Every October I get the same urge to redecorate, and every year I talk myself out of it. Repainting the living room or replacing the sofa is rarely what a home needs at this time of year and a costly change at that! What makes the difference is the detail: the lamp you put on in the evening, what’s on the table when friends come over, and the texture of the throw over the sofa.

This season the mood in interiors suits that approach. Overhead lighting is giving way to soft pools of light from pleated shades and cordless lamps. Colours have deepened to burgundys, chocolates and olives, and brushed brass is back in place of high shine. There’s also a clear pull towards vintage, with people searching for pieces that look collected  and curated.

My rule is simple. I only buy what I’d still want in my home in five years, and nothing here costs more than £200. That covers a good glass decanter, a hand-thrown vase or a well-made lamp, basically, the pieces that add a touch of romance to an ordinary evening at home. These are the ones I’m adding to mine this autumn.