FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We hope that we are able to answer any questions that you may have in the section below, but please do email us directly if you still require assistance.
DELIVERY AND DISPATCH
All lampshades are made to order, so please allow around 10-15 working days (2-3 weeks) for me to make and dispatch your order.
For delivery on orders below £250, the cost will be £8 to mainland UK, for orders above this delivery will be charged at £15.
Orders are sent by Parcel Force, or via Royal Mail on their 48 hour service. Orders are insured, can be tracked, and will need to be signed for.
We are currenlty not able to offer International postage, due to the fragility of the lampshades, and their non compatibility with long distance air travel.
COLLABORATION
Wavy Lampshades are returnable, but the cost of return postage would be at your expense. Postage would need to be insured and signed for.
All lampshades are made on a pre order basis. They will be dispatched as they are made.
Orders are sent by Parcel Force48, taking approximately 2 days. Orders are insured and will need to be signed for.
From an environmental point of view we recommend that these lampshades are only used with LED lightbulbs. The lampshade can be used with a 11W LED bulb which is the equivalent light (measured in lumens) to a 60W incandescent bulb. If you with to use an incandescent bulb, they max we recommend would be a 40W bulb.
Unfortunately, due to the delicate nature of the lampshade we are not able to ship outside of the UK on these lampshades.
VAT and COMPANY INFORMATION
As of August 2021, Munro and Kerr is now registered for VAT. 20% VAT is added at the checkout when payment for your lampshade is taken.
VAT Number: 387452068
Registered Company Number: 13536360
ORDERING SAMPLES
We are happy to send you a number of samples of our linings, papers and fabric free of charge.
Please use our sample ordering service to choose the samples you would like to receive as well as the address you would like them sent to.
We aim to post out to you within the next 5 working days.
FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION
The specialist PVC linings we use to create our lampshades have all passed the glow wire test carried out by the Lighting Association. They are flame retardant, UV stable (doesn’t discolour over time) and have also been anti static treated (minimising the attraction of dust).
We recommend that our lampshades are only used with LED lightbulbs from an environmental point of view. All lampshades can be used with a 11W LED bulb which is the equivalent light (measured in lumens) to a 60W incandescent bulb.
Lampshades with a diameter of 15cm or less should have a max 25W incandescsent bulb.
Lampshades with a diameter of 20- 25cm should have a max 40W incandescent bulb.
Lampshades with a diameter of 30cm or more should have a max 60W incandescent bulb.
All of the new lamp bases have been fully electrically tested, and are in compliance with current EU legislation for health and safety.
The vintage and antique lamp bases that we sell are sold in working order. Many have had new switches and plugs fitted, but we would always recommend that they be tested by an electrician before use.
RETURNS POLICY
To ensure that you are completely satisfied with your lampshade we recommend that you utilise our sample ordering service, so that you can be confident in your lining and paper choices before you make your purchase.
All of the lampshades we make in our South London studio are made to your requirements, we are therefore unable to accept returns on lampshades.
In the unlikely event your lampshade was delivered to you damaged in transit, we would of course offer you an immediate replacement.
Lamp bases are returnable, but the cost of return postage would be at your expense. Postage would need to be insured and signed for.
PAPER JOINS IN YOUR LAMPSHADE
Please note for the size of the medium, large and extra large lampshades, two pieces of marbled/ printed paper are used to create the shade.
A massive effort is made to match the marbling pattern so that it is hidden as best as possible, but it does create an additional vertical join. Occasionally these joins may have to be made on the diagonal, but this will only happen for a specific technical or pattern matching reason.
BESPOKE LAMPSHADE SERVICE
The cost of this service varies depending on what you require. For guidance we find that on average a customer spends £15 more on the bespoke service per lampshade.
- To add a plain cotton binding trim to a lampshade costs between £5-£20.
- To source an alternative marbled paper usually costs approximately an additional £15 per lampshade, this varies paper to paper.
- To create a new template for a bespoke size lampshade is £20 for those under 40cm diameter, it is £25 for lampshades above 40cm diameter. This is a one off cost, and not per lampshade. There will sometimes be no charge if a shape has previously been created for another customer, as we try and help you wherever possible.
