Sardine Shoal in Bright Oil Canvas Print

Sardine Shoal in Bright Oil Canvas PrintAt mid morning, the sardine shoal turns from nice idea to main character. The colour walks in first blue, yellow, mustard, a flash of red and the room wakes up. Suddenly the kitchen feels like somewhere you'd want to sit with a coffee rather than rush through. It earns its keep above a sideboard, a breakfast bar or a dining wall, where there's room to step back and take it in. It plays well with pale wood, painted cabinets, linen and stoneware

without going themed or twee

With a folk village scene

It earns its place by staying clear and clean

The hillside village does the heavy lifting — cream and yellow houses

A modern Italian travel poster of La Spezia harbour

and gives a neutral palette some weight and texture to lean on

brass lamps and cream walls

Avoid hanging it next to other busy travel posters — give it room to do its job

set against pure black

icy blues and busy pattern wallpapers — they fight the warmth and flatten the green

less reflective finish than glass

It's funny without being cartoonish