I love to pimp plain lampshades to make them unique and fit my home decor. One of my most popular lampshade pimps is my IKEA lamp hack with maps (see here).
With my latest creation, I decided to go for a more tropical Boho look with my lampshade hack using felt. This lampshade definitely has an Anthropologie look to it.
I recently bought a new floor lamp for my home. I loved the lampstand but the shade that came with it was pleasant enough. But it was a bit bland for my taste so that's when I decided to revamp it.
This tutorial will work on any standard lampshade. You can find these in IKEA or even pick them up very cheaply in thrift shops.
All I used to revamp the lampshade was some coloured craft felt, embroidery thread and glue.
I decided to make a tropical scene for the lampshade. To start off I printed some templates of tropical leaves (free to download on the blog, link in bio).
I cut out the leaves from green felt.
I then decorated each leaf with a blanket stitch edge and stitched veins. This is purely decorative and can be left out if you don't want to sew.
I made a collection of these leaves and some others in different shapes and colours.
I have a thing about cockatoos and decided to make two felt ones for the lampshade. Template on the blog.
I made the crest in a different colour and the beak and claw.
Again I used thread to decorate the cockatoo with stitches.
I made a second cockatoo in pink
The flower was also made with felt. I cut out petals in pink and made an orange centre.
The centre was made by folding over a length of felt and cutting slits into it before rolling it up.
Again the petals were decorated with banket stitches on the edges.
Before I stuck the felt pieces to the lampshade, I laid them out on paper first. Only when I was happy with the design did I then add it to the shade.
I used Trim glue to attach the shapes to the lampshade. A small amount of glue was placed around the edge of each shape.
I started with the flower and then added the leaves and cockatoo one by one.
I love how the lampshade turned out, it's certainly a lot more interesting than before. There are more photos, patterns and details on the blog.
I've also made a fabulous simple feather lampshade before by hacking a cheap IKEA paper lampshade.
Wow!! Very beautiful!!
Thank you so much, 😊
I love anthropology items. I’ve done a couple of projects based on their designs.
Me too! I love both their clothes and homewares. Plus some of the ways they decorate their stores are amazing. I actually wanted to buy one of their felt lampshades but unfortunately, the one I wanted was not available in the UK, that is why I made my own.
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Love it! I actually drew the cockatoo to make a lampshade decoration but never finished it! Now, you've motivated me. I check Anthropologie all the time because of the creative lampshades.
Does the decoration affect the amount of light coming through the shade? I'm thinking about doing this on the light fixture at the top of the stairs but don't want it to make the light dim. Thanks so much!