Call it vibrant if you want; we call it better walls. This is a hand-painted songbird sitting on a red and cream checkerboard, with dark red fern leaves cutting across it. Put it up and a flat wall suddenly has pattern, warmth and a bit of humour the check does the heavy lifting, the soft blue bird gives your eye somewhere to rest. It works above a kitchen counter, along a hallway, or over a small chest of drawers. Pair it with painted cabinetry, gingham or striped fabrics, stoneware and warm timber. Don’t set it beside another strong check or a busy floral one pattern this confident is enough. As a canvas, the painted brushwork reads softly with no glazing shine.