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WHAT SHADE DO I NEED FOR WALL LIGHTS?
The majority of our wall Lights are designed to go with our range of candle clip shades, available in Empire, French Drum, Cylinder and French Cone shapes and in a variety of shapes and sizes, normally measuring between 9.5-15 cm wide.
These shades have a butterfly-style candle clip fitting that enables the shade to sit directly on a candle shaped bulb.
SHOP CANDLE CLIP SHADES
WHAT SHADES FIT YOUR BROOKE, CARRICK AND ARLINGTON WALL LIGHTS?
BROOKE WALL LIGHT UP OR DOWN?
The Brooke Wall Light can be fitted upwards or down, depending on which way you wish to style it.
Remember, if you are fitting it upwards, you will need a shade made to fit a lamp base.
If you are fitting it downwards. You will need a pendant fitting shade.
Some suggestions are given on the product page and our special:
Brook Shades Guide
CARRICK WALL LIGHT UP OR DOWN?
Likewise, our Carrick Wall Light can be fitted either way up, so again, you will need a lamp base fitting shade if you plan to fit it with the bulb pointing upwards.
And with a pendant fitting shade if you prefer to fit it pointing downwards.
For more information and shade suggestions, see our:
Carrick Shades Guide.
ARLINGTON WALL LIGHT
LAMARSH SHADES
Our popular Lamarsh Wall Light requires specially made shades to accommodate its double bulb fixing that points both upwards and downwards.
You can see our collecion of:
Lamarsh Shades here.
Which way up does my shade need to be?
Lamp base fitting - bulb points up
Shades with sloping sides need to have the shade ring fitting in the correct place depending if they are being used with a lamp base or ceiling pendant.
Shades to fit a lamp base (bulb pointing up) need the gimble or shade ring at the bottom, so the bulk of the shade sits above it to hide the bulb.
For more information, see our Knowledge Base guide: Shade Orientation
Ceiling Pendant fitting - bulb points down
Sloping shades required for a pendant fitting light, where the bulb points down, will have the shade ring fitted towards the top of the shade so the bulk of it hangs below to hide the bulb.
The majority of ceiling pendants and some table and floor lamps require a pendant fitting.
For more information, see our Knowledge Base guide: Shade Orientation
WHAT FABRIC SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR A SHADE?
Before the ‘rules’ it’s important to bear in mind there is no such thing as the wrong shade. If you love it – it’s the right shade. Experimenting with lamp shades in new fabrics, shapes and colours is a quick and inexpensive way to update your interior decor.
With over 70 fabrics at Jim Lawrence, we are confident we have the right fabric for your perfect shade.
Both the colour and thickness of the fabric influences how light diffuses through it. The lighter the colour and finer the fabric, the more light will diffuse through it. Darker colours and thicker fabrics restrict light direct it upwards or downwards creating more distinctive pools of light.
Before choosing a fabric, think about the purpose of the lamp. If it to provide general ambient light, choose a light or neutral coloured, translucent shade as it will diffuse light evenly across a space.
If you are illuminating a cosy, reading nook or wish to add accent light for a sense of drama in a space you may want to consider darker more opaque shades made from thicker fabrics that create directional light.
We strongly recommend that you order a swatch before ordering any of our fabrics to help you decide if it is right for you.
WHAT TO CONSIDER FOR DUPION SILK SHADES
Pure silk dupion is a uniquely beautiful fabric that has a luxurious textured quality and richness that cannot be reproduced in other materials.
Not surprisingly, it is the most popular silk in the world as it has a fabulous natural sheen and distinctive weave that makes it much sought after in both period and contemporary homes for soft furnishings and bedding.
The fabric is made using raw silk yarns that are turned into a fine thread which is tightly woven together to produce a crisp fabric with a highly lustrous surface and a prominent textured slub that is irregular in appearance.
WHAT IS SILK SLUB?
As a natural fibre, there may be variations in shade or weave which are characteristics of pure silk but not to everyone's taste, especially if you are after a more uniform look.
As a raw fabric, fading and deterioration may occur over time, especially in sunlight, so we do not recommend you use silk dupion for lampshades in or near a window or for curtains and blinds.
