London-based decorative artist, designer, and printmaker Ellen Merchant and lighting brand Pooky share a few key sensibilities – namely, a love of color, craftsmanship, and a perennial sense of play. It’s why they’ve come back together for a third collaboration, this time on a series of handmade lampshades in lively botanical prints inspired by the shades of the English countryside.
If you’re familiar with Ellen’s work, the designs may ring a bell. The all-linen range draws from four patterns in her latest fabric and wallpaper collection: Palmette (‘A little bit of Ancient Greece meets a lot of groovy,’ a playful reworking of the classic palm), Posy (delicate bunches of florals forming squiggly stripes), Poppies (a mesmerizing tangle of Arts & Crafts–inspired interlacing stems), and Spriglee (musing the wild climbing jasmine in Ellen’s own garden).
‘It has been a joy to partner with Pooky for our third collaboration,’ shares Ellen. ‘This season, rather than designing from scratch, we worked closely to curate a selection from my newest fabric and wallpaper patterns, translating them into lighting that is vibrant in both motif and mood. We’ve sought to reimagine the traditional spring floral by pairing playful botanical silhouettes with an English countryside palette – balancing striking cornflower blue and canola yellow with sophisticated, earthy tones to ground the collection.’
True to Pooky’s mix-and-match ethos, the possibilities are near-endless across these signature shade silhouettes, ranging from 5.5” to 20”. You could pair one with a resin table lamp base shaped like a horse (why not), or riff upon the collection’s already-earthy feel with a natural wood floor lamp – either way, it serves as a small but welcome reminder that it’s no longer 28 degrees.
Florals and botanical references rarely miss, but this expansion, with its interplay of pale and punchy hues, arrives at a particularly opportune moment, offering a gentle nudge into spring and summer.
Whether you’re refreshing an existing Pooky base or starting from scratch, discover our favorite shades from the characterful new collection.
Speaking of seasonal transitions, your closet is probably due for the biggest reset of all. As you swap out lampshades and throw pillows, don’t forget to cleanse that wardrobe – it’s what really locks in that feeling of new.
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