SOFT GLOWS & MOODS
Look here, that’s so like alabaster!
And there, that grandmother’s lampshade — with a fringe. Or that sculptural ceramic lamp base. For one person, this might be a trip down memory lane; while for another it could be a retro-future experience. Marckdael places nostalgic materials and lamps in a different light: softer, cosier, hygge. There’s something special about preserving things from the past.
Multi-pendant lamps have been around for some time. It is the material and the colour that make all the difference. For the cylindrical, metal pendant lamps: no industrial black, but the chic ‘bronzo’. For the square pendant lamps: albastro, a lookalike alabaster fashioned from plastic. And you immediately understand why: albastro is stronger and more scratch-resistant, whilst retaining the character of the original alabaster. The satin sheen, the cloud-like markings and the translucence, the soft filtering of the light. Every so often, you see alabaster reappearing in interiors, like now — and Marckdael is responding. With this one pendant lamp, you can see the light becoming warmer, the mood in the interior shifting towards ‘old-fashioned’ cosiness. Even if you opt for a tube design lamp, albastro will provide a softer glow & mood. Look, that’s precisely the idea of the new collection!
So where is this craving for cosiness and nostalgia at its strongest? The classic table lamp with its fabric lampshade. Marckdael was already supplying these, with the familiar lampshade shapes. This year, the ceramic base is taking on a more decorative, artisanal look. A barrel-shaped model appears faceted, sculpted into the form of a diamond. A column base is adorned with three-dimensional graphic retro patterns.
So where is this craving for cosiness and nostalgia at its very strongest? The table lamp from your grandparents’ era, with the tassels. Straight away, you’re sitting amidst the dark wood, the flowers on the wallpaper and the sofa, the crocheted and Smyrna rugs. You might have been able to find these fringed lampshades in a second-hand shop, but now you can simply buy them from Marckdael. You won’t believe just how sought-after and beloved they are!
Talking of love: did you know that Marckdael also re-upholsters lampshades? This is normal for seating: that one little chair brimful of sweet memories is something you want to keep. It turns out there is a similar emotional attachment to table lamps. You save them from a house clearance, are given them by family, or already had one tucked away somewhere yourself. No need to throw them out: keep them and freshen them up, to fit with your interior style, (new) curtains, sofa. A lampshade make-over — and the lamp can shine again!
