Meg Lonergan says start with a showstopper, but Aaron Rambo insists it’s all about harmony. Sparks fly when these Houston designers face off about the best way to approach a room—and how much to spend on it.

Start with a showstopper

Sometimes it’s a jaw-dropping light fixture, other times it’s a sculptural sofa or a fine antique rug—no matter where you land, every room needs a special piece that wows. It doesn’t have to be furniture, fabric or a wallcovering—your “one thing” can be an appliance, or even a tub! For a recent project, each room started with a showstopper: an Egg Collective table in the dining room, a turquoise Lacanche stove in the kitchen, and an English copper tub in the master bath.