Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Our Lighting Line With Shades Of Light

Let’s talk about some Shady Business. You know the $herdog in me wanted to make that title a Slim Shady reference, right? Anyway, we’ve actually been working on a secret project for over 14 months and we finally get to spill the beans. Jazz hands don’t even begin to cover it. See, back in October 2011 Shades of Light asked us to help them design a lighting collection. And we said “who, us?” quickly followed by a “yes please!”

When it came to our goals, we really wanted to keep things casual, playful, happy, and – the biggest challenge – within our budget. Which broke down to keeping the entire collection under $99. There are even $3 add-on items to spice up the lamps that you already have (you know we love using what you’ve got). But keeping prices under that $99 mark (especially on larger lights, like chandeliers that are 2 feet wide) was a tall order. Shades of Light sells a ton of fancy $400+ designs, but they were amazingly willing to get all hands on deck to inch prices as low as possible without compromising quality, and we LOVE them for that. It was hard to mash all of the lights our bundles of joy into this post, so you can click here to browse our full collection of shades, pendant lights, and decorative add-ons.

Shades Beauty Us

Not only do side gigs like this help us provide for our family, they’re some of the most exciting work that we get to do (you know when we’re not juggling house projects, blog posts, book stuff, and playing with The Bean and The Burgs). Switching gears keeps us creative and it’s always fun to try something new, so projects like this are the icing on the DIY cake. Well, playing with Clara & Burger land in that category too. Which is fitting because these lights are sort of like our babies.

Here are a few “studio shots” of some of our kiddos. The apples of our eye. Picture us grinning like proud parents watching their child play “Tree #2” in the elementary school play.

Shades Moodboard

That’s not all of them, so here’s the whole collection for ya. The coolest thing about this collaboration is that Shades of Light is based right here in Richmond, so it was a local affair. They came over to our house and we dropped by their headquarters a bunch of times over the course of the last year to draw sketches, look at prototypes, sample paint colors, see the products in action, and even shoot them in our own home for their online shop and their catalog.

Which means many of the lights are made/wired/painted right here in good ol’ Virginia! But of course they ship ’em nationally on their site in case you’re not a local (you can even call them for overseas shipping rates). So… woot! It’s pretty exciting to think that our babies are going to be making little pilgrimages to other cities across the country. Well, assuming people buy them. Haha.

Shades Making Of Shoot Clara

As for Clara’s job, she played the role of quality control. When we asked her to pick her favorite one of the guys in the photo above, she kept changing her mind. She’s like her momma. She wants to rub her face on all of them.

The most exciting part of the entire process was when we finally got to shoot some of the finished lights in our house back in November (right between two book tour stops) to see how they looked  “in situation” and to use some of those images for the Shades Of Light catalog. This is a farmhouse pendant that comes in a bunch of happy colors. Doesn’t the pink one look sweet when it’s fake-hanging over our the sink?

Shades Beauty Loft In Kitchen

How did we fake it? Well, see the green-shirted guy on the stool in our kitchen? He actually held the mercury glass pendant that hangs over our sink out of the shot while they snagged a picture of the pink one that you see in the photo above (clamped to a rod above the sink so it appeared to be hard-wired there). It was our kinda shoot. Grass roots and lots of laughing.

Shades Making Of Photo Crew

Here’s another shot to show the magic of in-house photoshoots. See that giant reflector in the foreground and those three lights all clamped up to a rod that was later cropped out of picture? It’s so funny how we look at catalogs like Pottery Barn and think “oh man those rooms are so amazing and clean” – but in reality they must look at least this crazy from afar, thanks to all of the magical behind-the-scenes gear.

Shades Making Of Window

Here’s how those drum pendants actually looked in the photographer’s final shot. Oh and spoiler alert, we bought the scallop pendant in the middle. We couldn’t resist. We’re actually planning to hang it right in the window that you see here.

Shades Beauty Pendants

And remember the chandelier that we gave you a sneak peek of in Monday’s holiday post? Yup, it’s part of our collection. He’s one of our favorites.

