What it adds isn't clutter. It's hard-edged block tension in the right places. A quiet poolside scene built from flat shapes — soft pink terrace, turquoise water, navy sea, lilac sky — does the heavy lifting on a wall without shouting.

The room loosens up. Stiff modern rooms feel a touch warmer. Neutral rooms get a holiday note that doesn't tip into kitsch. It reads as one calm picture from across the room, then reveals the cacti, the umbrella and the tiny sailboat as you get closer.

Hang it above a sofa, a sideboard or a bed. It also works well in a hallway where you want something cheerful to walk past.

Pair with pale oak, rattan, linen in cream or soft pink, brushed brass and the odd ceramic in earth tones.

Don't drown it in busy pattern or heavy traditional florals — the flat shapes need a bit of breathing room. Stretched over a wooden frame and ready to hang.