Beneath the Surface – The Story Behind the Under the Sea Lampshade
A calming, ocean-inspired design from Ceridwen Hazelchild Design
Some designs come from long walks in nature, old books, or memories of childhood… and some come from the joyful chaos of daily family life — like this one.
My Under the Sea lampshade was inspired by a season of big change in our home. This year, after some building work, we added stairs into the attic, allowing us to shuffle around our rooms. My studio moved to a new space, and in the process, my youngest son finally got his own bedroom.
He’s only two, but already has a deep love for fish and ocean creatures. I wanted to make a design that would reflect that fascination, while also creating a peaceful, calming atmosphere for him — something gentle for bedtime, but still full of quiet wonder.
Soft Hues, Gentle Light
The Under the Sea lampshade is printed on organic cotton and features a gradient of soft yellow fading into blue, evoking a dreamy ocean horizon. It’s one of my more minimalist pieces — not packed with hidden details like some of my others — but that was intentional.
I wanted a lampshade that felt serene and soothing, with just enough movement from the swoosh of small orange fish, a couple of happy crabs, and some gentle wafting seaweed.
When I was sketching it, my son wandered into the room, spotted the fish on my screen, and squealed with joy: “FISH!” he shouted at each one in turn, before moving on to the crabs with just as much excitement. At that moment, I knew I had captured the feeling I wanted.
Made with Purpose
Like all my work, this lampshade is handmade using certified organic cotton — which is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and is much gentler on the environment. You can read more about the benefits of organic cotton from the Soil Association and why I choose it in this blog post.
I hope this lampshade can bring a little of that calming, ocean feeling into your own home — whether it’s part of a child’s room, a nature-inspired nursery, or even a peaceful corner in a grown-up space. My son has it paired with a yellow ceiling, and the way the colours bounce off each other is truly joyful.
From My Home to Yours
When you choose the Under the Sea lampshade, I hope you feel the same joy and calm that my son and I felt while it was being created. It’s a design rooted in family, imagination, and the small wonders of the sea — and made to bring a little brightness into yours.
