Black and Gold Fabric Table Lamp

Forty-two centimetres tall with a twenty-five centimetre fabric shade, in black iron with gold detailing at the base and the collar. The proportions are mid-century rather than contemporary: a solid stem and a shade wide enough to spread the light properly, which is what makes a table lamp useful for reading instead of purely decorative. It suits a sideboard, a console table or a desk that is not a workstation.

The fabric shade is the difference between this and the moulded plastic lamps that fill the same price bracket. Woven fabric softens the light as it passes through and glows slightly at the sides, so the lamp lights the surface around it rather than throwing a hard circle straight down. Against a dark wall the gold detail catches whatever light is in the room, so the lamp still reads as an object when it is switched off.

It takes one E27 lamp, not supplied, and lights a space of roughly three to eight square metres, which is right for a corner of a living room or a bedside. A warm dimmable LED gives the most comfortable result. This is a plug-in lamp for UK mains use, so a UK plug is required. Keep the shade clear of curtains and heaters, and let the lamp cool before handling.

• Iron body in black and gold with a fabric drum shade
• Approximately 42cm high and 25cm across
• Takes one E27 lamp, not supplied; lights 3 to 8 square metres
• Supplied for UK mains use; a UK plug or a UK USB power adapter is required.
• Keep the shade clear of curtains, heaters and open flame
• Allow the lamp to cool before handling or moving