Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Design & Craftsmanship FAQs
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A bespoke lampshade is designed specifically for the lamp, room, and home it will live within. Unlike ready-made lighting, bespoke lampshades are thoughtfully developed through collaboration, considering scale, proportion, materials, trims, and the quality of light they create. At Admiral Landings Designs, each bespoke piece is handcrafted to feel deeply personal, functional, and lasting.
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A: Artisanal lampshades are handcrafted using traditional techniques, careful craftsmanship, and elevated materials rather than mass-production methods. At Admiral Landings Designs, our lampshades are created by hand in our American studio using couture textiles, detailed finishing work, and time-honored construction methods that honor both artistry and function.
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A: A luxury lampshade is defined by more than appearance alone. The difference is found in the quality of materials, craftsmanship, thoughtful proportions, and the way the shade transforms the atmosphere of a room. At Admiral Landings Designs, each lampshade is handcrafted using carefully sourced textiles and tailored details designed to bring warmth, refinement, and individuality to a space.
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A: Custom lampshades allow lighting to feel intentional rather than like an afterthought. A thoughtfully designed shade can completely change the mood, balance, and finished feel of a room while ensuring the scale, shape, and materials work beautifully with the lamp base and surrounding interior. Many clients view custom lampshades as lasting design pieces that elevate a home for years to come, becoming heirloom pieces, passed down to future generations.
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A: Yes. Admiral Landings Designs specializes in made-to-order and bespoke lampshades handcrafted in the USA. Many of our studio designs can be customized with different color variations, trims, linings, proportions, or finishing details, while fully bespoke commissions are developed collaboratively to suit a specific interior or lamp base.
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A: Absolutely. Interior designers often use custom lampshades to bring greater cohesion, individuality, and refinement to a project. Custom lighting allows designers to tailor scale, textiles, color palette, and detailing to the overall vision of the space while creating a more layered and collected interior. Admiral Landings Designs regularly collaborates with interior designers, decorators, and design professionals on both residential and hospitality projects.
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A: Handcrafted lampshades made in the USA can be purchased directly through specialty studios that focus on artisan craftsmanship rather than mass production. Admiral Landings Designs creates handcrafted luxury lampshades in our American studio using traditional techniques, couture textiles, and made-to-order craftsmanship for design-driven homes and interiors.
Custom Ordering FAQs
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A: Our custom projects follow a simple, thoughtfully paced three-step process designed to support both creativity and craftsmanship:
1. Design Consultation
Each project begins with a Design Consultation. This stage includes an initial one-on-one meeting via Zoom or phone, personalized guidance, access to our trade fabric and trim resources, and design meetings scheduled as needed to thoughtfully bring your lampshade to completion. A $125 Design Consultation & Sourcing Deposit is required to begin this step, which reserves dedicated time on our schedule for this early planning, sourcing, and design development. It is fully credited toward the next phase of production.2. Production Start
Once your design is approved, your lampshade begins its journey into production. Materials are ordered and fabrication begins with a 40% production payment, with your Design Consultation & Sourcing Deposit applied toward this phase.3. Completion & Delivery
Once your lampshade is complete, the remaining balance is due prior to shipment or pickup, ensuring your finished piece is carefully prepared and ready for its next chapter in your home. -
A: Yes — that’s one of my favorite parts of the process. I can recommend fabrics from our trade partners or help you coordinate with your existing décor, all while keeping proportion, scale, and lighting quality in mind.
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A: Absolutely. Many of our clients love using fabric from their own collections, heirlooms, or drapery remnants. We’ll confirm fabric type and yardage to ensure it’s suitable for shade construction before you send it in.
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A: In many cases, yes. We love breathing new life into meaningful pieces. If your frame is in good condition, we can often recover or reline it with new fabric and trim — giving it a fresh look while preserving its original charm.
If the frame needs repair or replacement, we’ll assess it during your consultation and discuss the best way forward.
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A: We’re happy to work with your existing shade when the frame is in good condition. Once your custom order is confirmed, we’ll coordinate the best way to get your shade to the studio:
Louisville, KY + Lafayette, IN clients: We can arrange a scheduled local pickup or drop-off (and delivery back to you, if preferred).
Outside our local areas: We’ll email you a pre-paid shipping label as part of your custom order, along with simple packing instructions so your shade arrives safely.
