At our Design Studio, we obsess over the details: from overall layout right down to the piping, and lampshades are no exception. Earlier this year, Grace’s talent for transforming ordinary white shades into fun, characterful pieces caught our eye, leading to a special collaboration: a simple yet striking lampshade trim that can instantly lift a corner of your home. Join us today as we sit down with Grace from Studio Zef to learn more about her work and creative world.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you first discovered lampshade making?
My background is in design and retail; out of art college I set up a small homewares brand, then moved more towards digital product design. Lampshade making began almost by accident; while I was on maternity leave with my eldest, and renovating our first house, I wanted to create something that would bring warmth and individuality into my own home and pair well with the soft furnishings we already had. I’ve always been drawn to materials, patterns, and the tactile quality of handmade work.
What inspired you to turn your craft into a career?
It started as a quiet creative escape to bring character to my own home, but as friends and family began commenting and asking for shades of their own, I realised there was real joy in sharing this craft. I wanted to build a studio that celebrated slow, handmade design — a space where each piece could have a story and a human touch.
Can you talk us through your process from concept to finished shade?
Each design begins with sketches and blockprinting tests. Once I’ve developed a pattern that feels balanced in rhythm and tone, I carve the design into a block and start printing onto cut out 2D paper lampshades. Once I am happy with the design, pattern and colours, I print directly onto the lampshade. I find it’s such a meditative process and my favourite part of running this small business. No two pieces are ever identical which I think makes them so special.
How long does it typically take to create one piece?
From the first print to the finished boxed up lampshade, it can take anywhere from a couple of hours, to a full day, depending on the complexity of the design and number of colours. Each step is done by hand, so the pace is intentionally unhurried to avoid mistakes — it’s much more about quality and character.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
Everywhere! I always find this such a hard question to answer as it could be from literally anywhere. Pinterest is a firm favourite, but also art, nature, textiles, books, even beautiful packaging on a hummus pot in Tesco.
Are there artists, designers or periods in design history that influence your work?
At the moment, I’m really excited by this wave of textile and pattern designers from Jessica Osborne, Studio Humbug and Imogen Heath, who create quite simple, geometric patterns using beautifully balanced colours. Artists that have caught my eye recently include Gráinne Nagle, Serhee Smith and Mia Christopher. I’ve always loved work by the Bloomsbury Group for their joyful use of colour and pattern, and by any British makers who value craft as much as design.
How do colour, pattern and texture play into your designs?
They’re everything. I love pairing bold, confident shapes with soft, natural textures. The palette tends to evolve intuitively — sometimes muted and earthy, sometimes more playful. Because the printing is done by hand, each layer of paint adds a subtle variation in tone and texture, giving every lampshade its own quiet energy.
Which tools could you never live without?
Apart from the obvious lino blocks, I’d say either my craft knife, or flat head screwdriver; turns out Farrow & Ball sample pots become increasingly tricky to open over time.
Do you have a favourite lampshade you’ve made? What makes it special?
Obviously the Diamond Lampshade for Shop Kit Kemp holds a special place for me. Collaborating with someone who shares such a love for the handmade was very exciting. The design feels like a meeting point between our two brands — handcrafted, full of character, and made to bring a little joy into any space.
Outside of our collaboration, I’m especially fond of our newly launched ‘Striped Edge, Prism’ lampshade. It’s our first handpainted design, and it brings such joyful colour in a beautifully understated way, thanks to the pattern sitting just along the borders. I created it with the idea of adding depth, warmth and texture to a room, while still staying true to Studio Zef’s core values of craftsmanship and careful detail.
We hope you enjoyed learning a bit about Grace and her creations. Discover more here.