Some pieces of furniture are selected once a room is nearly complete. Others arrive first and determine everything that follows. These are the pieces with enough scale, shape, colour or history to give an interior its direction.
Here are ten statement pieces currently at Bazaa that deserve to become the beginning of the room rather than its finishing touch.
1. The One-Off Curved Sofa in Bordeaux
At 3.2 metres long, the Bespoke Vintage Curved Sofa was never designed to disappear politely against a wall. Its wine-toned upholstery and sweeping steel-framed profile create an immediate sense of occasion. Give it space, keep the surrounding furniture lower and allow the curve to shape how people move through the room.
2. The Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
The Large Aubusson Verdure Tapestry, depicting David and Bathsheba, dates from the late 17th or early 18th century. Its scale and history give it the presence of architecture rather than ordinary wall decoration. It could transform a minimal contemporary room or deepen an interior already filled with antiques.
3. The Venini Murano Prism Chandelier
The Art Deco Venini Murano Prism Chandelier is formed from a spiral arrangement of Murano glass prisms supported by a gold frame. Even when unlit, it behaves like a suspended sculpture. Once illuminated, the repetition of glass and reflected light gives the entire room movement.
4. The Golden Silk Behruz Rug
Measuring six by three metres, the Golden Silk Bespoke Behruz Rug has the scale to establish an entire room. Handmade in Nepal for a Melbourne penthouse, its golden surface brings warmth without relying on a loud pattern. Rather than covering it with too much furniture, allow generous sections of the rug to remain visible.
5. The Oversized Indian Teakwood Mirror
The Oversized Vintage Indian Teakwood Mirror uses scale in a quieter way. Its carved cove moulding and dark teak frame introduce texture and age, while the large mirrored surface expands the room around it. Leaned against a wall, it would feel relaxed despite its impressive proportions.
6. The Walter Knoll Turtle Chair
The Original Walter Knoll Turtle Chair earns attention through silhouette rather than ornament. Its curved shell creates a strong profile from every angle, making it particularly effective when positioned away from the wall. One could anchor a reading corner, while a pair would establish a more formal conversation area.
7. The Mid-Century Red Coffee Table
A coffee table rarely becomes the most expressive object in a living room, which is precisely why the Mid-Century Designer Red Coffee Table works. Its low, streamlined form keeps the bright painted finish from feeling excessive, while the glass top adds visual lightness. Surround it with quieter upholstery and let the red provide the punctuation.
8. The Kelly Brown Ceramic Vessel
Not every statement piece needs to occupy half the room. The Oversize Kelly Brown Statement Ceramic Vessel stands 46 centimetres tall and has enough sculptural presence to command a table, plinth or otherwise empty corner. Its handmade form gives a room an artistic gesture without requiring a full collection of smaller objects.
9. The Faceted Crystal Floor Lamp
The Statement Faceted Crystal Floor Lamp combines dramatic ambient lighting with a jewel-like geometric form. It would be especially effective in a darker room, where its structure could appear and disappear depending on the time of day. Position it somewhere visible from several angles rather than treating it as background lighting.
10. The Edwardian Oak Mirrored Sideboard
At 230 centimetres wide and 260 centimetres high, the Edwardian Oak Sideboard occupies a wall with extraordinary confidence. Its mirrored back, carved floral motifs and generous storage make it both decorative and useful. In a dining room, it could replace the need for artwork, shelving and several smaller cabinets at once.
A successful statement piece does not require every other object in the room to become invisible. It simply provides a clear place to begin. Pull a colour from its upholstery, repeat one of its materials or create contrast with something from another era. Once the central piece is decided, the rest of the room becomes a conversation with it.