Creating dramatic interiors

Creating Dramatic Interiors

I am a firm believer in the power of contrast within a room design; I like to orchestrate a disparate tension between elements to create excitement and character.

How I Create Dramatic Rooms by Introducing Contrast

Your choice of fabrics is a great place to practise the art of contrast. For example, you can partner luxe silks and velvets with more rustic linens and cottons.

Annette de la Renta once said to me, 'Every room needs a little bit of pale blue', and it's a piece of advice that I still reference today. The colour acts as a great clarifier within a room scheme.

Don't let your sense of creativity be dampened by rules; as long as you combine contrasting elements with style and consideration, you can unite objects from different eras and sensibilities in one room.

I like to 'play house' within a home to shift the perspective – and by this I mean not being afraid to move things around and arrange a room differently, or to experiment and use objects in unexpected ways when decorating.

Further Reading

• Dadaism
• Albert Hadley illustrations
• Annette de la Renta