Manhattan Geometric Velvet Cushion - Mink

The Manhattan is a 50 by 50cm velvet cushion carrying a cut-velvet geometric pattern. The pile is worked into a design of short, staggered blocks that catch the light at different angles, so the surface reads as a shifting play of light and shade rather than a flat print. Where the pile stands proud the cloth looks deep and plush; where it is cut away, a smoother ground shows through. The whole thing is a soft, warm mink brown, a mid-toned grey-brown that sits somewhere between taupe and stone.

At 50 by 50cm this is the standard large square, the size most sofas and beds are dressed around. It works as the anchor of a pile, sat behind smaller cushions, or as a pair at either end of a three-seater. The muted mink tone is deliberately easy to place, so it sits happily against grey, charcoal, cream and other natural neutrals without fighting them, and the texture does the work that a bolder colour might otherwise be asked to do. It suits a living room sofa or an armchair, and works equally on a bed as part of the top layer.

The face is cut velvet, which gives you two heights of pile in one cloth and the light-catching contrast that comes with it. A piped trim runs around the edge, defining the seam and helping the cushion hold its square shape, and a zip closure lets you remove the cover. The zip is set discreetly so it does not interrupt the face. Velvet is a pile fabric, so a gentle brush in the direction of the pile keeps it sitting evenly and lifts any settled dust. The record does not carry laundering instructions for this cover, so we would not want to guess at them.

What does cut velvet mean on this cushion?

Cut velvet works the pile at two different heights within the same cloth, so the raised areas look deep and plush while the lower areas read smoother, and the two catch light differently to create the pattern you see.

What colour is mink here?

Mink is a warm, mid-toned grey-brown, sitting somewhere between taupe and stone. It is a muted neutral rather than a strong colour, which makes it easy to place among other neutrals.

What size is the cushion?

It measures 50 by 50cm, which is the standard large square. That size works well as the back layer of a cushion arrangement or as a matching pair at either end of a sofa.

Does the cover come off?

Yes, there is a zip closure set discreetly into the seam, so the cover can be removed from the pad. The zip is positioned so it does not interrupt the patterned face.

How do I keep the velvet looking its best?

Velvet is a pile fabric, so a gentle brush in the direction of the pile keeps it lying evenly and lifts settled dust. Plumping the cushion after use helps the pile recover.