How to buy handmade designer
lampshades at the best possible
price covered by a lifetime
workmanship guarantee
The shoppers guide to decorating with lampshades and cushions
What others are saying about
Shady Designs...
It is a creative place without pretension
I have found Shady Designs very nice to deal
with. The staff are friendly, competent and helpful. I recommend Shady Designs highly. It is a
creative place without pretension. The finished
product is of a very high standard
Andrea Pinnock, Sydney NSW
The lampshade was restored to its former
glory. Excellent work guys!!
Once I had met with Arif I was confident in handmade,
I was completely sold on your services. I didn't care
about how long it took. The lampshade was my late
mother's, and the Neanderthal furniture removalists
damaged it. Buying another one was not an option.
The lampshade was restored to its former glory. Excellent work guys!!
Tim Mitchell, Belmont NSW
I would recommend Shady Designs to anyone needing something special; excellent
range & service
This guide reveals how decorative
ceiling pendants, along with side
lamps and cushions, will instantly reinspire your interior environment
I was confident that I would get something special
from Shady Designs. Ultimately, I decided to buy because I had driven past many times & knew it would
be the first place I went to for a special shade. Its a
great benefit being able to choose a shape & fabric in
the one place with a huge range which would suit the
lamp. I would recommend Shady Designs to anyone
needing something special; excellent range & service
Marie Lim, Petersham NSW
Provided as an educational service by Shady Designs handmade lampshade specialists
At last a simple guide that reveals
the secret to choosing beautiful
designer lighting and decor
Dear Shoppers,
Choosing designer lighting isn’t easy. Why? Because you’re bombarded with advertisements of cheap imports, confusing claims, and
simply bad information: from super‐low prices and high
pressure sales to misleading advice by junior sales assistants and
lighting stores selling near-worthless products
Where can you find high quality, competent, professional lighting
and cushion advice?
You start by reading this consumer guide
What others are saying about
Shady Designs...
A very worthwhile experience and great value
for money
I got exactly what I wanted; something that was
unique and quality made. I enjoyed the support
given in the showroom as I narrowed down the
options, friendly service and quality product. Receiving additional cushions made from left over
fabric was also another bonus which just highlighted the passion Shady Designs had for their work
and for being customer focused. All in all a very
worthwhile experience and great value for money.
In this fact-filled booklet, you’ll discover
 How to avoid 4 common lighting and lampshade rip-offs
 7 costly mistakes made when decorating with designer
lampshades and cushions
 Decorative ceiling pendants, side lamps & sconces: How to create the perfect mix of lighting in your space
 The #1 important thing when creating and ordering designer
lampshades
 8 quick and easy steps to redecorate your space
Linda Livingstone, Rozelle NSW
We wrote this guide to help you better understand decorating with
designer lampshades and cushions. Now, with this information, you
can make an informed, intelligent decision and if you have any questions about lampshades or cushions, you’re invited to call us at
02 8065 4658.
Spoon & Fork - Cookies and Cakes, Croydon NSW
We’ve dedicated our business to educating consumers and we’ll be
happy to help in every way
Cheers again,
Lisa, Arif and the Shady Designs Team
Shady Designs
Handmade lampshades
We thought what's available in store was
quite a perfect match
We thought what's available in store was quite a
perfect match to what we were after, I decided to
buy because of the right design, good service and
industry discount! :) I recommend Shady Designs to
all the customers that came into our shop and see
the lamps because of their great designs, good
quality and great service.
Your customer service and follow-up shows
you care about the customer not just the sale
I was never unsure about using Shady Designs, in
fact I was very confident and knew what I wanted.
The price was right and you were happy to use the
fabric I wanted. Lisa was so helpful and knowledgeable from the start which gave me great confidence
to buy. I've already recommended Shady Designs to
many friends and trades people that have either
visited our house or worked here during the renovation. They all say they love the pendants. I love
what you do, your fabrics are gorgeous and your
service and prices are just right. Your customer service and follow-up shows you care about the customer not just the sale.
Juliet Davis, Lane Cove NSW
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HOW TO AVOID 4 COMMON LIGHTING AND LAMPSHADE RIP-OFFS
1. WHERE IS YOUR LIGHT MADE? HOW EXPENSIVE LIGHTS AND CHEAP IMPORTS ARE MADE IN THE SAME FACTORIES

You can tell when a cheap lampshade is made out of dodgy materials simply by poking at the product to test its durability. This
means the lampshade won’t last a month and if it takes a little knock it’s done for. Typically we see examples where the binding
starts to peel or the shade goes out of shape

