Soupir by Henri Matisse Canvas Print

Soupir by Henri Matisse Canvas PrintOnce the soft cream enters, the whole room stops apologising. Matisse's line drawing is quiet and confident, and that's exactly what most rooms are missing. The eye follows the masts, the curling flowers, the little balcony, and the room calms down around it. Hang it on a chalky off white wall above a console, a low sideboard or at the end of a hallway where there's nothing pulling focus. It sits well with pale oak, linen, rattan and warm whites.

After the warm afternoon light shifts

The soft pink and cream do most of the work

A travel-poster view of Blenheim Palace gardens

One deep blue shape

beige corner straight out of neutral

It does what a good kitchen print should do: it makes the room a bit more fun without trying too hard

a clean blue sky — so the room gains depth and warmth rather than noise

Go big and the deep navy background reads as a real piece of wall

Don't crowd it with other strong travel posters — one statement

modern room it adds the greenery without you needing more houseplants on the sideboard

Pale pink houses

eye-level above a low sideboard or console