One of my newest decorating loves is a drum shade. I can remember more than 10 years ago, when I was trying to buy new lamps and couldn’t find much of anything that was traditional and reasonable. It seems like all the lamps I saw in the stores back then were still those ceramic jar type lamps (way before the iron and Tuscan look came in) or were wildly expensive and I ended up buying lamps from a decorator who had shows at her house. I spent around $100 each for a couple of lamps from her. And I still have those lamps, even though one of them was gold and I have since painted it to a bronze tone. Hard to get rid of lamps that you pay good money for and $100 back then was a lot of money to me (still is, as a matter of fact).
The ceramic fruit lamp above is still pretty to me, but I have had it for several years now and was ready for a more simple and clean look. I got this lamp at a really neat shop in Atlanta called Hill Street Warehouse and will try to sell it on Craigslist or anyone in Birmingham who might be interested, I’ll sell it for a good price.
Since then, I’ve found some of my favorite lamps at yardsales and still love them dearly too. But, I have replaced most all of my shades with drum shades. LOVE them! They can really update an older lamp and give it new life. Most of my old shades were bell shaped and very traditional looking. But, adding a drum shade will instantly update those older lamps.
I just found the lamp above at Homegoods recently for $39. It was just what I was looking for for this table and I love the simple and clean lines, along with the textured drum shade which is perfect with my wall color. 
The shade really got my attention, with it’s 2 tones of cream and gold and the texture is really neat too, almost like grasscloth. It’s much easier to find great looking lamps these days without spending a fortune.
This lamp on my black console table is a $5 yardsale find, but replacing the shade with a drum shade really updated it so much. I found this shade at JoAnn’s (they have 40% sales & coupons often too) a few years ago and liked it so much, I bought 2 of them and I’ll show you the other one too. It’s very textured like a heavy linen with black bands around the top and bottom.
This is also a new lamp from Homegoods, again at $39, it didn’t break the bank. This one has a simple gold colored drumshade and pairs well with the opposite one. You can see all 3 of these lamps are in my livingroom and they don’t match, but complement each other. That’s the key with mixing lamps. I do like a pair of lamps for a bedroom, but otherwise, I’d just as soon mix ’em up. 
This lamp was in the livingroom, but when I got the one above, I moved it into my guestroom and this is the 2nd shade that came from JoAnn’s. This lamp was my $100 spend (which in the design world is not a lot of money I know, for lamps, but I’m not one to spend hundreds on lamps) and I’ve had it many years now. I did a bronze finish on it to give it an updated look from the brassy gold it was.
Now, those of you who have been reading my blog forever, will remember this, my pride and joy yardsale find of $5 that I found 2 years ago, a vintage crystal lamp with black marble base. If you’re new here, you can read all about how I found the drum shade at a junk store and covered it in this yummy damask fabric, complete with a lampshade covering tutorial. I still love this lamp two years later!
These pretty lamps with drum shades in our master bedroom were a find last year, also from Homegoods and they were even on clearance, one I got for $18 and the mate, I had to hunt down at another store, for $25. Great bargains!
My very latest addition is downstairs in the den, where again I found a $39 bargain at Homegoods and decided to add a little more aqua to this space (that Turquoise bug has bitten me!) This is a great way to add some fresh color without going overboard. You’ll notice I added some pretty soft aqua pillows too, again from Homegoods. Those shabby aqua shutters really started something in there.
So, if you’re looking to update your Traditional look with something fresh, new, and a little more modern for the coming year, without spending a lot of money, look to drum shades to update your lamps. I’m so happy that there are stores out there like Homegoods (and no, they don’t pay me for this) who offer great looking lamps for such reasonable prices. That hasn’t always been the case. Even Walmart has a great looking large linen drum shade that is so pretty. Check them out too.
Drum shades = instant update to a fresh and more contemporary look! Ever evolving myself, I’m really enjoying bringing in a little more modern to my home, to mix with the Traditional that is near and dear to my heart.
How do you feel about drum shades? Yay or nay?
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This was a very interesting post. I really like drumshades and have two lamps that could use an update and I think that drumshades might be the key. We don’t have Homegoods here, so I’ll have to keep my eyes open when I’m in other stores for two shades that would work.
