Q: How do I know which style lampshade will go with my vintage '50s Murano glass base?A: Murano bases are plump at the bottom and have a thin neck; for this type of lamp you'd want a drum lampshade.
Choosing lampshades can be tricky: you need the base and shade to be in the right proportions. There are essentially just six classic lampshade styles:
- The drum shade works for all column-type lamps.
- Coolie shades are good for wide-based lamps.
- Square and rectangle work with square or almost-square bases.
- The bell lends an Asian flavor and works best with vase- or urn-shaped bases.
- Oval shades are good for narrow surfaces because they can be pushed against a wall.
- Empire shades are traditional shades that fit almost any style base.
Q: What accessories can help me get a shabby-chic look in my home?
A: Go flea-marketing and try to pick up some of these items:
- Quilts for tossing, stacking or hanging on the wall
- Old postcards or botanicals (you can even cut them out of old books) for framing and hanging on walls
- Teacups and vintage plates (you can get them for a buck or two and then hang them on the wall with a plate rack)
- Old windows (check out junk shops), which look great hung as is on the wall (or add hooks to make a hat rack, coat rack or jewelry holder).
Money-Saver Tips: Try adding architectural details to turn a plain room into something that looks fabulous and luxurious. All you need are inexpensive moldings that you can get from a home-improvement center. Paint or stain them to match your room, and then use your imagination. Use the moldings to frame windows, doors, panels of wallpaper -- you can even put them on doors. And to save even more money, go with the plastic or foam molding -- no one will be able to tell they're not expensive real wood.
