The Story Behind My Red Squirrel Lampshade – Calm, Woodland-Inspired Light
There’s something quietly magical about autumn — crisp morning air, golden leaves underfoot, and the sudden flicker of a red squirrel in the trees. One especially beautiful walk through Kidland Forest in Northumderland gave me the spark of inspiration for this lampshade. The leaves were glowing, the light was soft, and those flashes of russet fur among the branches stayed with me.
I’ve always loved red animals — especially foxes — but that walk reminded me how special red squirrels are. There’s just something about that orange fur against autumn foliage that I find so joyful and grounding. I knew I wanted to capture that feeling in one of my designs.
A Calm and Playful Walk in the Woods
When I sat down to draw, I imagined something soothing, with movement and warmth. The Red Squirrel Lampshade brings together the playfulness of squirrels and the peaceful calm of early woodland mornings. It’s slightly more sophisticated than some of my other designs, making it wonderfully versatile.
You’ll find three red squirrels bounding through an oak tree, with oak leaves and acorns surrounding them. The sky shifts gently from a soft blue to a warm golden yellow — inspired by the way the light looks through the trees in early autumn.
Crafted with Care, and Texture Too
One of my favourite parts of this design is the fur detail — I spent time getting the texture just right, using layered brushstrokes to capture the softness and fluff of their tails.
Each lampshade is printed on certified organic cotton and handmade in my UK studio. Organic fabric feels more natural, holds the details of my illustrations beautifully, and supports my commitment to sustainable making.
Sustainability has always been a part of my work. In fact, Ceridwen Hazelchild Design began with illustrated eco tote bags as an alternative to single-use plastic — years before they were everywhere. While I’ve since moved away from tote bags, that environmental ethos still shapes everything I create.
View the Red Squirrel Lampshade →
A Home Where It Belongs
This lampshade has become one of my bestsellers; It suits so many different spaces — from woodland animal nurseries to reading nooks, rustic country cottages, and even more refined interiors. I’ve seen customers pair it with pine cones for autumn styling, or elegant natural Christmas decorations.
If you’re styling a room with forest textures, soft gold tones, or a woodland animal theme, this piece brings warmth and charm without being overly cute.
When someone chooses this design, I hope they feel the same sense of wonder I did that morning in the woods — a quiet moment of connection with nature, a deep breath, a little spark of joy. There’s comfort in the seasons, and this design captures a bit of that magic.
