GP & J Baker | Royal Damask Velvet

Royal Damask Velvet is part of GP & J Baker's collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces, taking a formal damask motif rather than a garden floral and setting it on a soft, viscose-rich velvet ground. The 39 by 45 centimetre repeat is compact and symmetrical, in keeping with the balanced, architectural quality of a classic damask, and the velvet gives the pattern a quiet sheen rather than the flat contrast of a woven damask.

The cloth is 55 per cent viscose and 45 per cent cotton, and it is 135 centimetres wide, with a 39 centimetre vertical and 45 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. There is one colourway, Bronze, a warm, metallic-toned neutral that lets the damask pattern read as tonal shine rather than a strong contrast.

We use it for curtains in a formal room that wants a damask with real depth and pedigree, and for upholstery on a chair or a sofa where a tonal, self-patterned velvet is preferable to a printed motif. Because there is only the one colourway, it works best as a considered, tonal choice rather than one option among several, paired with a plain velvet or linen in a matching warm neutral. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see the pile and sheen together in your own light.

Allow one full repeat per drop and match carefully across widths so the damask motif aligns at the seams. For upholstery, ask your maker about railroading on a wide sofa 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: 135 cm (53 in)
• Pattern repeat: 39 cm vertical, 45 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 50,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Care: Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Historic Royal Palaces (Royal Gardens), GP & J Baker
• Colourways: 1 (Bronze)