Manhattan Geometric Velvet Cushion - Silver

The Manhattan cushion is worked in cut velvet, where the pile is raised in some areas and clipped away in others to leave a geometric pattern of upright blocks and bars. Look closely at the cloth and you see two surfaces at once: the plush, light-catching velvet and the flatter woven ground beneath it, so the design reads as much through texture as through shade. It measures 50 x 50cm, the standard square that sits comfortably at the corner of a sofa or against the pillows of a bed. The face is a soft silver grey, the tone shifting a little as the pile catches the light from different angles.

A 50cm square is the size most people reach for first, because it holds its shape well when propped and fills the corner of a three-seater without crowding it. This one suits a calm, neutral room, the kind of grey and taupe setting shown in the photograph, and it works equally on a bed layered in front of larger pillows. Because the pattern is tonal rather than bright, it adds interest without pulling the eye away from the rest of the scheme, which makes it easy to pair with plainer cushions in the same family of colours.

The cushion is made from polyester throughout, a fibre chosen here for its hard-wearing pile; velvet made this way keeps its plush surface and resists crushing better than many natural equivalents. The edge is finished with a piped trim, which gives the seam a defined line and helps the cushion hold a neat square shape. A zip is set into one side so the cover can be taken off, and the piping runs cleanly around all four edges. Smooth the pile back into place after use and it settles quickly. A single tonal design like this is an easy way to bring texture to a seating group without committing to a bold colour.

What is cut velvet and how does it make the pattern?

Cut velvet is a fabric where areas of raised pile are contrasted against a flatter ground, so the geometric design shows through the difference in texture as well as tone.

How big is the cushion?

It is a 50 x 50cm square, the standard size that suits a sofa corner or the front of a layered bed, and it holds its shape well when propped upright.

Does the cover come off?

Yes, there is a zip set discreetly into one side of the cover, so it can be removed. Do the zip up fully before you handle the cushion to protect the teeth.

What is the piped edge for?

The piping is a corded trim stitched into the seam around all four edges. It defines the outline and helps the cushion keep a clean, square shape over time.

Will the pile flatten with use?

Velvet pile can press down where you lean on it, but smoothing your hand across the surface lifts it back into place and the pattern reappears clearly.