- To source alternative linings, for example; PVC colour lining, paper lining, fabric lining, the cost will vary by lampshade.
CUSTOMERS OWN MATERIAL SERVICE
Once you have placed your order please send your material, wallpaper or paper to be made into a lampshade via recorded (signed for) delivery to:
Munro and Kerr
For all papers and wallpapers please send them rolled in a tube and not folded, as we will not be able to remove the creases. Fabrics can be sent folded or sent on rolls if needed.
BUYING GUIDE
To help you decide decide on the size and shape of your new lampshade, we have put together a few guidelines that interior designers generally use in order to decide on which lampshades best suit their lamp bases. It should be worth noting however, that rules are made to be broken so please don't be contained by them!
- The lampshade width (A) should be wider than the widest point of the lamp base (B).
- The lampshade width (A) should be a similar width to the height of the lamp base(C).
- The lampshade height (D) should be approximately half of the height of the lamp base (C).
- Try to mirror the shape of the lamp base in your lampshade (excluding column lamps as they suit any type of lampshade)
Lampshade Bottom Ring Diameter |
15cm | For wall lights and chandeliers |
20cm+ | For small and medium sized lamp bases |
30cm+ | For medium and larger lamp bases, medium sized standard lamps and average sized rooms. |
40cm+ | For larger lamp bases and standard lamps, as well as larger than average sized rooms. |
TYPES OF LAMPSHADE FITTING
We offer 5 different choices of fitting for your lampshade as standard, however if you would like an american style finial fitting, please use our bespoke service.
Ceiling Lampshade | Table Lampshade | Shade Carrier Lampshade | Candle Clip Lampshade |
Please note; for the shade carrier lampshades, we do not supply the actual shade carrier (table lamp) or spider (ceiling), only the fitting, but would recommend you purchase one here from John Lewis.
LAMPSHADE LINING CHOICES
We offer the below 8 choices of lining as standard, but if you require a vibrant coloured lining or even a patterned lining, please use click here for our bespoke service.
White PVC - Plain | Gold PVC - Plain | Gold PVC - Brushed | Gold PVC - Mirrored | |
Silver PVC - Plain | Silver PVC - Brushed | Copper PVC - Brushed | Copper PVC - Mirrored | |
The metallic linings have been created so that no light travels through the lampshade, this means the colour of the lining does not alter the colour and pattern on the outside of the lampshade when lit.
Alternatively, the white PVC lining will allow an amount of light through the shade, creating a warm glow when lit and highlighting the colour and pattern on the outside.
The colour of the lampshade frame will be matched to your lining choice.
MARBLED PAPER PRODUCTION
There are very few marbling practioners left in the UK – the craft is now classed as 'Critically Endangered' on the Radcliffe Red List due to the pressures of digital printing and mass production. Here at Munro and Kerr, we want to help champion this craft, giving it a greater appreciation, and find a new audience for it in our lampshades.
We are lucky enough to work with three wonderful female paper marbling artists, each one having a slightly different marbling aesthetic, but we are proud to work with them all and help to keep this craft alive.
Jemma Lewis | Kate Brett | Laura Berretti |
Wiltshire, UK | Cambridgeshire, UK | Florence, Italy |
Contemporary style, trained in the traditional manner | Recreates the 'old' patterns, in the traditional manner |
Detailed traditional patterns on the local creamy paper. |
All the marbled papers we use are all made by hand (no machines involved at all) and as such, even though the pattern maybe the same, variations within each piece mean it is totally unique! The marbling process is explained by Jemma Lewis below:
1. A tray of gloopy ‘size’ (water thickened with Irish carragheen moss) is prepared in advance of the marbling process, usually the night before.
2. Paints are then dropped with brushes or pipettes onto the size. Because the size is so thick, the colours don’t disperse like they would in water and instead spread out on the surface.
4. The colours are then manipulated using tools such as a wooden stylus or rake – alternating these tools can create intricate and elegant patterns.
5. A sheet of specially moistened paper is then placed onto the size, picking up the layer of paint on the surface and capturing the pattern.
6. Once the paper has been carefully removed, the size is then rinsed off the paper and pinned up to dry.