Soft shade initially put around some troubling electric lamp (6)
I believe the answer is:
pastel
'soft shade' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'initially put around some troubling electric lamp' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'put around some troubling electric lamp' is 'PASTEL'.
(Other definitions for pastel that I've seen before include "Crayon - gentle shade of colour" , "Staple (anag)" , "Delicate and pale in colour" , "Pale or light colors" , "A light delicate shade of colour" .)