I'm looking for a striped linen in muted gold, a golden neutral or dusky pink to cover sofas and chairs. Because I have cats, I feel that linen is my only option to avoid the material being clawed.

BA Westerham, Kent

As I haven't found your perfect colour combination in 100 per cent linen, I'm sending you cuttings of fabrics that are a linen mix. The nearest to a dusky pink stripe is Drill Lines 3129-09 (above, centre). It's 84 per cent linen and priced at £33.25m from Brian Yates, 01524 35035, www.brianyates.com. The best fabric in the muted gold/golden neutral palette is Beach 21047-184 (above, top), which is 55 per cent linen, 45 per cent cotton and priced at £44m, by Hodsoll McKenzie at Zimmer & Rohde, 020 7351 7115, www.zimmer-rohde.com. However, I doubt that linen will deter your cats. I have never found an entirely cat-proof fabric and anything woven will satisfy a claw. You might consider a neutral faux suede such as Belmont U1757-230 Beige (above, right), a non-woven fabric with nothing for claws to grip. It's very hard-wearing and costs £35.50m by, 01202 266700, www.parkertex.com. The fabric is plain, but you could have striped cushions.

CELIA RUFEY
SEPTEMBER 2008

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