Event Designers Answer: What's Your Favorite Statement Decor Piece?

"I love bringing life—plants and trees—into a party space as a statement decor piece. I think that a statement piece needs to be large and impressive while showcasing a room. I would rather design with one large statement piece instead of having a bunch of small details that may go unnoticed by most party guests. I recently designed a party for Juice Studios, an Atlanta D.M.C., that’s foundation was to be eco-friendly and pull in nature as well as elegance. I think that this 27-foot-wide magnolia tree in the center of the venue set the tone for the party and made an impressive statement."
—Brian Worley, independent event designer, Atlanta

"We love architectural lines so for us, we choose to work in spaces that fit with our design and theme. Working off of that, our favorite statement decor piece then becomes that one item that ties the space and environment together with the guest. It’s that immediate connection that makes it more impactful because you’re using the entire environment to your advantage instead of trying to either compete or contrast it. In this example, the statement pieces were the dining chairs which perfectly complemented the architecture of the AGO’s Galleria Italia. The dining tables were left traditional with a simple but elegant linen, and the table settings were in muted shades."
—Candice Chan, partner, Candice & Alison Events Group, Toronto

"Lately, we've gotten tons of requests for 'statement bars' that become a room’s focal point. Case in point, this example of a recent bar we created at Spring Studios in New York. It houses a grand, backlit wall niche whose shelves are lined with hundreds of illuminated bottles of vibrant liquids. Guests marveled at the illusion, thinking that the display was a glowing, flat image. Upon getting closer to it, they realized it was actually an entirely three-dimensional installation."
—David Stark, chief creative officer, David Stark Design & Production, New York

"Our favorite statement decor piece has lots of different names and brands, but the outcome is always the same—amazing. We’ve been integrating 'Spangleys' into our designs for almost two decades now, and they have been used as full stage backdrops, scenic elements, social moments, and more. Translating into almost any design aesthetic, these analogue disks always make a statement and create intrigue. One of our last MAC Cosmetics projects commanded over 100,000 paillettes, cladding everything from the scenic on stage to the step-and-repeat out front."
—Matt Stoelt, C.E.O. and creative director, Stoelt Productions, Los Angeles

"Anybody that knows our work knows I’m a huge sucker, fan, and advocate for all things light. From exquisite lighting design down to candlelight, lighting is just something that truly adds so much impact in the largest and smallest of ways. Lately, my favorite statement decor pieces are mixing various forms of candlelight. From mixed texture and metal votives to glass at varied heights to really bold and chic candelabras, I’m consistently captivated by the effective impact it contributes to our designs. Sometimes simple, sometimes not, always delivering such a solid result."
—Alexandra Rembac, principal and creative director, Sterling Engagements, Studio City, California

"My favorite statement piece is creating an icon moment—one element within a space that guests can’t help but to relish in and enjoy. Sometimes it’s simply large floral statements at the corners of the dance floor, or sometimes it's a seating arrangement that creates an anchor."
—Todd Fiscus, owner and creative director, Todd Events, Dallas

"One of my favorite statement decor pieces this past year was the macrame arch. I love boho weddings—there's something so beautiful and serene about their casual, organic nature. In some ways, the macrame arch is such a comforting statement piece, like a piece of Grandma's knitting. But they're also so intricate and elegant."
—Katie Watkowski, owner and lead designer, the Event Design Co., Toronto

"One of our most favored statement looks is a well-styled seating area. Coffee table books, table lamps, candles, florals, art, and statement chairs."
—Tony Schubert, principal, Event Eleven, Los Angeles

"Holograms! Perfect for an eye-grabbing 'wow' moment and increasingly more affordable, holograms are no longer solely the domain of sci-fi movie landscapes. From tabletops to stage backdrop, a moving statue or animated 'hero' visual is sure to captivate guests and be the star of their Insta story, like this one at the Ghost In the Shell launch party in the U.K."
—Venetia Harpin, independent event producer, Los Angeles

“My favorite statement decor pieces are the ones we come up with that elicit that oh-so-sought-after ‘wow-factor’ from our clients. Brainstorming the seemingly impossible and then figuring out how to get it done in order to create never-before-seen, out-of-the-box decor elements that leave guests impressed and inspired is what drives our team. From life-size hot-air balloons to airport-runway stages to giant board game dance floors with giant LED dice, our motto is that when it comes to decor and design, making the impossible possible is what we strive to achieve."
—Steve Merling, chief events officer, Eventure, Montreal

"For a wedding, it is important to have an amazing backdrop behind the couple. For this wedding with Suzanne Reinhard Events, the background of the lake and the forest was already a million-dollar shot, so I wanted to create a backdrop statement that looked as if it had grown there. The trees that make the arch are actually fake, but made to look real. The flowers are also incredible, and the crystal chandelier just tips the scale to give the altar a little sparkle for the wedding. For this wedding, we also built a 350-foot walkway with arches every 25 feet covered in flowers, just to make a statement."
—Brian Worley, independent event designer, Atlanta