Oriental Lampshade Company

Profile

Though most agree that lampshades are an essential component of home décor, their biggest claim to fame remains as a drunken person’s headgear. At Oriental Lamp Shade Co., however, shades are given their due respect—and the customer is the one who benefits. Oriental sells both mass-manufactured and customized lampshades, along with an impressive selection of tabletop and hanging lamps. (The “Oriental” in the name refers not to a style but to the fact that this third-generation shop was opened by Japanese immigrants in 1920.) Though most of the local clientele come in hunting for standard shade replacements, custom orders using fabrics from the customer or the store’s in-house selection also can be fulfilled. Shades may be the specialty, but Oriental’s lamps are an added draw: Styles lean toward funky and retro, with items grouped by color or material such as chrome, wood, and jade green. About half of Oriental’s lamps are custom creations designed by either staff or customers. A sister store on 79th Street sells more traditional lighting but provides the same lampshade selection; both also do rewiring. — Chrissy Perisco