It’s been awhile since you’ve heard from me, but I figured it was time to update everyone on how happy I am in my new home, and with my lovely owner Amy Vigilante!

Resting in a cozy corner of Amy Vigilante's house!

Safety First!

After a very enjoyable stay at Quince, I said goodbye to my friend Sharon (the owner) and a chauffeur picked me up for my permanent residence.  I had the best time traveling every week to new C’ville locations and meeting lots of fun people, but now I can finally put my feet up (well, if I had feet…) and relax a little!

On the way there, I took off my shade-head so I could see the rolling green countryside better as we drove to my new owner Amy Vigilante’s home in Ivy, right outside of C’ville. I was a little nervous, but I knew Amy was excited to welcome me into her home.  When we pulled up her driveway, I was sure I had found the right spot–  I saw fun slides and kid’s toys outside and heard dogs barking… I was ready to meet the new fam!

Amy’s house is spacious and open inside, with unique rustic furniture and bright colors… it was love at first sight, and I fit right in! She had a spot waiting for me on a pretty side table next to a bold patterned chair.

Now, I don’t mean to brag, but here’s Amy’s report of our time together so far:

“The lamp and I could not be happier together!  He is the perfect pop of cheery color in my “reading corner.”  Every time I come through the kitchen to enjoy a small minute of relaxation in my favorite chair the lamp greets me.  Thank you so much, I am loving my lamp!”

A Match Made in Heaven!

Yay! I’m so comfortable now, and I just love watching Amy’s boys run around with her three dogs in the backyard… It’s definitely been a fun and exciting journey across C’ville, but there’s no place like home!

Thank you so much to all of my adoring fans who kept up with this blog and followed my travels around town… stay tuned for future giveaways and bright ideas (pun intended, of course) from the Shade Shop!

Tags: Charlottesville, Cville, giveaway, Home, Ivy, lamp, lighting, Quince, The Shade Shop, Traveling Light, turquoise
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Selecting the right shape shade for your lamp is all about style, but selecting the correct size is all about proportion.  Even if the style of shade is correct, the size can make or break the look.

Photo: The Shade Shop

• One way to determine width of your shade: Measure the lamp from the bottom of the base to just below the socket.  Use this measurement, give or take 2 inches, to determine the diameter of the bottom of the lamp shade.  A 17″ lamp could have a shade anywhere from 15″ diameter to 19″ diameter.
• A second way to determine width of the shade: Measure the width of the lamp base. Multiply this number by two to come up with the ideal diameter for your lamp shade.

Photo: The Shade Shop

• Option one for determining lamp shade height:  The harp will determine the height of the shade since the shade should cover the harp perfectly.  Choose a shade that comes within 1/2″  of the height of the harp in either direction.
• Option two for determining lamp shade height:  Measure the height of your lamp base.  The shade should be anywhere from 2/3 to 3/4 of this measurement.  For a 12″ high lamp base, choose a shade that is between 8 and 9 inches.

Photo: The Shade Shop

• Always remember that the socket of the lamp should be covered by the shade when you are looking at the lamp at eye level.

Tags: base, diameter, harp, height, inches, lamp, proportion, shade, size, The Shade Shop
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Lighting can be your best friend when it comes to decorating a small space.  Whether it is natural or artificial light, it can make a room feel larger, more spacious, and more open.

• Keep heavy drapery to a minimum and avoid placing furniture or plants in front of windows.  Flooding a room with natural light, or letting in as much as possible given the space, will immediately make a room seem more open.

• Though one statement table lamp can make for a great focal point to a room, avoid too many heavy lamps that take up too much real estate in a small room.  Overhead lighting such as chandeliers, recessed lighting, and pendant lamps take up less precious space and are also a stylish look.

Photo: My Home Ideas

• When choosing floor lamps for a small space, look for lamps that have more than one function.  A floor lamp with a small shelf or table space that can hold a drink and a book or a picture frame saves you from adding another side table that there may not be room for.

• Make a variety of eclectic pendant lights hung at different heights the main focus of the room.  If you don’t have room for both furniture and artwork, this is a great way to incorporate style into the room without sacrificing the room that you need for a bookcase, seating, or a desk.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

• Consider sconces instead of table lamps in a small bedroom.  This can either give you more room on your bedside table, or allow you to have a much smaller table or none at all.

Photo: My Home Ideas

Carefully placed lighting and using natural light to its fullest can make a space seem much larger than it actually is.  Don’t be discouraged by a small space, be creative and you’ll have a wonderful space that may have gone overlooked otherwise.

Tags: Chandelier, floor lamp, lighting, natural light, overhead lighting, pendant light, sconce, small space, table lamp, The Shade Shop
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Now that it’s post Memorial Day and our dinner parties will make their way outside, it’s time to light up the outdoors in a  creative way.  Add a magical touch to your outdoor areas with flickering lights and interesting colors.

