Vintage Bell Floor Lampshade wires rust when stored in a damp basement or garage. But at least they were not thrown in the trash. The lampshade wires can be treated and restored.
Recently I received a call from a potential customer requesting a price to restore an old bell lampshade. I did not ask enough questions and gave the standard pricing for the recovering and relining a deteriorating bell lampshade.
Upon receiving the shipment, I opened the box to find only a wire. No fabric. No trim. A seriously rusted lampshade wire.
Rusted Bell Lampshade for a Vintage Torch Floor Lamp
Rusted Vintage Bell Lampshade
I treated the wire to remove all the rust; primed, painted and waxed the wire before starting on the project.
I used a different pattern with the same dimensions to recover the frame. I thought it would be a perfect fit but something was different about the frames. I believe the arched wires were angled differently. I got through the project and restored the shade with an Ivory slubbed fabric. I used a coordinating bias and beige soutache trim.
Vintage Bell Lampshade Restored and Recovered
It is a very pretty shade.
I genuinely appreciate being a part of a customers’ family legacy by
“Saving Our Lighting Heritage One Shade At a Time”!
Restored Vintage Bell Lampshade for a Torch Floor Lamp