How to: Selecting a Lamp Shade

I've wanted to post about this topic for awhile, but I've not had the time to give it the proper focus.  In my opinion, selecting the proper lamp shade can be very tricky.  Now, understand, it's not a monumental mistake - like the financial ramifications of a bad sofa choice or a weak moment when selecting the tile of your bathroom.  But, it can kill the look of a room just as fast.

Why so tricky?  There are lots of the factors to consider - the shape of the lamp, the shape of the shade, the size of the shade as it relates to the lamp, the color of the lamp and shade, the material used in making the shade (paper or fabric), the size of the harp (which holds the shade above the light bulb), and the finial.

Just look at all these options for shapes:

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Here a few things I think about when it comes to lamp shades:

1. Short, fat lamps are harder to get right.  Just like with fashion - everything looks great on the tall skinny girls.  So, you have to be careful with the fuller lamp bases.

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I love the look of a drum shade with these thicker bases.  In this case a tapered drum in a super neutral color does the trick with this very over the top patterned wallpaper - love the results.

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Here, is a straight drum with a larger base.

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I also love a corseted drum shade for a more substantial lamp.  It gives you a very formal look.

2.  Use the Previous Shade (if you can) - It helps to use the previous shade as your guide.  This is truly the best way to select a shade.  Lamp manufactures spend lots of time and money designing the perfect shaped shade for their lamps.  So take note of their selected design.

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If you feel the current shade is dated, at least take note of the height and greatest diameter to know how large you need to go with the new shade.  You will need to know the diameter of the top and bottom of the shade as well as the height of the shade (which is sometimes, but not always, measured on the angle from the bottom to the top of the shade).  

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Here is a wonderful guide on measuring for your shade Steps for Selecting the Correct Shade.  These measurements can get you close to the proper shade, but you must try it on the shade (which leads me to my next point).

3. You've Gotta Try it on:  If at all possible - take the lamp with you to select the shade.  It is extremely difficult to purchase the correct lamp shade without seeing it on the lamp.

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It may look like it will work based on the images and measurements but when you actually place it on the lamp, something is not quite right. So, if you can take the lamp with you and buy the shade locally.  

4. Take a que from similar lamps.  If you are interested in updating a lamp with a new shade, do some research on lamps with a similar shade.

Barbara Cosgrove

I love all the lamps by Barbara Barry, Robert Abbey, Arteriors, and Barbara Cosgrove.  So, go to their websites and look around for what might work with your lamp.  Take note of the actual measurements of lamps that are a similar size to your lamp and this will give you an idea on the proper scale of you shade.

Barbara Barry

5.  Take into consideration where you will place the lamp - Do you have room for a large drum shade?  I adore a layered look as in the example below.

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Will it go on a taller console table or a low bedside table.  All these things will effect your decision.

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One last mention, lamp shades can cost more than you paid for the lamp, so be conscious of this when buying lamps at consignment shops and Goodwill.  The price may seem like a bargain.  But once you purchase the shade for it, the price may not be what you expected. 

P.S. I'm working on a couple of design plans at the moment while juggling back to school errands.  So, this is it for me this week on the blog.  Happy weekend, everybody.  M.

"How To" Series: Removing Wax From A Dining Table

We had some friends over for dinner this week - sort of a back to school celebration.  It was very casual but still special.  We managed to talk all the kids into eating outside on a blanket (not sure how we pulled that off).  Then the adults sat in our dining room (in the AC) and had a relaxed meal.  At the end of dinner, one very sweet friend who has tons of style, looked over at me and said, "I just noticed those candles have ruined your table!"  

The AC was blowing so strongly it had blown dots of candle wax all over the table.

This is how the conversation went from there.

Me: Oh, it's no big deal.  I can get it off.

All the women at the table: HOW?!

Me: With a credit card.

One Friend: Oh, I get it . . .  you use the card to pay the refinisher to come fix the table. 

Another Friend: I know you can unlock a door with one, did it in college once.

My Husband(completely engaged in a different conversation) piped up: What? We're having the table refinished?

Entire table: Blah ha ha ha

Me: No, you use the edge of the credit card to gently scrape off the wax.

Husband: Well  . . . finally a good use for that card of yours! 

Entire table: Blah Ha Ha Ha

Another Husband: Why not just use a knife to dig it out?

