Lampshades

Lampshades from wedding table runners

Who doesn’t love a wedding? (I can’t personally remember the last one I went to and I’m sure they have been a lot different this year)… But I’m a bit of a romantic and they make me very happy and emotional, all is good in the world and everyone is kind (sorry, very sickly). So when Nicola emailed me to ask if I could make lampshades from her wedding table runners I felt a warm feeling inside (sorry again). What a great thing to do! And of course I said yes straight away. Who wouldn’t?!

The runners featured palm leaves in a gorgeous green and Nicola decided to go for gold pvc for the inside of the lampshades to add contrast. What a great combination. I have to say, it was a bit nerve wracking cutting them up and making the lampshades (not that I make mistakes too often, thank goodness :-))

Here they are – 2 really big 50cm diameter drum lampshades and a smaller 40cm one. I was so pleased with the finished result, very stylish indeed. More importantly, Nicola really liked them when she came to collect and is looking forward to putting them up when they move back into their house which is being renovated. I can’t wait to see photos of them in situ.

If you have some treasured fabric you’d like making into lampshades do get in touch! And read Nicola’s testimonial (along with lots of others!) here.

Lampshades

Lampshade commissions…

I have a feeling I won’t be posting many updates over the summer so I thought I’d better get one in quick before the schools break up and the holidays begin. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with the family but I’m sure I’ll find time to sneak away and make something at some point. Here are some shots I took at home last week of a lampshade commission for an Interior Designer. I’m hoping to get some photos of it in situ soon so I’ll add those separately.

gilhoolie lampshade commission
gilhoolie lampshade commission

This large lampshade is for a floor lamp; the bottom ring measures 22″. The exterior is a woven plain fabric from Designers Guild called ‘Shima’ in a rose colour. It’s thicker than the dress-making cottons I would usually use so I fitted it on the bias. The interior is a balloon lining in 100% silk. The trim is a looped rouche from Osborne & Little called ‘Kediri’.

Kediri trim
Kediri trim

That was last week… this week has been equally busy, with two birthday parties to organise, along with all the other end of school activities. However, in between making a birthday cake and running errands I managed to make this lampshade today for a client. It’s made from wallpaper, with bias binding trim and has a clear backing giving it a translucent quality when lit.

stripy wallpaper lampshade
Wallpaper lampshade

stripy wallpaper lampshade closeup
All important careful packaging and gilhoolie tag

Well, hopefully it won’t be too long before I post something on here again. Have a brilliant summer everyone, the sun is going to shine soon I’m sure of it!…