For the Love of Lampshades
Photo by Donna Griffith
I have never met a lampshade I didn’t love! Pleated, trimmed, coloured, or patterned — I love a beautiful, bold, statement shade. It’s become a bit of a style hallmark of mine to accent a room with a layered lighting moment.
Ever since House & Home shared my 1930s, jewel-box of a home, I have had so many requests for more pictures (which I love!) and I thought I’d delve into a particular room I’ve received so many questions about: the principal bedroom!
Photo by Donna Griffith
Measuring in at a mere teeny tiny 11’ x 10’, it is cozy! I took a leap of faith at painting the walls in Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore. Its dark and moody vibe reminded me of my favourite haunts in NYC. I wanted to integrate my love of lampshades in my black box of a bedroom and took inspiration from my favourite neighbourhood restaurant in Paris, Bistrot Francois Felix.
Photo by Bistrot Francois Felix
This quaint and quiet restaurant beside the hotel I love to stay at has the most adorable lampshades on their bar and I became a little obsessed. Dark and dim with low-level lighting, I couldn’t tell if they were blood red or hot pink! When I returned home to Canada and began designing our bedroom retreat, I took Paris home with me.
Photo by Donna Griffith
To complement the black walls and trim all over, I gave a French kiss to the room with these raspberry silk shades atop Matchstick sconces by The Urban Electric Company. Its pretty-in-pink hue popped against the dark dramatic wall nicely and worked beautifully with the incredible Brunschwig & Fils fabric I knew would be the “wow” in the room.
Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs
Our creative bend on lampshades does not always need to be limited by using fabric. I came across this incredible lampshade in NYC made entirely of different colours of purple string — all woven by hand to be the crowning glory on a crystal lamp base.
Or how about pattern? In Stockholm, I nearly fell over when I discovered this wall of colour and pattern by the creative geniuses of Svenskt Tenn. There was gasping. Also...complete decision fatigue. I would have loved to have said “I’ll take them all!”
Photo by Cynthia Ferguson Designs
So I say...don’t just pick one shade - all puns intended!! Pinch those pleats! Call on color! And light up your life with a fabulous lampshade...or ten!
XO,