Herringbone Chenille Tassel Sofa Cover

Most sofa covers announce themselves as sofa covers. This one does not, because the fabric is good enough to stand on its own: a heavy chenille woven in herringbone at over five hundred grams per square metre, with hand-knotted tassels along the ends. Thrown across a sofa it reads as a deliberate textile rather than a protective layer, which is the difference between using it and quietly removing it before visitors arrive.

The weight is what makes it work. Light covers ride up and rumple every time someone sits down; this one has enough mass to stay put, and the herringbone weave grips upholstery rather than sliding across it. Four sizes cover an armchair through to a large three-seater, and three colours - beige, green and ivory - are all soft enough to sit against an existing scheme.

It takes the daily wear a sofa gets from claws, spills and general use, and goes in the washing machine when it needs to, which is more than can be said for the sofa underneath. Wash cool on a gentle cycle with the tassels tucked in or bagged, and air dry rather than tumbling. Comb the tassels straight while damp. Measure across the back of your sofa rather than guessing, since a cover a size too small will never sit properly.

• Heavy herringbone chenille, over 500 g/m2, with hand-knotted tassels
• Four sizes from armchair to large three-seater
• Beige, green or ivory
• Weave grips upholstery rather than sliding and rumpling
• Machine wash cool on gentle with the tassels bagged; air dry
• Comb the tassels straight while damp