AT one time no home seemed to be complete without a painting of a Chinese girl on the wall or a souvenir of carved wood or china from a foreign holiday adorning the mantlepiece.

Now, according to a survey by David Wilson Homes, households in the Bordon area are throwing out eccentric pieces of art in favour of family pictures. When asked what art they liked to have in and around their homes, 75 per cent chose to have their loved ones adorning their walls.

Michelle Storer, sales director of David Wilson Homes, which is developing the former Louisburg Barracks in the north of the town, said: “You could ask: ‘What is art?’

“It is an age-old question and, of course, it is very subjective. We’re busy creating new developments across the region, and we’re always interested to know what makes people really feel at home. Now we know.”

There was a big thumbs up for paintings, vases and ornaments that are holiday souvenirs and children’s creations.