Bertie Velvet Cotton Cushion - Mid Blue

The Bertie cushion is made entirely of cotton, with a front of enzyme washed cotton velvet and a plainer, hard-wearing cotton reverse. The wash is what gives the velvet its worn, slightly mottled surface: the pile catches the light unevenly, so the mid blue reads deeper in some places and softer in others rather than as one flat tone. It measures 45 x 45cm, the standard square that most cushion pads and covers are built around, which makes it easy to slot in alongside pieces you already own.

This is a cushion for a room you actually sit in. The velvet front is soft enough to lean or rest your head against on a sofa, an armchair or the end of a bed, and the mid blue is a settled, mid-depth shade that sits happily with greys, creams, natural woods and warmer neutrals. The frayed, ruffled edging runs right around the seam and gives the square a relaxed, slightly undone look, so it suits a contemporary living space that is meant to feel lived-in rather than formal. Grouped with plainer cushions it adds texture without a busy pattern to argue with.

The velvet front is enzyme washed, a treatment that softens the cotton and settles the pile, and the reverse uses a firmer cotton weave chosen to take more handling. A zip fastening runs along the reverse so the cover comes off when it needs to. Being pure cotton, it is a natural fibre that breathes and takes colour well, though velvet pile is worth treating gently to keep the nap looking its best. The fringed edge is part of the finish rather than a trim added on top. Bertie comes in a spread of colours across the range, so the mid blue can stand alone or be mixed with its warmer and deeper siblings.

What is the front of the cushion made of?

The front is enzyme washed cotton velvet, a treatment that softens the cotton and gives the pile its worn, lived-in surface and depth of colour.

Why is the reverse different from the front?

The reverse is a firmer, more hard-wearing cotton rather than velvet, chosen to take everyday handling while the softer velvet stays on the display side.

How does the cover come off?

There is a zip fastening along the reverse, so the cover can be removed from its pad when you need to take it off.

What size is this cushion?

It is a 45 x 45cm square, the common standard size, which makes finding replacement pads and pairing it with other cushions straightforward.

What does the frayed edge look like?

A frayed, fringed edging runs around the seam, giving the square a soft ruffled outline and a relaxed, slightly undone finish rather than a crisp piped edge.

What colours does it go with?

The mid blue is a settled, mid-depth shade that sits well with greys, creams, natural woods and warm neutrals, and mixes easily with plainer cushions.