Once the deep near-black enters, the whole room stops apologising. Two swans bend toward each other, beaks almost touching, framed by tulips and lotus in a folk-botanical style straight out of the William Morris songbook.

A wall that felt flat finds a centre. The dark ground pulls the eye in; the cream swans and warm coral lotus lift it back out. Evening lamps love this piece the pale feathers seem to glow against the shadow.

Hang it at eye-level above a bed, a low console, or at the end of a hallway that needs a reason to exist. Portrait shape, so it rewards taller wall slots between doors or windows.

Pairs well with dark-stained oak, linen in cream or oat, a faded antique rug, soft pink ceramics, and brass picture hooks. Old books on a side table won’t hurt.

Don’t crowd it with other busy botanicals give the swans room to breathe. Stretched on a wooden frame, ready to hang straight from the box.