LIGHTING 307

Lamp Shades. Lamp shades which are to emit light should be
a pale, warm color or preferably white or near white, and they
may be lined with pale pink or pale amber to cause a pleasant glow
on faces. Lamp shades in other colors, particularly cool colors,
should be entirely opaque so that no light comes through them.

Lamp shades should have little or no decoration. It ought to be
evident to anyone that landscapes, portraits, or flower pictures do
not belong on lamp shades but in frames hung on the wall. Frilly
lamp shades are usually undesirable; very tailored equipment is
best suited for electricity. See page 311.

Shades with open tops are needed on high lamps in order that
light may be well distributed. They may also be used on table
lamps below hall mirrors although lamp shades below the eye
level of a standing person should ordinarily have tops or lids to
conceal the bulbs.

Among the materials appropriate for lamp shades are plastics,
fabrics, metals, papers, compositions, mica, reed, and raffia. Fashion
dictates new materials and designs frequently. At present it is
desirable to have off-white imitation parchment shades in every
room in the house. All lamp shades should be discarded when
they are shabby or out of date, which is about every five years.

It is not difficult to make lamp shades over ready-made wire
frames. Braid or tape can be used to cover the stitches. Gathered
chiffon, pleated white buckram, or tightly stretched taffeta are
possibilities; many other materials are also suitable. Imitation
parchment and similar materials can be glued to wire frames.

Harmony. Lamps must, of course, agree with the rooms in
which they are placed. Period, Non-period, and Modern rooms
require special lamps. See page 209, Lamp bases of brass, copper,
or silver are suitable for fine rooms, whereas pewter, aluminum,
or tin belongs with sturdier things. Glass, pottery, or wood lamp
bases are procurable in different degrees of refinement. The color
of a lamp base and shade should be selected in relation to the
specific room where it is to be used. For example, a foliage-greea
base and shade of opaque material would be attractive in a knotty
pine room by daylight and also by artificial light. The indirect
floor lamps on page 209 are suitable only in Modern surroundings.
The adjustable functional lamp on page 221 is well designed and
fits its surroundings.