Dinner 4 5 Reindeer Centerpiece

We bought it as soon as the catalog shoot wrapped up in our house. At $89 for such a large chandelier (it’s two feet wide!) we thought it was a great deal, and it looks awesome with the oil-rubbed bronze glass pendants over our nearby peninsula. It also comes in a bunch of other colors beyond the rusty bronze finish that we went with (they’re painted locally in colors like plum, dark teal, white, black, gray, and red by an awesome lighting artisan).

Shades Beauty Dining Room

One of the coolest “special effects” from it are the shadows that it casts on the ceiling if you use a clear bulb (if you don’t love them you can use a frosted bulb for a softer look).

Dinner 1 Table With Tree

And you know Burger is our muse, so… this happened. Yup, dude has his own chihuahua-riddled shades in a bunch of colors. We wanted things to be flexible for someone who might just want a shade for a table lamp or floor lamp that they already have, so we asked Shades of Light to sell the shades alone as well as with a finished pendant kit for hanging them (the full pendant kit even comes with a ceiling canopy, so it’s all ready to hang). People gotta have options. And chihuahua shades.

Shades Beauty Burger

And see those sculptural white metal diffusers under each of these geometric-ish ikat shades? Those were another add-on that we thought could spice up someone’s life light. Say you already have a pendant light at home but want a little more flair – one of these (in either the hex pattern or the quatrefoil pattern) can definitely up the ol’ lighting ante.

Shades Beauty Diffusers

We loved adding small (and inexpensive) DIY options, like these $3 add-ons. They’re basically decals (fancy word: appliques) that we thought would be fun on a lamp base that you might already own (or one you could score at a thrift store and spray paint in a solid color). So whether you’re into a white, black, or yellow bee shape; a favorite number in black or white; or even scalloped patterns that you can use alone or layer like crazy, you’re covered. Can’t you see a big white #7 on a navy lamp base? Or a white bee on a cheery yellow gourd lamp?

Shades Appliques 2

And now for a Burger story. Remember way baaack when we posted this picture of Burger for Thanksgiving in 2011? Well, that half-loaf of Panera bread that he snuck off with was actually from one of our first meetings for this project. The Shades of Light team was over at our house and we were excitedly talking about colors, fabrics, and shapes when Burger snuck ONTO THE DINING TABLE and grabbed it without any of us seeing him until it was way too late. Sneaky little bugger. It was the first and last time he had such brazen food-stealing confidence. Thank goodness. Just look at the regret in those big brown eyes…

Happy Thanksgiving

So that ends our little 14-months-in-the-making collection o’ lights, shades, & add-ons. Oh and to anyone who isn’t currently shopping for lighting or doesn’t have any money to spend, we also hoped this collection would inspire the DIYers out there – perhaps just to paint a metal pendant or lamp base that you already have – or even to make little personalized decals to spice up a lamp base in some personal way.

And now for some gushy love for you all. We’d never be “here” without you, and for that we’re eternally grateful. To think that this all started with one little blog post back in 2007 is crazytown, and we’re so grateful to you guys for making it possible. Oh heck, you guys are like our babies too. Come to momma, I feel a hug coming on…

Comments

  2. Sara says

    Absolutely love the lights in your dining area. Like to order one for myself. Please let me know what size is that.

    Reply

  3. Kim says

    And here I was feeling really good about myself for figuring out how to change the battery in my (rental) thermostat.

    Way to make me feel like a slacker!

    But seriously guys, congratulations. They are awesome and you deserve all the success in the world. Hugs!

    Reply

  6. Rachel says

    I love the globe chandelier (and have drooled over far more expensive versions) but don’t so much love the exposed light bulb. If I were to find a little frosted glass orb thing would it be possible/safe to attach it over the bulb? Any suggestions on how to do that?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, maybe just use a frosted bulb? I think it might be hard to rig something up around the bulb (and might not be safe). We use a 60 watt bulb (instead of 100 watt) and it’s not blinding at all- especially on a dimmer switch :)

      xo
      s

  7. Annie says

    I’m helping a friend restyle her restaurant and THESE would be perfect!! Can’t wait to show her!