If you’re unsure whether your current shade is a good candidate, feel free to include a few photos in your inquiry—we’ll guide you from there.
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A: Most custom shades are completed within 3–4 weeks depending on complexity and fabric availability. Rush requests may be possible for certain projects — please inquire if you have a specific deadline.
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A: Pricing varies based on size, fabric, and detailing. We highly recommend viewing our Custom Lampshade Styles & Pricing Guide to give you an approximate price range according to your style and size desires. Once we finalize your design, you’ll receive a detailed quote before production begins.
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A: Each ready-made lampshade in our studio collection is created from materials we already have on hand, allowing the creative process to unfold freely — without client revisions or sourcing specific fabrics. Custom lampshades, however, are collaborative works built around your exact vision. They include one-on-one consultations, fabric and trim sourcing (often from designer trade collections), and precision craftsmanship tailored to your lamp and interior.
In short, ready-made designs represent finished artistic expressions, while custom orders are highly personalized commissions — each one made to your measure.
Both types of lampshades are made with the same care and quality — custom simply means more time, love, and personalization.
General FAQs
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A: See return policy here.
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A: Our lampshades are sold separately from the lamp bases. Each shade is a handcrafted work of art, designed to complement your existing base or to inspire a new pairing that reflects your personal style.
When selecting a handmade luxury lampshade, we encourage you to consider:
Style: Choose a shade that harmonizes with your lamp base and the overall aesthetic of your space.
Size: For balance and proportion, the bottom diameter of your shade should be slightly wider than the top of your base.
Function: Think about the purpose of the light — whether for reading, ambience, or accent — and select a shade that offers the right level of illumination and diffusion.
Each of these elements plays a role in creating a lamp that feels cohesive, intentional, and beautifully finished.
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A: A well-fitted lampshade balances proportion, light, and style.
As a general guide:
Height: The shade’s height should be about two-thirds the height of your lamp base.
Width: The shade’s widest point should be roughly twice the width of the base — and extend slightly beyond it on each side.
Shape: Curved bases pair beautifully with drum or empire shades, while square bases often suit square or rectangular shades.
Tip: For ambient lighting, choose a wider shade for a soft glow. For focused lighting, go narrower to direct the beam downward.
Remember, these are flexible guidelines — trust your eye and personal style. Every lamp has its own personality, and finding the right pairing is part of the fun.
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A: Each Admiral Landings lampshade is made by hand, ensuring that no two are ever exactly alike.
While some of our signature designs can be re-made to order, every piece remains a one-of-a-kind due to the natural variations that come with true craftsmanship — a pleat placed by hand, a trim cut to fit, a fabric pattern that falls differently each time.
Handcrafted, never mass-produced: Each shade is individually made in our studio using time-honored techniques — never from a production line.
Signature designs, uniquely yours: Our recurring designs serve as artistic foundations, but every new piece carries its own subtle nuances.
Custom creations: For commissioned designs, every detail — from fabric and lining to embellishment — is chosen in collaboration with you, creating a shade that’s truly personal.
In essence, even when a design is revisited, your lampshade will always be distinct — a reflection of the hands and artistry that brought it to life.
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A: A: Each ALD lampshade is handcrafted and should be treated with care.
Dust regularly: Use a lint roller or soft brush to remove surface dust. Avoid harsh cleaners or water.
Handle gently: If needed, lightly shake the shade outdoors to release dust, supporting the frame as you do.
Store mindfully: Keep shades in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and avoid crushing or stacking.
Use low wattage bulbs: We recommend bulbs no higher than 60 watts to prevent heat damage and fading.
With gentle care, your handcrafted lampshade will continue to illuminate your home beautifully for years to come.
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A: Each ready-made lampshade in our studio collection is created from materials we already have on hand, allowing the creative process to unfold freely — without client revisions or sourcing specific fabrics. Custom lampshades, however, are collaborative works built around your exact vision. They include one-on-one consultations, fabric and trim sourcing (often from designer trade collections), and precision craftsmanship tailored to your lamp and interior.
In short, ready-made designs represent finished artistic expressions, while custom orders are highly personalized commissions — each one made to your measure.
Both types of lampshades are made with the same care and quality — custom simply means more time, love, and personalization.
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A: Yes — we carefully package each shade to ensure it arrives safely, and complimentary shipping is included within the United States. Local pickup is also available for our Louisville, KY and Lafayette, IN customers.