When it comes to collecting, put the effort in. Scrolling online doesn’t have anywhere near the same energy as physically visiting fairs and shops, so find out what flea markets and fairs are near you and make time to visit them. In London, visit Portobello Road, or Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park Racecourse and find fantastic things for next to nothing. 

If you’re travelling, work out which markets are close by and give yourself 2-3 hours to stroll. At worst you’ll find a good bit of street food, but it’s very likely you’ll discover something you would otherwise not have encountered. That’s how I discovered Brazilian modernist furniture – I’d had too much sunshine on holiday in Rio, so I ventured to the flea markets.

You have to be genuinely interested in what you are collecting. If not, call on someone who is interested, such as an interior designer, or look to Abask’s curated edit of Antique and Vintage pieces – everything from mid-century silver cigar boxes to Murano glasses – which have been sourced from across the world by some of the best dealers.

People get so nervous about collecting and putting pieces together in their homes, but ultimately you should treat this as an extension to your own personal story. Don’t fake it. I often say to my clients that working out your taste is a case of learning how to be true to yourself. Very often, the pieces you are drawn to will have a coherence because you’re acting on your instinct. Equally, remember that pieces that go off in different directions can bring visual interest.

If you’re struggling to work out what pieces you like or how to arrange them in an interior, look to other sources for inspiration. It’s about finding something you understand and then interpreting that for an interior. For true originality, venture beyond your Instagram feed. If there is a painting you particularly like, look at the colours, the textures and the forms and take inspiration for pulling together your own vignettes. Or if you’re in Venice, look at the details – the bell next to the door, the mosaic on the threshold, the pole on gondolas, for instance. 

Research styles and know what to look for. The only reason dealers are more powerful than us is because they are experts in their area, but we can easily all become experts because information is free and quickly available. If, for instance, you’re buying a piece of silver, check the hallmark on it, find out what it is plated in and where it was made. The knowledge will empower you to spot similar pieces in the future.