GP & J Baker | Rio

Rio belongs to the Rio Velvets collection, a bolder, more contemporary range of printed velvets from GP & J Baker, and it sets a large-scale botanical motif across a generous 92 by 68 centimetre repeat on a soft, viscose-rich velvet ground. It is a design built for impact, with the scale and vibrancy to work as the single statement piece in a room.

The cloth is 55 per cent viscose and 45 per cent cotton, and it is 136 centimetres wide, with a 92 centimetre vertical and 68 centimetre horizontal repeat. It is rated at 50,000 rubs on the Martindale test, so it is rated for upholstery as well as curtains. GP & J Baker specify it for curtains, loose and fixed upholstery and bedspreads. Four colourways: Magenta, a strong pink-toned reading; Olive/Ebony, a deep, warm green against near-black; Midnight, a single dark blue; and Sienna, a warm burnt orange.

We use it for a chair or a sofa where a plush, large-scale velvet can be the focal point of a room, and for curtains in a double-height space or a room with the wall space to let the repeat play out properly. Magenta or Sienna bring real warmth and confidence; Olive/Ebony and Midnight are the easier choices for a moodier, more tailored scheme. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see the scale, pile and colour together in your own light.

Allow one full repeat per drop and match carefully across widths so the motif aligns at the seams, particularly on a large panel such as a sofa back. For upholstery, ask your maker about railroading and about pile direction, since a printed velvet should be cut with the pile running consistently. Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron it.

• Composition: 55% viscose, 45% cotton
• Width: 136 cm (54 in)
• Pattern repeat: 92 cm vertical, 68 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 50,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Care: Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Rio Velvets, GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 4 (Magenta, Olive/Ebony, Midnight, Sienna)