Style watch: Jane Seymour

S@H: One of the ways you achieve style for less in the book is by displaying your own collections and homemade art. Do you think that people sometimes overlook the treasures that they already have under their roof?
JS: Absolutely, and of course, that's why they have those shows on television where people come in and see if they can make money out of things that they have in their house. That's all well and good, but it's about money. I think it's much more fun to actually find a way of using these things. For example, when I did the tablescape with those porcelain shoes, my husband was absolutely thrilled. He so appreciated that something that was a family knick knack that he didn't even know he had, an element of his cultural background, was displayed prominently in the living room.

S@H: What's your single favourite decor item in your home? Is there anything you wouldn't be able to part with?
JS: Yes - it's an emerald green art nouveau glass vase, which has a silver overlay of tulips. For some reason, I'm very emotionally attached to it, and when the wildfires came right by the house, that was the first thing I grabbed. Other than that, I'd say the paintings of my children. You can always buy new cushions, curtains and new carpets, but you can't get new original art.

For more tips from Jane, visit janeseymourhome.com

Image from Making Yourself at Home, copyright 2007 DK Publishing / Jane Seymour

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