I’ve given you my from-the-heart advice about lamps. You know the saying: you don’t regret the things you do…you regret the things you don’t.
Now, with equal fervor, I implore you: if you have a lamp you don’t like anymore, DON’T GET RID OF IT. At least not yet.
Try changing the shade first.
A new lampshade can make an enormous difference. Shape, color, size, material, translucency…lots of ways to change a look.
Remember the lamp adventure for the D.C. Design House? The shade it came with is at right. Too dinky. Too pale in relation to the marble lamp. Wrong shape.
I ordered a bunch of lampshades from Lamps Plus. The winning shade is below. Larger. Slightly bell-shaped. Opaque black faux suede. (It had an unfortunate gold leopard-print fabric lining the inside, but fortunately it didn’t show.)
Other shades I considered were taupe linen, black linen, off-white linen, and another off-white one (can’t remember the material – something matte). I just needed to try them in situ to see which worked best.
HOW TO BEGIN. Measure the diameter and height of the shade that’s on the lamp now; any point of reference is helpful. Then have a conversation with yourself that goes something like this: “This shade is 15″ high with a 22″” diameter. Hmm. I think this lamp needs something taller, and maybe rectangular instead of round.”
Also determine what kind of fitting the lamp requires: “spider,” clip, or “uno” lampshade. Important but not terribly interesting information. This article from Lamps Plus tells you how to identify each.
GOLDEN RULES. The shade should be big enough to cover the on/off switch. And only buy lampshades that are returnable.
HOW TO BUY IN PERSON. Bring the lamp with you. Still make sure the shade is returnable, though: as with everything, the lamp and shade will look different when you get them home. Not always in a good way.
HOW TO BUY ONLINE. Only buy lampshades that are returnable. (I’m getting that point across, right?)
WHERE TO LOOK. Lamps Plus is my go-to shade resource if I’m on a budget. They have a huge variety, decent prices – a broad range – and a good return policy. It’s a great website for reviewing the myriad of styles, shapes, and materials available too.
Susan Sargent has some sweet, colorful shades. (And lamps, actually.) They’re great for casual, country, cottage interiors…all the “c” styles. If you get overwhelmed, stick with monochomatic shades rather than bold multi-colored patterns, which are harder to work with.
Target. Lots and lots for little little money. (Maybe this will get me out of the Target doghouse. Even though on the day I took these pictures I bought a fan there that simply did not work. At all. Dead, dead, dead as a doornail from the minute I took it out of the box. But do you hear me complaining? Not in this post you don’t.)
Ikea. Even more shades for even less money. Brighter colors and patterns than Target. You won’t find anything less expensive. (The embroidered shade is in my daughters’ bedroom.)
And finally, in D.C., Artisan Lamp Company in Cleveland Park is great for shades. They have a sophisticated, classic selection and pretty helpful salespeople. Trust your instincts on size, though; they did steer me wrong on a shade once (it was a bit too small). I trudge there faithfully at least once every two years to buy new silk shades for the foyer light fixture; they do burn through in about 18 months.
You now have the tools. Go forth and re-shade.