After the warm afternoon light shifts, the living room suddenly has a pulse. The cat sits in for the Mona Lisa, arms folded, half-smiling, and the room stops taking itself too seriously.

What changes: mustard yellow lifts the back of the room, dusty pink softens the edges, and the deep green hills add weight without making things heavy. Walls that felt a bit flat get a clear focal point and a sense of humour.

Where it works: above a sofa, sideboard or a writing desk. Strong enough to hold a wall on its own, so give it breathing room.

Pair with warm oak, aged leather, mustard velvet or a soft clay-painted wall. Brass picture hooks and linen cushions sit happily underneath.

What not to do: don’t crowd it with other busy artworks let the joke land. The canvas weave gives the brushwork a softer, more painterly feel up close.