Laurence Zähner, lampshade maker in Essertines-sur-Yverdon, highlights a little-known profession

In her vast workshop, Laurence Zähner develops something to enhance our lighting. His job? Lampshade. A traditional profession that she exercises in a contemporary way

The definition of certain words seems curiously out of sync with the reality they cover. “Lampshade: device intended to reduce the light of a lamp.” Does reducing the object to its sole utilitarian dimension really reflect its contemporary function? To shed light on the subject, you have to go to Essertines-sur-Yverdon.

This is where La Robellaz nestles. Living space, workshop and exhibition gallery, this carefully restored 18th century Vaudois farm exudes English charm. The hostess, Laurence Zähner, cultivates her love of plants, which are omnipresent. A passion for nature and plants that this former Parisian lawyer would happily transform, in her next life, into a professional activity. However, she adopted a completely different universe more than two decades ago: making lampshades. An unusual choice.

Find Laurence Zähner, VdeV Création, in the ASMA directory.

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