Lampshades are no longer playing second fiddle to more decorative and eye-catching lamp bases and lighting fixtures.
Now they share the spotlight as decorative pieces in their own right, with several vendors offering mix and match options with various bases or the opportunity to choose fabric and trim for one-of-a-kind pieces. Many of them were on display at High Point Market last month.
Robert Abbey introduced Abbey Rose, its designer shade program designed by Bradshaw Orrell. The program consists of more than 50 handmade shades and 25 designer fabrics that can be applied to any shade. The shades, which are made in Hickory, N.C., are priced and sold separately.
Designer Augusta Hoffman debuted her lighting collection for Hudson Valley Lighting, a line which plays up soft shade details like hand-turned silk and interesting material choices such as paper. “The process started with material exploration. We were very intentional about bringing depth and tactility to each piece. Twisted braided cords, shirred silk, hand-applied stitching and paper-inspired forms all play a role,” Hoffman said in the company’s promotional literature.
Visual Comfort partners with Schumacher fabric on customizable programs for lamps and pendants, with more than 25 available fabrics. At market last month, it displayed its Alaster globe-shaped pendant in a metal frame covered in fabric, among other custom options.
And home textiles supplier County Road, situated in a more prominent space within Suites at Market Square in High Point, featured a large display of its 16-piece collection of customizable lamp shades, many of which complement its top-of-bed and decorative pillow collections. The company is based in New Jersey and does all its cut-and-sew work in Mississippi.
Last year, Currey & Company introduced lamp shades in two sizes and two styles in 14 fabrics. Partnering with Lacefield Designs, the collection consists of two types of shades in each category: pleated/tapered and drum shape with trim on the top and bottom. The full-sized shades work with both table and floor lamps. All are 100% cotton and are printed and assembled domestically. This is a freestanding program, which means customers may purchase the shades and use them how they like.
Creative Director Cecil Adams said, “Lacefield Designs can easily customize fabrics for us because they are digitally printed, which means the company’s wide array of patterns and colors can be bumped up or toned down.”
And British brand Pooky, which works with interior designers and directly with consumers, has garnered attention since its U.S. debut a few years ago for its expansive mix and match program of lamp shades and bases. It most recently partnered with fellow British brand GP&J Baker.
