If you've been anywhere on the internet over the last month, it's safe to assume you've come across some mention of Netflix's Wednesday. Its second season, following its success in 2022, is now available for streaming, and with that comes a host of new, Dark Academia-inspired design details that elevate the show’s signature gothic charm. Among them, however, is a secret star: Fringed lighting.
I covered the surprising interior design details from Wednesday, when I first watched the new season four weeks ago. However, there's something about the intricate fringed lighting that resonates with me the most.
Fringed lighting first became popular in the late 19th century during the Victorian era, when the fringe was used to soften the brightness of incandescent bulbs and introduce a decorative detail to living rooms.
The look remained popular through the early 20th century in Art Nouveau and Art Deco decor, the latter of which is the period that this look is best associated with. However, thanks to Wednesday, this lighting trend has never felt more contemporary.
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This Victorian-style scalloped lampshade, trimmed with decorative fringe, brings vintage charm with a hint of Morticia-style drama. Its classic bell shape suits table, floor, or pendant lamps, creating a darkly elegant focal point.
Perfect for a vintage-inspired space, this table lamp adds a warm, inviting glow. It features a dome-shaped shade with fringe trim and iron fixtures, and simply plugs in to power on. It's a Hollywood-inspired twist on the darker Wednesday alternative.
Instead of fringe, I love how beaded strands drape this shade, with elegant cranes symbolizing luck and longevity. Balance the vintage charm of this trimmed interior trend with a sleek, modern piece to bring it into the 21st century.
For me, Wednesday revived the fringing lighting trend, but as design explains, there are even more ways to bring this detail into your home this fall (and beyond). One of the most luxurious starting points is in the bedroom.
'Opulent, glamorous, and romantic, there’s something irresistibly nostalgic about fringing – echoing the elegance of bygone eras, from the decorative detailing of stately homes to the playful swish of a 1920s flapper dress,' comments Georgia Metcalfe, the founder and creative director of French Bedroom.
'Now, fringing is en vogue once again, whether draped along the edge of a cushion, sweeping the base of a bed, or accenting a lampshade.'
Fringe will look beautiful in any living room, as Wednesday shows us. However, as Georgia notes, there's something particularly stunning about the way it feels in our sleep space.
'In lighting design, especially, fringe works beautifully to softly filter light in a gentle, ambient way. It casts delicate shadows and adds a subtle sense of movement, making it perfect for the bedroom, where mood and atmosphere matter most. When layered in contrasting tones, it also becomes a visual focal point, blending whimsy with effortless elegance.'
