Floor Lamps And Lamp Shades: Silk, Glass, Beaded, Antique

Martha Stewart warns, ever the wise whisper tickling the ears of amateur home decorators across the nation, that Lamps are always noticed. The eye, like the moth, is naturally drawn to their light. Most rooms in most homes are lacking appropriate lamp illumination. Some apartments require several floor lamps if they come without overhead lighting, and many mid-sized homes are haunted with unlit corners and unattractive fluorescent glows.

Whether recognized or not, light naturally affects our moods, and a particular atmosphere is caused by the brightness, contrast, and color of a room's lighting. The first step in creating the desired effect is taking a walk through a house and making a list of each space that could use additional light and/or accessorizing. Note corners that would benefit from floor lamps, and table or desk spaces that need small lamps. It's better not to take this walk alone, since a fresh pair of eyes will see the most. Co-workers and friends can usually be easily persuaded to contribute constructive criticism in exchange for dinner or drinks.

Once target areas have been selected, consider the desired style. Rooms still needing light, but already fully decorated or bordering on busy, would benefit from simple floor lamps. A wide selection of reasonably priced floor lamps can be found at Mpodesigns.com. Neutral wood-based floor lamps, adjustable metal floor lamps, and floor lamps with multiple branches of light are available to compliment—and blend into—the motif of any home.

Bland rooms can be made to sparkle with floor lamps designed with more than simple task lighting in mind. Floor lamps with matching shades can provide continuity for a room or set of rooms.  Extravagantly decorated floor lamps can really make a statement and even become the focal ornaments in a room or hallway. Several lighting galleries specialize in custom-crafted unique designs, creating pieces of art of which there is no duplicate. Connoisseurs of interior design and art collectors will enjoy these novelty floor lamps, and should check out Art Lighting Gallery. Like any original piece of art, illuminated glass floor lamps sculpted in the shape of a woman's body will not be found at Wal-Mart prices. Table and floor lamps with shades cost between $350-$3,000.

For less of an investment and a different style, Victorian Lampshade Supply offers a variety of size, shape, and colors of beautiful beaded lamp shades and silk lamp shades. These table and floor lamps with shades are made to order, with prices starting at $250. True Martha Stewart disciples, who hope to wow their guests with endless creative enterprise, can order a Victorian lamp shade kit and decorate their own for under a $100. How-to videos make the process more interactive, and the kit comes stocked with wire frames, beaded fringes, finials, decals, etc.

Beaded lamp shades can also be a modern decorative alternative to the Victorian silk lamp shades. Consider an HGTV make-it-yourself method, which includes melting Mardi Gras beads to create a thematic and festive beaded lamp shade. A DIY Network offers directions to create a different style of beaded lamp shade, for which an endless array of inexpensive beads can be found online. Wire-sculpture.com has incredible sales with up to ninety percent off of gemstone, glass and colored beads. Kids' rooms, living rooms, desk lamps, and floor lamps can all be perfectly matched with a hand-crafted beaded lamp shade—on any budget.

Unfortunately, the delicacy and vulnerability of lamp shades which make them so lovely, often allow sentimental family heirlooms to be damaged over time. Consider having tattered antique lamp shades repaired, restored or replaced to match its lonely lamp stand. Vendors like Specialtylampshades.com and Vitageshades.com take special care to recreate the quality and originality of each unique antique lamp shade.

These new illuminations, whether top-hatted by modern, home-made or antique lamp shades, will add a new dimension to any room. Magazines will be more easy and enjoyable to read under generous floor lamps, and bedside tables will glow more romantically with the light of a colored glass lamp shades. Martha Steward will be proud!


Sources:
Art Lighting Gallery. 6 May 2007. http://www.artlightinggallery.com/algHomePage.htm.
Carleton, Margaret. "Melted Bead Lampshade and Jewelry." HGTV. Sept. 2005. 6 May 2007 http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_beads/article/0,,HGTV_ 3229_3396557,00.html.
Lamps and Lampshades. Martha Stewart Living. Oct/Nov 1992. 6 May 2007. http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menu item.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=6 />Lighting Showplace. 1994-2007. 6 May 2007. http://www.lightingshowplace.com/decor/home.pl.
Making a Beaded Lampshade. DIY Network. 2007. Scripps Network, Inc. 6 May 2007. http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_beading/article/0 ,2025,DIY_13745_2268417,00.html.
Specialty Lampshades. 7 May 2007. http://www.specialtylampshades.com.
Home Lighting Ideas. Sylvania. Osram Sylvania. 2004. 6 May 2007. http://www.sylvania.com/LightingIdeas/HomeLighting Ideas/.
Victorian Lamp Shade Supply. 2007. 7 May 2007. http://www.victorianlampshadesupply.com.
Vintage Shades & Antique Lamps. 6 May 2007. http://www.vintageshades.com.