Capitalizing on this shifting design ethos, acclaimed British lighting brand Pooky and luxury passementerie powerhouse Samuel & Sons have joined forces for a striking new collaboration. The resulting 13-piece collection features an array of lampshades, statement pendants, and decorative flush mounts that make a remarkably convincing argument for stepping away from minimalism and embracing a little more theatricality in interior design. The lineup showcases scalloped borders, meticulously handwoven braids, pleated silks, colorful linens, and, of course, plenty of dramatic tassels. The rich color palette spans from vibrant coral and lush emerald to refreshing sky blue and sweet cotton candy pink, utilizing unexpected combinations that feel simultaneously vintage and entirely modern.
The creative partnership had humble and sophisticated beginnings, starting over a cup of tea in Paris with a creative brief that was refreshingly simple: "Go wild." That directive has translated into a collection that successfully bridges old-world ornamentation with the present day, all while maintaining a playful wink. Behind the scenes, Pooky chief creative officer Jo Plant and Samuel & Sons president Michael Cohen have spearheaded the venture, exploring the art of the trim, the broader industry return to decorative excess, and why even unexpected spaces like residential bathrooms are suddenly begging for a dose of upscale lighting.
Reflecting on the initial meetings and the directive to "go wild," Michael Cohen explains that the phrase was essentially a mandate not to play it safe. From the very beginning, both brands recognized that this project would not simply involve adding a basic tape trim to a standard lampshade. Instead, the goal was to have fun, push the boundaries of what passementerie could achieve, and introduce elements that felt genuinely unexpected to contemporary consumers.
With more than 10,000 trims available in the legendary Samuel & Sons archive, narrowing down the selection was no small feat. Plant notes that walking through the vast library of options felt akin to exploring a chocolate box of passementerie. Knowing early on that she wanted to avoid a traditional, predictable fringe, Plant found herself continuously drawn to the gorgeous Cretian scallops paired with sophisticated color combinations. When placed alongside Pooky’s plain linens, the finished pieces evoked the charm of rare finds discovered tucked away in a Parisian antique shop, carrying a sweet, timeless feel.
Cohen highlights the Veranda Linen Crête as a prime example of this philosophy in action. The piece demands incredibly meticulous, traditional craftsmanship, yet it applies color and an undulating pattern in a way that feels utterly fresh and playful. By creating a delicate scalloped detail along the edge of a lampshade, the design manages to marry a sense of formal elegance with a healthy dose of whimsy.
Among the standout pieces in the collection are the fabulous Taos pendants, which originated from an early mock-up suspended over a bar setting. Plant explains that the narrative for the pendants grew organically from that initial visualization, noting that they inherently carry a louche, glamorous energy. Imagining vibrant colors, luxurious trims, and swinging tassels suspended above a dining table or a bar immediately summons mental imagery of sparkling glassware, candlelight, and memorable evenings shared with guests—an atmosphere few homeowners would turn down.
The collection also carefully balances distinct fabric choices, such as the juxtaposition between silk and linen lampshades. Plant points out that Pooky utilizes authentic silk, a material that is surprisingly rare in the mass market, where many products labeled as silk are actually synthetic polyester or viscose alternatives. When a silk shade is unlit, its natural surface sheen offers a wonderful glamour, and once illuminated, the lighter weight of the fabric yields a magnificent, diffused glow.
Conversely, linen was chosen for the Cretian Scallop shades and Taos pendants because of its unique light-diffusing properties. Linen diffuses illumination more softly than silk, possessing a natural strength and a subtle, appealing irregularity in its texture that works beautifully whether left plain or heavily decorated.
Discussing individual favorites within the line, Cohen points to the Margaux flush mount as a masterclass in unexpected design. He expresses genuine appreciation for the fact that Pooky managed to engineer a flush mount that serves as an aggressively decorative statement piece. The fixture features a formal, handwoven trim along the top paired with a much more playful, tie-dyed raffia rosette at the bottom. This rosette is partially concealed by a brass detail, allowing just the colorful edges to peek out. It represents a combination of elements that theoretically should not work together harmoniously, yet ultimately triumphs through expert execution.
The conversation naturally turns to the resurgence of tassels, which have shaken off their previous reputation for being stuffy or archaic. Plant describes them as the ultimate expression of fun achievable with a lampshade, noting that they catch the light, move dynamically, and bring a slightly cheeky energy to a room. When combined with authentic craftsmanship and bold, unexpected colors, they transform a light fixture into a celebratory accent rather than an exercise in period-accurate historical reenactment.
Cohen adds that a fresh generation of interior designers has emerged who did not necessarily grow up navigating the traditional rules of working with fringes, decorative braids, and elaborate tassels. Consequently, these creators are discovering passementerie with fresh eyes, unburdened by past stylistic constraints. Often, the innovation lies not in inventing a entirely new decorative element, but entirely reinventing how familiar elements are utilized within a modern context.
This design evolution directly addresses a broader question regarding whether contemporary interiors are finally prepared to embrace a measure of decorative excess once again. Cohen believes the shift is palpable. For more than two decades, the interior design landscape drifted steadily toward cleaner, simpler, and occasionally sterile environments. Now, a palpable fatigue has set in, and consumers are eagerly seeking out warmth, character, and visual richness.
When considering where these distinctive pieces should live in a home, Plant envisions them gracing the chicest cocktail bars and private members’ clubs across major cultural capitals like London, Paris, and New York. Beyond commercial spaces, Plant champions the residential bathroom as a favorite unexpected location. During the collection’s photo shoot, a Margaux flush mount was hung to glow warmly over a built-in tongue-and-groove bathtub, complemented by scallop-trimmed shades placed strategically around the room. Introducing a trimmed shade instantly elevates a bathroom from a purely utilitarian space into an inviting sanctuary where occupants actually want to linger.
For those who are intrigued by the charm of tassels and decorative trims but feel hesitant to dive headfirst into maximalism, Plant offers a straightforward piece of advice: start small. Lighting remains the most accessible method for injecting personality into a residential space, and positioning a pair of beautifully trimmed Cretian Scallop shades on bedside tables provides an easy, low-stakes entry point.
As confidence grows, homeowners can graduate to statement pieces like the Taos pendant. In a contemporary room, a Taos pendant functions brilliantly as a vivid, almost sculptural focal point, while in a calm and minimalist interior, such a detailed fixture becomes the defining element that immediately draws the eye and commands attention.
