DEDAR | Parola

Parola is an embroidered cushion built on Didgeridoo, a raffia and linen ground with an open, papery weave. Over it runs a calligraphic motif worked in wool, embroidered from the back of the cloth in velvet stitch so the strokes come through as a short, compact fringe standing clear of the surface. The contrast is one of light against matt: the ground has a natural sheen, the wool has none, and the empty space around the lettering does as much work as the strokes themselves.

Made in Italy. The ground is 59 per cent polyamide and 41 per cent linen, the embroidery half wool and half acrylic, and the cloth is tested at 15,000 rubs on the Martindale scale. The cushion measures 68 by 90 centimetres. One colourway, 001 Ivory, in which motif and ground sit within a single tone and the pattern is read through texture rather than colour.

We use it on a pale linen sofa where a tonal piece can carry weight without adding colour, at the end of a bed, or on a wide armchair in a study. It sits well with plain wools, undyed linens and darker leather, and we would keep other cushions flat and unpatterned around it. Sold individually; made to order in Italy, so allow a few weeks.

The calligraphic strokes are directional, so the panel can be set upright, turned or placed off-centre, and each reading is different. Decide the orientation at the point of order, particularly if you are taking a pair for either end of a sofa. The embroidered fringe should be smoothed by hand rather than brushed hard, and the cushion kept off a seat that is sat on daily. Made to order in Italy and not returnable.

• Composition: Ground: 59% polyamide, 41% linen. Embroidery: 50% wool, 50% acrylic
• Size: 68 x 90 cm
• Abrasion resistance: 15,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Care: Spot clean; dry clean the cover if removable
• Origin: Made in Italy
• Collection: Dedar
• Colourways: 1 (001 Ivory)