I have always enjoyed working with different fabrics and had a variety available from clothing, pillows, and craft items. When we were first married and I was a stay at home mom, my first lampshade project was to decorate my daughter’s room. After this first project was completed, I began receiving requests for lampshades from friends and family members. My husband, Kelly, suggested that we should try selling lampshades to local antique stores. This caused us to begin receiving calls from people who saw our lampshades in various stores and place specific requests with us. Once we became empty nesters, and with the encouragement and emotional support from our children, we quit our jobs (I was running a home daycare) to pursue creating lampshades full time. We then made a serious move from Colorado to Cincinnati, Ohio with the desire to expand our lampshade business. In 1994, we officially took the name Vintage Shades for our business. We began by taking our antique lamp shades to display at antique home shows while still selling our creations to shops. Our business began to flourish and grow. In 2000 we moved to a small community in Iowa, this allows us easy travel to find beautiful material for our shades as we can reach either coast quite easily, we also found a home we truly love. The internet has really given us the opportunity to expand our business and sell our shades to a variety of customers. Not only do we continue to sell and create lampshades for clients seeking décor for their homes, we now sell to movie production companies, historic hotels, museums, restaurants, and clubs worldwide. We have been making lampshades for over a quarter of a century. During this time we have found the best silk fabrics and trims to use, both new and antique. Kelly also now makes our wire frames which has allowed us to have truly limitless design potential. We can recreate old antique frames, work with ideas from our clients, or create our own original designs. Restoration of many wonderful old and original antique lampshades has also broadened our knowledge and inspires us as we create new shades. "Matador" - An Original Frame and Design by Us We have learned so much about color, textures, and design over the years, and we have continually gained knowledge and experience with lampshades. This has caused us to continually have new excitement and inspiration for our lampshades. We love creating truly beautiful designs in a variety of styles like Victorian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Asian, and Edwardian. Our philosophy when creating lampshades is “Too much is never enough.” We hope you take the time to look at our beautiful shades and please reach out to us if you have any questions. Thank you so much for your time! Kathy

A small look at how the Victorians used bird imagery—and why I’ve come to love it too As the seasons begin to turn and the first signs of spring return, I find myself reflecting on how my love of birds has quietly shaped both my home and my work. Even though we’re not quite through February yet, I’m already starting to feel like spring is just around the corner. It’s my favorite season for so many reasons—the longer, warmer days, spending more time outdoors, watching new life push up through the soil, and listening to the birds as they sing in the morning. I especially love the little wrens. They may be tiny, but they can really belt out a song. Whether I’m sitting on the porch listening to one sing as it builds its nest, or watching the parents feed their babies out in the yard, I find so much joy in their presence. As the weather warms and their songs return, there’s a real sense of life and renewal in the air. Over time, I realized I’ve brought that fondness for birds into my home in many ways—through wallpaper, framed pictures, even a rug with a peacock design, and of course, in our Christmas decorating. I’ve also used bird images printed on silk as focal points on a few of my lampshades. Some time ago, I wrote a blog about an autograph book I found in an antique shop. What first drew me to it was the gold-embossed bird on the cover. That small detail caught my eye, and of course, inside were the beautiful penmanship, poetry, and sentiments that made it even more special. Because we live in a Victorian home and have decorated it as much as we can to reflect that period, I became curious about how birds influenced Victorians in their homes and even in their clothing. Bird imagery appeared everywhere. Birds were embroidered into upholstery and drapery, printed on wallpaper, worked into carpets and needlework, and even incorporated into fireplace tiles and lighting fixtures. We’ve had some beautiful bridge lamps with bird motifs, and we’ve restored older shades with bird images as well—some of those can be seen on our website in the recover section. Birds were also very present in fashion. I’ve always loved those grand hats with sweeping ostrich plumes, worn so proudly and adding such drama as ladies walked down the street. Bird motifs also appeared on brooches and hair combs. Victorians were very fond of symbolism, and birds carried special meanings for them: • Dove — peace, purity, spirituality • Swallow — homecoming and loyalty • Peacock — beauty, immortality, and pride • Songbirds — joy and domestic harmony Bird imagery reflected that wonderful Victorian mix of romantic symbolism, a love of nature, and a delight in ornamentation. They added life, color, and a sense of the outdoors brought inside. For me, there has always been a romantic feeling tied to that era—and birds only enhance that feeling.

