Double: micro-decorating move #22

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Do the words "double double" mean anything to you? If you're Canadian, it's likely your coffee shop mantra, guaranteeing a cup with two creams and two sugars. While I take my coffee black, I'm a big fan of doubling at home. It's a reliable shortcut to a satisfying space – in fact, it could become just as tried-and-true as your formula for the perfect caffeine fix.

Let's look at a very public example to see what I mean. This library branch makes a statement with its grand arch framing the entryway, but it's the twin mythological creatures that really up the sense of occasion:

Walking between these stern yet gentle beasts is a dramatic crossing of a threshold. It's a moment well-suited to what's inside, as the building houses a world-leading collection of science fiction and fantasy, as well as of children's books.

Twinned objects at home can achieve similar impact on a smaller scale. I once picked up a pair of tiny ceramic poodles at Williams Design and they make amusing guardians for various objects:

Figurines are just the start. Certain objects for the home come pre-doubled – bookends, for example – and arranging them in your space can establish an orderly mood. This Lucite set from Atomic Design unifies a shelf while remaining almost invisible:

Table lamps are another prime target for duplication. This vignette at Cornerstone in the Junction shows how placing identical models at opposite ends of a credenza can create a sense of balance, no matter what's going on in between:

To pull off this technique with vintage finds, I recommend the selection at Zig Zag, Leslieville's top destination for twentieth century antiques. Here are some of the current offerings:

Double doesn't have to mean identical. Last week at Inabstracto, we saw how pairing two drastically different task lamps on one small table can work wonders:

The scene has the paradoxical beauty of a long-lasting romance, clashing and complementary in equal measure.

The thing about doubling is it still has power even when you subtract almost everything else. This pair of vases at Mjölk has a stripped-down simplicity that startles. It wouldn't be the same if there were only one:

But one of the best forms of doubling can be achieved with a single object – a mirror. You'll have the illusion of twice the space, combined with the intrigue of seeing your world backwards. The industrial model with smoked glass that I snagged at Stylegarage is the anchor of my small apartment:

So the next time you're considering an item for your home, remember the art of doubling. It provides a flavourful buzz, more potent than your ideal cup of coffee.

Thank you for reading.