Moooi Set Up Shades

The Moooi Set Up Shades basically takes the idea of what a lampshade should look like and turns it into the entire lamp, creating this tower of stacked conical shades that somehow makes perfect sense while being completely unexpected. Designed by Marcel Wanders back in 1989 and originally part of the influential Droog Design collection before Moooi brought it into full production, this thing explores what happens when you take archetypal forms - the shapes people unconsciously expect - and push them to their logical extreme. Available in three sizes with five, six, or seven stacked shades, each version uses that familiar conical lampshade form repeated and layered to create the base, body, and top of the floor lamp. Made from PVC viscose laminate on a metal frame structure, the whole construction appears to be separate lampshades balanced on top of each other, but it's actually a solid, stable lamp that delivers beautiful soft light distribution from a single bulb positioned in the center of the topmost shade.

What makes this lamp really work is how it handles light in this graduated way that feels both logical and magical. The single E26 bulb creates strong illumination at the top that gets progressively softer as it filters down through the stacked shades, giving you both ambient room lighting and focused task lighting from one fixture. The white PVC viscose laminate diffuses the light beautifully while the metal frame structure ensures everything stays stable despite looking like it might topple over at any moment. At heights ranging from 26.4 inches for the five-shade version up to 70.9 inches for the seven-shade model, these work in different spaces - the smaller ones perfect for corners or beside seating, while the larger versions make dramatic statements in spaces with higher ceilings. The familiar lampshade shape makes people feel comfortable with what is essentially a radical reimagining of how floor lamps can work.

Moooi has been redefining contemporary lighting since 2001, working with visionary designers like Marcel Wanders who understand that the best design often comes from questioning basic assumptions about familiar objects. As co-founder and artistic director of Moooi, Wanders brings his philosophy of using archetypal forms to make new ideas feel accessible and comfortable. His approach with Set Up Shades demonstrates Moooi's commitment to pieces that blend minimalism with fantasy, embracing both tradition and innovation. The lamp's inclusion in major museum collections including MoMA New York and the V&A London reflects its significance as both functional lighting and conceptual design, representing Moooi's philosophy of creating extra value in beauty through thoughtful exploration of what familiar objects can become when viewed from fresh perspectives.