"I came across this old shade and I’d like to have it restored” We hear this quite often in our business and we are always anxious to see what they have.  Many amazing frames arrive here in  shapes and styles we have never seen before! Often we fall in love with the antique shape and are able to reproduce the frames for our "collection" of future shades to make. When restoring a shade we try to come as close to the design of the original as possible if that is what the client wants.  It’s great when we can save the trims and beads in order to reapply them. Fabrics can be a challenge, as they change often and disappear from the shelves, this applies to both colors and patterns. But we have been fortunate to come very close most of the time! We had one come to us with painted images on some of the panels. They were worn and a few torn beyond repair. We were able to reproduce them and recreated the same look as it must have had previously. The customer was amazed but bewildered as to how we mended them so they didn’t even show the tears and holes!  We were so glad that they were happy with the restored shade! But my favorites are the requests that are made by a grandchild (or great), with the intent of returning the shade to their still living grandparent. "This shade was on my grandmother’s lamp for as long as I can remember. I now have her lamp and would like to have the shade restored." Restoration becomes even more important to us then! A couple of years ago we were fortunate to be able to work with a woman that lived a hundred miles from us and she hand delivered the lampshade to us. It was her grandmothers shade that she really wanted it restored as close as possible to the original look. Fortunately there were actual fabric panels we were able to carefully remove and reuse. Some of the trims were still on the shade, and in good enough condition, to show us what to look for with the final touches. We were proud to show her the results when she made the trip back to pick it up after completion. Both she and her grandmother were excited and happy with the final product! We are pleased that we include restoration or replication in our work. A wonderful old lamp looks even more spectacular when an original style shade adorns it. We LOVE the follow up emails, sometimes hand written thank you cards and pictures. Hearing the compliments from the client that the shade is back in its rightful place, on the lamp and in their home, and that it looks just like they remembered it from back in the day are some of our favorite things to hear.

Vintage Shades makes custom handmade shades for home and buisness use. Their lampshades are featured in movies as well as Disneyland's Maddhatter Stores, and the Cosy Clubs in England. They also restore antique heirloom shades to bring back wonderful memories of the past. Custom Made Lamp Shades &Antique Lamps Since opening in 1994, Vintage Shades has been creating shades for movies, historic hotels, bed and breakfasts, bars and restaurants, and individuals who want “over the top” products. We’re committed to not only providing quality products and services, but going above and beyond to ensure our customers are completely satisfied with our lampshade artistry. We welcome you to look through our site to see all we have to offer as you dream of your own custom shade. Give Us A Call IN STOCK LAMPS & SHADES Although, we are best known for our custom lamp shades, we also have many antique lamps and shades that are in stock right now. Please see our store to order today. Shop Now Gallery HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR CUSTOM SHADES Pick a frame style, the fabric you like and your fringe. We'll custom make your very own vintage lampshade! To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Interested in having a custom piece made just for you? We will work with you to make a stunning piece to light up your home! Learn More Customers Hospitality Lighting We believe that the customer always comes first and that means exceptional products and exceptional services. Get in touch today to learn more about what we have to offer for your business. More on Hospitality Restoration What are people saying I received the lampshades a few days ago. I couldn't be more pleased with the way they turned out. The colors are beautiful and the craftsmanship and materials, excellent. Thanks so much for taking such care with my order. The shades are a work of art. More Testamonials Restoration We can also take your worn out or damaged shades and bring them back to life again. Returning your family heirlooms to their original beauty. More on Restoration Contact Us Have Questions? Get in Touch! Send

View great examples of our past work. Many are one-of-a-kind creations. Contact us for more information and design suggestions. 951-326-9610. Main Gallery GALLERY Bedlamps Bridge Shades Floor Shades Table Shades Chandeliers / Shields Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link 1/1 Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link 1/1 Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link Go to link 1/2

We make beautiful custom lampshades for bridge lamps, table lamps, and floor lamps in Victorian, Art Nouveau, Asian, and Art Deco styles. Contact us today about your dream lighting! CUSTOM VINTAGE LAMPSHADES Creating beautiful lampshades to light up your home for nearly 30 years! Handmade Victorian lampshades are our specialty! We also make beautiful shades in Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian, and in Asian styles. We'll work with you to make the perfect piece to fit your home. All of our wire frames we make in our studio to allow for greater quality and creative control! Visit our gallery to see examples of our past work. Simply call or email us to let us know which shades you love. We will then discuss with you what colors, size, and style you are looking for and begin creating your beautiful piece. Give Us A Call Email Us To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Visit Our Gallery for inspiration for your Custom shade! Visit our Gallery The Perfect Lampshade Whether you are looking for a shade to fit your table lamp, floor lamp, bridge lamp, or a new bedlamp, we will handcraft a beautiful piece to grace your home. Looking for a lamp to pair with the shade we create? We have collected many unique antique lamps over the years! Contact us for details. So Many Styles So Many Frames We can design and create any of these frames in a variety of styles including Victorian, Asian, Art Deco, Art Noueau, and many others. Bridge Shades Gallery Bridge lamps are beautiful pieces that cast great downward light. Bedlamp Shades Gallery Bedlamps, also known as reading lights, are perfect for adding light to you headboard or vanity. Table Shades Gallery Table lamshades are perfect for having beautiful light grace your end tables or other furniture. Chandelier Shades Gallery We create beautiful smaller shades for chandeliers and sconces that add warmth and mood to any space. Floor Shades Gallery Floor lampshades add wonderful light to any room and are typically our largest shades. Shield Shades Gallery Sheild shades can be used on floor or table lamps but are most commonly fixed to a wall for a more theatrical look.