A pleated lamp shade is folded into fine, regular ridges. A scalloped lamp shade has an edge cut into a row of soft curves. Both are details taken from traditional fabric shades, and both change how a light looks when it is switched on: the pleats draw lines of light and shadow, and the scallops soften the outline of the shade.
Pleated shades
- The Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant is a wide, shallow dish of finely pleated fabric in natural white. Lit, the whole dish glows and the pleats radiate from the centre. It comes in Ø 50, 60, 80 and 100 cm, on a 1.2 m adjustable wire.
- The Fluted Glass Sunburst Wall Sconce has a pleated glass shade, Ø 24 cm, in amber, smoke grey or milky white. The fluted glass casts fine rays of light across the wall.
- The Pleated Glazed Ceramic Wall Sconce has a softly pleated rim in glazed ceramic. The ceramic is opaque, so the light leaves through the open top and washes up the wall.
Scalloped shades
- The Cream Scalloped Fabric Pendant is a wide cream fabric shade with a scalloped edge, gathered at the centre with a small tassel. It comes in Ø 40, 50 and 60 cm.
- The Scalloped Glass Globe Pendant is a scalloped glass globe, Ø 30 cm and 31 cm high, in emerald green or milk white, on a rod with an antique bronze finish.
Which room size for the Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant
| Diameter | Room size |
|---|---|
| 50 cm | about 5 to 10 m² |
| 60 cm | about 8 to 12 m² |
| 80 and 100 cm | about 10 to 15 m² |
Fabric, glass or ceramic?
- Fabric glows as a whole and gives the softest light.
- Glass glows in its colour and throws patterns on the wall when it is fluted.
- Ceramic is opaque: the shade stays dark and the light is directed.
For more ceramic, wood and plaster sconces with their real sizes, see our guide to ceramic and wood wall sconces. For fringed, tasselled and draped fabric shades, see French chandeliers and fringe lamps.
For every other shape, from drum and empire to dome and cone, see our guide to the types of lamp shades. If you are choosing your first hanging light, start with what is a pendant light.
At only 10 cm high in Ø 50 cm, the Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant is one of our best options for a low room: see our guide to lighting for low ceilings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between pleated and scalloped?
Pleated describes the surface of the shade, folded into ridges. Scalloped describes the edge, cut into curves.
Are these lights dimmable?
The Pleated Fabric Dish Pendant, the Cream Scalloped Fabric Pendant, the Fluted Glass Sunburst Wall Sconce and the Pleated Glazed Ceramic Wall Sconce are not dimmable.
Which sizes exist?
From Ø 24 cm for the fluted glass sconce up to Ø 100 cm for the largest pleated fabric pendant.
See more in our fabric and silk pendant lights collection.
