How to Light Up Your Life With the Right Lamp & Shade
A lamp or two is the perfect way to increase the cozy factor of any space — after all, no one has ever called the glare from your overhead light ambient. It’s also a piece of functional decor that’s unlikely to wind up in the donation bin or on the yard sale table; with replaceable bulbs, shades and hardware, a good lamp can outlive any style trends or whims. Here’s a guide to giving that glow stick a glow-up:
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The Size: Lampshades come in all shapes, styles, sizes, materials, colors and textures. There is only one cardinal rule: the shade should hide any hardware at eye level. A too-short shade is a definitive faux-pas.
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The Task: There are four types of lighting — decorative, accent, task and ambient. Does the shade need to be broad and translucent (task and ambient) or colorful and opaque (decorative and accent)? How many people will be using it at once? The greater the audience, the wider the shade.
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The Placement: The lower the placement of the lamp (like an end table) the shorter the shade can be. The higher the placement (like an upper shelf), the longer the shade must be. Otherwise the bulb and assembly will be in view. See rule no. 1.
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The Scale: The shape of the shade (bell, coolie, drum, empire, hexagon, square) is usually determined by the size and shape of the lamp base. Square bases typically go with square shades, and slender bases pair well with sleek shades. But there can be exceptions. For example, a rounded shade might look fabulous with a square base when placed on an oval table.
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While there is no simple formula for fitting shades to floor lamps, there is one for table lamps: The height of the shade = 2/3 the height of the base; the width of the shade = 1/2 inch wider on each side than the widest point in the base.
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The Measurements: Lamp shade sizes are expressed in three dimensions: the first represents the top diameter, the second indicates the bottom diameter, and the third states the length of the slant. For example, 6 × 12 × 10 means that the top opening is six inches wide, the bottom is 12 inches wide, and the shade has a slant that is 10 inches long. Sometimes the fitter recess depth (or “drop”) is also taken into consideration and listed fourth.
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The Finials: When you’ve settled on a lamp shade, consider topping it with a decorative finial (the fastener that holds the shade in place). The finial doesn’t have to be boring or flush with the top of the shade; it can add a whole new dimension to your fixture. Finials come in an array of designs, sizes and temperaments — from an opulent, sparkling star-cut crystal to a whimsical, life-sized porcelain golf ball.
Remember that interior design is a fashion industry, meaning all choices are subjective. The lamp shade that you like is always the correct one! Browse options for shades, finials and more in-store or online at Eloise Trading Co.
