Category: Product help and information

1. Five reasons to buy a colourful lampshade

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 3rd Jun 2016

   

   1.Change up the look of your room

   Does your room need a bit of a change?  Are you feeling a bit bored of your décor?  If so, why not buy a bright and colourful lampshade or two to brighten it up?  Changing a lampshade or two is a very inexpensive way of changing the look of a room without redecorating it completely.

   

    2. Match (or co-ordinate with) your other soft furnishings

   Have you selected some really wonderful fabric for your curtains or cushions?  Are your plain cream or white shades looking bland in comparison? Why not select some lampshades in matching, or co-ordinating fabric, to pull your interior design together?

    

          3. Ditch the bland

   Is your interior décor feeling a bit boring?  Perhaps you have deliberately chosen neutrals, but are now concerned that your room is a bit too bland.  A new lampshade is a great way of injecting a bit of colour into your room without doing anything too permanent or difficult to change.  If your room decorated in cool tones, a lamp or two in bright colours can add warmth to a room too.

   

          4. Add character to a room

   Whether your grown-up bedroom needs a little injection of romance, or your child’s room needs a bit of colour, a lampshade can help.   Do you need to add a feminine touch to your bedroom, without scaring your partner – well a lampshade can be pretty without overwhelming the space with ‘girliness’ as well as adding some romantic lighting at the same time.  Fun and bright lampshades in a child’s bedroom can add personality, without the need to completely theme the decoration.  They are easy to change out too, as your child’s tastes change as they grow up.

   

          5. To make you smile

   Some of my bolder designs of lampshade are meant, yes, to make a statement, but mostly just to make you smile.  Why not have a little home décor in your home that makes you happy every time you enter the room.

   

    If you've seen a lampshade here that you love, or that makes you smile, why not head over to the shop section of my website, or get in touch with me about making you a bespoke lampshade.

2. How to Clean your Lampshades

   Posted on 9:00am Friday 24th Jul 2015

   

   Do you remember to clean your lampshade when you are doing your housework?  Including the cleaning of your lampshades should be part of your regular routine, because cleaning them frequently is more effective and easier than only doing them when you do your major spring clean.

    Cleaning your lampshades regularly not only ensures that maximum light shines through, but can also prolong the lifespan of the shade.

    

   Fabric lampshades with a pvc liner

   

   Most of the lampshades in my home (including the ones for sale on this website) are fabric with a pvc liner.

    It is really important not to get the fabric part of these shades wet, because it will loosen the bond between the fabric and the backing, ruining the lampshade.  It is also very important to be gentle with them, because it is easy to crease the pvc or plastic liner, which will show through the shade when it is switched on, so be gentle.

   •  Ideally, and particularly if you are doing a thorough clean, you should unplug the lamp and remove the lampshade.

   •  Use a soft brush (a clean make-up brush or large soft paintbrush are ideal) and remove the dust, working from the top to the bottom of the shade. 

   • You can also consider using your vacuum cleaner if it has a very soft (and very clean) brush attachment, although I don’t because I am concerned that the suction is too strong.

   • You must not, however, use a vacuum cleaner if there is any tearing or damage to the shade, as this will make it worse.  For a damaged shade, you can use your hairdryer on its coolest, lightest setting to gently blow the dust away without further tearing any fabric.

   •  You can use a very slightly damp cloth to wipe over the inside of the shade, but do not use this on the fabric.

   • My own secret weapon is a lint roller of the type that has a sticky surface.  Carefully roll from top to bottom of the shade, moving it around and removing a layer of sticky tape regularly.   You do have to be careful not to press too hard though, so as not to dent the liner.

    

   Stitched fabric lampshades

   

   For general cleaning, use the same method as above. 

   If you have a traditionally made fabric shade which is stitched to a metal frame without glue (please be sure this is what it is), you can use soapy water to clean it if it is stained. 

   • Gently submerge the lampshade in warm soapy water and gently use a soft cloth to wipe any stains (without scrubbing at it, because that might damage the fabric).   After cleaning the lampshade, dunk it in cool, clean water repeatedly until all of the soap has gone.

    

   Paper lampshades

   

   Paper shades need to be handled with particular care, as they are easy to tear. 

   • Simply use a soft brush, and dust it from top to bottom, inside and out.

    

   Glass lampshades

   

   Glass lampshades will show up dust so it is important to dust them regularly.

   • To clean them more deeply, switch off the lamp and remove the shade. 
   • Use a soft cloth with warm soapy water to lift all the dust and dirt from the shade. 
   • Use a second soft cloth with cool clean water to remove the soap and repeat this until all of the soap is removed. 
   • Finally use another soft cloth to dry the shade.

    

   

    

   For any other information on lampshade care, do not hesitate to get in touch.