Inside the Design of Benchmade: The Fran Collection

Paprika colored flush mount with scalloped edges and drum shade

One of the best things about designing some of our products in-house? Getting to watch them come to life, from initial sketch all the way through to completion. That brings us to Fran, one of our most popular fixtures. Named after the classic San Francisco architecture that inspired its sweet, scalloped details, Fran brings a subtle, romantic charm to any room.

Designer at table with different sized scalloped shades and color samples

It all started with a deep dive into historic architecture, where our design team found inspiration in the intricate details of decorative siding. But the real spark? That came when our VP of Design, Katie Elliott, stumbled upon a similarly scalloped fixture at a local vintage shop (a reminder that looking to the past often inspires the future).

Buffing white fixture with scalloped edges
Natural brass fixture with scalloped edges being fitted for light socket

Once the initial design was narrowed down, the team started refining the details—pulling architectural references, sketching, and 3D modeling to get the proportions just right. From there, it was all about trial and error. They printed full-scale images to get a feel for the scale and size of the scallops, and went through more than 30 iterations before landing on the perfect silhouette.

As soon as the design felt right, the engineering team took over. Luckily, 3D printing made the prototyping process a whole lot faster, allowing the designers to test and refine parts in real time. Over the next two months, everyone worked together to ensure every detail was perfect. From the first sketch to the final fixture, Fran took about a year to bring to life—proof that good design is always worth the wait.

Light bathrooms with light fixtures with scalloped edges and opal glass turtle domed shades above mirror
Kitchen with black light fixtures with scalloped edges and opal glass shade

When it came to choosing the initial colors for Fran, the team thought about the rooms it would live in. Laurel, with its soft, serene hue, feels right at home in bedrooms and bathrooms, while Paprika’s warmth brings a cozy glow to dining rooms and living spaces. Classic Black and White are timeless choices for kitchens and walk-in closets, but truthfully, any shade can work depending on your vision. With even more of our signature colors now in the mix, Fran proves just how versatile a statement light can be.

Surface mount lighting often prioritizes function over form, but Fran was thoughtfully crafted to do the opposite. Striking the perfect balance between playful and traditional, this fixture was designed to do more than just blend in. With its scalloped edges and timeless charm, Fran proves that even the smallest details can make a big statement, adding just the right touch of personality to any space it calls home.

Alder surface mount with scalloped edges and drum shaped glass shade with low glow

At Schoolhouse, our passion for creating thoughtfully designed, timeless pieces is at the heart of everything we do—and it all began more than 20 years ago when we made our first light in a century-old Portland factory. That origin story inspired Benchmade, our new line of six lighting families designed, finished, and assembled entirely in our Portland factory. To celebrate, we’re shining a light on each of Benchmade’s fixture families.

FALL IN LOVE WITH FRAN


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