‘Too safe,’ said nobody standing in front of dark green. This is a vintage-style engraving of a long-necked sea reptile, printed almost black on a solid green panel with a cream border. Put it up and the wall stops being background. The green does the heavy lifting, so the room reads calmer and a little older than it did before, while the subject gives everyone something to talk about. It works well above a desk, along a hallway, or on a bookshelf wall where the spines already carry colour. Pair it with dark wood, painted joinery and warm metal fittings. Don’t crowd it with pastel prints or busy florals this one wants a bit of quiet either side. As a canvas the deep green block reads soft and matt, with no glare.