Walmine Border Shaggy Rug - Silver

Our Walmine shaggy rug in silver keeps its pattern simple: a plain centre surrounded by two raised bands of deeper pile, with fine lines tracing the frames, so the design comes from texture rather than print. The silver is a light, cool grey, and the maker tells us the fibres carry a gentle shine that changes as daylight moves through the room and the lamps go on in the evening. The pile is long, shaggy and soft underfoot, made from 100% polyester and tufted by machine. It comes in two sizes: a 120 by 170cm rug and a larger 160 by 230cm rug.

The maker designed this rug for bedrooms and living rooms, and the cool silver tone settles easily into most schemes, sitting well against pale oak floors, white walls and grey or charcoal upholstery. The 120 by 170cm size works beside a bed, so your first step in the morning lands on something soft, or in front of an armchair in a smaller sitting room. The 160 by 230cm size is the one for a living room: lay it under the front legs of the sofa and chairs and it draws the seating into one comfortable group. Either way, you gain a soft, deep pile in the places you stand barefoot most.

Tufted from polyester, the rug stands 2.5cm thick, which gives it real depth underfoot but also means you should check the clearance under any door that has to swing across it. For everyday care, the maker advises vacuuming regularly, a dry shampoo when it needs freshening, and a specialist cleaner for anything more; keep the rug dry. Before you choose a size, mark it out on the floor with masking tape and live with it for a day, and on a smooth floor an underlay helps keep the rug in place.

Which size suits a living room?

As a guide, choose a rug a little wider than your sofa so the seating looks anchored; for many living rooms that points to the 160 by 230cm size, while the 120 by 170cm size suits a smaller sitting room or reading nook.

How do I get the creases out of a new rug?

Rugs travel rolled, so when yours arrives, roll it the opposite way, then leave it flat for 24 hours; the maker says it should then settle and look its best.

How do I keep the shaggy pile looking full?

Brush it gently or vacuum using a floor tool attachment, and give it a shake now and then; the maker recommends this to restore the pile and keep the rug looking good.

Is the silver closer to grey or white?

It reads as a light, cool grey with a soft sheen in the fibres, so it sits comfortably beside white, charcoal, navy and pale wood without looking stark.