How to Showcase a Signature Piece in Your Home
Pay attention to backdrop, layout and atmosphere to bring out the best in a favourite design piece
Julie Butterworth
31 October 2018
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range of homes websites and edit commercial and editorial digital content at the Royal Institute of British Architects Journal. I have managed subbing departments at magazines Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home and web content teams for Time Inc UK’s Homes Network.
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range... More
Whether it’s furniture, lighting, flooring or artwork, a much-loved piece can lift a look in an instant. Try these simple ways to turn your favorite find into the undisputed star of the room.
Think about straight lines versus curves
Think about shape. The organic design of this saddle-inspired Louisiana chair and ottoman by Vico Magistretti works its magic because it contrasts with the linear architecture, staircase and shelving around it.
Using shape – rather than colour or pattern – as a distinguishing feature creates a point of focus in a calm and sophisticated way. Although many of us may not have iconic pieces of designer furniture to play with, we can still use the curved lines of a rug, oversized round pillows or French-style bowed furniture to draw the eye to rounded edges in rooms that are predominantly angular.
Think about shape. The organic design of this saddle-inspired Louisiana chair and ottoman by Vico Magistretti works its magic because it contrasts with the linear architecture, staircase and shelving around it.
Using shape – rather than colour or pattern – as a distinguishing feature creates a point of focus in a calm and sophisticated way. Although many of us may not have iconic pieces of designer furniture to play with, we can still use the curved lines of a rug, oversized round pillows or French-style bowed furniture to draw the eye to rounded edges in rooms that are predominantly angular.
Narrow the focus by limiting distractions
The enemy of the signature piece is clutter. You don’t want lots of paraphernalia stealing the limelight from your prize buy.
The designers of this kitchen kept the dining area free of everything but the table, chairs and beautiful lighting. What helps here, too, is the use of black and white. A beautiful piece in black set against a white background has maximum impact.
Walk the Line: 9 Ways to Use Sharp Black Lines in Your Decor
The enemy of the signature piece is clutter. You don’t want lots of paraphernalia stealing the limelight from your prize buy.
The designers of this kitchen kept the dining area free of everything but the table, chairs and beautiful lighting. What helps here, too, is the use of black and white. A beautiful piece in black set against a white background has maximum impact.
Walk the Line: 9 Ways to Use Sharp Black Lines in Your Decor
Draw attention with flowers
The modern console table in this smart hallway comes to the fore thanks to a vase of top-lit alliums. This signature piece is a subtle one. At first glance it blends in, almost like a piece of built-in furniture, tucked precisely under the dado. But the colour in the flowers gives it presence, drawing our eye to the console’s Jenga-like base and bold simplicity.
You can use floral arrangements in this way to pinpoint your signature furniture item. Try placing a vase on a mantlepiece, a statement sideboard or another hero design piece.
The modern console table in this smart hallway comes to the fore thanks to a vase of top-lit alliums. This signature piece is a subtle one. At first glance it blends in, almost like a piece of built-in furniture, tucked precisely under the dado. But the colour in the flowers gives it presence, drawing our eye to the console’s Jenga-like base and bold simplicity.
You can use floral arrangements in this way to pinpoint your signature furniture item. Try placing a vase on a mantlepiece, a statement sideboard or another hero design piece.
Surround a centrepiece
The hierarchy of features in this living room is unmistakable. The layout of the furniture makes the modern wood-burning stove the undisputed star.
The designer gave it the central role of a more traditional fireplace by gathering the other pieces around it. Colour helps achieve this too – in a neutral space, a single black feature will always come to the fore.
Browse more black and white home interiors
The hierarchy of features in this living room is unmistakable. The layout of the furniture makes the modern wood-burning stove the undisputed star.
The designer gave it the central role of a more traditional fireplace by gathering the other pieces around it. Colour helps achieve this too – in a neutral space, a single black feature will always come to the fore.
