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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#4 – Tina
#35 – Kim K.
#53 – Deb (It is what it Is)
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All of you should have received an email from me. Congrats! Just get back to me and I’ll get instructions to you later on how to log-in to the conference later this month. If you find out that you can’t use the ticket, please let me know so that I can pass it on to someone else.
After a quick survey of my home I realize I have only one drum shade … I must reassess! Happy New Year.
Hi Rhoda 🙂
The drum shades are really cute. I even have two. All your lamps are beautiful! I have a bit of an obsession with them myself 😉
Happy New Year dear friend and Happy belated Birthday to Eleanor too!
xoxo,
rue
Rhoda, I am loving your drum shades! Especially the linen look with black trim from Joann’s, I’ll have to see if they still have those, my family room lamps could use an update. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
Oh yes! I love lamps like I love shoes.
I like to mix mine around to.
So far this year the ones I had in my bedroom have been brought out to the living room. It saved me $ and they look great out there.
Love all your lamps!
Hi Rhoda,
I love all your lamps and their drum shades. I need to update a few of our lamps so I’ll be on the lookout at our local Home Sense store for some especially for ones with drum shades. I have a feeling our Home Sense stores might be very similar to your Homegoods. TFS! Sheila
Thanks for showing your lamps and giving us inspiration! I really like the drum shades!!
Rhoda, you have some beautiful lamps! My favorite is the light blue one!
I’m a big fan of drum shades. But because I live in a small town, I can just find them at Walmart. Driving to the city, I’ve bought them (affordably) at Garden Ridge. I’ve found them online at Lamps Plus for reasonable prices in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
I enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing! ~Lisa
Rhoda,
I am never disappointed in your posts and always learn something. Funny how we never consider that we don’t have to throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to lamps. I like the drum shades — especially the first one featured. I, like you, prefer pieces that compliment each other rather than duplicate.
Deborah
Thanks for the reply! I read your post, but I guess I read right over your mention of the tutorial! Could this explain why I didn’t always get straight A’s?! ha!
Yes, I am in Alabama. I live in Calera. I found your blog through the Lettered Cottage, I think. I read so many (and have so much fun doing it), that I can’t remember how I got where!!!
I’m a garage sale/thrift junky, too!! I know you’re in the B’ham area, too, correct? We’ll have to get together this Spring and hit some sales!!
Take care.
Girl, I’m with you! Love those drum shades! I’m going to head over to Homegoods to see if I can find that turquoise lamp. Turquoise — my signature color (along with red and yellow and blue and…)
Hi Rhoda-
It’s funny how trends and styles change and evolve. I remember as a kid growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, drum shades were the norm. Then it all changed and they went out of style. Everything comes around and goes around, just comes back tweaked a tad. I like drum shades and have purchasesd a few over the last few months to update my decor. The only thing is they do take up more visual space.
I have to get used to that. Great post.
Hey Rhoda! I’m with Diane at InMyOwnStyle….as I was gazing at your beautiful lamps, I was thinking to myself….”I think my mom had these back when I was a small girl” (late 60’s early 70’s. Mom always told me “If you keep something long enough, it will come back in style.” Guess that’s why I’m such a pack-rat!! 😉
You had me with the Commander’s Palace plate and kept me with drum shade, lol! Home Goods is the BEST for lamps, aren’t they?? Often it winds-up cheaper to get a lamp than to just buy a shade.
I know drum shades are the newest but they remind me of what we had when I was a kid, so it’s the old saying….what’s old is now new. They are just ok with me. Don’t love em or hate em.
I think drumshades can be dressed up or down–they are great!
HI Rhoda
I love drum shades, too. All of yours are incredible. Doesn’t Home Goods have great prices on their lamps??? We came to B’ham the week before Christmas and stopped by HG.
Rhonda
Just bought a couple of lamps at Homegoods…and was wondering where to look for a new drum shade for one of them (it had an ugly one that I hated when I turned on the lightbulb it in)…JoAnn’s huh? Off to look! Oh, I also love that even though I bought some new lamps at Homegoods recently, none of them are exactly like yours! I hate having the same thing as everyone else so I love how many varieties you can find!!
You’ve so inspired me! My closest Homegoods is an hour away- I’m definitely checking out the lamp aisle at Walmart for one of those shades!
Sorry, Rhoda, but I don’t care for drum shades. They remind me of the 60’s and my house looks like the 1860’s. Of course, I have many antiques lighting fixtures,and a lot of people don’t like them, either. I guess, it really comes down to the style of my house with so much antique furniture. I’ve conditioned myself to a few styles that fit that decor.
Love them Rhoda!! I’m slowly moving most of mine to these too. I have them on about five lamps now. I just started a project last night that uses one too!! Checking Walmart today for more!