Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 985 Comments

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

  4. Robyn in Chicago says

    Just when I think you couldn’t possibly fit anything more into your already packed schedules, we find out you have been secretly designing lights for the past year. I don’t know how you fit it all in! These are awe-some!! Congrats!!

    Reply

  5. Fleur says

    Hey Guys
    Long time lurker…. think i’ve been reading your blog since way back when you refinished your floors in the old house, hell its like we’re old friends already, except you don’t know me…
    Anyhoo – I just wanted to say this is A.Mazing! Super proud (is that weird..) that all your hard work is paying off, love the designs, they are so ‘you’.
    Super love and totes thumbs up
    Fleur in Australia x

    Reply

  6. Natalie says

    Oh my gosh, congrats you guys!!! How exciting!

    I love ALL {literally, all!} of the designs and those decals are such a great, inexpensive idea! Keep up the fantastic work!!

    <3 Natalie :)

    Reply

  7. Jessica M says

    Awesome! So excited for you! And LOVE all the light fixtures. Just got my YHL book for Christmas and am loving it, too!

    Reply

  8. asheisele says

    Could not be better timing – have spent a few months desperately looking for awesome affordable light fixtures for our new house. Cheered out loud, clicked the link immediately & ordered that giant gorgeous chandelier for our entryway & plan on going back for more when I figure out what I need where! Thank you guys so much for your dedication to style, quality & not breaking the bank. Now just have to wait out that brief backorder … xoxo

    Reply

  9. Brandan WH says

    Not sure if someone else said this, but I get the emails with your updates so I totally thought your ‘psst’ was announcing you were pregnant! Anywho, congrats on the lights. They are gorgeous! Congrats and blessings on your newest endeavor.

    Reply

  10. Liz says

    Now I don’t use these letters lightly…O M G. I am so excited about your new venture! I’m digging the colors and my husband is digging the price point. Win-Win!

    Reply

  11. Amanda Dennis says

    Came home today, checked the mail and saw a new Shades of Light magazine. I literally squealed like a little girl when I saw “YOUNG HOUSE LOVE” in bottom corner. I missed your announcement yesterday, so it was a GREAT surprise this afternoon. Now…hard part is picking just ONE!!! Congrats, this is awesome!

    Reply

  12. Kelsey says

    Just ordered your large bronze globe! I’ve been wanting to change out our stuffy traditional chandelier for nearly 2 years now since we moved in. This is perfect–love the industrial chic look!

    Reply

  13. Emily says

    We just purchased one of the large wire globes in rusty bronze!!! I am so excited!!! We recently moved into the home of our dreams and can’t wait to get it above our dinning room table!!! AMAZING!

    Reply

  14. Jen says

    Your collection is incredible! Love the styles and the colors and of course, the great prices! Kudos to you both for all you do and accomplish, as always, you are an inspiration!

    xo,
    Jen

    Reply

  15. Katie says

    Just purchased the large wire globe chandelier in midnight! So excited. And I used your 10% off coupon code to bring the $99 price tag for the painted ones down to $89.10. Congrats again on all the success!

    Reply

  17. Heather says

    YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! I have been needing a light for my formal-dining-room-turned-home-office. Seriously, the mammoth light fixture had to go months ago (kept bumping my head ~ OUCH!). I *almost* settled a few times on something at a big box store or Habitat ReStore just so I’d have a light. SO grateful I didn’t! Now, I just have to decide which to go for because there are seriously five that I’m swooning over! THANK YOU, $HERRY AND JOHN!

    Reply

  19. Tricia says

    Since moving into our first home, my husband and I have always talked about replacing the horrible stained glass fruit lamp in our kitchen and using our new lamp as the inspiration for redoing the whole kitchen. After three years (yup…3!) we finally found the perfect lamp! We just ordered the yellow farmhouse lamp and are so excited to start our kitchen remodel with this beautiful piece as our inspiration!

    Reply

  20. Christin says

    I’ve been on the hunt for months for the perfect light fixture and lo and behold, you guys create the exact one I’ve been searching for. I already bought 2 of the globe lights!! The Burger shades are next!

    Reply

  22. Lyn says

    Awesome, all of them!!! Love the behind the scenes of the photo shoot. Now I understand why lighting in catalogs never show the attachment to the ceiling!!! because they are on a pole with a big ole clamp. I have vaulted ceilings and when looking for lights I need the kind with either just a cord hanging or if it has a rod it has to have the little ball attached to the ceiling plate so it swivels and hangs down straight. It’s so frustrating when shopping to not see a shot of the ceiling so now I know why. I laughed at the picture of the poor guy holding your pendant out of the way of the beauty shot, so funny, so funny.

    Reply

  24. JessP says

    I discovered Shades of Light when I became a fan of your blog. So fun to see your collection there. Congratulations YHL! Is a 16″ pendant shade too small a diameter to hang above a 42″ round kitchen table? What say you? Thanks and Happy New Year!

    Reply

  27. Kim says

    This is SO awesome. I love every piece and the lighting world is really in need of great looking lighting at an affordable price. Look at you two going and doing it. Congrats!

    Reply

  28. Kelly says

    Just ordered the sphere chandelier in tangerine red. In the process of spray painting some frames we already had in order to add color to your family room! Thanks for all you do– it has really helped us to make the house OUR home!

