Inspiration

The 10 commandments of statements rooms

Article by Your Home and Garden

Follow these all-important rules to create the home of your dreams

“Be brave and make choices based on how you want to feel in the space, and don’t take notice of the dos and don’ts of design,” Gina says.
Juxtapose various period pieces with modern silhouettes. “I like the contrast of mixing different styles and eras,” Gina says. Sometimes the most timeless rooms are those that play with time.
Life is short, so spend it well by buying fabulous wallpaper.
Travel is a state of mind. If you want to feel like you’re in the south of France, look around your home. Statement rooms act as an escape from domestic fatigue, so have fun with creating a vibe that may not align with the rest of your day-to-day routine. “We wanted to make the room feel like we were somewhere else,” Gina says. Fill your side table with memorable knick-knacks, hang gorgeous scarfs and relish in the release of the self.
When in doubt, invest in quality materials such as linen and leather. You’ll save money in the long-term through collecting ‘forever’ pieces rather than having to continually replace and update your decor.
Lighting dictates so much of your mood and your experience. Play around with shadows and brightness and opt for talking-point shades. If you really want to shake things up, consider using coloured light bulbs for that enviable movie moment.
Don’t push against the grind. Listen to the bones of the space. Not all rooms were destined to be uniform and follow trends. “I’m super inspired by how spaces make you feel, so I decided to embrace how the room naturally is,” says Gina.
Ask yourself what you need from your room. Is it to spark creativity? Feel calm and at ease? Whatever it may be, give yourself the freedom to meet those needs before all else. Hide everything else using great storage.
Be fearless with colour. White is a classic, but the walking in “wow” moment you crave rarely ever comes from playing it safe. Gina is glad she took the risk by dabbling in smoky greys and blues. “The darker tone enhances the quality of the window light, and it now feels so calming,” she says.
Every piece should have a story. Or at the very least, make sure to think of a good one up when guests come round.