Minimalist Fabric Pendant Light, 50cm

A plain fabric shade, 50 cm across and 25 cm deep, with nothing else to it at all. That restraint is deliberate. A shade this size in a natural fabric does not need a pattern or a trim to earn its place; it works because of the proportion and because of what fabric does to light.

Which is this: fabric diffuses. Light passes through the material as well as out of the bottom, so the shade glows gently rather than presenting a hard dark edge, and the room gets a soft even wash instead of a sharp pool. In a bedroom that means a light you can sit under in the evening without any glare; in a living room it means one fitting can do the whole room without feeling harsh. At 50 cm it is large enough to hold a dining table or a seating group and small enough to work in a standard room without dominating it. Available hardwired for a permanent installation or as a plug-in with a cable and in-line switch.

Bulb is not included; energy-saving LED or incandescent bulbs of 60 W or less are recommended. Keep fabric shades clear of heat and use a bulb that runs cool. Hardwired installation should be carried out by a qualified electrician, and the ceiling fixing must be rated for the weight of the fitting.

• Shade: plain natural fabric drum
• Size: 50 cm wide x 25 cm high
• Wiring: hardwired or plug-in with in-line switch
• Light: soft even wash, diffused through the fabric
• Best for: bedrooms, living rooms, dining tables
• Bulb: not included, maximum 60 W