Have you ever seen examples of the photo looking spectacular but upon opening the product it looks terrible and not worth the
money spent. Make sure your supplier offers a quality guarantee

[Julia’s Story] Very expensive lampshades do not
necessarily guarantee quality - we were recently
asked to repair a number of damaged lampshades
for clients who ordered lampshades from the US
worth over $1500 each. On opening the packages
2. BAD QUALITY WIRE FRAMES THAT KILL YOUR LIGHT
they discovered the lampshades were terribly
manufactured with poor materials used and
 Wires are a tell-tale sign of a quality lampshade
crushed in the box– it goes to show that even price
 Cheaper lampshades use very thin wires which bend, go out of shape
won’t guarantee quality
If it’s an imported light ask how the product is packaged for freight. A
poorly packaged product will certainly arrive to you damaged, a
properly packaged product should survive a fall from 2 meters high
or snap easily. Wires should be firm, solid and be able to cop a few
accidental knocks in life

Powder coating is the process where the raw wire is professionally painted and sealed. Cheaper lampshades often use wires
that have not been powder coated which means they will rust. The rust then seeps into your fabric and leaves a rust stain

If wires are poorly welded at the joins, the frame is at risk of snapping,
making the lampshade fall apart
3. SAY NO TO POORLY BONDED JOINS AND SEAMS
The lamps in Julia’s story above used thin
wires covered in generic white poly material
and bonded with tape. The pressure of one
finger was enough to push them out of shape

Cheap lampshades will have the seam [or the join of the shade] bonded
using poor quality glue or clumsily sticky taped. If this is the case, lampshades will self destruct within weeks of you using it

Seams less than 1.5cm wide are not strong enough to withstand the knocks of life

Often the seams are not completely bonded down. There can also be gaps in the seams and these gaps get larger until ultimately the shade falls apart

If the incorrect joining method or glue is used for the fabric chosen, the
seams will deteriorate quickly and glue stain marks are clearly visible


The seam should be a straight line and look even. Put the shade behind
the light and ensure the fold is perfectly lined up
Looking at the join, ask yourself, do you think it will hold together for a
reasonably long period of time?
The join of the lampshade is a critical part of
the longevity of a lampshade.
Our technique is to triple bond the join which
ensures the lampshade will keep its shape for
a lifetime
4. WORTHLESS MACHINE MADE LAMPSHADES THAT DON’T EVEN SURVIVE A MONTH OUT OF THE BOX

If you see a lampshade that is sticky taped at the top and bottom rings and you notice a lack of glue used or the seams and
edges appear to be lifting then it’s probably a machine made product

They are often too light and, upon close inspection, joins and seams are Handmade means attention to detail. With
usually not bonded down to a high enough standard. Often the wires are years of experience we’re able to determine
taped together
the best technique to use when creating a

Machine made shades often use backing material and poor quality plastic lamp design. A good test is to check if the top
and bottom wires are bonded and glued tight.
for the shade which are brittle and break easily

Machine made lampshades do not use permanent glue and rely on the
fabric to be pinched tightly onto the wire frame. This means if the shade of force will not separate the wire from the
gets a bump or knock it starts to separate and then is permanently dam- fabric.
aged and ultimately becomes totally useless
If they are well bonded, a reasonable amount
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7 COSTLY MISTAKES WHEN DECORATING WITH DESIGNER
LAMPSHADES AND CUSHIONS
1. POOR USE OR CHOICE OF LIGHTING—HOW YOU NEED THE RIGHT LIGHT FOR THE RIGHT PURPOSE

Trying to make a room bright by using only one primary light creates a glare bomb. Larger rooms or dark spaces will need at
least a ceiling pendant and a series of strategically placed table, floor and wall lamps to illuminate and brighten the entire
space properly. This offers great decorating potential.

If a ceiling pendant does not cast enough light in an open plan area it will require more globes
2. WRONG SIZE OR SHAPE—THE ART OF GETTING PERFECT PROPORTIONS

When lights are too small or large for the room they look wrong

Shades that are too small also won’t spread enough light in the needed areas

A lampshade that is too big [on a lamp base] can be dangerous to people and
property as it can cause the lamp to topple over

You should always bring the entire base into the shop when trying to choose a
shade so you can get the proportion and shape right – often what looks best will
surprise you!
Here’s some feedback from customers
who’ve bought square and rectangle shapes
to be used as ceiling pendants: They tell us
that they regret choosing these shapes because the lampshade ultimately looks too
‘BOXY’ as most rooms are rectangular.
We’ve often had to remake the lights into
drums which appears gentler around the
curve.
3. POOR POSITIONING—WHERE TO PUT YOUR LIGHTS FOR BEST RESULTS

