x Massproductions Cord Blue Brown Rug

From across the room this Cord Blue Brown rug reads as chocolate, and only when you kneel do the cobalt lines appear. Thin blue stripes run lengthways over deep brown wool, the chunky hand woven texture lends the dark base a real richness, and relaxed fringes at both short ends.

Brown and blue make a grown up pair, warm and a little unexpected. In an Edwardian semi with original oak parquet, a walnut sideboard and a shelf of hand thrown ceramics, it grounds the room without fuss. The 75 x 240 cm runner carries the same warmth along a hallway or up to the kitchen. Beside a bed, 140 x 200 cm is right. For living rooms, 180 x 270 cm suits a cosy front room, 200 x 300 cm a sofa with armchairs, 250 x 350 cm a generous seating area and 300 x 400 cm a large through lounge.

The Cord design is a collaboration between Layered and Massproductions, the design studio from Sweden. Each rug is hand woven in Bhadohi, India, in pure wool with a height of about 15 mm, and copes happily with underfloor heating. Expect slight differences in dimensions and shade, as with any handmade piece. Some early shedding is normal. Clean with plain suction, rotary head idle, and dab away spills before they settle.