GP & J Baker | Kenton

Kenton is an Essential Weaves design with the widest fibre blend in this part of the range, including a small percentage of silk alongside viscose, cotton, polyester and linen, which gives the cloth a subtle lift and sheen beyond a plain house weave. The repeat is tiny, at 2.5 by 2.5 centimetres, so it reads as an even, fine-grained ground, and the touch of silk is enough to catch the light without pushing the cloth towards a formal, decorative finish.

Composition is 60 per cent viscose, 18 per cent cotton, 12 per cent polyester, 9 per cent linen and 1 per cent silk. It is 140 centimetres wide, tested to 50,000 rubs on the Martindale, which is comfortably rated for upholstery. GP & J Baker specify it for curtains and both loose and fixed upholstery. Three colourways: Spice, Soft Blue and Green.

We use Kenton on a sofa or a pair of armchairs, choosing Spice for a room that wants warmth, Soft Blue or Green for one that wants calm; all three work equally well as curtains in a scheme built around the same colour. A dining chair covered in Kenton is a good way to introduce colour without pattern. Pair with a documentary floral for pattern. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

At 50,000 rubs Kenton is genuinely upholstery grade and will take daily use; ask your upholsterer about railroading on a sofa run given the width. Being close to a plain, there is minimal pattern wastage. For curtains, line as usual; no repeat matching is needed at this scale, and the small silk content means the cloth will take a light steam well if it travels creased.

• Composition: 60% viscose, 18% cotton, 12% polyester, 9% linen, 1% silk
• Width: 140 cm (55 in)
• Pattern repeat: 2.5 cm vertical, 2.5 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 50,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Suitable for: Curtains, loose and fixed upholstery
• Care: Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron.
• Collection: Essential Colours II, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 3 (Spice, Soft Blue, Green)