His wife: Are you nuts? 

Me: (thinking of course) I so need to blog about this. 

So, here's how you do it:

Step 1
Wait until the wax is completely dry (I waited until the next morning). Gently pick up the candlestick to remove as much wax as possible with the candlestick itself.

Step 2

Remove as many large pieces of wax as you can with your fingers. 

Do not dig your fingernails into the wax to try and remove it, just remove the large pieces that will come off easily.  This is what was left from one of the smaller candlesticks.

Step 3
Take a hard plastic credit card (I used our health insurance card since it really isn't good for much else these days)!

Place the card at a 45 degree angle to the table and gently push the wax away from you in small strokes.  You really don't have to push down hard to loosen the pieces.

Step 4
Continue gently scraping until the table feels smooth when you slide the card over the surface.  Because the card is plastic it will not scratch the table (sort of like using a plastic spatula on a teflon pan).

Here's the final result.

Feeling a bit like Heloise after this post and wondering if you have any handy tricks you want to share?  This is my last post this week.  Have a great weekend, and I hope to see you back here on Monday!  M.

"How To" Series: Styling a Mantel

Sometimes I think styling a mantel can be way more difficult than bookshelves.  I liken it to styling a coffee table which I discussed here.  I think, for me, a mantel is challenging because:

1. It is THE focal point of a room
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2. It's linear, so you have to get creative to make it special without using the element of depth.

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When you have a room with a fireplace, it's the first thing you notice.  So, the accessories and artwork must stand on their own.

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  It has to be well thought out and compliment the space.  In some cases, like below, the texture of the brick adds such a wonderful element along with the lantern that a mantel really needs little to no accessories for a wow. 

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Here are my top things to consider when styling a mantel.

The Balancing Act

Decide on whether you like symmetrical or asymmetrical designs - this is truly a matter of taste.  Symmetrical designs give you a balanced look and tend to be more formal and/or traditional in style while an asymmetrical designs really have a more modern and/or casual vibe.  Now recognize that the ultimate style of the mantel heavily depends on the accessories you select, but the overall look will be influenced by whether you maintain symmetry in the design.

This is a perfect example of symmetry both on the mantel and in this beautiful room.

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  A little trick to help you decide which you prefer? look around your home and if you have pairs of everything, chairs, lamps, tables, etc. you will probably like a symmetrical design.  

Remember Scale
Determine the proper scale of the items you should include on the mantel.  Rule of thumb: The main focal piece on a mantel should be at least 3/4 the height from the mantel to the ceiling.  It can be taller, but this is a minimum.  Otherwise, the pieces you place on your mantel will get lost.



In this example the artwork appears to be almost the same size as the fireplace surround, but what makes it work is the rest of the wall is large enough to read as one vignette.  

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Depth of the Mantel

If you have a very deep mantel you will want to include accessories that fill up this space and make the depth feel purposeful.  This happens if the fireplace is located in a recessed corner or has a large alcove above it (for a TV).

If your mantel is very narrow, you will be challenged to find accessories that give you height  without depth.  Options to consider with a narrow mantel include: lamps with shield shades which I talked about here, wall sconces, plates or even propping a pair of weathered shutters for lots of height.

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Layer the look vs. Keep It Simple

This is also a matter of taste, but it is important to maintain the style of the overall room.
This mantel makes my mouth water.

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This is one of my all time favorite layered mantels.  Sherry at Design Indulgence is a master at layering without creating clutter.

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Artwork can be hung or propped depending on the look you want to achieve.  Also, don't underestimate the impact that color will have on the overlook of a space.   In this example they have pulled colors out of the painting for the accent pillows.  

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Lastly, I adore this image.  You don't even notice that there isn't a mantel!  This is a wonderful example of how one large, simple piece does the trick without a mantel!  

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Think these things in mind and you will be stylin' in no time!  M.

"How To" Series: Picking a Great Paint Color

I hope everyone's summer is going great.  I can't believe how fast it's flying by.  I always feel this way after the 4th of July.  As a kid, I can remember thinking, "it's already half way over!"

 Since I feel like I am running out of time, I thought I better share a second installation of my summer "How To" series - Picking a Great Paint Color.  Hopefully, this will inspire some of you to get painting before summer completely gets away from us!


