When the kitchen feels over-arranged, this kind of portrait helps. A tortoiseshell cat in a strawberry-print cardigan, mock magazine cover styling, dry sense of humour.

It loosens a room that's taking itself too seriously. The sage background does most of the calming work; the cardigan and red ribbon do the rest of the talking. Walls feel warmer and a touch more lived-in once it's up.

Works above a console in a hallway, beside a kitchen door, or in a bedroom that wants a wink rather than another landscape. Eye-level is best — the cat is meant to be looked at directly.

Pair with pale oak, cream linen, brass handles and a stripe or gingham nearby. Sage and buttery yellow rooms take it especially well.

Don't bury it in matching pet portraits — it's the joke, not the chorus. Printed as canvas wall art and stretched over a wooden frame, ready to hang.