What Shape Shade is Best for this Lamp? Good Questions

Q: I got this lamp (larger pic below the jump) as a gift and it came with this shade. I don't think it's quite right for it, it makes it too top heavy. I'm wondering if any AT readers can suggest a shade or at least a shade shape!

Sent by: Amy

Editor: Please leave your suggestions on a shade for Amy in the comments - thanks!

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Comments (10)

I would go for a drum shade about that height, but quite a bit narrower

Looks perfectly fine to me - but if you must make a change, go with a drum shade that's about 3/4 the width and twice the height - You'll have to get a taller harp to hold it of course.

You can easily order custom shades here:
http://www.fenchelshades.com/

I would say the same shape, but maybe an inch or 2 narrower and maybe an inch taller?

I think the shade might be a bit big, but it's the color that's really throwing it off. That milky green glass would look great with a patterned shade - stripes, floral, jacquard... or even a more rustic burlapy fabric. Something with a little texture!

Either or a drum shade or a conic one like you have, or even a pleated paper conical shade, would work fine if the proportions are right. You need something that's taller than it is wide, instead of wider than it is tall, and possibly just a bit smaller.

Tall drum. No wider than 10" diameter.

I just think it needs color: stripes, a pattern for interest and punch. Maybe a bit amaller, so it's not as top heavy.

It's a little too wide and the slight flare is visually irritating. You want a drum about the same height and an inch or two less in diameter with STRAIGHT sides. The main thing though is that the shade is all wrong for the lamp in texture and color. A light, glossy, airy lamp needs matte, textural, darker shade. Think a coarse woven linen or a bold print (maybe a red African-inspired block print on a natural linen, for example). Can't really recommend colors without knowing your decor, but you need to steer clear of pale/shiny/similar in tone/texture/color to the body of the lamp. And generally speaking, contrasting edge trim on shades looks fugly to me... I really prefer a clean edge. Try etsy if you want something custom made!

For the shade: smaller diameter, and taller. Perhaps tapering a bit towards the top.

Lovely lamp. Antique? Vintage?

I would stick to a neutral drum shade and shade color (and a tad more narrow) to really showcase the beauty and uniqueness in the showy milk glass color. If you stripe the shade, it will take away the attention of the base, which is really the eye-catcher.

Do post an "after" photo so i can drool and envy some more.