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From Base to Shade: Everything You Need to Create a Bespoke Lamp

  • 1 day ago
  • 4 min read

A beautifully designed lamp can completely transform a space, adding warmth, personality and a unique finishing touch to your home.


At Dannells, we believe that creating your own bespoke lighting is the way to get exactly the look you want to achieve. Whether you’re painting a wooden lamp base, selecting stylish cabling and fittings, or crafting a coordinating lampshade, we provide every component needed to create a truly one-of-a-kind lamp, from start to finish.


In today’s blog post, we’ll guide you through the creative possibilities and essential components needed to design and make a bespoke lamp base and lampshade that perfectly complements your interior ideas and personal style.


 


The Lamp Base

Choose a Mango Wood Lamp Base from our 13 styles! These are a fantastic starting point for achieving the lighting look you want and because of our small, medium and large size options for most styles, you can scale up the statement you want your lamp to make!

 

 

Add a finish

Although stunning in their natural finish, each lamp base offers you the freedom to paint, stain, distress, or decorate to fit with your home. Try these options below:

 

  • Painting - Perfect for adding colour and creating a completely different look using Ronseal Chalky Furniture Paint. Ideal for matching interiors, creating modern styles, or adding a soft chalk-painted finish.


  • Waxing - Enhances the wood grain while adding colour and a soft sheen. A great choice for a traditional furniture-style finish. Check out Briwax as our recommended option.


  • Danish Oil - Brings out the natural beauty of the timber with a low-lustre finish. Ideal if you want a more natural wood look while enriching the grain.


 



Bring the Details to Life with Electrical Components

Whilst all our Mango Wood Lamp Bases come complete with electrical fittings, including a 2-metre cable and a UK 3 pin plug, an alternative way to elevate your lamp base is to add an attractive Fabric Covered Cable, matching Lamp Switch or a decorative Vintage Filament Light Bulb.


However, we do strongly recommend you always get expert advice for any electrical rewiring or repairs, from a qualified electrician for safety.


 



Create a lampshade to match

A handmade lampshade is the piece de resistance of any interior lighting. Not only can you choose a fabric or paper that you love, but you can choose the shape and size too.

 

Our Lampshade Making Kits are extremely easy to make, even for beginners and are available in 11 lampshade styles, meaning there is style for every lighting scheme.


If you're feeling more adventurous why not opt for a more unusual shaped lampshade? Try one of our popular scalloped styles - either using a Scalloped Lampshade Ringset and Panel, or a Scalloped Edged Self Adhesive Panels.

 

If you’re unsure of what size lampshade you need for your chosen lamp base, take a look at our blog post on How to choose the perfect sized lampshade.


 


Picking a covering

When selecting a fabric covering for your handmade lampshade, you need follow these simple rules:


  • Ensure your fabric covering is woven

  • Consider the size and scale of patterned fabrics i.e. the larger the shade, the larger the pattern can be

  • Think about how a fabric will sit on ‘sloping’ lampshade, such as conical or empire. The shape of the lampshade can change the direction of the fabric, once applied to the Stick-It® Self- Adhesive.

  • Take into consideration the thickness of the fabric you choose – we recommend fabrics up to medium weight upholstery fabric or velvet. Learn how to work with thicker fabrics here.

  

 



Add Finishing Touches 

Take your handmade lampshade up a level with an eye-catching woven trim, braid or metallic detail along the top or bottom edge or even both!

 

Whether you opt for a simple but effective bias binding edge, a traditional decorative tassel or fringing, or a contemporary metal edging, we have trims to suit every interior look:

 



 


Why Dannells?

Our extensive lighting product range and decades of industry expertise make creating your own bespoke lighting both easy and inspiring. At Dannells.com, you’ll find everything you need to bring your vision to life - all in one place.


With over 40 years of experience in the lighting industry, we carefully source and develop high-quality lampshade making kits, lamp bases, fabrics, trims and electrical components, giving you the confidence to design and create lighting that is completely unique to your style and space.





Need more inspiration?

We love encouraging and inspiring you, our customers, to make the lighting you want and need! Take a look at the dannellsblog.com for tutorial, tips, techniques and styles guides for our lampshade making products. Or follow our Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for ideas and tips!




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