Wooden Accordion Wall Lights: Vintage/New/High/Low

In need of more direct light? Accordion sconces, also known as scissor lights, are a great midcentury option to consider because they’re adjustable. There are notable metal versions that have an industrial style, but today we’re highlighting the cottage-y charm of the many options, vintage and new, refined and affordable, made of wood.

Accordion Lights In Situ

Above: A vintage Danish accordion light with a classic folded paper shade in a bedroom at Bovina Farm and Fermentory, a dining room and inn in Bovina, New York. Purchased on Etsy, the sconce is one of many easy to source online from Scandinavian modern vendors. Above: Another vintage Danish accordion light in the Cottage at Bovina Farm and Fermentory. “We love that it can be extended outwards or folded away,” says co-owner Elizabeth Starks. Photograph by Sarah Elliot. Above: The Pixoss XL accordion wall light is contemporary take by Dutch designer Marcel Ossendrijver of Studio M.oss. It’s shown here in German designer Swantje Hinrichsen’s Kitchen Created from Reclaimed Ikea Parts, but is sadly no longer in production,.

Vintage

Above: The Sax Lamp is the original wooden accordion light, designed by Erik Hansen in 1952 for Le Klint of Denmark. This large Oak Scissors Wall Lamp from Le Klint is available on Chairish via Oldenbeuving Vintage Design of the Netherlands for $1,466.

High

Above: Le Klint still makes its much-copied Sax Lamp. It’s available in a series of woods and finishes in slightly varying sizes, with classic folded paper shades facing up or down. This is the Sax 224 Wall Lamp in light oak; $1,480 from Hive Modern (also available from others, including Ameico and Urban Natural). N.B.: Our featured image is the Le Klint 335 Sax Wall Light in gloss black; $799 from Hansen Interiors of Racine, Wisconsin.

Medium

Above: Le Krazy Horse, Tina and Kate’s design workshop in Odsherred, Denmark, specializes in making pleated linen shades, and also offers a small collection of lamps, including this Danish-Designed Beech Wood Accordion Lamp, to go with them. The shades come in a few color options, including olive green and ochre, and you can opt for US/Canadian 12o voltage; $219.91.

Low

Above: Zara Home’s Wood Wall Sconce is made of ash and has a folded cotton shade and a cloth-covered cord; $169. Above: The Peauarl Plug-in Mounted Wall Sconce, Swing Arm Wall Lamp of beechwood with a folded PVC shade is $38 from Amazon.

More space-saving accordion standouts:

• Five Favorites: The Useful—and Inexpensive—Accordion Peg Rack
• The Accordion Door Reconsidered