I love drum shades and you have such a wonderful variety! Just a couple months ago I found two gorgeous silver lamps with white drum shades for $5/each at Walmart of all places. They were tucked in a clearance aisle. Like yours, they added a more contemporary look to our very traditional bedroom. Have you seen the drum shade chandeliers? They really add a neat look to a room. I looked for one when did our dining room, but didn’t find one that fit the room. We need a bigger space!
Have a great week!
Jennifer
Love the addition of drum shades. You might have inspired me to try covering one on my own. I have added three lamps w/drum shades to my house in the last year. Two lamps w/drum shades in our master came from Marshalls on clearance for $25.00 each. Another lamp w/drum shade in my den came from Fred’s for about $25.00. Added tassles for a little something extra.
Your lamps are all beautiful, and I really love those shades. I think it is time that I go to Drum Shades, I love the look of them, but it will take time. They go well in a cottage as well as a more traditional home, don’t they. Thanks for a look at yours, hugs, Cindy S.
You must be reading my mind!! I need to update my lamps and it’s been on my mind all weekend. I just got new end tables and my old cheap lamps look terrible. I was at Home Goods yesterday and fell in love with the same lamp that is pictured by your sofa (not the aqua one…the black one). I am thinking I need to go back and get it! Loving the drum shades too. Thx for the post!
I really like the drum shade look. I don’t have any (yet). 😉 I have been looking around but haven’t found anything inexpensive enough. You have so many pretty lamps. I definitely need to update the lamp in my living room.
I love the drum shades. I vote yay. I truly love the crystal lamp and marble base. We just finished painting my daughter’s room pink yesterday and here comforter on her bed has the same black and white damask.
Thank you for the wonderful idea to add for a little sparkle for her room with the crystal.
Debra
I’m so glad you gave this info, Rhoda. Honestly I hadn’t noticed drum shades. I do notice that regular shades take up so much space visually pretty often. I’ll definitely be on the look-out for new shades!
Love all of the pretty lamps that you have. I really need to update some of my lamps. Seems like that is one thing that hasn’t changed in my house for years. I love the drum shades and maybe that is exactly what I need. All of your lamps are gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
~GOERGEOUS lamps you have Rhoda! I do love the drum shades. I only have one in our bonus room. It’s black and silver. Now you have me wanting some more.
Your fruit lamp is stunning! I wish I had a spot for it and lived closer to you I would want it for sure. It’s really unique and would look amazing with a red shade. How tall is it? Maybe I can put it on top of my fridge if it would work for the height. My sister lives in B’mingham. Hmmmm…:)
Have a great week. ~Melissa 🙂
Love drum shades and enjoyed seeing many of your lamps. I am looking around in my living room and am seeing three drum shades and one other shape.
I could just move right into Home Goods, I love that store! I do believe the turquoise bug has bitten me as well. I bought some pillows for our couch with a touch of aqua and brown that I’m in love with. I’m glad to see it as such a strong color for this year so there will be lots to choose from! That lamp is gorgeous!
Rhoda,
I love all of them. Once we move back to Michigan, I’ll be sure to hunt down drum shades. They look so classy1
Blessings,
Carol
OMG….I have to have that aqua lamp!! I’ve been keeping an eye out at our HomeGoods store, but I may have missed it if they had one. LOVELY!!
pretty lamps! The lamps I have in my bedroom are from Homegoods too, they are tall and have drum shades too, I love them!
I do like the drum shades, and have been noticing them more and more lately and thinking next time I need a lamp, I’m going to try to find drum shades!
Isn’t it funny how what goes around comes around? Drum shades were “in” when I was a child back in the 70s. Or maybe it was the 60s and my mom was just behind the times, which is very likely!
Oh boy am I a sucker for a pretty lampshade and that woven one up top is just my style. I haven’t been to HomeGoods since waaay back at the beginning of December… or was it late November? Now that’s all I’ll be thinking about this week til I get myself down there!
I second your opinion of drum shades, Rhoda. I’ve updated a few old lamps myself with them and know the magic they can work on a tired lamp. Great tour of yours! Thanks!
These are really nice, Rhoda! I’ve gotten some great lamps at Home Goods, too. I picked up a little lamp for my kitchen counter at Target a couple of months ago, that I want to recover the shade; I just need to find a fabric I like for my kitchen. I’m hoping the shade is removable {at first glance it doesn’t look like it}, so that I can recover it easily.
I like them! I have been thinking that I need to update some of my lamps. I’m really into linen and burlap, and am wondering how hard/easy it would be to cover a drum shade?