lampshades | Custom lampshades | lighting

Laura Syren is an artist that works with papers and makes lampshades. The process is unique and is similar to Paper Mache. This process makes them durable, strong and long lasting. She started her small lampshades business, 'Laura Lights', about 10 years ago and now her one-of-a-kind works of art can be purchased as custom made or ready-made and in many different motifs, colors, sizes and designs for any room.

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My name is Laura Syren, the owner of Laura Lights. What led me to my lamp shade business was when I was taking a printmaking class. During the class I started layering papers and making collages with the press. After seeing the paper Mache technique used, I experimented for about a year layering paper over lampshades frames. I was able to build a substructure durable enough to later add more layers of collage designs that would make a sturdy shade.

I start with a white rice paper called Kinwashi. I use the paper Mache method to make my lampshades, wrapping wet strips of papers around the lamp shade frame. When the strips dry they shrink and form a tight drum-like sub-structure. I then appliqué the paper designs which I hand cut. I make all of my lamp shades by hand. I have no employees: there’s just me doing the work in my studio at home.

It depends on the complexity of the design, but on average it takes me, from start to finish, about 3-4 hours to create a finished lamp shade. I start with as many as 12 to 15 shades and then work on them in stages. It's like pottery, I start with a wet lampshade, let it dry and then work on it in stages layering papers. While some of the shades are in the drying stage I work on cutting designs.

I started doing custom lampshades for interior designers, builders and a few friends. I buy the frames or have them custom welded. The lamp bases are made by artists and manufacturers.

I like all styles of design and art... I think about all the different decors there are in homes and offices. I look through interior design magazines and fabric swatches to get new design ideas. I then imagine that I'm making a lamp shade with that fabric pattern and/or color scheme to accent and complement a specific room or space, whether the room’s overall design theme is Asian, Southwest, Vintage/cottage, Tropical, African or my favorite, modern design. I think adding just a few custom accent pieces makes a dramatic difference in the look and feel of a space by the use of light and custom light shades.

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and earned a degree in drawing and basic design. I moved to Bellevue Washington in the 80's and continued taking art workshops in painting and printmaking.

Howard Lamp Co. has been locally owned and operated in Edmonds, Washington since 1981, building and enduring reputation by manufacturing high quality lighting with timeless designs and clean lines. Each piece is carefully hand crafted by dedicated technicians with pride in their work. This process allows for ease of customization to create the lamp that you want.

To view or print Howard Lamps catalog

To view or print glass shade colors

To view or print Linen & Silk shade colors

1. Seattle, Washington - Custom lampshades for bedroom

2. Seattle, Washington - 3 large custom pendants over dinning room table

Materials Used, Technique | UL Listed | Going Green

Laura uses all natural handmade papers. The substructure is made with a Japanese paper called Kinwashi, which is a very durable strong paper, containing a hemp fiber. Typically this paper is used to make screens and lampshades. The sub-structures are layers of Kinwashi papers that have been soaked in glue and wrapped several times around the lamp frame. When it dries it forms a tight drum-like structure. The colorful designs are imported papers, all hand cut and appliquéd onto the structure with a non-toxic white glue. The finish is a non-toxic hardening solution and fire retardant to protect the design and give it a long lasting finished look.

All of my lamp bases are UL listed. For larger commercial projects, I work with the best lighting craftsmen / technicians’ around who have a strong understanding of UL standards and can help avoid the expense and delay of non-compliant designs.

I highly encourage energy efficient bulbs for my lampshades to conserve on energy consumption and it will also give your lampshade a longer life.