Maker Spotlight
Timeless Craft, Illuminated
“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” ― Leonard Cohen
There’s an undeniable romance woven into the work of A Place In The Shade - where craftsmanship, nostalgia and storytelling seamlessly intertwine. Each lampshade begins with Leta, who brings every piece to life using vintage textiles and carefully sourced trims, before her fiancé hand-welds the custom wire frames that give each shade its structure. You’ll find florals, intricate patterns and rich, tactile details layered in a way that feels both collected and completely timeless.
These aren’t just lighting pieces - they’re heirlooms in the making.
Designed to cast a warm, ambient glow, each shade transforms a lamp (and the room around it) into something intimate and inviting. Rarely are two ever the same, making each piece a one-of-a-kind statement, one that honors the past while effortlessly fitting into the present.
Whether styled on a bedside table, tucked into a cozy reading corner or layered into a collected vignette, these shades bring a softness and soul that’s hard to replicate. It’s lighting that doesn’t just illuminate - it tells a story.
“It's a fun challenge to find textiles that look great when the light is both off and on. ”
Q&A with shade extraordinaire leta
Artifact: What first inspired you to begin creating your own vintage lampshades, and how did that passion take shape into A Place In The Shade?
Leta: I was helping my friends @lavernespdxsource vintage pieces to decorate their new bar and was inspired to try making custom lampshades for the space which were hard to come by and fell in love with the process. My partner jumped in to weld a number of custom frames that we designed together. I found vintage fabric and trims to match the space's aesthetic so it was a totally unique design. I just had to keep making shades!
Artifact: Your textiles and trims are incredibly special - can you share where you source these materials and what you look for when selecting them?
Leta: I've been a full time vintage dealer for over a decade and have saved a lot of special textiles from picking over the years. I'm so happy to be able to give vintage materials a new life in a unique way and keep things out of the landfill. I found someone with gorgeous deadstock vintage trims from an old upholstery shop that are a perfect match to the textiles. I look for high quality natural fibers, mostly silk and cotton with lots of texture and focus on unique and bright colors. It's a fun challenge to find textiles that look great when the light is both off and on.
Artifact: Can you walk us through your design process, from the initial spark of an idea to the finished lampshade? What details matter most to you along the way?
Leta: My process starts with the frame whether it's a custom piece that we welded from scratch or reworking on a vintage frame. There are so many damaged old lampshades that can be redone. We would love to take on people's old lamps and make something new to match their decor or make a design from scratch. Then I look for the right fabric and trim. I'm always looking for unexpected color combinations and textures. It's so fun and rewarding to be able to create something beautiful and useful in a sustainable way.
Follow & support A Place In The Shade
Lampshades: @aplaceintheshade | letamakeslamps@gmail.com
Vintage: @dejavintage | dejavintageboutique.com
