Dusk, essentially. Almost black at one end, this Torino softens through indigo and slate into a warm copper and clay tone that catches the light. The two halves belong to the same evening, which is why the transition never feels forced, and why the rug reads as one continuous surface rather than two colours pushed together.

The interest is in the yarn. Fine crosshatched striations run through the whole piece, dark against light, so what looks like flat colour from standing height turns out to be a dense weave of blue, charcoal, grey and rust once you crouch down. Small flecks of orange surface in the darker passages. The pile is short and tightly packed with a subtle sheen, and the edge is bound in a deep tone that keeps the outline clean.

Dark rugs are underrated in living rooms. This one grounds a pale sofa, absorbs the visual noise of a busy family space, and hides far more than a light rug ever will. It looks particularly good against natural oak, black steel and a wall in something deep.

Woven in Belgium from 100 percent polyester. The yarn keeps its colour under daylight, resists crushing where furniture stands, and copes with the traffic of a well used room. Vacuum regularly, blot spills immediately with a clean cloth and lukewarm water rather than rubbing, and rotate occasionally so wear stays even. Deep tones like these always photograph flatter than they look in a room.

You are welcome to judge that for yourself at our rug shop and showroom in Willebroek, in the Antwerp region, easily accessible from Antwerp, Brussels, Mechelen and Sint-Niklaas. Free delivery across Europe and 30 day returns on every online order.