Browse more black and white home interiors
Channel gallery style
A little isolation can work wonders for art. This wire sculpture by Debi O’Hehir holds court in a hallway stripped back of all other interest. A niche provides a plinth and spotlighting, while the whitewashed backdrop contrasts against the black sculpture.
Take a cue from gallery exhibitions and note how curators use staging and lighting to present art and objects to best effect. Foregrounding a single piece like this can carry the decorative interest of a whole room.
Expert Eye: 5 Steps to Buying Your First Piece of Art
A little isolation can work wonders for art. This wire sculpture by Debi O’Hehir holds court in a hallway stripped back of all other interest. A niche provides a plinth and spotlighting, while the whitewashed backdrop contrasts against the black sculpture.
Take a cue from gallery exhibitions and note how curators use staging and lighting to present art and objects to best effect. Foregrounding a single piece like this can carry the decorative interest of a whole room.
Expert Eye: 5 Steps to Buying Your First Piece of Art
Rock a bright shade
Colour quickly and easily highlights a signature piece. In this living room, the pink velvet sofa immediately attracts the eye. This design also shows how a hero piece needn’t necessarily be surrounded by pale colours or a strict monochromatic scheme to make an impact – the room is filled with detail and warm tones. The trick is to be bold enough with your accent shade that it trumps all others – and a fabric that catches the light, such as velvet, helps add to the appeal.
Tip: If a bright sofa is too big and bold for your taste, consider a smaller item, such as a velvet ottoman or cushions, in a bright accent shade instead.
Colour quickly and easily highlights a signature piece. In this living room, the pink velvet sofa immediately attracts the eye. This design also shows how a hero piece needn’t necessarily be surrounded by pale colours or a strict monochromatic scheme to make an impact – the room is filled with detail and warm tones. The trick is to be bold enough with your accent shade that it trumps all others – and a fabric that catches the light, such as velvet, helps add to the appeal.
Tip: If a bright sofa is too big and bold for your taste, consider a smaller item, such as a velvet ottoman or cushions, in a bright accent shade instead.
Let an image lift the mood
Use the colours, beauty and humour of artwork to perk up a room. This piece, hanging in a prime position above the bed, is so inherently joyful that it transforms the space.
Look for something that tones in with your surroundings yet also has an accent shade you can pick out to use on a couple of accessories around the room. The designers of this bedroom referenced the yellow of the artwork’s dress and umbrella in the yellow wall light, helping not only tie the look together, but also boost the vibrancy of the picture.
Use the colours, beauty and humour of artwork to perk up a room. This piece, hanging in a prime position above the bed, is so inherently joyful that it transforms the space.
Look for something that tones in with your surroundings yet also has an accent shade you can pick out to use on a couple of accessories around the room. The designers of this bedroom referenced the yellow of the artwork’s dress and umbrella in the yellow wall light, helping not only tie the look together, but also boost the vibrancy of the picture.
Create contrast with concentrated pattern
In an all-white space, concentrated pattern can be king. This office has a pale colour scheme to lift light levels, but on the floor, a patterned rug carries the focus and helps ground the design.
Rugs can be focal points in all sorts of ways aside from pattern. Look for deep-pile designs where texture is the point of difference, or unusual shapes that can break up an open-plan space or create a stage for a dining table and chairs.
In an all-white space, concentrated pattern can be king. This office has a pale colour scheme to lift light levels, but on the floor, a patterned rug carries the focus and helps ground the design.
Rugs can be focal points in all sorts of ways aside from pattern. Look for deep-pile designs where texture is the point of difference, or unusual shapes that can break up an open-plan space or create a stage for a dining table and chairs.
Tell us
What’s your favourite piece and how do you showcase it? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Find an interior designer or decorator near you
What’s your favourite piece and how do you showcase it? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Find an interior designer or decorator near you
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Hi VC Design Architectural Services! I have messaged you on WhatsApp
Well done article, except that hot pink beauty of a sofa, honestly looks strangely out of place in that particular setting.
Where can pink sofa be purchased?