Hidcote's borders were among the first in England to let colour clash on purpose. A calm ivory centre is held by a loose ring of red, cobalt, lavender and ochre that never repeats a single combination.

• Calm ivory centre: low, even pile
• Mismatched colour border: red, cobalt, lavender and ochre
• Higher, lustrous border pile: hand-tufted in Jaipur
• Calm meets colour: a balanced contrast
• A border worth circling: beneath a Georgian cornice or poured concrete