Michael's Lamp Studio

Those of you local to the Twin Cities probably know all about the intersection of Xerxes and 50th street in Minneapolis, home to Hunt and Gather vintage, Bella Galleria consignment, Gallery 360 for art, and a number of other quirky little shops.  When I go poking around that corner for finds, I like to pop in to Michaels' Lamp Studio.

This locally owned shop is chock full of chandeliers, table lamps, and shades in every shape and color you can imagine.  Need some inspiration?  Here are my favorites from a recent peek.

Fabulous vintage chandeliers:

Love these italian tulips in a dining room with a rosewood and marble table and some 60s Italian leather chairs, white on a brass frame.

And this glass number in a foyer with metallic grasscloth walls and an orange leather console table.  Meow.

And how about that little lantern in a powder room with Chinoiserie paper--maybe this one from Thibault?  And gold fixtures (But of course.)  Not everyone's bag, but I love.

Speaking of Chinoiserie, check out the shelves and shelves full of ceramic lamps with Asian motifs

Want something a little more industrial?  How about a pair of brass candlesticks with brass shades?

Or a patined copper pendant?  Or--trend alert--a beautiful, naked bulb, like this one.

If you're thinking about Christmas (and I know plenty of bloggers are working on holiday features for magazines), how about some red plaid shades on your dining room chandy?

Now, the prices here are good, but nothing is exactly a steal.  If DIY is more your speed, take inspiration from this little crystal lamp and recover a shade by pleating a vintage silk scarf.  I love that you can see the writing from the scarf's edge on this one.

Want to get started? Try out my pleated lampshade tutorial, here.

And here's a challenge for you designer-types:  Lighting is so often overlooked as we put rooms together.  We need to invest in places to sit, and eat, and sleep, and the existing fixtures will do, functionally speaking.  But great lighting also has the potential to transform a space.  Go check out Olioboard, a software for building design boards, and create a room around a chandelier.

Have fun, and report back!  I'd love to feature your designs.