create variations in the final finish.

c) Finally, wood is a natural substance - it breathes as well as expanding and contracting with changes in the temperature. There can be no guarantee that there wont be natural cracks forming in the timber after the furniture is made - after all, each piece travels via sea to Australia and spends time in varying environments before it reaches your home. 

These cracks can be fixed simply with filler and paint.

Those who invest in French style furniture know that they own something unique and very special.