Karen McCartney on her daughter Ava's more-is-more approach to her bedroom shelf.

My daughter Ava takes the bowerbird approach to decorating and I have to say I have encouraged her in this pursuit.  She has a long shelf over her bed which is a jumble of photographs, objects and artworks - which we regularly discuss how to group and style. I know - I can't help myself – and now neither can she!



There is the blue section with an industrial 'A', which my husband found on a roadside throw-out and powder-coated a brilliant aqua blue, stacked (empty) Tiffany boxes and a stamp which has been blown-up and framed. The colour helps pull it all together and lots of cute details from mini chairs to ceramics boxes fill any available gap.



Every girl should have at least a hint of pink and this more delicate section (remember we are still on the same shelf) includes a plywood tree for displaying jewelry and an elaborate ceramic cupcake that would make Marie Antoinette proud. Home-made paper flowers and an original book illustration by Kim Gamble from 'The Hottest Boy Who Ever Lived' – a present from Ava's grandmother - jostle for space alongside the owl artwork, a birthday invitation designed by Tracy Lines.



Speaking of owls - they have become something of a theme with this handsome fellow bought from Temple & Webster as a Christmas present for Ava taking pride of place. There is another sale of Inaluxe artwork and I think I might have to buy another to make up a pair. I am sure we can shift things around to accommodate just one more beautiful bird.