Soane Britain have been experimenting with the effects of the various materials used in our lighting designs; card, silk, brass and rattan amongst them, and realised the need for a greater diversity of materials to give an even density of light in a room. Vellum and porcelain both achieve this, creating a smooth tonal gradation which achieves a particularly restful atmosphere in a room as well as being flattering to its occupants!
The atmosphere of a room can be completely killed by lighting, with the more nuanced and subtle forms inviting an instinctive, tactile response, often creating soft pools of light and shadows.
Lulu has always loved the way woven rattan shades diffuse light to create a soft, atmospheric glow and now adds both vellum and porcelain to the group of materials that add a mellow warmth to a space.
Whilst illuminated woven rattan makes patterns and shadows, vellum is softer, appearing to wrap around objects in a subtle, gentle way. Its popularity in the 1930s and 40s (Jean Michel Frank amongst others made superb furniture and lighting from it) can, in part, be explained by its delicately shaded, creamy warmth which sits comfortably with understated materials so favoured at that time including straw marquetry, rattan and pale oak.
Porcelain gives off a cleaner light but one that is equally soft and diffused. It is a really useful and targeted reading light, simple and yet glamourous.
The translucence of all of these materials enables us to avoid the dreaded ceiling spots and combine these more subtle elements with natural daylight or candles to achieve a warm glow.
From second gallery left to right: The Rattan Antibes Wall Light shown with The Trousdale Wall Light with Rattan Up Down Shade; The Bad Kitty Table Lamp with The Rattan Bad Kitty Shade; The Rattan Balloon Hanging Light – with Electrified Cotton Cords; The Asscher Hanging Light – Medium with Rope; The Double Rise and Fall Ceiling Light – with Vellum Drum Shade; The Flexi Wall Light – with Porcelain Shade; The Rattan Antibes Wall Light
View our ‘Diffused Light’ Pinterest board 