    Reply

  29. Ashley L says

    Just bought one of my very own! Very soon mine will be making the pilgrimage all the way out here to southern California! I’m so excited! They all look so stunning! :)

    Reply

  30. Silke says

    The lamps are wonderful ! And the prices are amazine ! I SO MUCH wanted the wire globe lantern for in our living room. Too bad they charge 3.500 $ for shipping to europe. No joke. I wanted to cry when they e-mailed me the charges :-(

    Reply

  32. Joy G says

    Awesome, Awesome and more awesome!!!! We are in the process of buying a fixer-upper and I must have the “graphic hearts” shade or pendant! As soon as I saw it I was all like, “that’s on their blog background–how cool!” So excited for you guys!

    Reply

  34. Julianne says

    You guys are so incredible. I need the time machine you have that makes your days 34 hours long instead of our measly 24 each day! How you do all these background things as well as the blog every day I’ll never know. But the lights are awesome…Shades of Light is gonna get a lot of traffic from these for sure!

    Reply

  36. Sarah Gerke says

    Oh my gosh! These are amazing! I can’t wait to buy 3 of the bubble glass pendents for over my kitchen island and the large wire globe for our dining room. I LOVE them! You guys did an amazing job!!!

    Reply

  37. Becky says

    I’ve recommended your lights to at least three people…I LOVE them all but the chandelier would make just about any dining room perfect. And that price? Amazing!! Really really great guys.

    Reply

  38. Elizabeth says

    My husband and I love the bronze wire light! We have been in search for the perfect one and this is it!! We have very tall ceilings so the 3 ft. Chain won’t work – we need about 2 more feet. Any suggestions?? Thanks so much!

    Elizabeth

    Reply

  39. Robin says

    Will you guys do a post on how you hung the chandelier in the dining room? I think there was no light fixture there before. We have no light fixture in the middle of our dining room and would like to know how to hang one. I’m obsessed with the large wire globe lantern in your line of lights. I kinda want the eggplant for a pop of color or the rusted bronze.

    Thanks!! It was wonderful to meet you both in Austin!!
    Love your site and book!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We actually had the electrician add a receptacle above the dining table back when he did the electric for the kitchen (it was like $80 to add that one switch and receptacle, and then it took us FOREVER to actually get a light for it, haha). So we didn’t add it ourselves, but it wasn’t too expensive since he was already here adding can lights in the kitchen. Hope it helps! And it was awesome to meet you in Austin too!

      xo
      s

  42. Mandy says

    We’ve been looking for a blue farm house light for months and I was so excited when you guys posted this. Excellent work! Except…that it’s going to cost an extra $200 to ship to Canada. I guess we go back to the plan of spray painting the white one from Home Depot.

    Reply

  43. Christina says

    Congratulations and this is AWESOME! Attractive and affordable lighting is hard to come by so thank you for keeping it real and keeping the prices down! This might sound cheezy but you two are seriously making the world a better place with all the good work you do. Thank you!

    Reply

  44. Cher says

    I really like your Shades of Light chandelier in your dining room. With just one bulb, do you feel like it’s bright enough for a dining room? Also, I really REALLY want to paint mine yellow- Do you think it would hold spray paint?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I’d get the $89 unpainted one (the one we have) and spray prime and paint it (Rustoleum Universal is the best). As for one bulb in the dining room, it takes 100 watts and it’s great for our room (it’s not a small dining room and it does the trick). Occasionally we flip on the light on the buffet too, but usually it’s just the ceiling fixture in there and we eat there nearly every night. Oh and I think putting it on a dimmer would be awesome – you could control the amount of light even more.

      xo
      s

  46. Cait says

    Love your lighting collection but have a question. For the drum lights shades- the coral pink color looks orange in a lot of the photos, but the name “coral pink” makes me think it is more pink than orange. Which way does the color lean towards more? Thanks for your help!

    Reply

  47. Erin says

    Hi! I love love love the light fixture in your collection that is in your dining room. I love it so much I am considering purchasing it for our dining room. Trouble is, I am wondering if it will give off enough light at night? It looks like your shots were taken during the day – when it was fairly bright outside. Do you have any shots of it at night? I understand you are incredibly busy people, but thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.

    Thanks,
    Erin

    Reply

  48. Nikki says

    OH MY WORD this is the best news I’ve heard in a year! Can’t wait to get my paws on a few of those bad boys. It’s like you stepped into my mind to make the exact pendants I’ve been searching for. Thank you for making them budget friendly! What a dream job!

    Reply

  49. Deborah says

    OMG, I am in the pre stages of building my own house and I’ve been frantically scouring the web looking for inspiration. I love love love your light range… I will be arranging for them to be sent to Sydney, Australia (as soon as they are back in stock). I love your blog and once this house is built (and I’m over the stress that comes with that) I’ll be incorporating a lot of your ideas and project. Great work guys, thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply

  50. Debbie Scott says

    I LOVE the Farmhouse Pendant…would love to order a few for my basement…can you tell me if the length at which they hang can be adjusted??? I really, really hope they can be shortened…these would be an amazing addition to our reno!!

    Thanks so much and continued success!!! :)
    Debbie

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, the cord can be cut to any length when you install them! Feel free to call them for any questions (since they manufacture them they can answer a lot more than we can).

      xo
      s

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *