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A Shade Better

Designers discuss and illustrate the importance of deliberate shade selection to a lamp’s aesthetics.
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image/jpeg icon“In well-balanced fixtures, the shade complements the overall design. I am seeing a new trend toward simplistic lamp bases paired with fun, colorful and patterned shades. This new direction allows the shade to become the focal point, giving the end user an easy update to their décor, adding interest to the overall aesthetic.” — Stacy Garcia for Lamps Plus. The cylinder shade of the Seafan Rich Plum Giclee Kiss table lamp is covered with a bold pattern from Garcia’s designs. www.lampsplus.com [1]
image/jpeg icon“One thing about all of the shades I selected for my new Arteriors Collection is that I wanted them to be understated, but still luxurious and sophisticated, to allow the lamp body to be the star/focus.” — Barry Dixon for Arteriors Home. The Foliage Urn lamp was inspired by Barry Dixon’s own original 1930s Italian faience urn, which he wired as a lamp and put in his music room. www.arteriorshome.com [2]
image/jpeg icon“I have always been of the opinion that the shade is very much like an accessory is to an outfit one might wear. Like a hat, or a great piece of jewelry, the shade creates a fashion statement — through its shape, color, pattern and/or texture. More importantly, however, the shade controls the amount and color of light emanating from the lamp, creating a certain ambiance within the room.” — Kerry Gibhardt, Studio W for Wildwood Lamps. This Pia lamp from the Studio W Collection features a Composite-Lava Regent Gold base and zebra-printed shade with black trim. www.wildwoodlamps.com [3]
image/jpeg icon“A shade is just as important as the base in terms of size and scale — it can make a great base look bad. If the shade is correctly scaled, you may not even take notice of it, depending on how much of a design statement the base makes.” — David Landis for Santangelo. The lamp shade on Landis' Criss Cross lamp picks up the lines of the base and keeps the simple, clean gold lines in check. www.santangelolighting.com [4]
image/jpeg icon“I always say a shade is like a hat on a head — either it looks good or it doesn’t. I don’t allow people to change my shades for this reason. I will change fabrics, but will never change the shapes.” — Larry Laslo, Larry Laslo Collection for Frederick Cooper. Laslo’s Footed Pyramid lamp has a solid brass weathered-patina base and a cream-colored shade with playful proportions. www.frederickcooper.com [5]
image/jpeg icon“For everything a lamp is, in the end, the lamp supports the shade. Shades that are undersized or too heavy and big will throw the whole lamp out of proportion, so I concentrate a lot on sizing and shape. A shade with straight sides feels more modern, while more canted sides become more traditional. I favor and design shades that taper slightly and are a bit smaller at the top than the bottom.” — Thomas O’Brien, Thomas O’Brien Lighting for Visual Comfort. O’Brien’s Belarus buffet lamp has a tripod base and tapered, parchment-colored shade that measures 14 by 16 by 10½ inches. www.visualcomfort.com [6]
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image/png iconOct2012_AShadeBetter_slider.png [7]
Source URL: http://www.residentiallighting.com/shade-better

Links:
[1] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Garcia.jpg
[2] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Dixon.jpg
[3] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Gibhardt.jpg
[4] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Landis.jpg
[5] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Laslo.jpg
[6] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/O'Brien.jpg
[7] http://www.residentiallighting.com/sites/default/files/Oct2012_AShadeBetter_slider.png