{Tips from the Trades} Let's talk about lamps, baby...

Lamps, you say? What could there be to talk about? Seriously?

Let me tell you, there are a ton of things to consider when purchasing a lamp. It doesn't matter if it is a $30 lamp or $300 lamp, you have to think about what that lamp is going to do for you.

Resource: Uttermost Marcel Lamp

My mom never met a lamp she didn't like. When we go to market to find new products for the store, she can shop for lamps for A G E S..., and boy, can she pick them. I always defer to her when I am choosing lighting for a particular room or client. She just has a certain eye for what will look good and what works in the space.

Here we go...

1) Height - Short? Tall? In between? How to choose? Think about the room and the purpose.
- If you are going to be sitting next to it, the shade should fall below your eye level. You don't want to look up into the hardware and bulbs.
- Lamps placed on long buffets or console tables should be taller with a strong base and an elegant neck. Make sure those tall lamps have a solid weighted base to avoid the "tip and fall". You wouldn't want to get sued by your lamp.

Resource: Uttermost

2) Shades - Brown? White? Opaque? Solid? So many choices.
- We try to stay away from white shades unless the decor calls for it. A fabric, semi-opaque shade gives the room a nice glow and no glare.
- Keep the size of the shade smaller than the table it is sitting on.
- When thinking about the style of the room, consider the shape of the shade. A drum shade will fit a more modern style, while a conical shape is typically for traditional rooms.
- A great touch is to pick one with a metallic interior. This is a perfect choice for a formal dining or living room.
- If you love the lamp, but not the shade, don't have a breakdown in the lamp aisle. You can find TONS of lampshades online. It's a great way to spruce up your style or integrate an existing lamp into a new decor.

Resource: Lamps Plus

- For instant lampshade gratification, check your local big box stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, and Wal-Mart. They have quite a selection, and I believe I have one of every style in my garage just in case. Seriously,  you never know when you will have a lampshade emergency, so it's best to be prepared.

3) Scale - How does it work in the room? 
- A lamp may be the right color, the right shape, and you just fall in love with it, but does it fit in the room? Consider ceiling height and furniture height. If you have a tall four-poster bed, you'll need something tall and elegant to complement it. If you have a low-to-the-ground platform bed, something short and boxy is the way to go.

4) Color - Silver? Gold? Bronze?
- General rule of thumb is to go with your main hardware color, BUT I'm a rule breaker. I love a good mix of metals, and I don't think you need to lock into one particular hue.
- Lamps are a great way to add a pop of color to the room. One of the more trendy color palettes is a yellow/gray combo. Most of us would never buy a yellow couch, but using a lamp with a yellow base or stripe would be a great way to introduce color to the room.

Resource: Lamps Plus

These aren't hard and fast rules, just some suggestions to help you narrow the field when shopping. Every designer has their strong point, and lamps are not mine. I usually look for lamps while I am armed with dimensions and paint or upholstery swatches, or I just ask mom to find one for me, and you can ask her too!

The photos in this post are all resources that we carry in the store, so if you are interested in any of them, please don't hesitate to send us an email - whitestreetvickie (at) gmail.com.


Sweet Design Dreams,
White Street Market