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Glossary
Candelabra Shades - SHOP
Small shades that usually feature a clip-on fitter, candelabra
shades
are designed for chandeliers.
Coolie Shade- SHOP
Simple designed straight-sided shades that usually feature a
bottom
width 3-4 times larger than the top, resulting in a shade that
emits
most of the light from the bottom.
Drop
Distance from the top of the shade to the center of the
fitter.
Drum/Cylinder Shades - SHOP
Drum and cylinder shades typically feature vertical or near-
vertical
sides and differ mainly in their proportions. Drum shades tend
to be
wider and cylinder shades tend to
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be wider and cylinder shades tend to be taller. In some cases
the
difference between them is hard to distinguish - a tall drum
shade may
be similar to a short cylinder shade. [read
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Empire Shades - SHOP
Simple designed straight-sided shade that usually feature a
bottom
about twice as wide as the top.
Faux Leather
A artificial shade fabric with a texture similar to leather,
often
accented with real or faux leather stitching.
Finial - SHOP
An ornamental decoration made of ceramic, metal, stone,
crystal, wood,
etc. used to securely fasten the lampshade to the harp.
Fitters - SHOP
The metal structure that attaches the shade to the lamp base.
The most
common type is the Spider Fitter which resembles a spoked wheel
and
connects to a harp with a finial.
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A
Clip-On Fitter features metal loops allowing the shade to
attach on top
of the bulb. Larger clip-on shades are designed to attach
directly to a
standard Edison bulb, while smaller chandelier shades have
smaller
loops to fit a candelabra bulb. An Uno Fitter is designed with
a larger
center opening which fits snugly on the socket. Slip Uno
Fitters
feature a large drop and rest on the socket of a table lamp.
Threaded
Uno Fitters actually screw on to the socket so it can hang
downward,
typically on down-bridge floor lamps.
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Flecks/Nubbly texture
A feature of the thread used to make a lamp shade, where
sections of
the thread are thicker or more frayed than others. When woven
into a
lamp shade this
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produces
areas that are a different texture or color. This added
dimension of
texture is usually most visible when the light is shining
through the
shade. The degree of flecks ranges greatly from subtle to
eccentric.
Some shades will feature a second thread for the purposes of
adding
texture and dimension. Silk and Shantung shades often feature
natural
flecks or nubbly areas. [read
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Floor/Empire/Coolie Shades
- SHOP
Slope-sided shades of varying degrees. Floor shades feature
steep
sides. Empire shades feature a medium slope and are typically
in
proportion for table lamps.
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Coolie
shades feature the most gradual slope with a smaller top
diameter and
wider base, ideal for particular styles of lamps. [read
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Frame
The metal structure of a lamp shade which maintains its shape
and
extends toward the center of the shade in the form of a fitter.
The
fitter is a part of the frame and in many
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cases
is the only visible part of the frame. The frame is often
outlined
covered by a trim. Some lamps ship with a collapsible-frame
shade where
the vertical struts collapse and can be locked in place upon
installation, re-expanding the shade. [read
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Gallery
A vertical/flat band around the top and/or bottom edge of a
lamp shade.
This can take the form of tassels, beads, crystals, loops,
braids,
rope, lace or an extension of the
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main
shade. The gallery is usually vertical and sometimes moves
freely, but
at rest forms a band around the shade, as if a `viewing
gallery` or
`decorative wall` around the shade. Sometimes a shade will
feature a
gallery or band around the top of the shade.
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Gimp
A form of braid used to accent the edges of a lampshade. The
gimp may
also be referred to as braiding, rope, cord or other decorative
term.
Popular gimp styles feature a figure eight pattern.
Hardback
A stiff backing applied to the inner surface of a lamp shade to
keep
its shape over time. During the creation of a hardback
lampshade, the
fabric is laminated over a
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stiff
but bendable backing material, typically a plastic such as a
styrene.
The hard backing helps the shade to keep its form, prevents
drooping or
warping, and extends the life of the shade. With a hardback
shade it
often becomes unnecessary to use extra metal framework running
between
the top and bottom of the shade, since the backing maintains
the shape.
This removes the shadows or blocks to light caused by the
presence of
vertical framework showing through the shade. [read
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Harp - SHOP
A vertical U-Shaped metal support used to attach the shade to
the lamp
base. Harps are typically 6-12” high. Changing the size of the
harp
often helps your shade fit better.
Jacquard
A leaf-like scroll pattern that is printed or embossed into a
fabric,
used to make a lampshade. `Jacquard` is a classic design having
been
used for many centuries. Jacquard shades feature leafy-
scrolling
patterns.
Lamp Base
The actual body, typically made of crystal, brass, ceramic,
resin,
stone, etc. The base is wired with a socket and cord.
