Updating With Lamps

LAMPS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE DESIGN

 

A Quality Lamp Will Last Forever 

 

It's a well known fact that lighting sets the mood in a room. Lamps are a very important part of the style and function in a room. You can purchase the lamp you want, or you can create the lamp you want.

 

If you can not afford to purchase a quality and stylish new lamp, just update your old lamp by switching out the shade and the top finial that holds the shade on. To change the style of the lamp from traditional to contemporary, get a round  lamp shade. The bell shaped one is now out of style. I sometimes will purchase a used lamp for twenty five to thirty dollars just for the shade alone.

 

There are great finds at estate sales, yard sales, antique malls, consignment shops, thrift stores, and close-out stores. Some stores sell what they call 'market specials', which are discontinued items for 50% to 70% off the regular retail price.

 

I am passionate about a beautiful lamp with a black shade. Quality black lamp shades are a little more expensive and harder to find. But, do not skimp on quality or cost when it comes to this shade. Get a black lamp shade that has a gold or silver  inside lining, if possible. This will prevent light from shining through the shade when the bulb is on. I have found several nice used black shades at antique malls or consignment shops. Buy a new or used lamp base and put the shade on it. Do not forget about the finial on top. To make the lamp more contemporary and elegant, put a tall crystal finial on top of the lamp. A large crystal finial sometimes will cost as much as fifteen to eighteen dollars.

I like this simple basic lamp
from Currey & Co.

                    
This stately torchiere by Stylecraft will punch up the design in any room.

                           



                    
                   

 

 

I found this beautiful tortoise shell lamp at a Goodwill Store for eight dollars. I added the harp, black shade, amber crystals and gold finial. I already had all the items needed in my inventory.

 







 

 

 

 

This twenty dollar large silver lamp was a great find at a thrift store. It was missing the important shade and finial. I used a black shade and silver finial I already had in stock. I found the black shade previously for twenty dollars at an antique mall. The shade also has the silver lining.

 

 



 

 

Take along a small tape measure in your purse while shopping, because you must check the height on the lamp. The best height for an end table or nightstand lamp is 30 inches to 34 inches tall. Measure from the bottom of the lamp to the top of the finial that holds the shade on. A lamp used on a buffet, Bombay chest, or credenza should be over 30 inches tall. I look for buffet lamps that are 32 inches to 36 inches tall and slender. The smaller lamps that are 22 inches to 25 inches tall look better when used on a desk for task lighting, a bookcase shelf, or on top of a tall chest of drawers.

 

A pair of matching lamps are not used as much now when decorating. I like to mix them up whenever possible. If your end tables are on different sides of the living room, use a different lamp on each; making sure they compliment each other in style and color. If your piece of furniture is more traditional or ornate, use a more contemporary and clean line style lamp.

 

I love using the new Lucite crystal lamps to brighten up a room with dark furniture finishes or dark walls. A dark room needs the 'bling' that a Lucite crystal, mercury glass or mirrored lamp will add. Place a floor lamp in a corner or small area, where there is not room for a table to put a lamp on. If the room has a lot of pattern in the drapes, sofa, rug or wallpaper, use a solid color lamp. This will tone down the busy patterns. When in doubt about the color, use a solid gold, silver, black, bronze, or crystal lamp.

 

 



I added this torchiere style floor lamp for lighting next to the sofa.
Floor lamps works great when there is no space for an end table.

 

With a larger dining buffet, it is fine to use a pair of lamps, instead of one single lamp. I added a pair of Lucite crystal lamps to give a contemporary flare to this traditional buffet and to add the bling to the dark finishes.

 



I took my cue in this eclectic living room from the copper color window treatments I had installed, and went with a transitional table lamp with a copper color shade.

Rather than change out this dark and outdated wallpaper, I just added a sleek contemporary mirrored lamp on the vanity. Since it is a powder room, it can be dark and intimate.

 

  

I prefer to mix it up sometimes. This rustic iron lamp with a black faux leather shade works well on this faux stone console table.