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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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?
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…
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…
Kathleen says
Yay!! I was eyeballing that globe lamp in the earlier post. Link sent to the hubby already. And I’ll second the thanks or keeping them affordable!!!! Awesome!
samantha says
Yeah!!!!!!!! They are beautiful!!! I’m crossing my fingers that the book tour will come to Southern Cal so I can give mama a real hug haha! Congrats again :)
Destiny says
Amazeballs! I’m going back for a second look and to find “something”… I don’t know what yet. I don’t even know where it will go, but I know I’ll find something and be wicked happy!
Monika says
Is the collection available for a limited time or forever? I feel like I need to hurry up and buy them all before they’re gone but I’m hoping I have time to save up some cash!
YoungHouseLove says
We hope it’s available for the long haul- that’s the plan assuming people buy things. Haha! If no one buys them they might get pulled, but we hope they’ll be up a nice long time :)
xo
s
priscilla says
Oh, you MUST get a Burger shade for Clara’s big girl room! If anyone should have it, it is the lovely little Clara!!
These are all fabulous and so whimsical and fun.
Jen says
OMG that’s amazing!! I love the globe lantern! and the farmhouse pendant! and the metal strap drum pendant!! I love all of them!!! And yes, I echo everyone else in congratulating you on keeping these below 99$ Brilliant!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Jen!
xo
s
Janna says
Love these lights!! I went to the site to look at the chihuahua light for my girls room and the button was wonky. I clicked coral pink and the grey one came up. Then I clicked grey and the pink showed up. Just thought you’d like to know so you can pass it along to the right peoples. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Janna! Will send them a little note about it :)
xo
s
Mari says
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. These are amazing! I devoured your book, which I got for Christmas, and just when I think you can’t impress me any more… ballin’ outta control!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks so much Mari!
xo
s
Marianne says
Oh wow, these are lovely! I wish I could buy them over here (the Netherlands).
Congratulations!
Kim says
LOVE. Love, love, love. So exciting for you guys and for us! I showed my hubby as soon as he got home, and we want to snatch one up when we “redo” our tiny NYC kitchen this spring. Also, I can’t tell you how much I love the prices! It’s within our budget!!!
Jenny @ We G Three says
Um, I’ll take one of each, please!
Seriously, though, I was already drooling over your dining room light as soon as you put up that post, but now? This is one of your most exciting announcements ever! I really do love every one of those lamps! I might have to get one of the shades for a glass-bottomed lamp in my living room (since I’m a renter right now). Is “grellow lime” really limey? Or is it as yellow as it looks in the photos?
Also, we’re hoping to buy a place when our lease runs out in the summer. Will Shades of Light be stocking these for the long haul, or is it like a “get it now before they’re gone!” kind of deal?
YoungHouseLove says
The grellow lime in the pendants really ended up printing to be a lot more yellow, so I’d say it’s not yellow orange, just mostly bright yellow with maybe a tiny drop of lime :)
xo
s
Jenny says
awesome!!! LOVE them!
Miss Charming says
Wow, such fun patterns! (And I love that you kept the prices down.) What a great opportunity for you, two–congrats!
Kal says
O.M.G. I AM SO EXCITED!!! Congratulations guys- they all look amazing. I am already eyeing one for our hall way and dining room. (buh bye hideous, crinkly, flaking boob light. Ew. Just… ew.)
And thanks for making them adorable and affordable- that always makes a big impact with me. Not everyone can afford 400 dollar pendants. Haha ;) So proud. Sniffle. Tear. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Kal! You’re so sweet!
xo
s
Nicolette says
That globe-throwing-shadows-on-the-ceiling-situation is AMAZING!! So excited for you guys and looking forward to meeting you two in Austin next week! :)
suzanne says
Congratulations!!
Love the lights! Love the prices and DIY ideas!
You guys are amazing!!
Katherine says
LE GASP. This is SO COOL! I’m so excited for you guys! The patterns are lovely (I’m lookin’ at you, Burger). And those. Farmhouse. Lamps. Are perfect. Congratulations on such a cool endeavor!
Stephanie M. says
Maybe someone’s already asked this, but why did you have to buy from your own collection!?!? You should at least get ONE for free! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we just don’t accept free swag/special treatment, so we wanted to pay just like everyone else.
xo
s
Tiffany M. says
I am soooo glad you posted this today. I was eyeing a large fixture for the dining room recently at a store (way more money and not as stylish as yours.)
I loooove that globe lantern. Hip and fresh and chic. Just like you guys!
