Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

Wool Week: 13 best cushions

Celebrate Wool Week by splashing out on some cosy, design-led interiors. IndyBest plumps the pillows

Monday 05 October 2015 11:47 BST

To mark Wool Week 2015 (5-11 October), we’ve found cushions to bring this versatile, sustainable material into your home. On this list there are pieces made from one hundred per cent British wool, as well as other wool-blend items by designers from the UK and abroad. Whatever your budget, there should be something here to help bring woolly chic to your space.

1. Ben di Lisi Home Designer Slogan Cushion: £32, debenhams.com

100 per cent wool pieces don’t come cheap, so if you are on a budget, opt for one with a majority blend of the good stuff, like this fun slogan piece from American fashion designer Ben de Lisi’s home range for Debenhams. The front’s made from more than two-thirds wool, so you still get the coveted texture and added warmth - along with a fun pop of colour.

2. Dotty Cushion: £40, heals.com

Heals might be known for its designer pieces with price tags to match, but some of its own range is more affordable. The Dotty cushion, in a soft lambswool and cotton mix, comes in four colours with white spots. Turn it over and the design’s inverted, making it a versatile one.

3. Patch Cushion 44x44: £45, avoca.com

Handwoven in Ireland, Avoca has been making stand-out woolly throws and blankets for nearly 300 years. The brand also does a few cushions. This one, in 100 per cent lambswool, is in subtler hues than a lot of Avoca’s pieces and will work in most rooms.

4. St David’s Cross Cushion: £55, monpote.co.uk

As the name of this pattern would suggest, its creator, Melin Tregwynt, hails from Wales. The company, based in Pembrokeshire, has been weaving blankets from native wool for a century. This design is based on a traditional pattern.The rich, earthy colours on this large cushion (it’s a generous 50x50cm) are just the thing to have on a chair by the fireplace this winter.

5. Fuss A4 Pillow: £60, beut.co.uk

Our love affair with Scandinavian interiors continues and Danish brand Fuss is one to watch. Designer Karen Mimi has said she’s influenced by Nordic design heritage and that her creations are “characterised by a graphic minimalism and balanced calmness”. This cobalt blue and dark grey in fine merino is one of the brighter pieces from the collection. It also comes in yellow and a green combo.

6. Donna Wilson Badger cushion: £72.50, scp.co.uk

Originally from Aberdeenshire, designer Donna Wilson grew up on her parents’ farm and her passion for creatures great and small is evident in her fun designs. The Scottish-knitted badger motif in one hundred per cent lambswool comes in four colours: blue, grey, red and this eye-catching mustard. If you prefer other British critters, she also does robin, owl and fox designs, among others.

7. Forma Cushion in Yellow and Blue: £79, gianninacapitani.com

British Italian designer Giannina’s creations are hand-knitted in Hackney, east London. Made from lambswool, this abstract graphic-motif one is unusual, and the bright red zip detailing makes it even more eye-catching.

8. Faraday Cushion: £95 each, jam-eton.co.uk

Wallace and Sewell’s colourful pinstripe lambswool throws were already on our Christmas list. Then we saw these cushions. They come in a range of colourways, and while the design with fringing is on the traditional side compared to some on this list, the bright colours make them striking additions to a room.

9. Mod Love Needlepoint Pillow: £175, uk.jonathanadler.com

If you thought needlepoint was relegated to a past age, think again. American designer Jonathan Adler has given the craft a sixties-inspired, but very modern, makeover with this hand-embroidered, velvet-backed collection. This is a conversation-starting piece to splash out on. Groovy, baby.

10. Nuria Mora Geometric Cushion: £115, shop.finecellwork.co.uk

Fine Cell Work is a social enterprise that trains prisoners in creative needlework. The prisoners are then paid for their work, which is sold around the world. This bright geometric design is a collaboration with Spanish street artist Nuria Mora, and will bring the colours of southern Europe to your sitting room - just what you need in dreary British autumn.

11. Eleanor Pritchard Sandstone Optic Cushion: £120, hauslondon.com

We’re fans of Brit designer Eleanor Pritchard’s bold geometric patterns. As well as lambswool throws, they come in pleasingly-proportioned rectangular cushions (40cm x 60cm). 'Sandstone Optic', in muted yellows and silver, is one of our favourites.

12. Mourne Textiles Shaggy Dog Cushion: £185, mournetextiles.com

For a piece of textile design history, try this special cushion from the Northern Ireland-based Mourne Textiles. Set up by designer Gerd Hay-Ede in 1954, the family-run company created pieces in collaboration with some of the big names in fashion and furniture design. The Shaggy Dog Tweed was hand-woven for fashion designer Sybil Connolly – whose creations were worn by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor – for her 1956 show. It has now been reimagined in cushion form. Woven from pure Merino Donegal yarn, it comes in cream, charcoal and two monochrome colourways.

13. Square Puzzle Cushion: £189, cosstores.com

Danish design label Hay has collaborated with Swedish masters of minimalism Cos for a homeware range. The result is a collection with an unmistakably Scandi aesthetic in a muted, understated colour palette. Our pick on the cushion front is this large (50cm x 50cm) dusky pink one made from 100 per cent wool. Also comes in black.

Verdict

For a distinctive UK-made piece, we think Melin Tregwynt’s cushions are eye-catching but muted enough to be versatile - and a good price for the size.

If you’re after a less traditional design, try Donna Wilson’s fun, wildlife-inspired pieces. Anyone coveting a paired-back Scandi aesthetic in their home, should look up Danish brand Fuss’s collections.