You Light Up My Life

Lampshades with character and a touch of nostalgia

I love lighting as much as a good chair, both being an obsession of mine. And okay, ceramics too. Do you have specific decor objects that you find yourself buying (or wanting to purchase) again and again?

If I could have a room of chairs, lamps and ceramics, I would. Oh wait. I do. My dining room. Anyway…

I found the posh-est and most British-looking handmade lampshades by Beauvamp recently that I need to share particularly since we’ve really distanced ourselves from pleated fabric shades haven’t we? We had them in my childhood home, I have few now in my adult home but honestly everything is wicker, glass, rattan, fabric, wood, feathers and paper. Not a lot of pleated fabric. I have one pleated silk ceiling pendant above my bed by TineKHome but that’s it.

In the right space, some of these little darlings could be stunning. I’m thinking a moody boutique hotel lobby or a fun little girl’s bedroom. The set of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict not Robert), or an edgy little guest bathroom could even rock a fringe-y Beauvamp pendant.

Zurich-based boutique Vivian Graf with pendants from Beauvamp which show how pleats work in a more minimalist, natural scheme, too.

I’d love to be a stylist for this brand for just a season because I’d have so much fun building a look around them all! I really love mixing lampshades like this into modern, clean rooms for a bit of “wrongness” that makes the space more visually compelling and alive.

I also like how much they remind me of hotels and even grandma’s house, the nostalgia factor is appealing to me especially when everyone seems to be sooo hooked on only Scandinavian design in all it’s clean lines and perfection. I can see these working actually in a room with Ferm Living, or even HAY if done right. Some would be lovely in a cottage by the sea or a big old house with lots of character and a bit rustic.

It would be fun to play around with such an unexpected mix, don’t you think?

Do you like these shades? Have a favorite? I like them without the fringe best, and with Liberty fabrics, or the ones with the stripes for a beach cottage. I also love the Hand-pleated scallop shell in ivory because it’s so angelic and pale, it’s barely there, so delicate.

It’s a holiday here in Germany today, so I’ll see you again tomorrow!