Element Lane Blue 087508 Rug

Ink is the word for the deepest tone in Element Lane Blue, a midnight shade pooling along the bottom of the rug. Above it a slate blue grey bends through the centre like water around a stone, and a band of sand beige catches the top. Where the three forms overlap, the outline bulges and tapers in soft arcs. The darkest wool looks velvety and deep, while in the paler fields you can see the fine texture of the cut pile.

Big contrast likes a quiet setting. With white walls and stripped boards the silhouette reads crisply, and a mustard throw or an ochre cushion will make the blue glow brighter. Next to a bed it offers a soft first step and marks out the sleeping area without fencing it in. In the sitting room, team it with a low ivory or pale grey sofa and a slim glass or metal coffee table so all three colours stay in view. Choose 188 x 240 or 210 x 270 cm for most sitting rooms.

Element Lane Blue is tufted by hand in India from 100% pure new wool, leaving a 14 mm cut pile above a latex and cotton backing. With no straight sides, it is measured across its widest and longest part. It may be used over underfloor heating. Because it is handmade, slight differences in size and tone can occur. The fluff that new wool releases early on disappears with routine vacuuming. Use a smooth nozzle, not a rotating brush, and lift a spill right away by blotting with a dry cloth.