Our eldest child was a picker-up of unconsidered trifles, particularly on beach walks. Decades later I cleared her stashes out of a back shed, only keeping a few special pieces. Much to my amusement, I watched her son, then aged 7, gathering treasures as we walked along a beach and then worrying how many he could fit in his luggage going home.

What to do with these memories? I found an answer in Montesquieu des Alberes. It may not be to my personal style but that doesn’t stop me from admiring an effort that made me think it belonged to a folk art genre. Besides, I am here to share ideas others may enjoy.

I thought the restrained swags were more subtle and effective than the whole wall. It would also have looked more cohesive had the background colour been consistent on both sides of the driveway, but each to their own. I doubt the owners were too worried about others critiquing their aesthetics as they worked on it. I thought it was a charming wall of memories.