Q: I have three pendant lights in a row along my kitchen ceiling. Problem is, my boyfriend broke one of the shades and I can't find anything similar to replace all three with. Without having to remove the actual light fixture, can you recommend a DIY project or alternative shade resource for my lights? Keep in mind I live in a rental and don't want to spend a lot, and I'd rather not remove all the light fixtures. The fixtures hold a 5" diameter shade. Ideas?
Sent by Shauna
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Nomade Express Slee...
How does the shade attach to the lamp? Is it with three or four little screws? And what is the diameter of the opening of the shade?
If the shade attaches as mentioned by Xarcady previously, you can buy replacements at Home Depot. I came across them the other day and will be updating some gross lights of my own with the small schoolhouse glass shades they sell. I doubt you'll find an exact match, but at about $5 apiece it wouldn't be too cost-prohibitive to replace them all. Good Luck!
Have you tried taking the remaining shade down, looking it over for something that would ID it, and then look on ebay for it? I think you would be able to find a suitable, if not exact replacement.
Would something like this work?
http://www.homedepot.com/Lighting-Fans-Indoor-Lighting-Indoor-Ceiling-Lighting-Ceiling-Mount-Lights/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbvm1Z1z10gov/R-202021769/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
or, more specifically, the replacement globe shade
Could you put the two matching ones on the outside and find a replacement in the same color, but perhaps a nice contrasting shape, to place in the middle? Might look like you did that on purpose.
Oh, blame the boyfriend. :)
I like the idea of putting something different in the middle. Looks like you have the kind of space where you can pull off some curated eclecticism.
I think something else in the middle would work. Think 'centerpiece'. Get something big and noticable, like a knock-off Nelson Bubble Lamp.
Take a look at this website: http://schoolhouseelectric.com/
They have some great, period-correct options. I agree with the folks who suggested using a different one in the middle! Good Hunting.
You shouldn't be spending anythign nor should you be the one looking for the replacement - your boyfriend should. Send him off to Home Depot / Lowe's with one of the intact shades and let him buy a suitable replacement, no need to let him ruin your stuff and clean up after him too.
Did you try Ohmega salvage in Berkeley?
Also try Materials Unlimited (http://www.materialsunlimited.com/index.php). As a side note if I was your landlord I would deduct a considerable chunk of change from the deposit for the damage to the fixture. There is a reason why you are having hard time finding a replacement and why they're not cheap.
Try salvage shops if you want to make it match. I've had good luck finding matching shades at the local thrift stores, but that's harder with vintage ones.
Are we blaming the same boyfriend with the Hulk Hogan picture?
I can't help but think that you're really upset with your boyfriend. The caption could have just said something like "Cheap Idea to Replace Shade". The last phrase just really had to be included. :)
If the shade attaches as the first commenter described, then you can measure the diameter of the opening and use that to search for lamps. For example, I'm looking for a similar shade, so I searched Google for "3 1/4 fitter glass globe" to find possibilities. The word "fitter" apparently identifies that groove in the neck the screws fit into.
Speaking as a former landlord, one still trying to deal with the thousands of dollars in damage to her home wrought by her tenants (they destroyed our Wolf range, and the compressor of our fridge! Bathed our shower heads in acid to deal with hard water accumulations!), I would be pretty damn angry if you didn't get a proper period replacement. Like Danica said, I would charge you for it.
And yes, it is the boyfriend's responsibility to replace it.
As a renter myself, the first thing I did was replace all the ceiling fixtures. Your stove is awesome, I think the person sending you the link to schoolhouse electric had the right idea! Spend some scratch and it could really change the whole place! Save the old fixtures and pay the landlord what the broken globe is worth (He/she might know where to get the replacement)
I would check for shades at your local thrift store. They likely won't be the same as what you currently have however, it's a cost saving alternative and they may have two matching so you can change both out.
If your landlord has more than a handful of units, he/she may even have an extra one if they've used the same type in multiple units. They might even just give it to you/have it installed by their handyman. My last two landlords have been like that.
If you think your landlord might go crazy about a broken light, something contrasting and complimentary in the middle would completely work in a galley kitchen like that. Although I have to admit to a curiosity about how he managed to break a lamp shade while it was on. Was he playing with a light saber and swinging it around the kitchen? Is he giant-sized and just ran into it with his head?
@mschatelaine: Dear gods, why would you have a Wolf range in a rental? And even if you couldn't help it, why wouldn't you specifically vet for people who would appreciate the beauty and value of the range? That would be a HUGE selling point for anyone who appreciated such things.
www.rejuvenation.com
check out their schoolhouse collection.
You need to tell the landlord and ask them what action they would like for you to take. This isn't your decision to make IMO.
Check out this site:
http://www.grandbrass.com/catalog.cfm?category=Glass&subcategory=All
They have a pretty good selection of replacement glass.
Why not try an Ikea plant pot? Drill hole in bottom, insert light kit, screw in bulb. Voile!
This one has a lacy edge and is only $2.99.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20186101/
building resource center off 3rd(sf), urban ore (emeryville?), omega salvage (berkeley). all have vintage glass globes in multiple shapes, unlikely to find an exact match but it might happen if you are patient. ebay too.
good luck
Yeah, I live in an old building and my landlord has a huge storage area of crap that has come out of different apartments. Maybe someone else's boyfriend broke one in another apartment and the landlord had to replace all three to match and saved the other two.
Might be an idea before talking to the landlord to find out the value of the ones that are left so you know what kind of angry landlord situation you are getting into. :)