Q: I got this pendant lamp from Ikea that I think is meant to hang over a table (the bottom is open and can cause some glare below). Instead of hanging it low, I thought I could add a fabric diffuser and hang it up by the ceiling. But I haven't been able to find a pendant lamp fabric diffuser and I'm loathe to try random fabrics that could over heat and be a fire hazard.
Does anyone have any suggestions for where to get a pendant lamp diffuser? I see them as part of other pendant lamps all the time, but I can't find them sold separately.
Sent by Alice
Editor: Please share your sources and suggestions with Alice in the comments below - thanks!
• Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)
Justin's Contemporary Contrast
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
use a silver tipped light bulb.
I bet you could get away with just a cardstock vellum cut into a circle and floating at the bottom.
Wax baking/cookie sheet...I heard Frank Lloyd Wright used architecture/drafting paper to diiffuse light.
I had to find a "clip on" style shade (say, for a hallway or closet) to hang inside my barrel shade pendant lamp... the opening was much larger than yours, however. First, I tried a silver-tipped lightbulb but it blocked out way more light than anticipated (I used the lamp over our DR table, so reflecting onto the ceiling wasn't the best option). I was ready to modify a lamp harp & use theatrical gels or frosted plexi if I hadn't found the clip-on shade. I agree w/@home body - your lamp could easily accommodate a circle of vellum if it's not too close to the bulb.
http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/06/office-progress-let-there-be-light/
http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/06/office-progress-let-there-be-light/
kristian is right - use a silver tipped lightbulb.
Going to have to disagree here... Don't use a silver tip bulb... any of these solutions will work without fire hazard if you use a CFL or LED Bulb.
Really there is no reason (unless its a decorative bulb) not to use Cfls.
I have to agree with petesid, and if you read the younghouselove post repressd pointed to, if you use cfl bulbs you should be safe to use pretty much any material.
I had the same issue w/ a light I hung in the DR. I solved it by going to Micheal's and hunting for something, anything that could be used for this. I finally found a translucent white plastic crafts folder for $8. Like this but without the goofy patterns: http://www.advancedcrafts.co.uk/acatalog/
I just cut it into the shape I needed to fit in the opening, and since it is stiff plastic, it just sits on top of the rim inside the shade and doesn't need to be glued or anything to stay in place. The other plus is that it's really easy to take on or off for when I need to change a bulb or clean out dead bugs (ew). And it looks totally pro. Good luck!
An LED bulb puts out virtually no heat.
Perhaps this has too many angles but the Lunette (designed by David Weeks and Lindsey Adelman) clips on to most bulbs.
It's $32 at tweekstudio.com
Note: The shades do off-gas at first so I opened them and left them in the garage for a few days.
I have used this exact light as a ceiling light in my son's bedroom and you really don't need a diffuser. In fact, I wouldn't want one, as this light doesn't actually allow much light to penetrate the sides so his room is quite dark as a result.
I used a architecture/drafting paper (canson) on a regular side lamp to make it a drum hanging lamp. I cut t he paper in a circle, glued it, and after a year still hanging in there.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone...I always use CFLs and I completely forgot that they run cooler. And Kathy: thanks for sharing your experience...looks like I was worried over nothing!