| Feather Lampshades |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-202 |
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Boas, feathers and glue are the basics for these fun, funky lampshades.
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Q: I've seen some really different lamp shades in the stores that are quite expensive. I'm especially fond of the ones with feathers. Can I create this look myself?
A: (Nancy Golden, Ask DIY Decorating & Design Expert) Yes, and they are so easy to make, especially when you consider that shades at the store can sometimes cost as much as the lamp, or more. Here's what you do: Materials:
Flat-surface lamp shade, self-adhesive if desired
Hot glue gun
Packaged feathers or a feather boa
- Purchase bags of feathers, choosing from the many colors available at most craft and fabric stores. The bag usually includes instructions on ways to use the feathers beyond just gluing them down flat, including curling them or cutting unusual shapes.
- Select a smooth fabric or paper lamp shade to feather. A pleated shade won't work -- the surface must be flat.
- With a glue gun, glue feathers to the shade in rows, starting at the bottom of the shade. Put a bead of glue on the stem of each feather and then press it to the shade. As you start each new row, make sure the fluffy ends of the feathers cover the stems of the feathers below it.
- Finagle the feathers in the rows towards the top of the shade so that the top row will have the feather stems pointing down and the fluffy ends covering the top of the shade.
- Along the top rim, consider gluing on a trim of metallic ribbon or gimp.
- For a 50s look, use a cylinder-shaped self-adhesive shade. Take the protective sheet off, and wrap a feather boa around the sticky shade, top to bottom. (Give it extra hold at the top with a bead of hot glue). For a glamorous look, hot glue pieces of a marabou boa to the top and bottom of a trapezoid-shaped shade.
More Questions for Nancy:
Q: I bought a pair of lamps at a yard sale minus the shades. How do I determine what size shade to get for the lamps?
A: The general formula is that the lampshade should not be any higher than the measurement from the base of the lamp to the base of the light socket. For wide lamps, it also shouldn't be any smaller than the widest part of the lamp. For pillar lamps, use your own taste as a guide.
Q: Would a dark green carpet make a 10-foot by 10-foot room look bigger or smaller?
A: I don't like to think "bigger or smaller." I like to think that dark green makes a room look cozy. But if you do want to fool the eye a little bit, underneath the chair rail, paint the bottom third of the wall that same dark green as the carpet. Your eye will just keep going up and that will make the room seem a little bigger.
Q: Can you give me some advice for brightening up a dark room in my country-theme log home?
A: Go to the Mall of America and buy a wonderful light quilt to break up the dark look of the logs. Web site resources for Feather Lamp Shade: Pressed-Flower Lamp Shade from DIYNET.Com Lamp Shade Options from DIYNET.Com Book: Lamp Shade Book: 80 Traditional and Innovative Projects to Create Exciting Lighting Effects
by Dawn Cusick
ISBN: 0806987006
Lark Books (1998)
50 College St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Customer Service Phone: 800-284-3388
E-Mail: customerservice@larkbooks.com
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