GP & J Baker | Oriental Bird Velvet

Oriental Bird is one of GP & J Baker's best-known documentary archive designs, exotic birds drawn among flowering branches in the chinoiserie manner the House has worked with since its earliest print books; this velvet version gives the archive motif real depth and sheen rather than the flat colour of a print. At 82 by 45.6 centimetres the repeat is generous enough for the birds and branches to read clearly across a cushion or a chair back.

The ground is 60 per cent viscose, 30 per cent cotton and 10 per cent polyester, which lets the pile carry the design's colour with a soft sheen. It is 137 centimetres wide, with an 82 centimetre vertical and 45.6 centimetre horizontal repeat, and GP & J Baker tested it to 6,000 Wyzenbeek rubs, a modest figure that suits cushions and light-use pieces rather than a daily-use sofa. Two colourways, Mole and Teal; Mole is the softer neutral, Teal the more decisive choice for a room that wants colour.

We would use it for a pair of cushions on a plain linen sofa, or a single occasional chair where the archive motif and the velvet pile can both be appreciated at close range. Pair it with a plain silk or fine linen weave in Mole or Teal, and keep the rest of the room simple so the bird motif carries the scheme. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

Centre a full bird on the main panel of any cushion or chair before cutting, and keep pile direction consistent across all pieces. At 6,000 rubs this is a decorative rather than a hard-wearing cloth, so keep it to occasional seating and cushions rather than a family sofa in daily use.

• Composition: 60% viscose, 30% cotton, 10% polyester
• Width: 137 cm (54 in)
• Pattern repeat: 82 cm vertical, 45.6 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 6,000 rubs (Wyzenbeek)
• Suitable for: Upholstery, Curtains
• Care: Dry clean professionally; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Signature Velvets, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 2 (Mole, Teal)