Pooky x Ellen Merchant: A new collection of botanical-inspired & English country handmade lampshades

You might remember Ellen Merchant as the winner of a student design competition we hosted in 2022. Shades of Brilliance was her first foray into our wonderful world of lighting, and it’s safe to say her combination of traditional hand block techniques and vibrant contemporary style simply blew the judges (and our customers) away! Her first collection with Pooky continues to be a firm favourite.

Today we’re launching our third Ellen Merchant collection, and we couldn’t be more proud. This collaboration is a reimagining of her signature fabric and wallpaper prints, translated into light. Think playful botanical silhouettes, an English countryside palette, and that unmistakable ability she has to make colour feel like a feeling.

Offering four new designs, in 11 colourways the result is timeless and elegant, while still imbuing interiors with the charm, character, and pops of brilliant colour and joyful pattern typical of Pooky’s offering.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the collection, Ellen remarks: “For this collection, we took a different approach. Rather than designing new pieces from the ground up, we looked at my newest fabric and wallpaper collection and imagined it as lighting. The aim was to bring a fresh perspective to the spring floral - botanical silhouettes that feel alive and a little playful, in a palette rooted in the English countryside. Cornflower blues, canola yellows, softened with earthy undertones to keep everything feeling warm and grounded.

I was right in the middle of a big life change when these prints came together. I'd just left London, trading the city for the countryside, and I found myself utterly absorbed in a new world of colour and texture. I was sketching plants from my own garden, genuinely inspired by everything around me: the rusty reds of autumn hedgerows, golden yellows, the grey-blue of coastal skies.

It genuinely humbles me to see my prints in people’s homes. I believe that colour and pattern have the power to bring joy into everyday spaces, and that's exactly what I hope these pieces do for yours.”

On the creative process she explains, “hand printing is definitely my favourite part of my design process. I carve lino tiles and hand print to achieve the right textures, it’s amazing to see a little drawing come to life once it has been printed as a repeat. I like you to be able to see the craftsmanship in the print and the irregularities. I wanted these prints to have a timeless feel and elegance to them, but there’s also got be a playfulness and sense of fun in the design. I think this is why my partnership with Pooky works so well - we share these ideas.”

About each design

	Palmette A little bit of Ancient Greece meets a lot of groovy. The Palmette takes its cues from the classical palm leaf ornament but adds a playful, undulating wiggle for a decidedly retro twist. Originally hand-carved as a linocut by Ellen to capture that lovely, lived-in texture, it’s a masterclass in contrast. Whether you opt for the zingy ‘Citrine’ or the calm of ‘Beryl’, it’s a striking composition that feels right at home in both cool and warm schemes.
	Posy Small, yet mighty. Aptly named after a fresh bunch of blooms, Posy is a hand-painted squiggly stripe that simply doesn't sit still. Because it’s a multidirectional print, it’s a total chameleon — happy to be paired with bold patterns or left to shine on its own. Available in four shades: ‘Wavelet’, ‘Rust’, ‘Yolk’, and the ever-regal ‘Emerald’.
	Poppies For those who love heritage with a modern heartbeat. These interlacing, symmetrical stems offer a contemporary nod to the Arts & Crafts movement. Keeping all the soul of Ellen’s original linocut, Pooky has reproduced every block-printed imperfection. They’re particularly smitten with the new ‘Papavero’ colourway, a rusty red and burnt orange combo on a soft, buttery ivory base.
	Spriglee The name really says it all, doesn't it? Inspired by the wild climbing jasmine in Ellen's garden, Spriglee is a tumble of pure joy. Originally a hand-carved linocut tile, this design has been expertly translated onto fabric to preserve every bit of that artisan texture and character. Pick your favourite from ‘Azura’, ‘Dirty Rose’, or the golden-hued ‘Jaggery’.

Pooky Chief Creative Officer, Jo Plant, concludes: “Ellen first came to our attention when she entered our ‘Shades of Brilliance’ competition for design students. Her combination of Arts & Crafts inspiration with a contemporary twist absolutely blew us away.

We are thrilled to be working with her again; given the success of our previous work together, we anticipate it will be another smash hit.

This latest range is available across a selection of our signature shade silhouettes from 14-50cm, launched just in time for that spring-summer transition.”