FAUX SILK SLUB
Please take a look at our lovely collection of faux silks which we have sourced for customers wanting the look and feel of pure silk in a more robust fabric.
We recommend that all silk curtains and blinds are lined and interlined to protect the face fabric but even then, fading and may occur over time especially in darker colours.
LINEN
Linen is a beautifully soft, yet tough, natural fibre made from the stalk of a flax plant that has long been highly prized in Europe for its versatility.
Used everywhere from bedding to upholstery and lampshades, it wasn’t uncommon for families to pass their linen to the next generation as an heirloom, such was its durability which is two to three times stronger than cotton.
With a thicker, slightly stiffer yarn than cotton, linen is a delightfully porous, lightweight fabric that softens with use and wicks away both heat and moisture, making it ideal for lampshades. It is also naturally hypo-allergenic.
The weave has a subtle slub when looked at up-close which lends a charming simplicity to modern day interiors, perfect for creating a fresh, informal feel in a room.
As a lightweight material, linen will diffuse light more evenly throughout a room than a thick fabric such as velvet or tweed, so is ideal for ambient lighting.
COTTON
Known for its versatility and durability, cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics for lamp shade making as it is easy to clean and drapes and gathers well, lending itself to pleated and decorative designs.
Cotton has a uniform appearance and is smooth in texture. It is lightweight and durable with a tighter weave than linen making it a lovely alternative for shades.
Cotton lamp shades bring a rustic and understated beauty to any scheme, so choose a cotton shade for a laid-back living room or bedroom, or a space that tends to accumulate dust.
Because it is easy to clean, cotton is the perfect choice for locations that may get dirty.
VELVET
Velvet has always been a luxury fabric. Traditionally woven from silk and requiring and incredible thread count to produce its tufted, dense pile, for centuries it was only affordable to wealthy families and was often associated with royalty.
Since the industrial revolution and advances in textile manufacturing, it has become accessible to everyone and nowadays is not always made from silk thread, but cotton and synthetics as well.
Velvet has seen a resurgence in popularity recently thanks to the trend for dramatic interior colours based in far eastern colour themes. Characterised by its rich depth of colour and 'nap' - the rough/smooth feeling you get when you run your hand down a length of velvet fabric - velvet is one of the fabrics most favoured by our shade makers who love the feel of it.
A velvet shade will add softness to a room in daylight and help create a gently atmospheric glow when the sun goes down. An opaque fabric, it will not diffuse light as much as cotton or linen but will channel it through the top or bottom of a shade creating a dramatic effect.
TWEED AND WOOL
Tweed is an iconic British fabric that has been central to classic country style for centuries. It was invented in the 18th century by Scottish farmers to help them endure the harsh winters as it is both warm and water-resistant.
It is a natural fibre textile, made from wool with a soft open yarn that is tightly woven and dyed. There is no ‘typical’ tweed as it comes in a variety of weights, weaves and colours which range from plain and lightweight to colourful and heavy.
During the 1830s Tweed became highly fashionable among the British aristocracy who used it for clothing for hunting and fishing, and for staff uniforms on their country estates. It remains the fabric of choice today for soft furnishings where people want to achieve a subtle but stylish, country modern look in their homes.
Jim Lawrence has teamed up with Lovat Mill in the Scottish Border town of Hawick to bring you a selection of beautiful, contemporary wools and tweeds that take inspiration from the rich colours of the surrounding Scottish countryside.
The cloth incorporates between five and forty colours to produce herringbones and checks that will add subtle reflections of the natural world to your home's interiors.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN ORDERING A SHADE
1. KEEP IT SIMPLE
In order for your lamp base and shade not to compete for attention we find that with lampshades, opposites attract.
An ornate or busy lamp base will generally look better with a plain shade, while a simple base gives you the chance to really go to town with your shade. Be bold with one but not both
2. TEXTURE IS IMPORTANT
The texture of the material you choose can have a significant effect.
Fabrics with a natural slub like linen or silk will look as interesting during the day as they will at night – but you may not want the slub to show when you lamp is switched on.
