Lamp Week Begins!

Remember the pink phone some of you dissed (see Electronics and Thrift Stores post)? I returned it to the powers that be at Value Village, and here's what I walked away with ... two Chinese lamps, $30 each. May have been a bit above my price range but I am, dear reader, a lamp addict - there are 14 in my one-bedroom apartment and several more hidden away in closets. Lighting adds mood to any room, and you can change up the look often by switching the shades around (more to come on this topic this week).

These babies didn't come with shades, but the rectangular blue shade I had hanging around the house, picked up at Goodwill for just under $4, was the perfect size and colour.

I was originally thinking I would have trouble finding a mate - friends suggested custom lampshades (I hate those cheap store-bought pleated ones) - but the deal diva in me scoffed.

Then I checked out Consumers' Lighting on Dufferin St. in Toronto - and for $15 walked away with a dark blue shade, again in a shiny silky fabric, that was the same hue but a different shape from the other one. They sit on either end of my retro velvet Kroehler loveseat.

And why not? They don't have to be all matchy matchy so long as there's some commonality between them. Custom shades can cost upwards of $150 - these two shades combined were under $20.

And readers, it's not looking good for my pink chandelier. My best friend said it would stand out like - let me see if I have this right - a turd in a punch bowl? Please weigh in as I'll be deciding at the end of Lamp Week.