Drelmarne Low Pile Hand Woven Wool Blend Runner Rug - Silver

Drelmarne is a low pile runner rug in silver, hand woven from a wool blend of 80 per cent wool and 20 per cent polyester. Up close the surface is a chunky, pebbled weave, with streaks of darker grey drifting through the pale silver, so the colour moves gently as the light changes across a day. From a few steps away it reads as a quiet, plain runner; underfoot and at arm's length it is all texture, which gives it the relaxed seaside mood the maker set out to create. The blend gives it a soft feel to bare feet. It comes in a single size, a 67 by 200cm runner.

Our pick for this runner is anywhere a long, narrow strip of floor wants softening. The maker designed it for the bedroom and the living room, and the runner shape suits both: lay it along the side of a bed so your first step of the morning lands on something soft rather than cold boards, or run it beside a sofa, in front of a long bookcase or beneath a window. Its proportions also make it a natural fit for a hallway or a landing, where a full-size rug would crowd the space. The soft silver sits comfortably with oak, painted floorboards, white walls and other greys, so it suits anyone who wants texture in a room without adding a busy pattern.

Hand weaving gives the runner its dense, nubbly surface, with a pile height of 1cm and an overall thickness of 1.5cm, so it sits low across the floor. Before you lay it by a door, check that the door clears that 1.5cm as it swings. The maker's care is short: spot clean only, and never fold it, even for storage. On a smooth floor such as tile, laminate or polished boards, an underlay helps keep it in place.

Will this wool blend runner shed when it is new?

A little shedding is a natural part of a new rug, the maker tells us. If a strand works loose from the weave, trim it neatly with scissors and never pull it out by hand.

How should I vacuum a hand woven runner like this?

Use a low suction setting and avoid the beater bar or roller brush altogether. The maker also advises that you never brush or scrub the surface.

Is a 67 by 200cm runner the right size for my hallway or bedside?

The easiest test is to mark out 67 by 200cm with masking tape where you plan to lay it. You will see at a glance how much floor shows around it and whether it clears radiators, skirting and furniture legs.

Can this runner go by a back door or near a kitchen sink?

We would not put it there, because the maker advises keeping it off damp or wet surfaces. It is happiest in a dry hallway, on a landing, beside a bed or in a living room.