Are you ‘common’? If you have one of these six things in your bedroom the answer’s yes, according to an etiquette expert
William Hanson suggests there are several bedroom items which immediately flag someone is 'common'
EVERYONE has home decor preferences, but according to an expert the choices you make could be giving more away than you realise.
William Hanson is an etiquette expert and social commentator, and he claims to be able to tell how “common” someone is from the items in their bedroom.
That will come as no news to the mum who claimed having a TIN OPENER in your kitchen means you’re “poor”, but the rest of us might be less impressed by his list.
Apparently there are six things which immediately point to someone being “common”… that’s if you want to take tips from ‘Britain’s youngest manners and etiquette expert’ anyway.
Nights in black satin
“It is an eternal puzzle as to why people think that satin sheets (black or indeed any other colour) are the height of good taste,” William claims.
“Real quality bed linens should be cotton, linen or a blend of both. Silk and satin sheets are the reserve of haggard ungentlemanly playboys.
“The colour for correct bed linens are white, or off white. Floral bedding is acceptable if you’re living in a thatched property.
“Black, deep purple or maroon sheets are to be left in the shop. Or ideally burned.”
So there you go – unless you’re sleeping on pricey cotton white sheets you’re apparently making a big mistake…
Too many teddies
William claims: “Whilst one fairly battered and weathered teddy bear on an adult’s bed shows character and alludes to days in a grand house’s nursery, a swamp of cutesy animals covering a bed is downmarket.
“If the teddies are holding hearts with trite, sickly messages then it is even worse and shows soppiness – and there are few things less sophisticated than that.”
You’ve been warned – you mustn’t show your feelings in any way.
Mirror, mirror on the ceiling
William suggests: “Smutty and smeary mirrors in odd and unusual places are vulgar – in every sense of the word. Not only do they show an obscene and unhealthy attitude to physical romance but it screams of narcissism.
“It is never the case that anyone with a mirror on their bedroom ceiling is as good looking as they think they are. In fact, the bigger the mirror the more unattractive they usually are.”
Mirrored furniture
Yep, William is really not about mirrors in the bedroom.
He claimed: “Mirrored furniture is not only redolent of the lower echelons of the premier league but stunningly impractical.
“The upkeep and effort it requires is too much to even think about. Who wants to spend every moment polishing and buffing glass or wasting their help’s time by asking them to do it?
“Oak or mahogany furniture, slightly chipped or worn in places, is far smarter and will always carry more cachet.”
Canvas prints
Apparently you can even be making a faux pas with the pictures you hang on your walls.
William suggests: “New York City may have many merits but no quality British house is improved by a mass produced canvas print of the big apple from the ubiquitous furnishing house.
“I would guess that at least half of the people who relax under such prints haven’t visited the city, yet alone been to America in the first place.
“Even if the canvas print isn’t of the populist capital of America, pictures on walls should ideally be housed in frames.”
Too many pillows
It’s not just the cuddly toys you need to be looking out for…
“Is there a multitude of cushions on the bed?” William queries.
“Well, yes, well done: you’ve clearly holidayed in Dubai and taken inspiration from your OTT hotel. In short, the more cushions, the more déclassé your bedroom is.
“Less is more. Although preferably none at all.”