Walbelle Low Pile Border Pure Wool Rug - Ochre

Walbelle is a low pile rug in pure wool with a clean two-tone design: a broad ochre border, a warm golden yellow with a hint of mustard, framing a plain cream centre. The wool feels soft and close when you walk across it, and the smooth, even surface leaves the two colours to do the work rather than a busy pattern. Each rug is woven on a hand loom, and the border meets the centre in a crisp, straight line. It comes in 80 by 150cm, 120 by 170cm, 160 by 230cm and 200 by 290cm.

Because the design is a simple frame, it sits happily with plain or patterned furniture and gives a room a clear outline without adding clutter. The 80 by 150cm size suits the side of a bed or a reading chair, and the 120 by 170cm fills the space in front of a smaller sofa or in a study. The 160 by 230cm and 200 by 290cm sizes are large enough to go under a sofa and coffee table together, or under a dining table with space for the chairs. Because the colour sits on the outside, even a large sofa standing on the rug leaves the ochre border in view, so it frames your furniture instead of vanishing beneath it.

The pile stands 1cm high and the rug measures 1.5cm thick overall, so it lies low; check that any door opening across it clears 1.5cm. Each square metre carries 1600g of wool pile, a generous weight for a low pile, and the maker made this rug to be long lasting. The maker's care is spot cleaning only. Vacuum on a low suction setting without the beater bar, never brush or scrub the pile, and never fold the rug. On a smooth floor such as wood or laminate, an underlay helps keep it in place.

Will a new wool rug like this shed?

Yes, a little at first. The maker treats shedding as natural in a new rug rather than a fault, so expect some loose fibres early on and lift them with gentle vacuuming on low suction.

What should I do if a strand of yarn pulls loose?

Never pull it. Trim the strand level with the surrounding pile using sharp scissors, which is the maker's own advice and keeps the surface neat.

Can this rug go in a kitchen or bathroom?

We would keep it away from a bathroom, because the maker advises against using it on a damp or wet surface. It is also spot clean only, so a dry living room, bedroom, study or hallway suits it far better than a kitchen.

How can I check which size will fit my room?

Mark the outline of the size you are considering on the floor with masking tape and leave it for a day. You will see quickly whether the ochre border falls where you want it around your furniture and doorways.