Salopette is a made-up cushion with fringed panels, and the panelling gives the face a considered structure. Rather than a single sweep of cloth, the surface is divided so that the fringe becomes part of the design, adding rhythm and a little shadow across the cushion. It is a quiet piece, but it has more going on than a plain square, and it rewards being looked at closely. In Khaki the tone sits between olive and stone, an earthy colour that is easy to live with.
The cushion measures 50 cm wide, a size that suits both sofas and beds and sits comfortably beside larger 55 cm squares. It is sold individually. We do not have a fibre composition to quote for this piece, so please ask us if you need to know what it is made from, particularly if you are matching it to other cloths or have a requirement about how it should be cleaned.
We tend to use it to introduce a green-brown note to a scheme that might otherwise be all blues and creams. On a stone-coloured sofa it picks up the warmth of the room, and on a bed in white linen it gives the foot of the bed a quiet anchor. We would group it with a plain cushion in a slightly lighter tone, perhaps oatmeal or sand, and place it at an angle in the corner of an armchair, where the panels can be seen.
As with any fringed cushion, a little care keeps it looking its best. We would plump it by hand and take care not to crush the fringe, and we brush the fringed panels lightly with the fingers to keep them lying straight. Keep it away from strong sun, which can fade a muted colour over a season. Turn and shake it regularly so the filling stays even, and avoid leaving it where heavy objects might flatten the fringe.
