| There are quite a few issues to consider when | | | | on the look of your lamp. The same applies to the |
| selecting a lamp shade. After 27 years of helping | | | | side length and top diameter. The numerous |
| dealers, designers and retail customers match their | | | | combinations of these various measurements can be |
| lamps and shades these defining points which will | | | | mind boggling. Below are some specific guidelines that |
| allow you to answer this sometimes daunting | | | | you can carry with you to the store when selecting |
| question for yourself. | | | | a lamp shade. |
| Beauty is not the only thing in the eye of the | | | | Medium - small size traditional or antique style lamps |
| beholder. Individuals may already have preconceived | | | | that are 20" - 27" tall to the top of the shade will |
| ideas of the right size, shape, color, material, etc. for | | | | likely require shades about 9" - 11" side length and 16" |
| a particular lamp shade. Further, after one has looked | | | | - 19" bottom diameter. |
| upon and lived with a certain lamp and shade | | | | Medium size traditional or antique style lamps that are |
| combination for years any deviation from that can | | | | 27" - 30" tall to the top of the shade will likely require |
| very likely be perceived as "wrong". So, how can you | | | | shades about 11" - 13" side length and 16" - 19" |
| be sure that a particular lamp shade is right or that it | | | | bottom diameter. |
| "goes" with the lamp? Keep three basic points | | | | Large size traditional or antique style lamps that are |
| foremost in your mind: portrayal style, shade size and | | | | 30" - 36" tall to the top of the shade will likely require |
| shade vertical location. | | | | shades about 12" - 15" side length and 18" - 20" |
| PORTRAYAL STYLE: First and foremost, what do | | | | bottom diameter. |
| you wish to portray with the lamp? Look at your | | | | For each of the above examples, contemporary lamp |
| lamp and decide what style it is such as | | | | shades will generally have larger bottom diameters |
| contemporary, traditional, antique, funky, etc. If you | | | | and possibly side length as well. Larger diameter |
| really cannot discern a specific style then you must | | | | lamps require larger diameter shades and more |
| decide what is the style or look that you wish to | | | | slender lamps require smaller diameter shades. |
| portray with this lamp. You will want the basic look or | | | | Multiple socket lamps are a special consideration that |
| style of your lamp shade to compliment, not clash | | | | should be addressed by an experienced lighting |
| with the lamp style itself. You generally do not want | | | | professional that you will find in most reputable lamp |
| a very ornate and detailed shade if you wish to | | | | and lighting showrooms. |
| portray the clean lines of a very contemporary lamp. | | | | SHADE VERTICAL LOCATION: This characteristic of |
| Likewise, you do not want a clean cut Chinese | | | | your lamp shade is fairly simple to judge. It is the |
| coolee type shade for a lamp that you want to | | | | vertical location of the bottom edge of your lamp |
| portray as a traditional style. Think in terms of like | | | | shade. On a single socket lamp this will almost always |
| styles for the lamp and shade. This does not mean | | | | be about 2" below the bottom of the socket |
| like colors, textures, size etc. but general style. Once | | | | assembly. To determine the correct vertical location, |
| you have decided the general lamp style that you | | | | first look straight across the bottom edge of the |
| wish to portray, then you can begin concentrating on | | | | lamp shade and visually line up the near edge of the |
| other details. | | | | shade with the far edge of the shade. This line should |
| SHADE SIZE: This characteristic of your lamp shade | | | | then intersect about 2" below the bottom of the |
| like all the others will of course be subjective and will | | | | socket assembly for most single socket lamps. The |
| vary with the observer. But there are some | | | | way that you adjust this vertical location of the lamp |
| guidelines that will help you determine the boundaries | | | | shade is with the HARP. This is the "U" shaped wire |
| within which you must consider. You are basically | | | | that attaches the lamp to the shade and it comes in |
| looking for a balance in lamp and shade sizes that will | | | | different lengths from about 4" on up. |
| make the lamp look neither top heavy or bottom | | | | Shorter shades will require shorter harps and longer |
| heavy when viewed from a distance of about 20 | | | | shades will require longer harps. Multiple socket lamps |
| feet away. | | | | are a special consideration and I strongly recommend |
| There are four (4) measurements to consider when | | | | professional guidance for these instances, especially |
| selecting a shade: top diameter (across), bottom | | | | for safety concerns as well as aesthetic values. |
| diameter (across), side length (slope), and drop. The | | | | SUMMARY: Use the above ideas as a general |
| drop is the vertical distance the shade washer is | | | | guideline and it should get you started in the right |
| from the top edge of the shade. Do not be too | | | | direction. For further assistance I strongly |
| concerned with the drop. The drop and the harp size | | | | recommend a reputable lamp and lighting showroom |
| will determine the shade vertical location which we will | | | | as this type store will likely have knowledgeable |
| cover later. You just need to be aware that different | | | | experienced staff who are well equipped to help you |
| shades do have different drops. Small changes in the | | | | with the many subtle intricacies of lamp shade |
| bottom diameter (1"-2") will have a dramatic effect | | | | selection. |