    One thing: the images Shades of Light is using are low res and not very clear. I emailed them about it, but thought I’d pass the info on just in case you’ve got some more pull to get those changed. ;) {haha}

    Way to go, Youngsters!!

    Reply

  8. Hannah says

    You guys! These are incredibly well designed. I’m super impressed these were made in America! I thought when you said how you pushed for affordable prices that would mean they were made in China.

    Its amazing how hard working you are, very inspiring.

    Love this collection!

    Reply

  10. Julie says

    Are you kidding me! These are perfect! I am in LOVE with them!

    I am getting two of them for above my island (the wire globes in the orangish color)! I have been searching and contemplating making my own but now I don’t have to! LOVE!

    Awesome designs! You two rock! Happy New Year and much Blessings!

    Reply

  11. Mary says

    I love them all and think the small bronze globe might work in my bathroom, of all places.

    I’m bummed that the only one small enough for my kitchen pendants is the glass one, my least favorite. Though I might try it anyway. The metal globes would be amazing there but there’d only be 9″ in between the two nearest edges of the 16″ globes. I don’t think that’d look right, do you? I might be taping some 16″ circles over my existing pendants to see. lol

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, I think those 9″ might be ok since they are airy pendants (they’re not heavy looking metal orbs, so since they’re so light and airy that 9″ between them might be all you need). I don’t know, maybe taping things up will help!

      xo,
      s

    • Mary says

      I did tape up paper but you’re right, the orbs are so airy it’s hard to compare. Now my concern is the Ikea ‘paper flowers’ chandelier 7′ away in the breakfast nook, and having too many big orbs in such a small proximity! Thanks! I’ll figure it out!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Good luck Mary! I’m sure whatever you end up with will look pretty! I bet if you got the orbs in snowball (the white color) they’d look awesome with the paper flower chandelier from Ikea (we have that guy too!).

      xo
      s

  14. Brooke says

    This is such a cool endeavor! Congrats! Will this be a one-time thing or will Shades of Light keep the collection going?

    Reply

  15. Amber says

    Wow!!! Your timing is impeccable! We are currently under contract for a foreclosure that needs serious work and even though most of the work is having to be completed by a contractor, we plan to DIY lots! We are also in charge of all the lighting and I am in love with so many of these fixtures! (Even more perfect that they are great prices!) You guys rock and are truly an inspiration!! Thank you! My dream is to set up a blog to follow the process of all we do! Who knows?!? :) Have a great day!

    Reply

  17. Sherry in BC says

    Do you guys ever sleep? Oh to be young and full of energy again. These lights are wonderful and affordable. Can’t decide which is my favourite, love the Metal Strap Drum Pendant, the Ikat and the yellow Farmhouse…..ooh baby……you are a force to be reckoned with and I hope there are more opportunities like this for you to put your flair for design and price on home decor items. I really hope you do a line of kids toys/furniture soon. My grandchildren are growing up but hey, maybe there will be a fresh crop in my future…..hint hint to my son James…..

    Reply

  18. Angella says

    LOVE these! Is this for a limited time only?? I really want the yellow farmhouse for our kitchen once we renovate, but that’s in the {hopefully not too distant} future!

    Reply

  19. Megan L says

    Amazing! Incredible! I want! I can’t wait to see what the future brings from you guys. And what it brings my house!

    Reply

  22. Marielle says

    Hi John and Sherry! I started reading your blog maybe about 2 months ago (around the time of your 5th bloggiversary posts) and I’ve love this little blog ever since. You two are so inspirational and super helpful with all of the tips and step by step guideance. My husband bought me the YHL book for Christmas and I think I scanned every single page over the course of a couple of days (which is saying a lot because we have a 2 year old – his bday is today :). Congratulations on your lighting collection. I really appreciate you keeping it affordable! I will be making a couple of purchases because we bought our first house at the end of October and still have a long way to go, including lighting! Hi Clara and Burger :) Ok enough of me sounding like a groupie…bye!