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We all know that paint is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to freshen up a space.  But, this is only true if you are able to pick the right color the first time!  With every trip back to the paint store, the price tag goes up.  So, here are some basic tips for picking the right paint color on your first try.

Dark colors will make a space feel intimate and cozy.

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While light colors will create an open and airy vibe.

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I have to confess I'm not a huge fan of dark or bright colors on the walls.  My only exception to this would be in a powder room or other small spot where you want to draw one's eye to a piece of artwork.  Otherwise, I am light colors all the way!

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Also remember, dark and bright colors will draw your eye to the walls, molding, and artwork of a space while light colors will allow the walls to fade away with the main focus on your furnishings, fabrics, and accessories.  See how the trim work pops in this space against the ebony walls?

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Would you ever paint a room orange?  It actually looks stunning here! Dying over those floors too.

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If you recall from preschool, the paint wheel is divided into cool and warm colors.  You will need to look at the furnishings already in your space and make sure you are selecting a paint that will compliment the undertones in your fabrics.  Warm undertones include red, orange red, orange, yellow orange, yellow and yellow green.  Cool tones include green blue green, blue, blue purple, purple, and red purple.

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In this great example from Tracery Interiors, the walls are a cool toned watery blue.  They have paired this cool tone color with neutral black and white fabrics and furnishings to allow the walls to pop, yet in a subtle way.  Really fresh look.

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 At first glance, this paint color appears to be a basic white; but it's really a warm toned white (with yellow undertones) as opposed to a cool toned white (with blue undertones).  As you can see, this color works wonderfully with the honey tones of the hardwood floors as well as the front doors.  It's beautiful.

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Here is an example of a cool toned neutral.  Here, they have kept the entire room cool by using accents of blue with grayish walls for a great overall look.

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If you are touring an idea house, dining at a friend's home, or driving down the street and notice a pretty exterior paint color, get brave and ask for the brand and name of the color! If it's a friend, they may even be willing to give you what is left in the can for you to slap on your walls for a test.  

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Now, I realize this is not always a perfect solution (lighting, furnishings, etc. will effect the way a color reads in your home), but I promise you, it will get you closer to the right color than going into the paint store and pulling a tiny little swatch of color off a giant wall and ordering a gallon.

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While we are on the subject of the giant wall of tiny little samples of color, here's another tip.  In order to pick the right color, you need to trust the color fan deck.  Always, ALWAYS look at all the colors on the color strip with your selection to figure out what undertones are in your pick.  It is also helpful to see where in the fan deck your pick is falling (i.e., is it in the blues, greens, pinks, etc).

For example, let's say you pick what appears to be a pretty cream color.  But when you look down the color strip, the last color on the strip with your cream is a hot pink.  You can rest assured that the cream you have selected has pink undertones in it (even if you can't see it on the swatch)! Do not try and convince yourself otherwise.  I hear this a lot, "I loved the color when I picked it on the swatch, but when I got it on the walls I noticed a pink tint to it, and that is NOT what I wanted."  

I am sure this is going to sound like a plug, but I think it has to be said, decorators deal with paint colors far more often than most homeowners.  They have their tried and true picks for every color you are attempting to attain and can easily help you pick a great color.  If you are not confident in making paint decisions, you will actually save time and money by hiring an expert to give you the perfect colors.

Moreover, decorators can help you decide when trim moldings, ceilings and doors should be painted dark or light colors to compliment your wall color.  Many decorators charge a flat fee for a paint schedule, so you know exactly what you are getting before they even arrive.

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The scenario, I give a client a custom paint schedule which they in turn give to their painter.   The paint goes up on the walls, and the homeowner calls to tell me they are not crazy about a color I selected.  My first question, did you use the brand of paint we selected the colors from or did your painter substitute a cheaper brand.  The answer: he substituted.  When they get a gallon of the paint we selected, they instantly see the difference.  

Trust me on this, if an exact color match could be obtained from brand to brand, there would be no price differences in paint.  The quality as well as the pigmentation used in a paint will dramatically effect the depth of color once it is on the wall.  It really does make a difference!  So, always select the colors from the paint you intend to use in the space. 

I hope these basic tips help you in thinking about paint.  It is the first line of defensive in freshening up a space!  For more information, this article has some excellent tips on selecting paint colors for you home.
Selecting Paint Colors

Have a wonderful day! M.