With ceiling pendant lights, the more space between the top of the shade and the ceiling, the more light is allowed to disperse
across the ceiling and therefore over the room. This means you will get a brighter space

Lampshades positioned incorrectly in the TV room. If the shade is positioned in front of the telly, the reflection will be seen on
the screen creating an annoying light glare while you’re trying to watch your shows. The best position for lamps is off to the
side so you can enjoy the ambient light and uninterrupted viewing

Nothing beats natural light. I know it’s obvious but don’t block a window with
a large lampshade. That means you shouldn’t stick a large shade in front of a
window and never put a lampshade where it will obstruct the view outside or
of your artworks

Check that the lampshade sits properly on your lamp base (called the recess).
Would the shade look better a little higher or lower in relation to the top of
the base?

If you intend to use table and floor lamps as reading lights you need to make sure there is plenty of room between the table
[or floor] and the bottom of the shade so light can spread effectively

Ceiling pendants, always ask your lighting professional for advice on the hanging drop from the ceiling. Get some feedback on
the shape and size of the light in relation to the size of your room or space
Friendly lighting retailers will have samples that they can loan you. A lending
light will give you the best idea of size and
proportion in your space. Discover how
Shady Designs can offer you the best solutions for your style and budget
4. SHADE DOESN’T SAFELY FIT YOUR BASE OR LAMP HOLDER—HOW TO GET YOUR FITTINGS RIGHT

Buying a lampshade for an existing base & realising the fitting size is not
compatible is devastating, so make sure you measure your fitting or
bring in your base to the store for a proper assessment

Is your old lamp safe? Many antique and vintage lamps have dangerously faulty wiring that needs to be replaced

Choosing a lampshade to fit an existing base; without having the base
with you at the time of ordering means you can’t make sure that the
sizing is correct and the shade could end up looking odd and out of place

Choosing a ceiling pendant for an existing fixture without correct dimensions is a definite no-no. Always consult with your lighting specialist and
take a couple of reference photos [close up and afar]
How to properly install a lampshade
Click this video link bit.ly/1afcjOd
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5. WRONG MATERIALS AND FABRIC—HOW TO MAKE YOUR COLOURS AND PATTERNS COMPLIMENT YOUR DECOR

Choosing a shade that doesn’t suit the existing decor of your space is an instant eyesore. You need to consider what materials
you have at the moment, from curtains to upholstery and rugs

Picking a fabric design that overpowers an artwork or choosing a print that dictates the
entire room will make the lampshade awkward, instead of beautifully completing the
space

Stay away from blockout materials when creating reading lamps as you want more light

Don’t forget that when a lamp is switched on it will glow a lighter tone than when the
lamp is off
When choosing a fabric for a
lampshade, pick a material
with a colour, texture or design
that you love the most and will
give your space an instant injection of fun and inspiration
CLICK HERE
Discover how to choose the perfect fabric
for your space and project
6. GOOD CUSHIONS VS BAD CUSHIONS– DOES YOUR SPACE NEED A DRAMATIC RE INSPIRATION?

Cushions must compliment the style and theme of your existing decor

Don’t make the mistake of ordering 100% feather cushions, they’re a lot of work to maintain as you find yourself re fluffing them back into shape every time you go to cosy up
with one

Having so many cushions they take over the couch and you need to throw a pile on the
floor before you sit down

A poor selection of sizes that don’t look right in your space

Get rid of the old disease filled cushion inserts. Cushions must have removable and washable inserts, cushion covers with zippers are ideal
7. TAILORED [OR SOFT SHADES] - HOW TO GET THE BEST VALUE OLD STYLE LAMPSHADES
Have you seen the older style lampshades that look antique, Victorian and very traditional? These lampshades are often curved in
shape and decorated with braiding, tassels and gimp such as you might find in period movie sets. These lampshades are totally
made of fabric and are hand stitched together onto the wire frame, this technique
A Video Guide to Soft Shades
offers the detailed and intricate look of the style but due to the extra time spent it is
a more costly option

Having a soft shade recovered will cost at least double the price of a conventional drum, cylinder or empire lampshade

On top of the cost of fabric you must also choose your finishes that both decorate the shade and hide the stitches and joins

