PATENT LEATHER AND PLASTER HEADS

 If you're a long-time follower you know that I have a "thing" about many things.  This post speaks to my thing with plaster heads, aka plaster busts, and patent leather.

When we renovated our kitchen I found a corner that was perfect for my favorite patent leather chair and some artwork.  

MY FAVORITE PATENT LEATHER CHAIR IN THE CORNER OF MY DINING ROOM

You probably recognize the vintage framed art that travels around my home.  It's made appearances in many places during this blog adventure.

VINTAGE FRENCH ART

Next to the chair is my patent leather plinth.  I'll confess that it's really high gloss paint.  Humor me please.  I topped the plinth with some books and added one of my many plaster busts. 

"PATENT LEATHER" PLINTH

 I believe that this gentleman had previously been attached to a body.  His loss is my gain.

  If you're ready to accuse me of creepy decor you'll have to get in line. My design choices are frequently the butt of family jokes.  I recently did get my revenge when I found his twin resting on some books in a magazine photo from House Beautiful.  Gotcha!!!!

TWINNING IN HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

Do you have home decor that you love and hang on to in hopes of finding just the right spot?  I do.  This sunburst mirror is one of those special pieces.  It found its MAYBE forever spot layered over the dining room window .  My mantra is that if you love something you will EVENTUALLY find it its perfect location.  I'm not telling how many pieces in waiting I have; so don't ask.

SUNBURST MIRROR LAYERED ON WINDOW

It casts a great shadow too.  FYI, we are not alcoholics.

MIRROR CASTING SHADOWS

What treasures do you have in waiting?

SUMMER'S LAST BLOOMS AND SOME DOG PHOTO BOMBS

I just wanted to share these goodbye to Summer welcome Fall garden images.  Of course Bella made sure to make an appearance in the garden.

OUR HOME SURROUNDED BY BLOOMS

You know that the Limelight Hydrangea is my fav.

LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEA

BELLA ON THE SIDEWALK

FRONT PORCH

Here's what it looks like from the porch.

VIEW FROM THE PORCH

Another dog photo bomb from my low maintenance pet. 

Don't miss my huge blue sphere garden accent.               

FRENCH BULLDOG AND BLUE SPHERE

I added a butterfly bush in front of the chimney.  It's flanked by some Giant Black Eyed Susans and admired by Bella.

BUTTERFLY BUSH AND GIANT BLACK EYED SUSANS

The cottage garden wraps around the right side of the house.

SIDE COTTAGE GARDEN

My Perennial Hibiscus was a bit of a disappointment this summer.

PERENNIAL HIBISCUS

More Giant Black Eyed Susans flank the kitchen porch.  I wonder what Bella has found?

GIANT BLACK EYED SUSANS FLANKING THE KITCHEN PORCH

On the other side of the house Black Eyed Susans and Joe Pye Weed wrap around my weathered iron fence.

BLACK EYED SUSANS ON THE IRON FENCE

JOE PYE WEED

How does your garden grow?

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

Can your room design be asymmetrical and be balanced?  Yes. Yes. Yes.

In fact, I prefer asymmetrical placement instead of the mirrored reflection
that symmetry creates.   Asymmetry also allows for an eclectic mix.

Notice how the columns on the right balance the bookshelves on the left in this room designed by one of my favorite designers, Windsor Smith.   I love everything she does, especially her kitchen.

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This next photo is from one of my store displays.   I use asymmetry there all the time.  The arrangement atop the drafting table is balanced by the basket with architectural blueprints and the stool.  To see the whole post click on SOURCE in the image below or on the image itself. 

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Notice the interest the over-sized-asymmetrically-placed art creates.  The large furniture on the opposite side and the "heavy" lamp balance the design.  The lamp also picks up the color in the art.

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The mirror balances the weight of the flower arrangement in the next image.

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There is both symmetry and asymmetry in this room.  The sofas are mirror images, but the art and the dresser on either side of the doorway balance each other.  Inside the frame of the doorway, the chair and window work in the same way with the dresser and art opposite them. 

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Below is another of my asymmetrical store displays.

Have you ever had a room with an off-center window?  Problem solved.

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What about an off-center fireplace?  This bookshelf resolves the awkward placement.

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This bedroom is totally off center.  Don't you love it?

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I know--another column is involved.  I just love using columns.  How perfectly are all the objects placed in this room?

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Asymmetrical and absolutely fabulous.

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Double chandeliers over the bedside table instead of a lamp are balanced by the bed and bedding.

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Mantel tops are always a challenge.  Somehow I think asymmetrical is the way to go.
Here are a few I like to get you started on your own.

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Heck.  Even your bar set up can be an off-center-eclectic mix.

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Are you ready to ditch your two of everything ?

For more ideas, visit my Pinterest page,  ASYMMETRICAL.

BUTTERFLIES, BUMBLE BEES AND BLOOMS

I'm so happy that butterflies and bumble bees have found my cottage garden blooms.   

The Black Swallow Tail loved my Butterfly Bush.

BLACK SWALLOW TAIL ON MY BUTTERFLY BUSH

BLACK SWALLOW TAIL ON MY BUTTERFLY BUSH

The Yellow Tail Swallow and the Monarch butterflies preferred the Joe Pye Weed.

YELLOW SWALLOW TAIL AND MONARCH BUTTERFLY

YELLOW SWALLOW TAIL

The Yellow Swallow Tail liked my Phlox too.

YELLOW SWALLOW TAIL ON PHLOX AND BLACK EYED SUSANS

There are so many bees but I was only able to capture one on my Russian Sage.

BEE IN MY RUSSIAN SAGE

Do insects in your garden make you happy?