Lighting We Love: Paper Cloud

Like many of our favorite things, Paper Cloud's inception was a happy accident. Husband and wife team, Matthew and Ariana Broerman, had been designing Christmas cards for friends and family for years. In 2005, they decided to take their passion public and started Paper Cloud.

As the name suggests, Ariana and Matthew started out with paper goods. First there were cards, then hand-bound journals. As their product line grew, the couple wanted to try new things, so they learned how to screen-print. Today Paper Cloud makes its own fabrics and turns them into beautiful pillows and lampshades -- boy, are we happy they did.

We love all of Paper Cloud's adorable merch, but in particular, we're smitten with their lighting pieces. Affordable and attractive lighting is actually a bit of a rarity in the world of independent design. Stationary and pillows? Yes. T-shirts? My gosh, yes. But lighting? It's not so common. Paper Cloud's simple patterns translate well into drum-shades. We're particularly fond of the more abstract patterns like Petals, Wood Planks and Dew Drops.

We also love it that Paper Cloud's products are made by hand in Ohio, the state where both Ariana and Matthew grew up and continue to reside today. (Above: Petal and Wood Planks Pendants, $154 to $214, Paper Cloud)

Lighting is key to every room. Check out these posts on Capiz Lamps: High vs. Low and Under $100 Chandeliers.