Shades of Black!

An easy way to boost the drama in your home?  Switch out your regular white lampshades for black ones.  It's that easy.

Lonny Magazine

San Francisco showhouse

via Eddie Ross

home of Mark Badgley and James Mischka

via Country Living

via Celerie Kemble

via Lonny Magazine

I usually gravitate toward linen-covered shades.  They tend to feel a bit softer and I like seeing the warp and weft of the linen when the lamp is illuminated.  But if you want the dramatic feel that an opaque shade provides?  Paper shades are the way to go.  The opaque paper creates a black-out effect, and they're often times lined with a brighter material (gold, silver, etc).

Here are some great options:

black paper shade with white lining

(via Shades of Light)

black paper square cut shade

(via Shades of Light)

rectangular black shade

(via Lamps Plus)

And, if you're interested in a little DIY action?  Try covering your existing lampshades in black fabric.  Here's an excellent tutorial on how to cover old shades in new fabric (and add trim!).

Happy Monday!

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