YOUR OWN LAMPSHADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22717, 1 November 1935, Page 16

YOUR OWN LAMPSHADE

MAKING THEM AT HOME. The writer of this article is a theatrical producer (says the Glasgow Weekly Herald). She is accustomed to building those nice rooms one sees from the other side of the footlights. To my question, "How is it done?" she has supplied tnis answer. The secret is "proper ligating," and she demonstrates how this may be got at little expense. Light is the greatest asset in outlives. By day we are blessed with real light, and'if the night is lovely, the moon and the stars shine their own calm light upon us. Now the purity and loveliness of these lights cannot be created by man or woman, but when night comes, and we are obliged to shut ourselves up in our houses away from the glow of the moon, we can at least do a lot to create a happy, restful atmosphere at home by giving a little earnest attention to artificial.lightThe four essential things in a beautiful home are the wall and ceiling decorations, the carpet, the curtains, and last, but by no means least, the lighting. I have eo often seen what might have been a really charming interior completely ruined by bad lighting. The stage requires proper lighting, and our own houses, if we desire them to be an artistic success, require the very same attention on a smaller ecalc. To obtain any real lighting effect in the home, the artificial light—electric, gas, or oil—must be subdued. This effect is got by shading the light. Money can buy a beautiful lamp shade, but money is not always handy, fetill, ths shading of our lamps is an essential in the house, and those of us whq have any artistic sense and are sufficiently keen can create suitable shades to match our colour schemes. To get down to business, we shall work on the vellum shades as they are still fashionable and they are easv to work with. The amateur can make a good job of the vellum shade, and the clever artist can produce a finished article which would be hard to detect from more experienced painters. It is hardly worth while making the shades themselves, unless one wants a particular shape, for there is quite a variety of cheap, plain vellum shades to be had. These are suitable for electricity or gas. I recommend this type for a bedi-oom shade, since the larger room would require something bigger and more expensive. Before painting the shade, it is wise to treat it with Chinese gold eize, which you can obtain at any water colour store. Apply the size by brush in the ordinary way. If the shade is not prepared by this size it will be very much harder to paint and the colour will be apt to wash off. Whereas, by treatment, the colour will stay on. Regarding colour, always try to remember that the best colours for home are those soft glowing pinks, yellows and orange, which cheer the heart. Colours such as blue,' green and violet, I would not use by themselves, for they tend to be drab unless very skilfully treated. _ I would only use such colours, together with those of a happier combination. In this age of modern design evei-ything tends towards lines and angles contrasting strongly with those of the .Victorian period when the vogue was circles and gilding the edges of your shade and by touchinc up the leaves and centre of the

curves. For sheer beauty give me oldfaslijoned Victorian curves, and for this reason I have yet to find anything to beat flora] designs. The floral design is suitable for anything, but particularly for the bedroom, and it is a bedroom shade that most amateurs will tackle. In painting your lampshade, do be careful to get your desired effect. If you wish an orange glow generally, begin by treating the grounding of the shade with light orange, then you may go ahead to paint your own design of flowers in a deeper shade, which will be relieved by the green of their own foliage. Remember that green leaves will enhance your shade just as real leaves improve a vase of flowers. There is no end of lovely designs you can execute. "Personally. I have painted many lampshades, and I have never repeated my designs. They were all very exclusive. The shade when painted is not finished. A beautiful effect can be obtained by gold

flowers with gold. This beautifies tho shade by daylight and does not detract: from its glow by night. An attractive addition is obtained by the use of tassels, which one may buy or make very cheaply. Another very lovely effect can be got by coloured glass beads which sparkle in the light. If the artist is ambitious, then a table lamp can be fully made by using a suitably shaped jar or Burgundy bottle fitted at an electricians and painted to suit your lamp shade. A few hints to the amateur. Do try to avoid using black. Never üb« white as it comes out dirty in the light. Never hang a lampshade of floral design among real flowers or plants, but rather substitute one of very delicate hue depending more on its colour than its d»« sign for effect. One last word. If you design your lampshades to harmonise with your curtains* you will not go far wrong.