Red is a brave choice for a lounge, and the Bakhtiar in Red carries it well. The oriental pattern gives a plain sofa something to sit beside, and the short pile keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy. It would look just as good under a dining table or beside a bed. It also suits a living room, and our Bedroom Rugs show how well it works in a quieter setting too.

This rug is hand-knotted in India, with a pile of 100% wool on a wool backing. The fringes at the ends are the warp threads the knots were tied onto. Wool is slow to catch fire and doesn't melt, and this rug suits underfloor heating. Anyone who likes a traditional oriental pattern will find this one familiar, and the pure wool pile has the same natural feel as our other Wool Rugs. It also comes in cream, and as a runner in both colours. If you're not sure which size to choose, our advice on rug sizes will help.

New wool sheds a few loose fibres at first, and regular vacuuming settles that down. Our rug care tips cover the rest. If a thread stands up, snip it with scissors instead of pulling it, and dampen any dent left by a chair leg so the wool can spring back.