Photo: Sunset Magazine

Glass lanterns in the same color family hung at differing heights and adorning the table create an eclectic, urban look perfect for a small city patio or courtyard.

Photo: Real Simple

Paper lanterns in a variety of colors glow like objects in the solar system.  Adding lighting elements close to the ground such as the terra cotta pot connects the whole lighting look.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Strands of sea shell lights (or any novelty shaped light) are a beachy, colorful addition to the outdoor decor.  The turquoise and yellow keep the palate limited and the colors have been continued into the accent pillows on the furniture as well as the candles on the table.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Glass jam jars lit with votive candles and sparkling crystal accents are the perfect finishing touch to a Tuscan influenced patio area.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Create a chandelier with a grouping of glass lanterns hung below an umbrella.  The lights will flicker and glisten throughout the evening providing the perfect overhead lighting for a small dinner party.

When creating an lighting look for your outdoor area, don’t be afraid of strings of lights and other lighting methods that you may have used in your younger days.  These make for special lighting touches that add a bit of whimsy and nighttime allure to your outdoor dining area.

Tags: chandlier, glass lantern, martha stewart living, memorial day, outdoors, paper lantern, real simple, sunset magazine, terra cotta, The Shade Shop
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Whether your closet is modest or extravagant, beautiful lighting can make you feel much more glamorous when getting ready for the day.  A chandelier can work in even the smallest of walk in closets, just make the proportion works so that it is not taking up valuable storage space towards the ceiling.  Go strictly traditional or wildly eccentric, this is a place where very few people will ever see your decor, so make sure that it is 100% geared towards your personal style.

Tags: Chandelier, closet, eccentric, glamour, storage space, traditional
Posted in Bedroom, Chandeliers | 1 Comment »

Bring this coupon into the Shade Shop until May 30 for a 35% discount off one item in-store!

Tags: Charlottesville, Cville, discount, in-store, lighting, The Shade Shop
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Instead of using sconces to shed light on your fireplace mantle arrangement, consider adding symmetrical candlestick lamps.  These pieces will add another element of decor while making your fireplace seem wider by drawing attention to either end of the mantle.   Pick skinny candlestick lamps that will not distract from the beauty of the fireplace or any other collections that are residing on the mantle.

Photo: House to Home

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: House to Home

Photo: House Beautiful

From the Shade Shop

Tags: candlestick lamp, fireplace, House Beautiful, house to home, mantle, southern living, The Shade Shop
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our Traveling Light Lamp Giveaway! We are anxiously tallying up the votes to find our winner. Stay tuned to find out where our lamp travels to for the final time!

Tags: lamp giveaway, The Shade Shop
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Tripod Floor Lamps have a vintage, stylish air about them.  There is a cool, unfinished appearance that makes a tripod floor lamp look like it would be completely at home in an artist’s studio apartment yet it also fits right into a traditional, nautical inspired room or a modern, bright colored space.

Whether you choose a lamp with a contemporary drum shade or a more traditional reading style metal shade, a tripod floor lamp is a great way to add height, visual interest, and light to your living room.

Also, don’t forget today is the last day to enter the Traveling Lamp Giveaway!

Tags: apartment, contemporary, drum shade, floor lamp, living room, metal, modern, reading lamp, studio, traditional, tripod, vintage
Posted in Lamps, Living | 1 Comment »

I’ve had the best time for the past six weeks, but have finally arrived at my last destination! The warehouse district in Downtown Cville is home to the fashionable Quince, and I must say that I look pretty cozy among all these great home furnishings…Sharon Manering has used her expert eye to bring eclectic, yet functional finds to Charlottesville residents, and the store specializes in modern pieces with an Asian flare. There are so many interesting accessories here that would add a really unique touch to your already fabulous abode. As I waddled around for the first time, I couldn’t help but notice that there are some really exciting gifts for the special mothers in your life. My personal favorites are these small, hand-made Chinese bud vases. Better yet, bring me home to her! I couldn’t think of a better present!

Remember, there are TWO ways to enter to win me every week. :

1. Posting to Twitter
   1. Find me at Quince and take a picture with me.
   2. Post it on Twitter with “@ShadeShop’s #TravelingLight Lamp Giveaway” at the end of your tweet.
2. Posting a comment on this blog entry
   1. Visit the Shade Shop Blog each week to check up on my status.
   2. Answer the question of the week:

What are you getting for the special ladies in your life this weekend? Or if you are a mama yourself, what would you love to open on Sunday? Non-material gifts, such as a clean house or unconditional love are also fair game…

Tags: #travelinglight, Charlottesville, Charlottesville Downtown Mall, Cville, Mother's Day Ideas, Quince, The Shade Shop, Traveling Light
Posted in Traveling Light | 8 Comments »