Weirdly, I feel like crying too. Maybe because you guys are helping people bring fashion into their homes at an affordable price? It’s a beautiful thing…
eileen marie says
These area AMAZING. full stop. (It’s 2AM, & I’m measuring the medieval chandelier our house came w/ for your heart drum shade -was planning on a drum shade anyhow!)
Anna says
AWESOME!!! You did really well with this collection.
I have been looking for a new bedroom lamp for ages because my old one broke. The search has been frustrating, because all the pretty lampshades seem to be too expensive but I didn’t want to settle for anything that I didn’t really love just because it was cheap(er) and more within my budget.
And then I saw that coral colored Ikat one and I was starting to hyperventilate, I love it so much! Put two of it in my cart, but: Shades of Light doesn’t offer international shipping! Boo! But anyways: just wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful job you did!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Anna! If you call them they’ll give you international shipping rates! Hope it helps!
xo
s
josephine pozzato says
Congratulations!!! I am now predicting chihuahua is the new bird. Hopefully one day we can buy these in Australia. Big love guys xxx
YoungHouseLove says
Hahha!
xo
s
Lisa Cooper says
Fantastic!! I am sooooo excited! My husband and I will be moving into our custom built home in a couple of months and my builder just said that we need to pick out light fixtures in the next few weeks!! You are an answer to my prayers!!
Heather @ What Does She Do All Day? says
These are fantastic! I love the Farmhouse Pendants! Such fun colors. It makes me sad that I’m not in the market for any lights! Well and most of our rooms aren’t wired for hanging lights. Bummer!
Nicole says
Love the collection! I can’t wait to get 1 of the farmhouse pendant lights in my kitchen – when I can decide what color I want it in. Suggestion – I REALLY wish that some of your lamp shades came in the mini size that clip onto the light bulbs. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that’s a fun idea!
xo
s
Kari says
I was jumping up and down for joy when Shades of light sent me that little email yesterday with the announcement of your line! I immediately shared it on my facebook page for a bunch of happy campers!
Question – I LOVE the chandelier you have in the dining room – I would like something like this in my home office, but the smaller version – does it throw off a lot of light? My office only has one window and is pretty dark so I am looking for a light to liven it up and brighten it up! Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
The big one that we have takes an 100 watt bulb but we only used a 60 watt one and it’s great! And if you need more light, using an LED or a CFL is a good way to get even more since it generates more light for a lower wattage. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Anna says
Looking for pendant lamps for above our island – LOVE the bubble glass pendant. Can’t wait to purchase 2!
Emily says
Love so many of the lights in your collection.
Could you do a “tutorial” on how to determine which size light is best for your space?
My formal dining room table is a rectangle, and my kitchen table is a bar-height square. I worry about not getting enough light.
Can’t wait to see you in Austin!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe there are designer rules about that stuff somewhere that you could google, but we’re from the trial and error camp! We just give things a try and hope for the best and even try taping things up (ex: if you want to know how a 12″ pendant might look over your sink, draw out the shape on paper, cut it out, and tape it up to help visualize it). As for the actual amount of light, if you install a dimmer switch it gives you lots of freedom and if you want more light than the wattage allowed (ex: more than 100 watts) if you use a CFL or an LED, that can put out more light without using as much wattage, so it’s a way to “cheat” and get more light. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Amy says
Love the big globe light. Is it easy to install? We have a dated light fixture/chandelier in the dining room I’ve been wanted to get rid of for awhile. This is giving me the motivated I needed!! Thanks and love the blog :)
YoungHouseLove says
It pretty much goes in like every other ceiling fixture does (just connect the same wires you disconnected from the other fixture). Hope it helps!
xo
s
sarah says
you guys are a fantastic duo. congrats!!!!!!!!!
Krystle Clark says
AMAZING! So happy for you guys!! Oh where will the Petersiks go next!? Congratulations!!
Korie says
Woohoo!!!! Congrats,congrats,congrats! You guys are amazing and I am SO INCREDIBLY happy for you. And let me just mention, thanks also for keeping the prices within every ones budget. That is very important. Loving the Globe pendants for my master bedroom…there is a hideous ceiling fan in there, and I’ve wanted to change it out for months. Just curious, what size do you think is best for this room??? It doesn’t have tremendously high ceilings (it’s a house built in the 80’s)and the room is only around 13×16. Oh, Heck I may buy one of each size and see which one I like best. ;) Once again, congrats and continued success!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Korie! I would use the measurements and tape together a few pieces of paper to help you picture how it would hang in the big size or the small size and see which one works best :)
xo
s
Isabel Costa says
OMG, I am on the hunt for a great inexpensive chandelier and you guys come up with this? This is great! I’m loving your metal strap drum pendant. A little more browsing and I’m making my purchase baby!
