“A Lampshade Is Not a Detail” – A Conversation with Valentina from La Corallina

In a workshop just steps away from the center of Florence, among fabrics, trimmings, and metal frames, objects are born every day that tell much more than they seem. They’re called lampshades, but according to Valentina – the creative soul of La Corallina – they seem to have a soul of their own. We met with her to learn what it means today to create light with your hands.

Valentina, what is a lampshade to you?
An everyday object that carries a huge aesthetic responsibility. It just sits there, still and discreet, but if it’s wrong, it ruins everything. If it’s well made, though, it harmonizes the space and says something about the person who lives in that room.

What makes your lampshades special?
We make them all by hand, here in our workshop. No mass production, no compromise on quality. Each lampshade is unique: the customer can choose the shape and from dozens of patterns we offer, as well as the finishing details. The selection of patterns comes from the culture and passion of Piero, one of the founders of La Corallina along with my mother. Sadly, he passed away two years ago, but we inherited his curiosity and his dedication to searching for prints and designs.

Are there any rules to follow?
Let’s say there are balances to respect. The proportion between the base and the shade, for example: in general, the shade should be no more than two-thirds the height of the lamp. But there are exceptions. Context matters a lot: if the room is already full of colors and objects, it’s better to go with a subtle shade. If it’s more minimal, then you can afford a patterned fabric, contrasting trim, or an eccentric touch.

So every lampshade is created in dialogue with a space?
Absolutely. Sometimes people send us pictures of the room, the base, or the wall behind it. It helps us understand. A lampshade isn’t chosen like a coffee cup. It has to be in dialogue with the light, the shape, the atmosphere.

And the trimmings?
They’re the final touch, but often they’re what gives the piece its personality. Sometimes a simple tone-on-tone edging is enough to make everything elegant. Other times, a bold contrast completely changes the lampshade’s impact. We play around with that a lot.

Who comes to you?
People who love a special kind of elegance, who want an object that doesn’t look “off the shelf.” Many contact us because they’re furnishing a home or a hospitality space, others out of pure curiosity, looking for something that tells their story. We also really enjoy working with architects and interior designers – it creates a beautiful and productive creative exchange.

Is there a piece of advice you’d give to someone choosing a lampshade for their home?
Don’t rush. Look at the room, the base, the kind of light. Ask yourself what kind of atmosphere you want. Then, look for something that resembles you. Light, if you think about it, is one of the most intimate things we have at home.