DEDAR | Per Inciso

Per Inciso is a cotton chenille, soft and dense under the hand, across which thin lines of contrasting colour are drawn in a loose abstract pattern. The chenille pile gives a matt, slightly velvety ground with a quiet depth to it, and the incised lines sit on that ground like marks scored into a surface rather than printed onto one. Close to, the drawing is clearly deliberate; from a few paces it settles into texture, which is why it works on large pieces.

Woven in Italy from 60 per cent cotton, 25 per cent viscose, 7 per cent polyester, 5 per cent polyamide and 3 per cent other fibres, 130 centimetres wide, and rated at 68,000 rubs on the Martindale scale, which is contract-level durability. Six colourways: 001 Grey, 002 Poudré, 003 Brown / Bronze, 004 Linen / Beige, 005 Linen / Beige and 031 Pink / Fuchsia. The two Linen / Beige entries are separate colourways and worth comparing side by side.

At 68,000 rubs we would upholster with it without hesitation: a whole sofa, a pair of club chairs, a window seat. It also makes generous, heavy curtains and covers a headboard well. Pair it with plain linen, leather and dark timber. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

Chenille has a direction, so it must be cut and railroaded consistently or one panel will read darker than the next; tell your upholsterer which way is up before anything is cut. The pile crushes under pressure and recovers with a brush and a little steam. For a sofa allow around 14 metres at this width, and add a metre for pattern placement across the back cushions.

• Composition: 60% cotton, 25% viscose, 7% polyester, 5% polyamide, 3% other fibres
• Width: 130 cm (51 in)
• Abrasion resistance: 68,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Care: Dry clean recommended
• Origin: Made in Italy
• Collection: Dedar
• Colourways: 6 (001 Grey, 002 Poudré, 003 Brown / Bronze, 004 Linen / Beige, 005 Linen / Beige, 031 Pink / Fuchsia)