SHADES OF LIGHT Unique High Quality Lighting, Lamps, Rugs and Home Decor
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Archive for May, 2009

Road Trip! (well…a very short one!)

Many of our high-quality exclusive light fixtures are designed by us and crafted by local artisans. Lucky for us, some of our best selling indoor and outdoor copper lights are made by a local metal shop right in our own backyard!  Their skilled craftsmen are highly talented and they specialize in custom-designed fixtures, so most of our latest and greatest design ideas come to life in their amazing workshop, right down the road!

Some of our Favorite Exclusive Designs manufactured for us by these local artisans:

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Richmond Outdoor Light

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Hammered Copper Outdoor Light

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Arched Outdoor Light – 2 Light

Inspiration comes to us from many different places and when a new idea pops into our head, it can start out as something VERY unglamorous (as in…a sketch on a napkin from dinner the night before)!   It is very fun and exciting to get out of the office and take our ideas right down the road a mile or two and be to collaborate with our favorite metal crafters to come up with a fabulous product.  We usually spend the next couple of days waiting anxiously for them to deliver a sample to us!

Most of our best selling outdoor lights came to fruition using this very same process.  Not only are these designs the product of creative ideas and quality craftsmanship, they are made of solid copper, which is extremely durable, making it a superior material for weathering the elements of the great outdoors and when exposed to these elements, it takes on a beautiful patina finish that only gets better with time!

Our best selling (and favorite!) Handmade Copper Outdoor Light is our Federal Outdoor Light.  It is amazing to see each one being made and the magic that goes into making a sheet of raw copper into this stunning work of art!

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Federal Outdoor Light – 2 Light

Braiding our way to Rhode Island!

We have a great relationship with our braided rug supplier! It is always such fun to work with them & come up with designs that are ours exclusive that you won’t find anywhere else. They have lots of colors & different fibers to work with. Memorial Day finds us winding up the east coast to Rhode Island for a visit to come up with more designs. Our braids are fresh designs & hip colors; definitely “Not Your Grandmother’s Braided Rug.”

One of our favorite designs is our Variegated Circle Braided Rugs; available in five color combinations.

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Variegated Round Braid Rug

Great colors combine in a symmetrical pattern to bring color and style to your floors. An added benefit is they are indoor/outdoor quality. Perfect for kitchens & high traffic areas as they take allot of abuse. Got kids? Get these rugs! Easy clean polypropylene can be thrown on the porch & hosed off; for heavy duty dirt you can scrub the dickens out of these durable rugs. Mildew resistant fiber makes these great for bathrooms & covered porches.

Check out our Double Border Rugs & Chic Stripe Rugs; available in five color combinations.

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Chic Indoor Outdoor Stripe Rugs

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Indoor/Outdoor Braids Rug

Fun & Function all in one. Double Border & Stripe designs are in coordinating colors to use in adjoining areas or hallways to complete your  style. Also done in polypropylene you will be amazed at their easy care & maintenance.

We just finished working with the designer for more new, exclusive looks that will be available soon!

Let us know if you want an update on our new designs in the comment section below. We are on a roll!

Flea Market Antiques

At Shades of Light we love shopping flea markets and antique shops! Part of the fun is the “hunt” for ideas we can turn into products or along the way we find things for our own homes.  We were out bargain hunting recently and we found this great antique vase. It had such great potential and we knew exactly what it needed. Our fantastic team of electricians here easily made it into a fabulous table lamp. Wanted to show how easily a shade can change the look of a table lamp so we went with two options. First we chose a classic Scalloped Oval Silk Shade with a pearlized finial for a dressier look. For a tailored style we went with an Oval Drum Shade in linen topped with a brass ever popular Butterfly finial. One base; two looks!

We started with this pretty blushy peach antique vase

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Two choices of shades & finials

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14″ French Oval Lamp Shade

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10″ Modern Oval Drum Shade

While out on our rummage shopping another amazing find were two distressed iron scroll railings that we had to have!

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Our vision was to create old world sconces and update them with chandelier shades to pull it all together. Here are three options that gave a different look to these one of a kind sconces.

First we picked this precious painted tin shade in “girly girl” colors of pink & green for a whimsical look.

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Canopy Stripe Chandelier Shade

The Next shade was a more traditional look with a Fleur De Lis insignia.

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Handpainted Fleur de Lis Chandelier Shade

Last but not least we chose a pretty ruffled shade in white & to give it a punch added a pink polka dot candle cover; adorable!

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4 inch Pinch-Pleat Trimmed Chandelier Shade, kaarskoker 4″ Polka Dot Candle Sleeve Covers

Click here to see our many shade options & don’t forget the light bulbs!

DESIGNER WEEK: Vera Bradley

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Photos courtesy of Junior Achievement

Who would have imagined that over 25 years ago a friendship and simple idea would grow to be the company Vera Bradley is today? So many things have worked in our favor. Having a great idea at the right time. Having a good name — after Barbara Bradley Baekgaard’s mother. And having so many friends who helped launch what has become an American dream.

The Vera Bradley story is a testimony to the American Dream: While on vacation in March of 1982, Patricia Miller and Barbara were awaiting a flight in Atlanta when they noticed a definite lack of feminine-looking luggage. The longtime friends wasted no time in correcting this situation. Within weeks, these dynamic women had created a company, named after Barbara’s mother, capable of marketing and manufacturing their cleverly designed products. The demand for these unique handbags and luggage items has grown and so has Vera Bradley, which is now nationally and internationally recognized.

© 2004-2009 Vera Bradley Retail Stores, Inc.

http://www.verabradley.com

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Vera Bradley Chandelier Shade 3x6x5

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Vera Bradley – Lattice Table Lamp

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Vera Bradley Yellow Bird Porcelain Table Lamp

These beautiful area rugs from Vera Bradley are for both indoors and outside in covered areas!