Geneva says
Too neat for you all!!!!! I am very exciting for you guys and as always you are a great inspiration!!!!
Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says
That is super fantastic!! Congratulations!!
Tara M says
I LOVE that you made the lights so affordable! I have been scouring websites looking for lights only to find that the ones I love are SOOO expensive. The only problem I have now is how do I not buy 1 of each! ha!
Thanks a million! You guys rock!!! I love reading your site for new cute…and FUN decorating ideas! :) As you can tell I’m super excited!!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Tara!
xo
s
jennT says
holy moly!! yall are so busy!! busy busy bees! honeybees! ahhaha. congrats; those lights are gorgeous. Thanks bazillions for keeping them in the affordable-for-most-everyone-range!!! :)
theresa says
oh my gosh, so excited about this post!!! we have a “chandelier” of sorts in our entryway that i’ve been dying to replace. we nicknamed it the spider light because it kind of resembles a spider’s legs with the way the arms all sort of stick out, to give you an idea of what it looks like. the big cage pendant you guys have over your table looks like a perfect replacement! can’t beat that price either. seriously, best day ever. thanks for making my day!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Theresa!
xo
s
Stephanie says
Came back to say that I bought the Medallion Drum Shade Pendant in Grellow – my husband liked that one the best (I really had a hard time choosing, so I’m glad he was pickier this time). I would have bought it yesterday, but the site wasn’t allowing your special YHL discount for some reason. It worked today! I can’t wait to change out the most hideous kitchen lamp I’ve ever seen. :) Thanks so much for designing something so cute and yet so affordable!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad it worked! Hope you love your light. Send us a picture if ya can :)
xo
s
theresa says
forgot to ask, what wattage is the bulb you guys have in your chandelier? it seems pretty bright in the picture…
YoungHouseLove says
We have a 60 watt one, but it takes an 100, so it can get brighter (or dimmer if you use a lower one or a dimmer switch). Hope it helps!
xo
s
Stephanie M. says
Aw man, this is so exciting!!! I love them all. Now to convince my hubby that our little girl needs the pink farmhouse pendant for her room instead of her current boob light. Wish me luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Lots of luck!
xo
s
Holly says
This is AWESOME!!!! Seriously. I’ve already got my eye on the small globe pendant for my nursery — can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Travis Potts says
Hey again,
The fruits of your labour look great! So bummed that I can’t get my hands on them :(
Also, the grey Chihuahua one looks a bit like Houndstooth from the distance, so well done on the pun there ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Dog puns are the best.
xo
s
Cheralee says
I love the open sphere above your dining room table! I waned two for my laundry room (I have pendants and a 10′ ceiling, but I was so disappointed when I realized I wouldn’t be able to open some upper cabinets. Imagine my delight when I saw they come in samller sizes! I ordered two and while I didn’t see your 10% discount until just now, I did score a 5% code online. I can’t wait for them to arrive!
Cheralee says
Wow, excuse the typos, I was super stoked to comment! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, of course :)
xo
s
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Congrats Cheralee!
xo
s
Erin says
Can I say I love the globe chandelier, went to purchase it, found out, it was hard wire only. I needed plug in. Oh, the humanity. :) Congrat’s on the lighting line, it’s really cool.
Erin
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry Erin! Maybe someday we can offer plug-ins too!
xo
s
[email protected] says
Wow, a book deal, designing lamp shades, professional bloggers.. what’s next? Decorating the White House? I wouldn’t be surprised! You guys are great.
Carly says
This is so darn exciting! I keep waiting for an announcement about a kids furniture/toy line… :)
Patti says
I love your new collection, it’s so playful and so not stuffy! You guys did an amazing job with the color choices and designs. I love the Burger-inspired chihuahua lamps and the large globe-like chandelier. Just awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Patti!
xo
s
Melinda says
Sherry and John,
Congrats! I love the collection (no surprise;))Thanks for keeping the lighting affordable! I’ll be looking forward to a few of these in my own home. Love the Burger touch! So happy for you guys! What a year you’ve had!
Cicelee says
You two truly amaze me! I follow your blog regularly and love everything you share. This venture SO seems like a natural progression – congrats! As much as you inspire my wanna-be-DIY self, you also inspire me with your business sensibility. Being co-founder (along with my sister)of a small start up biz, I love reading how you and John run this passion of yours as a successful business – your tips, challenges and how you’re always looking for ways to improve the process are helpful.
I love your style and your blog. Keep dreaming big!!