PLEATED LAMPSHADE ROUNDUP & HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADE

I love lamp

….shades

But also lamps. 

When I’m obsessing over project details, I find myself considering every which way I can have a lampshade made. Fabric, trim, pleat styles, ruffles, you name it and I’m thinking about it. 

One of my favorite designers once said that keeping the stock shade on a new lamp is like keeping the stock photos in a new picture frame and I couldn’t agree more. Swapping out lampshades is just one more detail that takes a room to the next level by adding another layer of pattern and color.

Today I’m sharing a roundup of some pleated shades as well as some sources I’ve used in the past for custom lampshades.

I had these custom GP&J Baker Grantly fabric shades made by Chairs with Flair in the style of Alice Palmer

I’m pleased with our Pooky sconce shades in our bedroom and love their GP&J Baker collection.

I’m often asked about this light yellow figured Fermoie shade from my office. I haven’t seen it sold anywhere since I purchased but here’s a similar one. 

Another Fermoie shade that I bought on sale from KRB NYC

These Lee Jofa sconce shades were made by Cruel Mountain

And this is a great budget-friendly pleated option!

Some personal favorite resources for shades that I’ve used in the past for custom shades:

• Lux Lampshades
• Cruel Mountain 
• Chairs with Flair

Whenever I’m choosing a shade and am not sure which size to go with (and there’s no stock shade to base the size off of), I refer to this simple diagram from Ballard:

Your shade should be about two-thirds the height of your lamp base (give or take 1″). 

Proportion is the key – too tall and the effect will be top heavy, but too short and your lamp will look out of balance. And you never want your harp to show. Sometimes a shade can be the right size but the harp is either too tall or too short. I like to swap the harp before reaching for a new shade just to be sure! 

Here’s a roundup of some pleated shades: