Antique Red Floor Lampshades: The valance is indicative of vintage shades. The red fabric shades faded over time and they look like rose colored shades. The cover fabric has deteriorating age spots. The liners are shredding. This is my current restoration project!
Antique Red Bell Lampshades
Antique Bell Lampshades on Torch Floor Lamp
Antique Bell Lampshades with Shredding Liners
The shades fit on vintage torch floor lamps. (the pictured floor lamps are not the actual floor lamps) The antique torch floor lamps typically have 3 cluster bulb fittings around a glass enter globe. The many variations of light is a great feature of the old torch lamps.
The antique trim is also faded. It looks beige but it actually was a golden color. I used a lint roller on the trim before I rinsed it it cold water. It cleaned up very well but the color is still very faded. I will need to dye the trim to get the golden color back.
Faded Antique Gold Trim
Vintage Trim
When I took the valance off, you could see the original red shade fabric.
Antique Red Bell Lampshades
Faded Red Vintage Bell Lampshades
This is as far as I have gotten. I removed the cover fabric and liner and this is the frame with the original wrapping on the wire. The original bell lampshade frames have a protective powder coating and appear to have been kept in a living temperature controlled environment. I cleaned the dust that accumulated over time and waxed the wires. These lampshade frames are in mint condition.
Vintage Bell Lampshades for Torch Floor Lamps
The wrapping on the wires is also in great condition. I also used a lint roller on the wrapping. The wrapping on the wire is not your typical cotton twill. I cannot say what the wrap is exactly, but it has a sheen to it. Very unusual.
I am restoring the shades with a burgundy silk charmeuse fabric. It is a very rich elegant fabric and will be beautiful warm accent lighting. As a courtesy to my customer, I will not show the finished project until the shades are delivered.