Layla Animal Velvet Cushion - Black

The Layla cushion puts a single embroidered bee at the centre of a black velvet ground, worked in gold and amber thread against the deep pile. It is a 50 x 50cm square with a broad flat border, the sort of Oxford-style edge that frames the face rather than letting it run to the seam. The velvet is polyester front and back, which is what gives the pile its even sheen and its resilience under everyday use. The bee motif is the whole point of the piece: a detailed, embellished design that reads clearly across a room and gives the cushion a focus most plain velvet cushions lack.

At 50cm square this is a full-size cushion, comfortable on a sofa, an armchair or the head of a bed. The black ground is easy to place, sitting happily against grey, cream or a stronger colour, and the gold embroidery picks up warm tones already in a room. Use it on its own as a single accent, or pair it with plainer velvet or textured cushions in the same size so the bee has room to be seen. The flat border helps it hold its shape when it is stood upright at the back of a seating group.

The cover is soft velvet with a zip closure, so you can take the pad out for cleaning or swap the filling if you want a firmer or softer feel. Velvet holds its colour well and benefits from a gentle shake and an occasional brush to keep the pile lifting evenly; check the sewn-in label before any wash. The embroidered bee sits proud of the surface, so treat that area kindly when you plump the cushion. It is a piece that does the styling work for you, and it earns its place wherever you want one clear detail rather than a busy pattern.

What is the cover made from?

The cover is velvet, one hundred per cent polyester on both the front and the back, which gives it an even pile and a hard-wearing surface for everyday use.

Can I remove the cover to clean it?

Yes. There is a zip closure along one edge, so you can take the inner pad out for cleaning or to adjust the filling to your preferred firmness.

How big is the cushion?

It measures 50 by 50 centimetres, a full-size square that works well on a sofa, an armchair or against the pillows on a bed.

How do I keep the velvet looking its best?

Velvet responds well to a gentle shake and an occasional light brush to keep the pile lifting evenly. Always check the sewn-in care label before cleaning.

Does the design sit on both sides?

The embroidered bee is on the front. The back is plain velvet in the same colour, so the cushion looks neat whichever way it faces.

What colour is the cushion?

It is black, with the bee worked in warm gold and amber embroidery thread so the motif stands out against the dark velvet pile.