I don't generally go in for matching lamps; for some reason I balk at symmetry when it comes to decorating my own home. But lately I've been drawn to lamps in pairs, and I've found that in almost every case, a gorgeous piece of art is the third element that completes a pleasing triangle to anchor the room.

A pair of lamps, with a piece of artwork hanging centered above them, forms an aesthetically harmonious triangle. This look seems to succeed most beautifully when the lamps pick up the colors, textures, or shapes represented in the artwork. See how it works in the above photos:

• 1 The aqua-colored bases of the lamps in Trisha Brink's vignette (from Decor8) echo the lovely blue of the vintage map, and the texture of the glass even seems to suggest sea water.

• 2 These yellow lamps from Sam's house tour have a tall and narrow silhouette that extends to the print hanging above them. I also like the black shades and the black frame providing symmetrical contrast.

• 3 Heather Frazier's living room (featured on Design*Sponge) has so many great textures happening, but I'm especially fond of the way the iridescent lamp bases look with the soft metallic finish of the wall sculpture.

• 4 Another one from Design*Sponge... Katie Kirk's vignette is all about patterns: the pock marks in the Jonathan Adler lamps and the graphic dots in the print from CSA Images.

• 5 A large statement piece of art isn't necessary to achieve this look. The triangle is a bit more subtle in this living room designed by Hillary Wallace (from Canadian House and Home). The delicate, spindly forms of the matching lamps echoes the refined and equally delicate glasswork highlighted in the niche above.

(Images: Decor8; Antoinette Celes; Jon Jensen Photgraphy/Design*Sponge; Design*Sponge; Canadian House and Home)