Most people scroll through Facebook Marketplace in search of a bargain. Alyssa Franklin found her calling. After stumbling upon a pair of antique lamps – gorgeous, sculptural, and totally shade-less – she launched a mission to find covers worthy of their charm. “All the shades available were, to me, unoriginal and boring,” she recalls.
So, like any creatively curious soul would, Franklin dove into DIY mode. She watched process videos, sourced vintage frames, hunted down dreamy fabrics, and got to work. “I spent 12 hours on the first shade. The second one was easier. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking of the amazing opportunities there were.”
What began as a one-off project quickly morphed into Lady & the Lamp, a one-woman operation crafting whimsical, retro-infused custom lampshades that range from “sophisticated and elegant to eccentric and unconventional.”
Working from her home base in the Ocean State, Franklin finds inspiration in delightfully unexpected places: antique frame silhouettes, vintage textiles, and even the playful nostalgia of classic Coney Island. “I had a frame that reminded me of changing huts and striped umbrellas on the beach... basically classic boardwalk Americana,” she says. “So I designed around that vision.”
Her process blends precision with imagination. Starting with a thrifted or custom-made frame, she lines it with ribbon as the foundation for sewing. Then comes the inner lining, the outer fabric, and finally the pièce de résistance: choosing the trim and fringe. “This part is amazing because I get to see my vision come alive.”
Custom orders bring even deeper meaning to her craft. “People also come to me to breathe new life into antique shades they’ve had sitting around for decades. It becomes personal,” she shares. “We develop a deeper understanding of who we are.”
And the most rewarding part? Watching her handmade pieces light up someone’s space. “I’m humbled knowing that something I made is now a part of a customer’s life, in their home.”
When she’s not designing one-of-a-kind shades, Franklin recharges with a London Fog from Apothica Cafe, browses for quirky knick-knacks, and hikes at Tillinghast Pond. Her advice for fellow dreamers hoping to start a creative venture? “Patience. And get out of your comfort zone. The worst thing that could happen is a ‘no thank you’ – but a lot of times, you’re going to get a yes.” For more information, visit LadyAndTheLampStudio.com or follow along on instagram at @lady_and_the_lamp
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