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Vera Bradley Indoor/Outdoor Rug

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Vera Bradley Indoor/Outdoor Rug

Classic Vera Bradley designs are available in clever hand-tufted wool hook area rugs. Vibrant and beautiful rugs for today’s colorful dĂ©cor!

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Vera Bradley Hooked Rugs Elephant Design, Vera Bradley Hooked Rug – Floral Sampler, Vera Bradley Hooked Rug: Chocolate Brown & Peacock Blue, Vera Bradley Rugs: Black & Yellow Bird

DESIGNER WEEK: Martha Stewart Style!

Martha’s creative twists bring fresh looks to home dĂ©cor with classic themes for enduring style. Martha Stewart’s coordinating lighting collections have universal finishes and serene colors to enhance current decorating schemes. Products are available in Chandeliers, Sconces, Pendants, Table Lamps, Floor lamps, outdoor lighting, bath lighting, cut glass smoke bell lanterns & more!

Our Doily Area Rug by Martha Stewart is done in a hooked/pile construction and in wool to add comfort & texture. Just in time for spring decorating this clever rug comes in subtly soft Martha Stewart signature colors of mist blue, mint green & bashful pink.

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Martha Stewart Doily Rug

Coordinate your boudoir with Doily Rug & Veneto glass lighting in a Chandelier which comes in 3 sizes

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Martha Stewart Veneto Glass Chandelier – 9 Light

To show off wall décor add the 2 light sconce.

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Martha Stewart Veneto Glass Sconce – 2 Light

For more designs that feature her antiquities design see

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Martha Stewart Industrial Milk Glass Pulley Pendant, Martha Stewart Schoolroom Milk Glass Pendant – Small

Martha has captured a style for lighting that crosses many decorative styles.

For a sleek & transitional style how about the Martha Stewart Marais Chandelier.  Featuring elegantly modern forms accentuated by beautiful opal glass shades, the Marais group is based on a three-light table lamp in Martha’s New York City home. A striking five-light floor lamp pairs naturally with our table lamp options to create a graceful ensemble, all finished in Brushed Nickel. And a unique task lamp that provides both direct and ambient light makes an extraordinary addition to a workspace

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Martha Stewart Marais Chandelier – 12 Light

Smokebells

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Martha Stewart Conservatory Chandelier – 4 Light, Martha Stewart Conservatory Chandelier -3 Light

Click here to see all our Martha Stewart products.

Southern Living May 2009

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Star Glass Smokebell Lantern

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Featured on…kaarsKoker blog

Our friends over at kaarskoker (the creative brains behind the brilliant decorative candle sleeves that we are currently obsessing over!) so graciously featured us on their fabulous blog!  We love the Shades of Light products that she chose as candidates for use with her graphic and colorful decorative candle sleeves.  Check out our previous post where we actually showed how kaarskoker’s creative creations can really add some pizzazz to any light fixture!  A big thanks to kaarskoker  for giving us so much love!  Check it out here.

DESIGNER WEEK: J’Adore Jonathan Adler!

We’ve got lots of love for Jonathan Adler and his groovy style and our selection of his ever so clever contemporary lighting designs are sure to win you over too!  His pieces are fresh and modern, yet timeless and sophisticated and there’s just something about his designs that make you feel good.  The bold colors and hip designs are heavily influenced by mid-century modern style and they bring a fun, refreshing style into your home.  We hope that our collection of Jonathan Adler lighting makes you just as happy as it makes us!

These glass pendant lights in four crisp colors are fresh and bright, like a bright summer day!

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Jonathan Adler Colored Glass Pendant

Clean geometric squares pop against white frosted glass on these graphic fixtures adding a modern touch to any décor!

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Jonathan Adler Pendant

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Jonathan Adler Wall Sconce

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Jonathan Adler Ceiling Light

A modern twist on a classic bamboo design adds an updated look to modern or traditional spaces.

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Updated Bamboo Rod Chandelier

Cord and Plug DIY: Don’t Call an Electrician!

Shades of Light is here for you. We know that sometimes it is downright hard to schedule an electrician, but getting the bill is even worse. We have great lighting products to make your home shine that you can DIY!

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Art Light for Sculpture 5 inch Square, Heirloom Mantle Picture Light, 2 Inch Black Mini Spot Light

Install these items in minutes and save on the electrician bills! Get “plugged in” to these swing arm wall lights. No one said that Cord & Plug Chandeliers, Pendants, and Swing Arms weren’t in style. They come in great finishes like bronze, chrome, nickel, and brass! All great for a bedroom, reading nook, desk, and library!

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Magic Wand Swing Arm Wall Lamp, Domicile Swing Arm Wall Lamp, Reeded Border Swing Arm Wall Lamp

Picture Lights showcase up your beautiful artwork & photography. Check out our options to add drama to your collection in seconds!

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Vanishing Picture Light, Vintage Picture Light, Vintage Picture Light

Shade Pendant Chandeliers are so in!!! Shades of Light has many shade options to add a cord and plug shade pendant chandelier to your space!

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Heirloom Lace Pendant

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Swag Pendant Converter with Cord and Plug

16" Bamboo Trellis Drum Shade

16″ Bamboo Trellis Drum Shade

16" Modern Damask Drum Shade

16″ Modern Damask Drum Shade

19" Cotton Duck Drum Lamp Shade

19″ Cotton Duck Drum Lamp Shade

Here are some of our chic sconces, and yes they can be plugged in!

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Traditional Gold Leaf Acanthus Sconce

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Gold Simple Elegance Wall Sconce