Meet our lampshade maker
We are always eager to support those who practice handmade traditions. Whether it’s making locally in the UK or abroad, we think it’s important to retain these cultural, time-honoured skills so they can continue being passed down through generations. And our trusted lampshade maker is one such partner that’s dedicated to keeping handcrafted expertise alive.
Handmade in Britain
Handmade in Britain
Tim, the company’s founder, created his family-run business in 1993 and, from the very beginning, was intent on bringing handmade lighting to a wider market. Over time, the appetite for Tim’s meticulously made lampshades grew, as did the business, but crafting by hand still remained at its core.
Jennifer, who has been one of the company’s resident handmade lampshades crafter for 14 years, reveals more about the business and how G&G’s shades are created. “We are a small yet mighty team who make lampshades in the coastal county of Dorset. Every one of the shades we craft for Graham and Green has a frame that’s powder coated in white first. Next, the fabric is cut to size before the edges of the material are rolled around the frame by hand to produce a precise, high-quality finish.”
Retro Inspired
The ‘Retro Drum’ shape was coined by Tim and became more widely used in lampshade trade as time went on. “I was originally inspired by the many hats worn by Audrey Hepburn, with their boxy shape,” says Tim “The Retro Drum devised in the early 2000s, to offer something more than just an empire, with a modern but contemporary style. It has similarities to a straight empire but with a tapered top, steeper sides which gives it a more modern look than the traditional linear design.”
When it came to fabric choices, we here at G&G knew what kind of look to choose. We took inspiration from the seventies, an era when traditionally Victorian velvet shades were repopularised with a new look that boasted brighter colours, without the fussy ornate fringing. During this time, velvet lampshades were often paired with metallic bases too, so we’ve nodded to this style with a shiny golden inner that bounces a warm glow.
Sustainable lampshades
Being mindful of ways to take the pressure off our planet is a key consideration at G&G. So, we aim to work alongside makers that are just as thoughtful when it comes to sustainability. Jennifer tells us more about their eco-friendly considerations: “We’re always reusing, recycling and keeping any leftover components, such as fabric off-cuts, as minimal as we can. We also source our components from the UK and Europe to keep our carbon footprint down as much as possible.”
Are you keen to discover more of our local, handmade lampshades? Just head over to our website to view the entire collection.