The Salopette is a finished cushion in a deep maroon, with fringed panels that give the edge some movement. The colour is a dark, slightly brown red rather than a bright one, which is why we find it so easy to place. The fringe does the decorating, so the cushion needs no pattern to hold its own. It catches the light at the edges and moves when someone sits down or leans back, which gives a plain sofa a little life without adding noise.
It is a square cushion measuring 50 cm across, sold each. The supplier has not given us the fibre content or the filling, so we would rather not guess at either here. If either matters for a particular project, tell us and we will confirm it with de Le Cuona before you order. The fringed panels are part of the design rather than an addition, so you are buying the cushion as it was made and designed.
We tend to use it in small groups of two or three rather than alone. On a neutral linen or oatmeal sofa, one maroon cushion at each end settles the whole seat. On an armchair in a reading corner, a single one against the arm is enough. We would also put one on a bed, against a plain white or stone linen cover, where the colour reads as a deliberate dark note. It pairs well with ochre, olive, smoked blues and warm greys, and it sits happily beside plain, quiet textures.
Because the cushion arrives finished, there is no making-up to arrange, which is a good reason to choose it when you want something quickly. At 50 cm it suits most sofas and armchairs without crowding the seat, but measure the depth of your seat first and decide how many cushions you can fit before you buy. Keep the fringe free of snagging, and do not let it sit under a heavy bag or a hard edge. Brush it gently to keep it tidy, and have any marks looked at professionally rather than rubbed.
