Objects of Design #232: Wooden Lampshades

This beautiful steam bent wooden shade has been sculpted with 80 metres of wood. I’ll just pause for a minute to let that information sink in.

Right, ready? Each one is individually made (in Cornwall) and they look stunning both on and off, which is a detail that is often forgotten about. It’s no good having something that looks great when it’s lit up but a bit dull the rest of the time, or vice versa. It needs to work at all times of day. And imagine the wonderful shadows this would cast on the walls and ceilings.

It comes in three sizes; 35cm, 45cm and 55cm costing from £245, £315 and £695 respectively. Which, I appreciate, isn’t going to make it the cheapest light you’ve ever bought. So, either you feel that it’s a UK, hand-made investment/statement piece that will really bring a room together (imagine it in a hall or on a landing where it’s not competing with other pieces of furniture) or you want a cheaper alternative? OK then.

These are made by Norwegian designer Inga-Lill Aker and are a simpler, more pared back version of the Raffield lights. The clue is in the designer’s nationality perhaps as they have that instantly more Scandinavian feel. The most expensive of these is £128, although you might feel you wanted to make a cluster of them at differing heights.

Regular readers will know I am a big fan of another Scandinavian designer Hanna Francis, whose Kajo lights are one of my favourites.

There are several different shapes in different colours and they cost from £170

Finally what about these which are from the minjonshop on Etsy? A wooden shade with cut-out detail, these would make a statement.

You can choose the colour of the inside and the pattern you want on the outside and they are all handmade to order. Each one costs just over £240.

I couldn’t decide which picture I preferred so I have given you both.

So wooden lampshades … who’da thunk it.