Store Review: Shady Ideas – Shedding new light on lamps

By Sailesh Ghelani | April 9, 2013

comments

<Sailesh Ghelani>

Shady Ideas was started two years ago by Jovita Mascarenhas and her husband Carl with two of their friends. “Before this we were into handmade paper products and recycled wood for about 7 years,” says Jovita. They also did lampshades but then they realised that the lights were the most attractive things in their line and people were more interested in those. The only thing was coming up with something that had the look of paper but which was durable and environmentally friendly.

So the team researched for two years. Then they discovered that acrylic could be used from hoardings and ad banners. So they could use that to give rigidity to the lamp. They say 80% of the their lamps are made from recycled and eco-friendly materials that are coated to protect them from UV rays and moisture. If they use wood then it’s always reclaimed wood.

“All the designs are done by us; we have a design team, we buy images on royalty and go about creating unique pieces,” explains Jovita.

Qubix Lite

She adds, “Our most popular lamps are the Jazz lamps, the Nirvana lamps and the Qubix. Our wine bottle lamps sell a lot too. We did a colourful series when Holi came up. Right now we’re doing zodiac signs for the lamps. We also customise for homes that want them in a particular size.”

Shady Ideas has supplied their creations to a resort in Alibaug, and to architects as well. Right now, you can buy their lamps at their enlightening shop at DN Nagar, on Juhu-Lokhandwala Link Road. They have another store in Pune and they retail through Eco Corner as well (read the Eco Corner store review here).

Nirvana

“Retailing on websites is a little dicey because once they shut down you don’t know if you’re going to get your sales revenues,” says Jovita but they’re planning to set up an online store of their own soon.

Most of their lighting solutions are in the range of Rs. 975 to about Rs 5000.

There are some cute doggie silhouette ones for animal lovers too.

Shady Ideas Shop Address:

Bldg. 43, Shramik C.H.S., D.N. Nagar, Link Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400058.

Tel: 8108154448 Catch them on Facebook here.

View more of their lamps in the Gallery: