Seen beside linen, the poppy still life loses nostalgia and gains grit. The brushwork is loose and confident, the reds are bold, and the pink-and-blue stripes behind keep the whole thing playful rather than precious.

A quiet living room gets warmer the moment it goes up. The red carries the eye, the soft pinks and blues hold the rest of the room together, and the painterly feel stops it tipping into twee territory.

Hang it above a sofa, a console in the hallway, or behind a reading chair in the bedroom. It suits rooms with painted walls, striped upholstery, or any space that already leans soft and lived-in.

Pair it with cream linen, painted wood, brass lamp bases, and ceramics in soft pink or pale blue. It also gets on well with vintage rugs and second-hand books.

Skip it for stark, hard-edged modern rooms where everything is grey and chrome it will feel marooned. The canvas reads softer up close and suits rooms where you want