Guides

Handmade mushroom lamps: sizes, materials and where to use them

The mushroom lamp is one of the simplest shapes in lighting: a rounded cap on a short stem. Made by hand, it becomes more than a retro shape. The cap itself glows, the surface catches the light, and no two lamps are quite the same. Here is how our four mushroom lamps differ and how to choose one.

Why the mushroom shape works

The cap is a shade and a diffuser at once. Instead of throwing a beam, it lights from within and spreads a soft, even glow around the lamp, which is why mushroom lamps suit bedside tables, shelves and consoles rather than desks that need strong task light. The short stem keeps the light low, at the height of the things around it, so a room feels calmer in the evening.

Our four mushroom lamps

Each is made to order in our studio in Yerevan, Armenia, and most can be remade in another colour or size.

• Glowing Mushroom Lamp — 28 × 30 cm — 10,000 AMD
• Terracotta Mushroom Lamp — 30 × 23 cm — 10,000 AMD
• White Mushroom Table Lamp — Made to order — 10,000 AMD
• Cordless Mushroom Table Lamp — 19 × 20 cm — price on request

Papier-mâché, cement or both

The Glowing Mushroom Lamp is shaped entirely by hand in papier-mâché with a raw, sandy surface, and the whole form glows from within. The Cordless Mushroom Table Lamp pairs a cast cement stem with a cap of recycled paper flecked with colour, so it is heavier at the base. The Terracotta and White mushroom lamps are about surface and colour: one warm terracotta with a lightly pitted finish that glows evenly through the cap, the other a textured white cap on a smooth base, the palest lamp we make.

Choosing a size

The Glowing Mushroom Lamp measures 28 × 30 cm and the Terracotta Mushroom Lamp 30 × 23 cm, with a wider cap and enough presence to anchor a console or a plant shelf. The Cordless Mushroom Table Lamp is the smallest at 19 × 20 cm. As a rule of thumb, choose a larger lamp where it is the focal point, on a console, sideboard or deep shelf, and a smaller one for a bedside or dining table, where it should not block faces or books.

Corded or cordless

Most of our mushroom lamps plug in. The Cordless Mushroom Table Lamp is wireless and rechargeable, so it can sit on a shelf, a dining table or a terrace with no cord in sight. That makes it the one to choose for a table in the middle of a room or anywhere without a socket nearby.

Bulbs, placement and care

For the corded lamps, use an LED bulb in warm white (2700–3000 K): it runs cool and suits the warm colours of paper and terracotta. Our bulb and safety guide explains why. Keep papier-mâché away from water and steam and dust it with a soft, dry brush; wipe cement with a dry or barely damp cloth. The care guide has more.

Custom colours and sizes

Every mushroom lamp is made to order, and colours and sizes can usually be changed; the cordless lamp is offered in any colour and size to order. Tell us the room and the colour you have in mind. Our guide to custom orders explains how it works.

Frequently asked questions

Are mushroom lamps bright enough to read by?
They give a soft, ambient glow rather than a focused beam, which suits evenings, bedsides and shelves. For reading or work, pair one with a dedicated task lamp.

What size mushroom lamp should I choose?
Our mushroom lamps range from 19 × 20 cm (cordless) to 30 × 23 cm (terracotta). Choose a larger one as a focal point on a console or shelf, and a smaller one for a bedside or dining table.

Is there a cordless mushroom lamp?
Yes. The Cordless Mushroom Table Lamp is wireless and rechargeable, with a cast cement stem and a cap of recycled paper.

Which bulb should I use in a mushroom lamp?
An LED bulb in warm white, around 2700–3000 K, within the fitting's maximum wattage. LEDs run cool, which matters for paper-based shades.

Can I order a mushroom lamp in a different colour?
Usually, yes. Each lamp is made to order in Yerevan, and most can be remade in another colour or size. Message us with what you have in mind.