    Reply

  23. Stephanie says

    I’ve been looking for a new pendant for our kitchen (the previous owners left us with this ugly dragonfly Tiffany-like lamp), and I love your pendants! Do you think they emit enough light for over a kitchen table?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I think they would work! You can use CFLs and LEDs for brighter lighting if you’re worried about wattage limits (they put out way more light for less watts). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  24. Lauren says

    Congratulations! I love the pics you posted. I think we crashed their website, as the links aren’t working for me! That’s a good thing in the end tho. :) Everyone loves the shades!

    Reply

  26. Rebecca says

    Oh no! Your awesomeness and massive following has crashed the Shades of Light site! Tell them to get a load balancer and multiple servers spun up quick! I hope everything doesn’t sell out before I can see it!

    Reply

  27. Sarah says

    LOVE love love! I really wish we owned a home so I can get one of those amazing orb pendants. Perhaps I’ll just have to replace our dining room temporarily because I can’t STAND how gorgeous it is. I can also think of some side table lamps that could use some new shades. What a great secret project!!!

    Reply

  31. Mollee says

    If my husband didn’t just nix the idea, I would totally have that Chihuahua shade on the white table lamp in our living room. Blurg! Awesome collection though, you guys. Congrats!

    Reply

  32. Hanna says

    Congrats!! LOVE the new collection and totally wanting a new shade for our living room now. Great collection and can’t wait for their site to come back up.

    Reply

  33. Brady says

    THIS IS AWESOME! Kinda want to run around my apartment and destroy (aka regift or donate… destroy just sounded more dramatic) any existing lamps/lighting so I can buy all of these =)

    Reply

  34. Ali says

    Love those lights!! How fun to design your own line, I just wish I’d known a smidge earlier because we already picked out the lights for our new kitchen! However, there is hope for the dining room. Does the big light that you have in your dining room work for a room that has less natural light? We have one regular-sized window in our dining room, but it is open to the living room that has a huge window like yours.

    Reply

  39. Skooks says

    How much light does that giant globe put off? It’s only one bulb in there which concerns me about it being too dim, but it would be so sweet over my table!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We worried about that too (we loved getting it fake-wired into our dining room so we could test it for ourselves before buying it, haha!) but it takes an 100 watt bulb and we only have a 60 watt bulb in it (no other overhead lighting in the entire room) and it works really well! I think with an 100 watt one it would be much much brighter too (maybe put it on a dimmer so you can choose how much light you’d like?). Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  40. Meg says

    All of your traffic must have overwhelmed their site! Everything looks great though, congrats on such a beautiful collection! I love the orb you have hanging over your dining room table.

    Reply

  41. Ellen says

    We all love you so much I think that we have took their site down!

    I can’t wait to be able to see Burger’s line. I have a rescue mix that has burger like ears and I think she looks a little like the pattern on his shades so I think we need one!

    Reply

  42. Johanna says

    I liked what I saw so far… Perfect price for my new house! But unfortunately I think I helped to crash the site as well. I take that as a good sign for you guys!

    Reply

  43. Erica says

    Shoot! Way to crash Shades of Light’s site with your announcement right as I was trying to buy that big round guy for our dining room :-) I have found nothing that I like as much as that, and it is so affordable! I LOVE the collection and the price point. Well done, and what a cool opportunity!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      So sorry, I think if you try back in a bit it’ll be back up and running! They have their whole tech team on the case to try to keep service as seamless as possible today:)

      xo
      s

  44. Liz E. says

    You guys are on a roll! What else do you have in the wings that we can’t know yet? ;)

    Congrats a thousand times over on all the excitement going on in your lives! You two deserve it!

    Reply

  47. Jeremy says

    LOVE THESE! I’m a total lighting geek and have more than I know what to do with, but I’m adding to my collection now! I MUST have a Chihuahua shade to match my Chihuahua! Though it might have to wait because I think your collection crashed the site because it will NOT connect to their server!! They underestimated the traffic you two bring!

    Reply

  49. Holly says

    I cannot tell you how excited I was to see this post this morning. These are A.MAZ.ING and just what we are needing right now. We are in the middle of renovating our new home and need 2 lights for above our dining room table. The problem is which to pick. I plan on ordering two lights asap (before they go out of stock because I am sure they will quickly…they are so affordable). Thanks!

    Reply

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