Not Your Mother's Drum Shade

One can hardly miss the conclusion if one studies today’s lighting options—they’re simply not you mother’s drum shades anymore.

Popular since at least the beginning of the 20th Century, drum shades may best be remembered from the 60s and 70s. At that time the style was for a drum shade to be as tall or taller than the lamp itself. Lamp shades expressive of hats worn by Chinese laborers in the 1800s became popular in the 80s. Following on their heels was a variety of other lampshades—traditional, bell, and rectangular shades became the desirable choices. Embellishments, taking their tone from the elaborate window treatments, included fringe, feathers, beads and more.

Generally, a drum shade is defined as a shade which has the same circumference at the top and bottom. Some may have a diameter at the top that is slightly smaller than that at the bottom offering a tapered look, but they are definitely cone-shaped.

According to Debi Gilley of Sprintz Furniture, drum shades are “back with a vengeance. From candelabras to chandeliers, wall sconces to table lighting and floor lamps, drum shades are in high demand.”

Today’s drum shades, Gilley says, have taken on a whole new connotation as the shade itself has evolved in both form and design. “There are modified drum shades that are slightly narrower in diameter at the top, V-notch drum shades with notched designs at the top and/or bottom rim, and bell drum shades with gracefully curving sides.

“One of our favorite shades at Sprintz is the short, stocky spin-off of the drum known as a shallow drum, or Bouilotte, shade,” says Gilley.

Gilley says that drum shade-based lighting is functional and economical. “They diffuse light outward through the shade itself and reflect light downward and upward where it can diffuse off the ceiling. A single drum shade lamp can light a much larger area than many of its competitors,” says Gilley.

Drum shades themselves range from hard to soft back fabric shades, from silk light champagne to khaki linen with natural slubbing. Drum shades are also available in delicately painted paper to Tiffany-style water glass, making them suitable for a variety of styles including traditional, transitional, or contemporary.Bohnne Jones of Decorating Den report she’s been watching the growing popularity of drum shades. “They can be glass, metal, mica, silk, or other materials, and the shades can also be layered,” Jones says, adding that drum shades could be found in every room of the home and include flushmount, pendant, chandeliers, and lamps.

In agreement is Mysty Westfall of Rickenbaker Design, who says the drum shade is one of those rare lighting solutions that is at home in traditional or modern designs. “Larger drum shades are increasingly popular for eat-in kitchens or smaller dining areas,” she says.

"Drum shades in varying dimensions update traditional lamps and give them a fresh look,” says Gail Adkins of Change Magic Interior Redesign. “Drum shades on contemporary lamps give an essential clean and lean look to modern interiors. Drum shades that are proportional to their bases work well with traditional, transitional, and modern decorating styles.”

“The classic drum shade is very simple, but very versatile at the same time,” says Maggie McClure of Beth Haley Designs. “Typically reserved for kitchens and dining areas, these fixtures are being brought into other living areas. Because of the many sizes available, a drum shade can help balance the scale of a room, better direct lighting, and add extra ‘oomph’ without distracting from the space. We’ve seen them in living rooms, closets, bathrooms, and stairwells.”

McClure reports that bold patterns, oversized proportions, and atypical materials allow shades to easily mix with most interior styles. She adds that drum shades are typically larger than and allow for more wattage than regular chandeliers and pendant fixtures.

“Beyond anything, most clients need function and practicality. The drum shade just happens to be a beautiful way to achieve that desire.”  

There are a number of sources for drum-shade-based lighting in the Greater Nashville area  including:

Beth Haley Design
Nashville
615/ 228-3664

Change Magic Interior Redesign
Nashville
615/ 275-9514

Decorating Den
Nashville
615/ 469-7334

Essence Lighting
Hendersonville
615/ 264-9402

Graham’s Lighting
Franklin
615/ 771-3400

Hermitage Lighting
Nashville
615/ 843-3300

Just Design This
Nashville
615/ 578-4738

The Lamp Gallery

Murfreesboro

615/ 893-8355

Lumen
Nashville
615/ 356-9596

Rickenbaker Design
Nashville
615/ 657-9662

Snooty Fox
Brentwood
615/ 661-4565

Sprintz Furniture
Franklin, Nashville
615/ 350-1423