In this case a plain cotton shade will result in the most beautiful night light
3. CONSIDER THE FABRIC
It will affect the brightness of your lamp. With all the patterns and lovely imagery available, it’s easy to forget the practical aspect of the lamp – that it needs to allow as much light through as you require.
A darker coloured, or thicker type of fabric will stop as much light emitting from the shade than a lighter, thinner material.
For areas that need a brighter light, choose a lighter colour fabric.
4. ORDER A SAMPLE
The very best way to make sure your colours match is to get a swatch of the fabric.
Did you know we send swatches of any of our fabrics out, free of charge? Here at our Suffolk showroom, we keep a bank of all our swatches.
Take a couple home and try them out, it’s really the just the best way to find your perfect match.
ARE SHADES SUPPLIED WITH YOUR LIGHTS?
Generally speaking, all lights that incorporate a glass or metal shade in the design come supplied with that shade.
Lights designed to take a fabric shade do not come with the shade supplied as the choice of shade is up to you.
We make a huge range of shades in different fabrics and sizes so that you can find the perfect match for your home.
WHAT SIZE FITTINGS DO YOUR SHADES HAVE?
The majority of our shades have a universal fit which means they are supplied with a shade ring and a C shaped reducer.
The reducer ensures the shade with fit a standard bayonet bulb and can be removed if your light is fitted for a wider E27 screw in bulb.
Our candle clip shades have two wire loops called a 'butterfly' fitting that you gently pull apart so that the shade sits directly on top of a candle shaped bulb.
WHAT IS A GIMBAL?
This is another name for a shade ring. In order to make our shades as versatile as possible, we supply them with C shaped reducer ring that sits inside the gimble so that the shade will fit a standard bayonet bulb (BC, B22) that is 22mm wide.
If you wish to use a larger Edison screw, (ES, E27) bulb, that is 27mm wide, you can remove the reducer to make the aperture wider.
WHAT IS A DIFFUSER?
A diffuser is a semi-opaque disc that is perfect for disguising the glare of a light bulb and are most commonly used over dining room or kitchen tables. They sit inside the bottom rim of a pendant shade and draw your eye to the lampshade not the bulb. Our diffusers are only suitable for cylinder shades
What shade do I need for a ceiling light?
We offer a selection of our most popular sized Empire shades with pendant fittings for ceiling lights.
Pendant shades need a shade ring fitted at the top of the shade instead of at the bottom.
We can make any of our shades in any of our fabrics with a pendant fitting as a bespoke item.
For a selection, see our Pendant Shade collection, or go the Lampshades section on the website and use the filter to filter Pendant and browse size and colour options.
Please contact our helpful sales team on 01473 826685 to discuss your requirements
How big should my shade be?
For useful information about sizing shades for a lamp base see our Knowledge Base guide:
How to Size Shades for Table Lamps
Generally, the width of your shade should be equal to the height of your base.
The height of your shade should be two thirds the height of your base (divide the base height by 3).
Your shade should be wider than the widest part of your base
What size do I need for a floor lamp?
For useful information on sizing shades for floor lamps, see our Knowledge Base guide:
How to Size Shades for Floor Lamps
Measure the height of your floor lamp from the floor to the underneath of the bulb holder.
Divide this by 4 to get the right height of your shade.
The width of the shade should be wider than the base.
How much light will be let through?
Generally, the lighter the colour and weave of the fabric, the more light the shade will allow through.
The darker and heavier the fabric, the more the light is channelled through the top and bottom of the shade.
For useful information about fabrics andtheir use as shades, see our Knowledge Base guide: Lampshades FAQs
Can I use any of your fabrics?
Yes, we can make any of our Empire shades in any of our fabrics as a bespoke item.
Please contact our helpful customer service team to raise a quote.
Can I use my own fabric?
Yes, we can generally make any of our shades in your own fabric. We just ask that you send in a swatch first so that we can be sure it is suitable.
Fabrics with horizontal stripes do not work well on shades with sloped sides. Vertical stripes are generally ok, while fabrics with large patterns do not work well on small shades.
For more information, see our Knowledge Base Guide: Bespoke Lampshade Service