Soft shades take twice as long to complete
Click this video link bit.ly/1a8yVhq
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DECORATIVE CEILING PENDANTS, SIDE LAMPS AND SCONCES:
HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT MIX OF LIGHTING IN YOUR SPACE
CEILING PENDANT LIGHTS—FEATURE HANGING LIGHTS THAT ENLIVEN YOUR SPACE
Video Guide to Ceiling Pendants
If you’re looking for the best alternative from the harsh spotlight effect of down lighting,
then use ceiling pendants for a show stopping solution
Depending on the space you may like a single decorative pendant over a dining room table,
or perhaps a cluster or row of shades to create depth and dimension.
Whichever you choose, height and width of the shades are crucial
A large pendant central in a room should be positioned at a height that creates a spread of
light across the ceiling but without the threat of a knock to the head. Through adjustable
suspensions, multiple levels can be created with a cluster, adding dimension to the space
Click this video link http://bit.ly/17fIaQc
TABLE LAMPS & FLOOR LAMPS—HOW TO USE SIDE LAMPS THAT CREATE ATMOSPHERE
Table lamps provide atmosphere and mood lighting in a room. As functional pieces they can easily be moved around as needed
and shifted to instantly create a new room style without having to redecorate.
Video Guide to Side Lamps
The location of a table lamp can immediately change its effect. Positioning one
against a mirror gives a room depth through light and shadow, while a taller lamp
on a low side table has a quirky effect
Floor lamps are fantastic for both lighting and decoration in a room. A floor lamp
can make a dead space come alive as a functional reading lamp and an intriguing
sculpture piece. More than this, a floor lamp provides warmth
Click this video link http://bit.ly/1bdScNJ
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To choose the perfect lamp base, focus on the materials you have in your
home and choose something unique like glass, chrome or timber for the
base that perfectly matches your decor. From there, choose a shade that
balances out the base and brings life to the room through a warm glow. You
end up with a functional reading light and an art piece to complete your
room
When choosing a base, try to find something unique that complements your
style. Antique stores are a great place to start for a base with real character.
For a truly individualised base, converting household objects is a fantastic
alternative. Almost anything can be made into a base – like a vase – even a
watering can – So get creative!
If you already have a base, it can be dressed up with a vibrant shade
SCONCES [WALL LIGHTS] - HOW TO ILLUMINATE YOUR WALLS
Sconces provide a neat lighting solution. They free surfaces and provide a shadowed effect
that is a more decorative and soft alternative to down lighting. A huge advantage of wall
lights is their ability to free up spaces
Creating symmetry around a piece of furniture centres the eye and allows side tables and
bed side tables to be free while functionally providing reading light. Placement is key for
wall lighting so ensure you have thought about how you will use your lighting; their height
on the wall and placement around the room
Try something out of the box – like having lights in the same wallpaper as the wall!
WHAT IS THE #1 MOST IMPORTANT THING WHEN
ORDERING A CUSTOM DESIGNER LAMPSHADE?
The right lighting will complete your room and make it both functional and decorative. Decide on the right lighting style to create
different atmospheres:
Primary – your main source of light for a room, usually natural light or a ceiling pendant
Ambient - complementary and decorative form of lighting in your room. Floor lamps, desk lamps and wall lighting all add mood
Task - functional lighting for a specific purpose; for example floor lamps by a chair to read by or bedside lamps for bedtime reading
Different rooms need different mixes of lighting, so keep in mind how the room will be used:
Kitchens: It’s common to repeat a light in kitchens, so go ahead and do a series of
two or three. This looks particularly fantastic over an island bench or breakfast
bar
Our Number 1 Tip for Perfect Lights
Offices: When considering the lighting in your office, special attention needs to be
on task lamps. Desk lamps are the ideal way to provide you with a focused
light over your work area. Think about positioning your work desk to avoid
glare from any windows or overhead lights
Baby Nurseries: Install a dimmer for pendant lights so baby won’t take an age to
resettle after a late night wake up. Keep a small lamp next to the change table
Click this video link bit.ly/1heGdp2
so a night time change won’t startle baby and you can still attend to business.
Have a night light for feeding with the dimmest possible globe so baby isn’t overstimulated
Children’s Rooms: Kid’s rooms need to be decorated in a way that allows them to grow up – otherwise you’ll constantly be redecorating. Children should have access to an abundance of light; overhead, natural light, bedside and table lamps as well as some
night lights to avoid accidents on the way to the bathroom at night
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OUR NUMBER ONE TIP IS... SIZE—THE FIRST STEP IS TO ‘GET THE SIZE RIGHT’
Where will your shade be going?
How big is your room?
What will you be using it for?
Low Ceilings: No matter how low your ceilings, never make the mistake of putting the shade too close to the ceiling, instead adjust