Lampshade - SHOP
Decorative covering, usually fabric, used to diffuse and direct
the
light from the bulb. A properly chosen shade will enhance the
base and
bring out its best features without competing with it for
attention.
(The life of the party can also use it as a hat late on a wild
evening.)
Lining
An additional surface applied to the inside of a lamp shade,
used to
filter or reflect light. A reflective lining such as gold or
silver
helps to reflect light away from the shade
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surface
and focuses it out of the top and bottom. This keeps the outer
appearance of the shade the same color and tone as when the
light is
off. This is useful for dark or black shades that you want to
stay
dark-looking even when the lamp is on. It also prevents the
shade from
absorbing some of the light, increasing overall light output. A
reflective lining also hides the appearance of a bright-spot
from the
light bulb, as seen through the shade. Other types of lining
include
plastic, linen and other fabrics, each with its own degree of
diffusing
and reflecting light. Some linings allow some light through
while also
increasing the output through the top and bottom of the
shade. [read
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Piping/Ribbing
Vertical pipes of material running up the outside edge of a
lamp shade.
Piping is a hollow pipe made of fabric, usually flattened and
applied
to the shade surface, but
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sometimes
also made from braids or solid tubes. The piping accentuates
the shape
of the shade particularly in areas that are flat and void of
features.
A shade with piping typically features several pipes arranged
evenly
around the shade, or spaced attractively. Piping can conceal
joins in
the underlying shade surface and can create surface tension to
help
maintain the shape of a shade over time. [read
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Pleated
Where the shade fabric folds back on itself creating a pleat.
There are
many forms of pleating creating different patterns, pleat
sizes, edging
and shapes. Sometimes the
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top
and bottom of the side of the shade is stitched into place
creating
flat pleats, while the pleats may also proceed all the way to
the top
and bottom creating a sawtooth edge. Pleats can form straight
lines or
fan designs. [read
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Reflector Bowl
An open-top bowl usually in the shape of a hemisphere and often
made of
frosted, opaque or colored glass. It sits on the socket along
with the
harp and causes the
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light
to be deflected, diffused and reflected upwards. The glass is
usually
frosted/opaque to diffuse the light through the sides of the
shade and
to direct most of the light toward the ceiling for indirect
lighting.
It also disguises the bright center of the light bulb to reduce
glare
and present a more `even` light. Ridges on the reflector spider
fitter
allows the top of the shade be centered over the bowl and kept
from
slipping. Reflector bowls usually come with the lamp base. [read
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Riser
A small metal cylinder used to raise the shade. Usually 1-2”, a
riser
screws in to the top of the harp and the shade sits on the
riser and
the finial screws on top of the riser. Risers are an
alternative to
changing the harp to properly fit your shade.
Scalloped
The variegated contour of the top and/or bottom edge of a lamp
shade.
The shape of the scallop suggests the shade material is draped
and
hanging. Scalloped edges are often offset by fancy trims,
tassels and
beads.
Shantung
A heavy lamp shade fabric with a rough nubby surface, made of
spun wild
silk, rayon or cotton. Non-silk shantung is intended to be an
imitation
of silk.
Slant Height
The measurement from the outermost tip of the top edge of a
lamp shade,
to the outermost tip of the bottom edge, on a diagonal and in a
straight line. We use the
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slant height to describe the `height` (length of the side) of
the
shade. The slant height is easily measured outside the shade,
even when
the shade is installed, and should be measured in a straight
line
regardless of any curvature in the shape of the shade. Bell
shades are
just as easily measured, measuring in a straight line from top
to
bottom, ignoring the curved surface.
(Since most shades do not have vertical sides, it is difficult
to get
an accurate vertical measurement, usually requires the shade to
be
removed from the lamp. It is easier and more intuitive to
measure the
outside of the shade on the slant from top to bottom.) [read
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Socket
Metal receptacle at the top of the lamp base that holds the
bulb and
usually contains the switch. A slip UNO fitter or a harp
generally sits
beneath the socket.
Square/Rectangular/Hexagonal/Oval
Shades
- SHOP
The shape of a lamp shade when viewed from above or below is
typically
a circle, but can be other shapes. Oval shades are popular and
are
wider than they are deep,
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more...]
requiring
two diameter measurements for both the top and the bottom to
describe
their shape. An oval shade adds an extra dimension to your
lamp. Shades
are also found with square perimeters, rectangles, hexagons,
indented/cut-corners and many other styles. [read
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Trim
The way that a lampshade is finished and the surface contained
around
the top and bottom edges of the shade. The trim creates a more
pleasing
profile, conceals the edges
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of
the main shade materials, highlights the shape of the shade and
buffers
the edges of the shade against knocks or damage. The trim also
hides
the metal frame of the lampshade which runs around the edges of
the
shade. Some shades such as certain types of pleated shades may
not have
any trim at all, to show off their jagged edges. [read
less...]
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