The discreet yet impactful power of the perfect accent chair can often go forgotten, but Michelle Pfeiffer has just served us the reminder we need.
The actress mastered the art of accent chair styling in her neutral living room, where she has introduced a winged-back furnishing that compliments the space's palette while adding interest through sheep-skin-style textures. It's received the seal of approval from Goldilocks, her cat, but feline's asides, designers are just as taken with Michelle's statement piece.
Designer Kelly Collins says Michelle's set-up offers accent chair styling lessons that translate beyond the actress's California abode – starting with its perfect neutral colorway.
'Accent is the operative word here – an armchair must be used to accentuate and uplift the current theme you’ve got going and mustn't become the lead of your design,' Kelly says.
Michelle has decorated with neutrals in her living room, and her chair exhibits similar hues, meaning it doesn't overpower her space. Instead, it compliments her white paint light wooden floors – crucially, therefore, making a statement through its interesting textures instead of its colorway.
'If you’re struggling with deciding on a design theme, make this your focus before you invest in an accent chair, otherwise you could find yourself in a noisy, confused space,' Kelly explains.
/If your home sports a bohemian or a neutral look, think about adding a natural, rattan chair to the space to stay in keeping with the theme. If you love the sleek, minimalist vibe, opt for a structured seat with clean lining and detailing.'
Kelly Collins is a trained interior designer and head of creative at the sofa company Swyft. Her role involves observing sofa trends and working with designers and influencers to create spaces anchored by beautiful furniture.
Similarly, while accent chairs are often expected to showcase bold patterns and hues, Michelle Pfeiffer's textured piece reminds us that accent chairs can make a statement in ways beyond its tones. The unique material brings a rustic sense of warmth (while also tapping into the Modern Organic trend), and it's a look that's almost certainly going to age gracefully.
'Often, our minds can instantly go to stark contrasts when we think of accent features in our homes. Blues and oranges, pinks and greens - but sometimes, matching palettes can be a highlight, too,' Kelly reminds us. 'Picking one of the key tones to match too can make a bright shade pop even more. By coordinating a colour, this can make this the lead tone in a living room, elevating the space by creating a theme.'
Shop the neutral accent chair edit
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