This orange desk lamp comes in different colors and has LED bulbs.

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!

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.

• 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.

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.