A couple or years ago my Mum did a fantastic modern kitchen renovation incorporating all kinds of bargain finds. She found a set of pendant lights to install over the new island, but when the original shades lacked the desired contemporary feel, she came up with another solution:

Finding a replacement for the frosted glass originals proved incredibly challenging; the curved formation of the old shades demanded the same from new options, and only a very specific, very similar style seemed to fit, but it just wasn’t the right look.

Fortunately, the problem was solved by thinking outside the box. Mum set out to find a sort of “slip cover” shade inspired by an accent light hanging in the adjacent living room. This interlocking sculptural design was just the thing—a perfect complement for the new space she had created, and at a fraction of the price compared to the headache of installing all new fixtures!

These versatile shades can be built in various formations and can be found online at www.mrlampshops.com .

(Image: MaryAnne Petrella )