Parchment - Modern Vintage Lampshades
The original parchment lampshades were made from Animal skins, much in the same way that original writing medium such as scrolls were made from animal skin, goat skin for example. The term "parchment" historically refers to a writing material made from specially prepared, untanned animal skins like those of sheep, goats, or calves. The very finest versions were referred to as Vellum, and we still see these terms being used today to refer to paper of wood pulp or cellulose origin.
The confusion arises because "parchment" historically referred to animal skin, while "parchment paper" is a modern term for the paper product that has a "parchment effect" or similar characteristics.
For lampshade making purposes we have modern versions of Parchment made to our specification, that mostly combine a lampshade safe PVC “core” that is covered in a decorative tissue paper to give the effects of goat skin or vellum parchment. They have a beautiful glow about them, and because we have a range of “lampshade parchments” in various colours and styles this helps us re-create vintage looking lampshades for a modern era.
These are then either finished with a matching or contrast taped edge - or a whipped edge using a thong or cord made from leather, cotton, faux suede, which we can get in various thicknesses and colours to give a vintage or modern effect.
Lampshade parchments in a wide choice of tones.
Lampshade Parchment
Nothing says vintage lamp shade more than Parchment. We have our own lampshade parchments available in a choice of colours.
Contrast Bias Binding Trim in silk
Taped Edge Trim
Lampshades can be trimmed for necessity : for example if they are covered in a material ( Paper or Raffia) that canot be rolled edge, so the edges have to be finished with a trim. Or a trim can be added purely for decorative purpose like a nice contrast of colours or to add in a pop of colour to an interior scheme.
Blanco Parchment with dark green leather thong stitched edge detail for a contemporary twist.
Parchment Lamp shades
We can make Parchment lampshades that look vintage and more traditional or have a modern fresh look and even a contemporary twist, we even have a waterproof version, but parchment lamp shades always illuminate softly.
Vellum Parchment Lampshades
Vellum and Goat Parchment Lampshades
Parchment lampshade with leather thong whipped edge
Waterproof Parchment Lampshades
Our Lampshade Parchment is effectively a thin paper glued onto the surface of a pvc substrate - it isn’t waterproof and if splashed with water it will soak it up and possibly damage the surface, although it will dry out again you may end up with a mark on your shade. Worse still are humid environments like steamy bathrooms and kitchens that could cause a the paper covering on a parchment lamp shade to steam of and wrinkle, so we have a special waterproof version of parchment that has a very thing layer of Polythene heat sealed over the top, it is virtually invisible and prevents damage from water and other splashes, the suface can be simply wiped clean. Perfect for bathroom light shades, kitchens and busy commercial environments where stains from splashes are inevitable.
Modern Vintage lampshades
Our Parchment comes in a wide range of colours and effects to help re-create a vintage look with safe modern lampshade materials.
Goat Parchment Lampshades
Goat Parchment is our more deluxe option for a parchment shade - it has a pvc core, but both surfaces are coated in decorative paper, meaning that you do not see any plastic-like surfaces on the finished lampshade. Our standard Parchments are coated with decorative paper on one side only, the outer surface, meaning that the internal surafce is plastic/pvc - more often than not, this is never seen, but if you want a really high end finish to your lampshades - then our deluxe goat parchment is the best option.
Paper Lampshades
We use lots of different types of paper to make lampshades, not just parchments. From Japanese Washi paper made from mulberry and hemp fibres, to Indian Khadi paper and Nepalese Lokta papers using banana and bark fibres to give a natural rustic looking texture to the finished lampshades. Even maps and manuscript paper make for interesting lamp shade coverings.