What a day

Today was our first official working day at the new premises.  We still need to do a lot but, at least tables were ready and orders waited. It was an excellent production day.
BBellamy & Bbellamy from Muizenberg imports lovely fabrics.

It felt like Spring has filled Studio, with flower fabrics all over the tables....

And this is the result:  Where have you every seen such beautiful shades?

We still have more fabric from them, so watch this space

Atomic Lampshades

Today I let the staff do the chandelier shades, bedroom shades, lounge table shades, (all the ordinary shades), etc and I am doing something DIFFERENT!
 Matt Allison , the well known urban farmer in Cape Town, contacted me to manufacture an atomic lampshade for his 50's lampbase.

 This base has two light fittings.  The one is for a bright light (like reading), the other - just for light.





And it has 2 pull chains to switch them on and off - clever!  - Ideal for electricity saving in South Africa.

This is all the planning I did.

And now:  for the fabric.  The 2 cone shape shades will be black cotton and the centre drum will be a beautiful fabric from Skinny la Minx.










Now we are busy with the wiring, then the epoxy coating, and then I will post pictures again of  how we progress....

For Keeps

How many of you are keeping your old photos in a draw or box somewhere?  Have you ever thought of having it printed on cloth and displayed somewhere?

 Herewith a picture of a one of our well known protea species indigenous to South Africa, which was printed on soft white cloth - well if you don't want to use the fabric for a lampshade, it will do as a fabulous tablecloth too!

Special Decor Range

We have just started cover the shades of our Special decor range:
Herewith a little peak....

Humble Beginning in 1994

I found some of the pictures taken 17 years ago, when the lampshade bug got the best of me.  I then traded as Shade Delight in the Wilderness, Garden Route, Cape Province, South Africa.  I worked from home and this is what it looked like:  (The floral bell shape lampshade on the coach on the left, was the first bell we made from scratch, and I can (only now) admit, it was a nightmare to make - we had to redo the wire works a few times, to get it level, and then to match the seams to the wiring - many long hours of learning.....)

After 4 years of this, hubby could not take it any longer (I dont blame him) and we sold the business.  Pity - once in your blood, always in your blood.... and 13 years later, we are there again...

And, who remember these Biggie Best Styles?  We made 100's of these..

With bows, self fold and scolloped.

I even found a photo of a lampshade recovery we did then...

We also painted lampshade bases to match the fabric.  The fabric was cut and glued and the lampshade base was painted in the colours of the interior of the room - wow that was a long time ago.

One of my clients was the well known Robin's Nest Interiors, in George, Garden Route.  They had the contract to do the decor for the Fancourt Hotel.  We did the lampshades and this is what it look like 15 years ago:

This hotel has been redecorated a few times since then, Robins Nest has expand their business to the Southern Cape and Mauritius and we have moved to Somerset West.......

And this is how it all started...  then

Tired of dark lampshades?

How often have you tried to read with the bedside lamp, just to find out it does not provide sufficient light? We now stock a clear PVC backing which provide much more lighting for easy reading. 

Bead Frame Shade

From time to time, clients ask me to do make something out of the ordinary, and I always try to assist them, because lampshade making is a challenge, and what keeps me going, is the challenge every day. 

So, I got this phone call requesting a lampshade frame to hang beads to it.  After a few emails, and sketches, I figured it out.  And can you imagine how stunning this frame will look with rows and rows of beads in different colours, glittering when the light shines through....

Herewith the frame at different angles.  The outer ring is 40 cm, the middle one 30 cm and the small one 20cm.  The vertical height from the shade ring to the top is about 20 cm, which leave you with lots of centimetres for the length of the different beads.

mmmmm, keep on dreaming....

For years to come

I was left in the Alley

just as a Frame and no belly

But has just been repainted

and gained.....

to go to a new home

For the years to come

A Splash of Silver or Gold

Good morning,
When a ray of sunshine filtered into my Studio this morning, I wandered what we would do without Gold or Silver in our lives.

Silver hair
Gold in our teeth
Silver, silver in the kitchen
Gold on the fingers.

For so many years it was, and will be THE colours that warmth our hearts. I wish this client, all the blessings, love and happiness that Silver and Gold bring.

A Shade or 2 can change a room or 2

Today, we spend time with the most beautiful fabric. Soft on the hands and rich and warm in color. This makes up for sticky glue hands and  a studio full of fabric off-cuts and cotton bits and pieces - its not always a clean, tidy environment!  But a finished product like this, makes it all worth the while.

Lampshade Measurements

What size shade will you need?

To get the correct measurements for a lampshade size, can sometimes become tricky.  Herewith a picture as how to measure for the sizes that we use.  Compare the size that you prefer, to our sizes on our pages. Please note that we take the vertical measurement as the height of the shade.

Lampshade Special Offer

As so many clients ask for drum shape lampshades at present, we have decided to offer the 300 x 300 lampshades on a special this month. For more details and terms and conditions, tab "Specials". 

Now is the time to get the lampshades for you bedroom to match the duvet, comforter or linen.  And a hanging shade for the main light too!

Dont forget about the kids bedroom -  time for a change.

Expecting a baby - lets match the lampshades with the baby room decor!

And mum, the 2 or 3 shades above the breakfast nook, is long overdue!

Looking forward to hear from you!  Click here to email me!

A French Affair Lampshade

A little bit of fur

Some french netting

Glitter

Feathers

Champagne anyone?

A Modern Tiffany

I was old

and turned to grey....

Metal colour, black feathers, transparent beads

So romantic

Must we part ???