Interior designers use statement colour and pieces of art and furniture to lend focus and drama to a room. The pieces may be classic or cutting edge, can epitomise or contrast with the rest of your decoration, but all must be deployed sparingly or design chaos ensues.

What is a statement piece?
A statement piece has star quality, through size, curiosity value or charisma. It might be a fancy French marble chimneypiece, an arrangement of narwhal tusks, or an instantly recognizable iconic work: a Charlotte Perriand-Le Corbusier chaise longue; a Warhol print.

Can I mix contemporary art with period house interiors, and vice versa?
Mixing eras is the best way to make your statement piece sing out. A feature wall of Louis XIV sunburst mirrors lifts a minimalist setting; a Jeff Koons ceramic puppy dog can be the perfect quirky focal point in a restrained Georgian drawing room.

How do I plan my interior?
Start with the key feature and work around it (never try to cram more than one statement piece into a single room). Whether it be a four-poster bed, with headboard that climbs to the ceiling, or a large-scale copper bath, your statement piece cannot be an afterthought.

Do I need professional help?
Some statement pieces, such as spectacular staircases, indoor ponds, oversized fish tanks set in corridor walls, and walls of light, studded with colour-changing LEDs, need the guidance of an architect who designs imaginative interiors, such as Gregory Phillips.

Any hints on lighting?
Statements need careful lighting or their impact may be lost, but lighting itself can be the star. Coloured neon tubes concealed under a suspended ceiling lend drama to an entire room; an extravagant chandelier can fill an atrium or stairwell with sparkle.

What about dealing with scale?
Statements must never be overshadowed but they also need to be in proportion with their surroundings. A massive contemporary sculpture introduced into a hall may mean you need to swap detailed, fussy wrought ironwork banisters for something more monumental.

Can my own collection make a statement?
Absolutely. Designers can display your treasures, such as a beloved blue and white china collection, to their best advantage, in niches or on plinths, with spotlighting and toning colour scheme.

The accent wall is a little over-used now – are there any new twists?
Mirrored walls work well, especially in smaller rooms. Foxed mirrors are less brash than pristine looking-glasses; for an extra decorative touch they can be studded with more framed mirrors.

Will statement decorating go out of date?
This is a danger. Choose your statements with care as they will be saying something about your taste for many months to come. Avoid very fashionable colours and patterns in particular. Vintage pieces and looks may be your best bet; take note of the ensembles produced by designers who specialise in classic but bold décor, such as Blanchard.

Contacts
Blanchard Ltd, www.blanchard.uk.com
Gregory Phillips Architects, www.gregoryphillips.com

WORDS KATRINA BURROUGHS