the size and shape of your shade to save space
High Ceilings: Make the shade a little taller to fit the space or explore other
shapes like an empire or tapered drum. Drop the shade down lower to create a cosier environment
Open Plan Areas: Why not create a series of pendants that spread across the
different areas. You might like to experiment with the same pattern with different
colourways of the sample material or keep them consistent to let the room flow
Oversized Areas: Instead of designing a bulky ceiling pendant to dominate the
space, why not create an installation of several shades as a more creative solution.
Don’t forget to use accent lights to brighten up those dark corners
Small Rooms: A single pendant light will often be very bright in a small room, be
sure to install a dimmer to get the lighting soft when needed
LAMPSHADE STYLE – Will the shade be double sided or single sided?
Double Sided lampshades have a material on both the
inside and outside face the shade and are great as
feature pendants over dining room tables or in the
centre of a wider room, adding an extra dimension
when you look up
Try a plain fabric on the outside with a decorative material on the inside – a fun take on the traditional.
From afar the lampshade will look like it’s plain and
ordinary with a glimpse of a decorative inside. But
when you’re underneath - having dinner or lying on
the couch - you get to look up and enjoy the inside
design as part of the feature
Outside Only—If you’ve fallen in love with a fabric,
doing an outside only shade means that when the
light is on, the colours and textures of the fabric
are intensified when illuminated
Lining the inside of a lampshade offers another opportunity for texture, for double sided pendants you might like to explore a size
larger which means you get to show off more of the inside pattern
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8 QUICK AND EASY STEPS TO REDECORATE YOUR SPACE
WITH LAMPSHADES & CUSHIONS
Declutter – Spring clean; get rid of everything you don’t need! If you’ve got cushions that are older than 3 years then destroy the
insert and professionally clean the covers. Keep your sentimental pieces and donate or ebay the rest
Reposition – Move the furniture, create an easy to access and cozy area
Restyle – Looking at your existing decor, that is your couches, furniture, artworks and rugs, consider some accent pieces that will give your space a lift. Think about your style, colours and tones. Compile all your ideas in
a style file either digitally or in scrap book
Feature lamps – Will you need to overhaul all your lights? Go for all new pendants and side lamps? Or perhaps
you’d like to keep the lamp bases you’ve got and simply design new lampshades and do the ceiling lighting
at a later stage
Decorative Cushions – Matching or complimenting the lampshades, cushions are like the icing on a cake. At a glance of the
room, scatter cushions and side lamps in vibrant colours give the space an enlivened look and a splash of your personal style.
Curling up on the couch with a cushion to rest or cuddle on gives your room an inviting charm
Accessorise and Display - Accessories are the finishing touches to a space, small ornaments and things you’ve collected on your
travels and gifts from love ones that provide your space with character and charm. Display your collections, bottles, glassware,
vases or wooden carvings
Bring the room to life! – Add some life into your room with some beautifully fresh cut flowers or an impressive pot plant. If
you’re no green thumb, choose a low maintenance indoor plant to fill a corner under a floor lamp or table lamp. Displaying
plants and flowers in empty jars, cans or tea pots adds personality and a unique vibe to your space
Do you need some motivation to get started? Then invite your mates over for a party! Nothing forces you to get your
space in perfect order like having a party; a looming deadline of your best friends and family coming over is the best incentive
to get your space looking bright, happy, inviting and cozy. As your fun filled party enters into the late evening—It’ll be time for
your new lampshades to shine and offer your guests the perfect mood and memorable experience
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SO WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3
1. Take some photos of the room you’re decorating. If you have any magazine clippings, notes,
images or swatch colours that will help inspire you – collect them too
2. Drop into our studio to tell us your ideas, view our materials and samples, or email the images to us if you can’t visit
in person
3. Borrow a lampshade or request some fabric sample cuttings
Call us on 02 8065 4658 to discuss your project in more detail
or
Email us your pictures and let us know more [email protected]
Backed with our lifetime workmanship guarantee
at Shady Designs you’ll discover how easy and fun decorating with bespoke designer lampshades can be. We specialise
in handmade to order - tailored to suite your style and budget. We promise to deliver the perfect lighting solution for
you and friends to enjoy for years to come
This guide was provided as an educational service by Shady Designs
“Come and
Meet us”
Shady Designs
503 Balmain Road, Lilyfield NSW 2040
02 8065 4658
www.shadydesigns.com.au
[email protected]
click here to Meet Us in our Shop
Click here to view our catalogue bit.ly/H32rwa
Use our appointment scheduler above to book a time with us
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