I have just started a new book The Girls Guide to Homemaking by Amy Bratley which is a nice light bedtime read, I do like a bit of escapism in my books. In the book are lots of homemaking tips from her grandmother's 1950's home manuals, this one caught my eye and I think it is wonderful...
Always have a lot of souvenirs around from far off places, even if you've just sent for them from a mail order house. It will give the impression of being a world traveller who hasn't been home long enough to have thoroughly cleaned the house.