A maximalist home is full of things that make people stop and ask, "Where did you find that?" This post looks at the sculptural objects, characterful furniture and lighting that start those conversations, and how to arrange them so a room feels collected rather than cluttered.
Furniture with a personality
In a maximalist room, a chair can be a sculpture you happen to sit on. The Gorilla Chair by Marcantonio is an ape-shaped lounge chair with a rich real leather covering. It grew out of Marcantonio's "Vegetal Animal" concept, a way of representing nature that sets out to provoke strong emotions, and its shape borders on caricature. Put it where it can be seen from the doorway and give it a little breathing space.
Characterful furniture does not always have to be loud. The Bakkes Side Table by Fatboy is a side table and planter in one, developed with Dutch design duo Kranen/Gille. A pot slots into a recess in the top, so it can start out as a minimal table and become something more personal once you add whichever plant you like. A trailing or architectural plant adds another layer of texture to a busy room.
See more statement seating and tables in our furniture collection.
Lighting that tells a story
Lighting is one of the easiest places to bring in humour, because a lamp is useful as well as decorative. The Giraffe In Love Chandelier by Qeeboo is a table-top giraffe holding a miniature chandelier in its mouth, designed by Italian designer Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba. The idea plays with irony and lightness, and it is the kind of piece that guests will always comment on.
Place lamps like this at different heights around the room, on a console, a sideboard or a deep windowsill, so light and interest are spread out rather than gathered in one corner.
Sculptural objects for shelves and mantels
Small objects are what make a maximalist room feel personal. Skulls are a classic memento mori, and we stock two very different takes on the idea.
The Kintsugi Skull by Seletti, designed by Marcantonio, is made from fine porcelain and embellished with real 24k gold. It is inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum, a philosophy that treats breakage and repair as part of an object's history.
From Seletti's Memorabilia collection, My Skull is a finely detailed porcelain skull measuring 25cm x 15cm x 14cm, available in white or gold. It suits a bookshelf, desk or mantelpiece, and can be paired with My Crown and My Gun from the same collection.
When styling shelves, group objects in odd numbers, vary their heights and leave a little space between groups so each piece can be seen.
Pattern as the backdrop
Maximalism is not just about objects; the walls and windows set the stage. A classic pattern behind quirky pieces is a satisfying contrast. Pimpernel Wallpaper by Morris & Co was designed by William Morris in 1876, with swirling tendrils bowed as if by the wind, and was the pattern he chose for the dining room of Kelmscott House, his London home in Hammersmith. It comes in 13 colourways, from soft Linen/Coral and Bayleaf/Manilla to deep Cobalt/Mineral and Woad, so you can go gentle or dramatic.
At the window, the Crane Willow Printed Velvet Tab Top Curtain features ivory cranes gliding through willow-green skies, printed on soft velvet and designed in-house. Hang a single panel as a statement or two as a pair. It also comes in Crane Black, Crane Blush, Crane Cigar, Crane Duck Egg and Crane Teal, so you can pick a shade that sits with your wallpaper.
How to keep it collected, not cluttered
- Choose a colour thread. Gold on a skull, a deep green wallpaper and a red chair can all work together if one or two colours repeat around the room.
- Give each star its own spot. One big statement per wall or corner stops pieces competing.
- Mix the serious with the silly. A heritage print next to a giraffe lamp is exactly the point.
Start your collection
Browse our home décor collection for more conversation pieces, or visit the shop in Somerset, where our team are always happy to help you find the next star of your room.
