GP & J Baker | Blizzard

Blizzard is a plain from the Essential Colours group, one of the collection's paler-leaning ranges, with six colourways moving from ivory through to a true silver-grey. It has no repeat to match and a smooth, even face, built to work as a genuine plain across a whole scheme rather than as an accent. The name suits the palette: most of the six colourways sit somewhere between white and grey-blue.

The composition is 45 per cent viscose, 35 per cent cotton, 16 per cent linen and 4 per cent polyester, a blend chosen for a smooth, even face rather than a textured one. It is 137 centimetres wide with no stated repeat, and GP & J Baker tested it to 40,000 Martindale rubs, which is rated for upholstery. There are six colourways in total; Ivory, Marble, Azure and Silver are the ones we specify most, with Dresden and Baltic extending the range further into blue.

We use it for a sofa or curtains in a pale, cool scheme, where the six related colourways let you use two or three together without any of them fighting for attention. Pair Ivory or Marble with an archive floral in blue or grey, and use Azure or Baltic to carry more colour on their own. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light, since pale neutrals shift noticeably between daylight and lamplight.

With no repeat, cutting is simple and wastage low. Line curtains for a good fall; for upholstery, standard construction applies, and at 40,000 rubs it is rated for genuinely heavy daily use. Because several colourways sit close together in tone, order swatches of more than one before committing to a large quantity, and check the dye lot across the full order once you have chosen.

• Composition: 4% polyester, 45% viscose, 35% cotton, 16% linen
• Width: 137 cm (54 in)
• Abrasion resistance: 40,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Suitable for: Upholstery, Curtains
• Care: Dry clean professionally; do not wash, bleach or iron.
• Collection: Essential Colours II, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 6 (Ivory, Marble, Azure, Dresden, Baltic, Silver)