Pairs – Things That Come in Twos

 

1957 photo of Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield at a Beverly Hills party meant to officially welcome Loren to Hollywood. But the Italian bombshell found her spotlight unexpectedly stolen by Mansfield. Loren confirms that, yes, she was thinking exactly what it looks like she was thinking: "Listen. Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? I’m staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are about to come onto my plate. In my face you can see the fear. I’m so frightened that everything in her dress is going to blow—BOOM!—and spill all over the table."

I woulda been staring at 'em too! What a pair of knockers!

 

Moving on to less shocking things that come in pairs, I'll start with showing you 3 sets of bookends. From left to right: marble column bases, Egyptian Art Deco, also marble (both available in my shop),  and cut-out iron outsider art by 5¢ Jones (from my personal collection- another pair of breasts).  We all know how to use a pair of bookends.

Circa 1950's Murano glass wall sconces.  These could be used in an installation, creating dramatic lighting. Stunning works of art.

Late 19th century English lead garden urns.  These could be used in several different scenarios to make the entrance of your home or garden outstanding.

Great pair of folk art marquetry rocking chairs, made in southwest Missouri in the 1940's.  Just in for fall and winter, pillows constructed from 1940's camp blanket. What great additions to scramble up the look of a room.  As you've heard me say many times: "It's all about the dance."

Symmetrical use of a pair of candlesticks.  Not me at all.

I've always been weird about the use of pairs in my interior design work. I'll not go into a lot of my rules and regulations, because I'm a hypocrite, breaking them all the time.  Just know that a lot of designers get a bit carried away with overuse of pairs, to the point where it seems like they got deals because they bought two.  BORING.

One rule of mine I never break: a pair of lamps MUST go on a pair of tables.  Or be used symmetrically on a long table or sideboard. Other than that, I'm not consistent.  In their favor, pairs seem to have the effect of anchoring a room, especially pairs of chairs.

Asymmetrical use of a pair of candlesticks.  So very me.

Asymmetrical: having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement; are not equal or equivalent; lacking symmetry.
 
People that know me are well aware, I'm a very asymmetrical person. Bet my legs aren't even a matched pair.  I always find ways to balance a room without being matchy-matchy in shapes and sizes, using different sized objects to balance the scales.  I feel it's the unexpected that gives a space a great deal more personality.  Symmetry is so expected.

What a hypocrite, all these pairs are on my body today.  Even I need matching boots and symmetrical eyeglasses.  Cufflinks and shoes must be in pairs. 

Late summer and fall is the season of the pear.  Just last weekend had the most incredible dessert at Bar Les Freres on Wydown in Clayton (7637 Wydown Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105).  Poached pear with red wine reduction sauce, filled with cinnamon cream.  OMG.  I could have eaten a pair.

Doris Day, "Tea for Two"