New Zealand sheepskin 90×180 petrol blue c.42

The catalogue name misleads: light blue here does not mean pastel but petrol, a dense blue teal of the kind sea water takes on under an overcast sky. Up close the turquoise is obvious; from across the room the piece simply looks dark blue.

The shade is saturated enough to act as an accent in a light room, and complex enough not to look loud beside white or grey.

• Material: New Zealand sheepskin
• Format: 90×180 cm, double, two joined pelts
• Shade: petrol, blue teal
• Wool length: long
• Base: tanned suede
• Washing: by hand, wool detergent
• Item code: 37
• Price: about $275

Its closest relative is the emerald sheepskin 90×180, equally deep but weighted towards green. For a clean dark blue with no turquoise, look at the ink blue sheepskin 90×180.

A joined pair gives a wavy outline with no straight corners, and 90×180 cm is the measurement across the widest points. The wool is long enough to hold a footprint for a while, though it recovers on its own within minutes. Pairs well with white walls, light timber, grey linen and brass fittings.

The seam along the spine is soft and barely noticeable underfoot, but it is worth aligning it with the furniture line rather than across the walking path.