With nods to Gauguin, Rousseau and Manet, Stefania Tejada’s portraits are rich, beautiful and arresting. It’s the piercing gaze of her sitters that inhales our attention. And with backdrops so lush and exotic, it’s hard to look away. Tejada draws on her Colombian heritage, and delves deeply into themes of womanhood, nature and identity.

Long time readers know how I feel about the guest loo, the home’s alter personality. When we renovated our house, it was the room I thought about most. We painted it a dark, inky blue, and added a concrete sink adorned with old fashioned brass taps. Sketches for ceramic vases cover one wall and the floor is the colour of a night sky. It’s tiny and decadent, and in total contrast to the rest of the house. The only thing left to do is scribble something on a piece of paper and stick it to the wall. I got this idea from a friend of mine who taped Constantine Cavafy’s Ithaca to the wall beside the loo roll at their family cottage. “When you read something enough times, the message sticks.” Ithaca is one of my favourite poems, a reminder to embrace the journey. For our own loo literature, I’m considering Priest’s wedding speech. Or some Dolly Parton lyrics.

My new favourite household item is a wonderful vintage wash basin and jug that I brought home from a flea shop in Haliburton. The shop had dozens of them; Art Nouveau ones, Victorian ones, some white and utilitarian, others fancy and ornate. Ours is Art Deco, and made in Belgium. It was cheap as chips in comparison to others I see online. It came with a chamber pot, a portable toilet used before the advent of indoor plumbing and flushing toilets. My kids call it the poo pot and think I’m bonkers for buying one. It now sits on our kitchen counter, a relic from another world, where loos were adorned with flowers, birds and ribbons of yellow, pink and blue.

My favourite table is one covered in a mishmash of tableware. Hand thrown pottery from France, vintage Milk Glass plates, a jewel toned cake stand and a ceramic carafe blue like the lake. Always a winner, is the traditional splattered crockery from Italy. I’d love a stack of lemon yellow plates, and I’m dizzy for this red and blue platter. Handmade in Southern Italy in a pottery Studio which dates back 18 generations, splatter ware can find a place at any table.

There’s something noble about working with wood. I came across the work of husband and wife team, Wilkinson and Rivera and was immediately inspired. The couple work mainly with English ash and oak and create pieces that are quiet, and yet playful. I love the soft curves of the sun petal stool, and the wiggly lines in the Windsor chair add pure whimsy. Have a look at their work; it may inspire you, too.