apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

ewe - Grandmother kitch.

Plus, these are dust magnets and grey over time.

Make sure that shade is removable and replaceable for cleaning.

i think it sort of looks like you have your lingerie hung up to dry.

mrs yow, that's it!!! lampshades made out of lacy panties!!!!!!

Actually I've seen a lampshade with a bustier wrapped around it. Tres oo la la.

I like using the doilies. Maybe on a dressing table lampshade?

gross.

Too fussy looking for my taste, but it does cast some beautiful shadows on the wall.

Every doily post solicits a slew of comments about how awful they are (and they are truly, madly, deeply awful). I suppose we must add this to the list of things AT posts periodically to mess with us?

What's up with the "dirty laundry" doilys?!

I think this is kind of cute.

I don't really like the makeshift ones, or made to look like they're some sort of temporary sloppy crafty solution until you get a real lampshade. I'm not that bothered by the ones that seem intentional and fit and have a regular shape and pattern all the way around. I think these would be overall more successful in one of those cluttery jumbled up kind of spaces, eclectic thrift store packrat rather than as a sole point of interest in any given area of a room. As for "granny" stuff, lots of popular things from flea markets and such are revived because old stuff is cool and pretty, I don't know why doilies have such a stigma. People love to scour places like Anthropologie, an atmosphere designed to imitate picking through your grandmother's attic for treasures, so I am mystified by this imaginary line, where dishes and aprons and drawer knobs have a fabulous magical charm, but doilies are never never never. This is a real material craft, at least as far as machines aren't making them, so I've been reading this blog a while and trying to figure out the things people are more impressed with or less and why. I can understand these have a fussy, dowdy look some people just wouldn't like, but I would never guess this reaction from the rest of the crowd over a lovely handmade item. These chandeliers won't pop themselves, so let's get out the lime green spray paint, and after that, we'll mismatch all the nightstands. If we get done early, we can display all our jewelry on a framed chicken wire DIY.

Unless those doilies are draped over glass or another solid surface light cover, they are huge fire risks especially with the folks who like old style incandescant light bulbs. If there are people that do like this rather unattractive style, use them over at the very least a wire shaped frame and weigh down the fabric.

i think they are actually quite cute, but the price seems pretty steep for what they are. not to mention the fire hazard.

i've been seeing these exact lampshades for quite sometime now even though they have been featured in a number of blogs, so it doesn't seem like they are moving out the door that quickly.

i think they're very cute, too, so poo on almost all of you. just because it's not modern, or mcm. sheesh.

These seem to have enough clearance to use with a 40w bulb for an accent, maybe wind or other movements that could place the shades against a bulb are cause for concern. I think they are kind of expensive, who knows how much the doilies themselves cost - she didn't make them herself. They look a little DIY considering this last factor in to be as expensive as they are, but I don't know how much a lampshade with unique qualities typically costs. Let's not dwell on how much we don't like them here, but isn't that at least how much you'd pay for a lampshade that was uncommon and/or assembled by hand?

Okay, I'm just going to come out and say it - I really, really dig doilies. I don't want them all over my house, and I'm not really a fan of these lamps, but I think they're delicate and pretty and all-around awesome. There, I said it.

yuck.

and i'm not an mcm fan nor a 'stark is better' fan. I just think these are hideous.

cassielynn--it has nothing to do with modern or mcm, i just think they're plan ugly.

I think we can all agree these are not the best examples of what those lamps could be. Doilies are pretty if they're well presented.

NOT a fan.

The last one is pretty and might work in the right setting (looks gorgeous with the light switched on), but I agree that lace lampshades would be a PITA to keep clean. Those things can get grungy really fast and they're not exactly something you can just toss into the washing machine. There are lacy lampshades out there made of metal or plastic that give a similar look, but are easier to care for (as well as more durable).

guess every day is laundry day. appreciate the effort...but not the look.

I totally agree with KTG. I don't really dig this lampshade, but I have 3 doilies in my house and I love them. One has pansies all around the edge. I don't get that everything old is so retro and cool and doilies get the shaft. I think that if anyone here appreciates craftiness and handmade items, then they could at least appreciate the work that goes into making them.

I love the concept of reuse but don't love the result (and especially at that price point). Several of these light fixtures just look like you've hung doilies on a drying rack over your laundry sink (maybe that works for a Shabby Chic interior but even Shabby Chic has filed for bankruptcy). Soak the doilies in starch, then mold & sculpt them, and I think you could get something that's visually very interesting... better yet take a look at the NY Times article on Clouds for some ideas:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/05/garden/05fabric.html?ref=garden

Rucy, you make a good point... show me something made of doilies that actually looks interesting, and maybe i'll change my mind about them... until then, no

I like the bottom four, but have to agree they would be insanely hard to maintain. Personally I find it hard enough to keep regular lampshades clean, and I always wonder how people who buy little baskets to store their things (instead of regular chests of drawers) feel about the constant dust accumulation. Indeed, I could go on and on about things that look nice enough the first week but then get filthy right away.

And once again the winner for the "Hit with the ugly stick" is all of the above.

I'm not really a doily person...but I think the multi-colored ones are beautiful. They are Boho cool.

As usual, KTG has me laughing and nodding in agreement.