Mulberry Home | Animal Magic

Animal Magic is a printed animal-skin pattern taken somewhere quieter than the name suggests: a broken, marked surface rather than a literal pelt, printed on a viscose, linen and cotton union. The viscose gives the ground a soft, slightly lustrous hand, and the linen keeps it dry enough that the print does not look slick. It is a pattern we use in small doses, because it carries a room on its own once you commit to it. The scale sits somewhere between a marking and a full pelt, which keeps it wearable rather than costume-like.

The composition is 40 per cent viscose, 35 per cent linen and 25 per cent cotton. It is 129 centimetres wide with a 38 centimetre vertical repeat and a 43 centimetre horizontal one, tested to 16,000 rubs on the Martindale scale, and recommended for curtains, loose and fixed upholstery and bedspreads. There is one colourway, Teal, a deep, inky blue-green that reads as tonal rather than showy from across a room.

We would use it on a single chair or a stool rather than a whole sofa, where its markings become a feature piece against plain linen walls and a wool curtain. It also makes a striking cushion on a neutral sofa, or a small bedroom chair beside a plain bedspread. A window seat dressed in it is another good, contained use. Sold by the half metre; order a sample to see it in your own light.

A making-up note: allow one full repeat per drop when you order, and centre a complete marking on the inside back of a chair rather than letting the pattern run off the edge. The viscose content means it will crease if folded, so ask for it delivered rolled, and have it dry cleaned rather than steamed at home.

• Composition: 40% viscose, 35% linen, 25% cotton
• Width: 129 cm (51 in)
• Pattern repeat: 38 cm vertical, 43 cm horizontal
• Abrasion resistance: 16,000 rubs (Martindale)
• Suitable for: Curtains, loose upholstery, fixed upholstery, bedspreads
• Care: Dry clean only; do not wash, bleach or iron
• Collection: Festival Collection, Mulberry Home
• Colourways: 1 (Teal)