DESIGN SCHOOL

STATEMENT CHAIRS

A well-chosen accent chair can up the style ante of an entire room. Here’s how to incorporate one into your own home.

MEET THE DESIGNER
Jay Jeffers

A card-carrying member of Elle Decor’s A-List of top interior designers, and author of Collected Cool, Jay Jeffers established his eponymous San Francisco-based firm JayJeffers in 1999. Known for his luxurious yet livable interiors, he has designed homes in San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Wine Country, Los Angeles, New York and beyond—all beautifully collected with a sense of soul and atmosphere. Jeffers’ work has been published in House Beautiful, Elle Decor, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more, and included in numerous decorator show houses and interior design books.

Be Bold

“A statement chair is just that—a statement—that adds a bit of drama to the space,” says Jeffers. “I love the unexpected moment when you walk into a room and an interesting chair captures your attention.” What you’re aiming is not a chair that blends in with your look, but one that stands out, so go for an interesting pattern, bold color or unexpected upholstery.

Consider Shape

When deciding on a statement chair for any project, look for a figure that stands out against other pieces in the room. “The shape of the chair is important,” says Jeffers. A modern chair in a traditional space can really pop, and vice versa.

Find a Balance

Considering a loud fabric or something with scale? Statement chairs come in all shapes, sizes, and finishes, and professionals like Jeffers know the right design is one with balance. “If I want to go bold, I like to use an over-scaled geometric fabric on a small chair,” the interior designer says. Meanwhile, if you have a large or unusually shaped chair, sometimes a small print or subtler fabric is the answer.

Play with Placement

A strategically placed statement chair can make all the difference. “I love putting larger more interesting chairs at the head of a dining table,” Jeffers says. “It can get a little monotonous if all of your chairs are the same.” Small bedrooms, the designer adds, are also a great spot to make a statement. “If you find a fun, funky chair to put in the corner of the bedroom, it adds instant personality.”

Have a Pair

On some occasions, two is better than one. “A pair of statement chairs on either side of a fireplace or at the heads of dining tables can work wonders,” the designer says. The duo of attention-grabbing statement chairs can provide balance to a busy room.