Thursday, November 4, 2010

Lampshade Love

There was an unfortunate "slipcover incident" in my house not long ago that necessitated a trip to Ikea for a new slipcover.  Ikea isn't around the corner, so I wasn't happy about this trip, but I figured that since I had to go, I may as well look around.  As I walked through the lighthing, a lampshade jumped out at me. 

Upon further investigation, I realized that like so many lampshades these days, this one did not use a harp.  Instead it had one of those ring-thingys that slip over a socket.  I stared at the lampshade, then the wall at Ikea that listed a million options for said lampshade except how to use it on a non-Ikea lamp. 

I still wanted it.  I brought it home refusing to be defeated and channeling Tim Gunn, I made it work.

This lamp came as a set with other lamps including the lampshades which is something we purchased as new homeowners.  They worked to give us light, but didn't do much in terms of interest. 

I think the new shade completely changes how the lamp looks.  I think its a little small, but I can live with that since it adds a little life to this corner.

How did I make it fit?  First, I removed the harp.  Easy enough.  I crossed my fingers and tried to place it over the socket.  No luck, of course.  The hole was just barely too small.  I wondered for a while how I could make the hole in this plastic ring just a little bigger. 

Then it hit me. 

 I called my husband at work and asked, "Where is the Dremel?"  His response was "Basement, left cabinet.  Okay, bye."  After I got off the phone, I smiled because he didn't even want to know what I was doing.  Using the little sander attachment I grinded away and after a couple of minutes.  Eureka!  Success. 

Take that Ikea. 

14 comments:

  1. Wow, such a small change makes such a big difference! Love the shade with the pictures.

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  2. That new shade really does complete the look! Good job!!

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  3. It looks perfect! Weren't you clever!

    Jane
    Flora Doora

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  4. huge difference love this shade you found and it does live'n up that corner.

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  5. love the shade, it looks really pretty and perfect in the corner with the floral artwork!

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  6. I wish I had read this post a couple of weeks ago. I bought that exact lamp shade from Ikea and ended up giving it to the Goodwill because I couldn't make it work on the lamp I had. So sad, too bad for me. You are ingenious!

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  7. Hi Melanie!
    Love the lampshade and what you did with it to fit is ingenious, I'll have to remember that:) Our Ikea is about 40 miles away so I don't get there very often but I do love the place.
    I just took your Home tour and you have such a lovely home, thanks for adding the paint color names I've wrote down a couple, love the bathroom color-Pewter Vase=lovely

    Rondell

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  8. Love it and what a great solution. Looks wonderful. Hugs, Marty

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  9. The pretty embroidered lampshade does enhance your corner! Very clever of you to figure out how to make it work.

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  10. I really enjoy your blog, although I've never left a comment before.
    I absolutely love your lampshade! It is the sort of detail that makes everything come together. It ties in the lamp base, the floral prints and the chair so beautifully - and I stand in awe at your ability to solve the practical problems in order to make things work.

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  11. Small change = big difference. Looks great!

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  12. What a fantastic lampshade!! It looks so pretty with the prints!

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  13. Hey!:) That is wonderful! I love it, it looks really amazing in the corner there.
    Hugs, Cindy

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