I am writing a post defending pleated lampshades while TV news runs in the background. I need a distraction, and maybe you do, too. Who knows what we will need by the time this post publishes.
My friend tried to sway me away from pleated shades gently.
I trust your judgment but I’ll politely caution you to mind the fine line between aesthetic and dentist’s office circa 1997. Or 1987. Or 1977. Really 1977, but still displayed in the waiting room in 1997.
E., the Doubter
I acknowledge pleated shades are a look, and one I grew up disliking because my mother loved it, but I can no longer deny their appeal.
Pleated shades are both fussy and unfussy, and that is part of what endears them to me. For all their rigid order–pleat, pleat, pleat–the shade almost always tilts at an odd angle. Pleated shades are most appreciated after you accept shades sit wonkily and perfectionism may look good in his shiny shoes, but he’s a bit of an asshole and no one invites him to their pool parties.
Behold the room of someone invited to pool parties.
She brings the best homemade desserts, and piles her platters of cookies so high, she could not style them with sprigs of thyme and curls of lemon peel even if she wanted to.
Pleated lampshades are a mix of high maintenance and low effort I can relate to right now. It is the decor choice of one who understands where they fit in the puzzle and knows to stand back up no matter how many times they get knocked down–or sideways.
After reading this post, you will see pleated lampshades at every turn. Be ready. They are coming for you, and they have no problem tracking wet footprints on your clean floor. It is a pool party, after all.
I once read or was told that when it comes to decorating to make your home feel like you choose what you love and it will all make sense. I think I may love printed pleated lamp shades now. Thanks for the distraction and now I’m off to find some pleated shades, hopefully with some fantastic print on them.
I’ve heard that, too! That type of thinking takes courage, though, which I don’t always have. I’m working on it!
Oh, they are pretty. All these rooms are pretty with their pattern and texture and maximalist vibe. It’s the kind of look I love in other people’s homes but for myself, just think…dust. So much time I would have to devote to dusting. I mean you know those things are wonky because their owner is constantly wiping stardust and skin cells off them. Since I can’t be bothered to wear makeup or dye my hair or get the three hour long facial treatment my friends all rave about because I have way better things to do with my time (like read blogs of fun people who make me smile in a time I REALLY REALLY need a smile) and I walk around in this body, I can’t imagine how horribly I would maintain PLEATS in my home that hardly anybody sees. BUT I will drool over all these pictures and gently nudge you to get rose patterned pleats on your lamps because they really are wonderful.
HAHAHAHA!! :D You might be 10000% right on the wonkiness being attributed to dust and skin cells. (Ew.) Speaking of dust, wait until my next post! I may be fooling myself with pleated lampshades, but I had to do something at 10:00 last night.
Dust is my nemesis. I actually have always wanted non-fabric plastic shades so they’ll collect less dust [or at least they’ll be easier to wipe off], but I’ve been searching for years and haven’t been able to find any regular ones [i.e. for table lamps; there are plenty for pendant lamps].
I love those pleated shades. I have cream ones on a couple of lamps. I bemoan that our shade store went out of business. I got 7 great shades there. Two of them patterned but not pleated, and two of them pleated.
Are you ordering online? That seems like a huge hassle.
I’m missing the in person fitting if a shade to a lamp. An art. Keep posting these wonderful things to read.