Karen McCartney introduces the cleverly folded paper origami pendant lights by Dutch design duo Studio Snowpuppe, brought to Australia by Paper Empire and our newest Objects of Desire.

Sometimes an exciting new product comes along that is decoratively spot on – it has the look, the design cred, the colours are on trend and the form is modern while calling on the beauty of an ancient craft.



Made by hand in The Hague in Holland by designers Nellianna van den Baard and Kenneth Venebos, these origami lamp shades are crafted using a special FSC-certified paper called 'Butterfly', famed for its long-lasting properties.

The seductive thing about the shades is the subtle use of colour and the gradient effect that gives the sense that the bottom of the lampshade has been 'dipped' in a tone of soft grey or mint, or sharper shades of yellow, or fluoro pink. For the extra large shades, fashionable coral comes into the mix.



Not only do they make an impact individually but as all the shades are complementary, any combination works. My pick – mix an extra large grey with a large graduated mint. The precision folds of the speciality paper give the effect of a soft geometry, and light bounces off the interior surface to create a soft glow.

Each lamp shade comes with its own E27 porcelain socket and generous 3 metres of fabric cord in grey. The rest is up to your decorative imagination.