No bead tassels pleazzzzzze! Love the lamps. Take to store with you and try various shades ( drum, rectangle). If you are on a budget many of the box stores such as Marshall's, Target, Pier One, World Market, Kirlands etc. have lovely shades for great prices.

I've had good luck with Pottery Barn shades.

As many have mentioned, a shorter shade from any big box store (even Lowes and HD have some nice ones) will do wonders. I would stay away from a pleated shade and no beaded fringe in order to stay in a more modern/transitional style you mentioned.

Love the lamp. Definitely a shorter harp and shorter shade. Shade should be a simple drum style or this shaped style in the group suggested by Maureen. Agree with others about no no pleats, no beads, no bands, no bows, and no patterns.

Shape style lamp shade in the group suggested by Maureen.

I'd go with a much shallower off-white shade that has a relatively narrow top opening (6-7") and a wider bottom opening (around 20").

I must say this is a great post with everyone giving such creative ideas.. :)

You have got beautiful lamps. If you would like to keep them and make them look modern, shorter harp will definitely work wonders, but you did mention that you dont want to spend much. I respect that, and thats why I have following very affordable but creative methods to make your lamps look cool..
1. Consider using the size of the table lamps to your advantage by placing them on the floor. I think the contrast of the design and the placement will work really well for you and you dont need to spend a penny, you could create a cluster of greens around it, in minimalist glass jars perhaps.

2. You could paint a pop art silhouette with some opaque acrylic paint and make it stand out.

3. You could use broad lace to line the shade's upper edge so it visually limits the height of the shade.

4. You could could make cut-outs in the shade's fabric and line them from inner side of the shade with very thin coloured (dyed) cotton fabric, this will perk up the entire corner or area (wherever you place it). The light falling out of the lamp will form a pattern with amber and your cut-out design in colour. You can be as imaginative with the design as you like.

5. You could replace the shade fabric with white crochet.

6. You could line the exterior of the shade with a wire-mesh. or you could stick coloured tape in some geometric pattern.

Note: Just make sure whatever method you choose, dont go for any intricate design for cut-out or lace or ribbon etc., because it will make your lamps look more vintage and as a result will fail your main motive of making them look modern.

P.S the pictures attached for your reference.

Well I wish you good luck with your project. I hope my post helps. Do let us all know what you finally did :)

I like the color of the base but for a modern effect you can use a shorter shade and spray paint the base white for a clean look. You can also add a stenciled geometric pattern on the shade.

I agree with sophcj. Paint the bottom a very, very dark version of the lamp color. Perhaps rub a color over the other golden parts to tone them down, and a shorter shade. These look like a fun project.

Not feeling the current shade (way too large) on an otherwise really cool lamp! Love Maureen's shade choices on the Andelle light blue table lamp or the Uttermost Deniz blue lamp.

DebraGunstanson: I love the shape and look of those shades, where are they from? I am also looking for lamp shades, however, I have zero interest in the straight drum or empire styles in midmod colors that are EVERYWHERE. I like my shades to have a little "waist" to them and a little texture or something.

Rissafin: I like the shape shade by Uttermost that Maureen suggested, though in a lighter color. I would not touch the lamp base, I think it's perfect as is. It looks like it's got a bit of antique brass coloring, which I wouldn't touch, and the vivid turquoise color is excellent!

I would find a chunky piece to attach the base to. Perhaps a simple wood square block painted or if you could get a marble or granite base made it would make the lamp a little more substantial and the shade wouldn't seem to overwhelm the base.

Perhaps go to a charity shop or garage sale and pick out some old hardcover books in the colours of which your room decor is. Make sure the spines are in good shape. Now stack them up...you might only need about 3 or four depending on the thickness of the books, and place the lamp upon the stack. Maybe a black book, a gold one, a white one...this'll tie your lamp better to the room.

Another thought. Perhaps turn your table sideways and move the chair a little farther over. This way your lamp won't look tall and narrow like the table. Place your stack of books on an angle and put a pretty dish on the table beside it.

I can't help but think a white shade would look beautiful and bright...a perfect match with the blue base. Also, you can change the bulb to a bright LED light...that will save you money and energy in the long run. :) Hope that helps!

Lol like these ones? I love your bases as they are. I also love the shade and wonder have you turned the shades around the opposite way? as basic as it may seem this has worked wonders. I got the 2 square shades from bunnings for 8.60 something each I have a pile of beige and brown and brass stuff on my sewing table and was looking at it earlier and had a few ideas but now thanks to all of your wonderful ideas and enthusiasm it can't wait to get stuck into it. The gold one I spray painted the base and the inside of the lampshade is a reflective gold adhesive like contact. Lamp shades are taking over my house ATM lol I'm sure my partner thinks I've lost my light switch. The other thing I love ATM is wrapping lace about 2-3cm wide around the bare frame or if the frame is shabby wrap it with a plain ribbon prior to the lace it looks so elegant and classy and funky all at the same time

Not sure where to put them yet

I would tape off the beautiful blue middle and spray paint the metal white. I like to use appliance paint in black or white on lamps to update them and then a crisp white shorter drum shade. They will look fresh and the beautiful colors on the glazes will pop.

Surprisingly, I've had good luck getting replacement shades at Target and Walmart online. Make sure you get the ones that use a harp if that is what the lamps have now.

Square or oblong smaller shades would echo the base and bring these beautiful lamps into this decade. Very chic.....

Paint it with Krylon Looking Glass paint for a French contemporary look. New shade too!

Hi. A drum shade approx 12-15" tall would update them. ( a drum shade has a straight side-no slant. The top & bottom are the same diameter.) cream color.

What beautiful lamps. A simple shorter shade with gold tones might look very nice. Just looked up torchiere table lamps on line, thanks to sophcj. I'm including a link with an example of a torchiere table lamp with a much shorter metal rod, thanks to nwduck. It looks amazing! You really might want to consider this option.
http://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-double-bronze-console-lamp__3f197.html

I have seem similar lamp bases at some of the vintage on-line shops selling for $200-plus each! I would not alter the bases what-so-ever!! These lamps are beautiful and work with any style decor, and turquoise works with just about every other color. Somewhere I have a guide for fitting the proper size shade to a lamp base. I'll see if I can locate it for you.

P. S. I don't think what's on the lamp is the original shade. It's too out of proportion to the base to have been the original shade.

Take your base to a local specialty lighting store that carries a variety of shades and try them on your lamp for size and style to meet your taste. Shades are wrapped these days to protect the material, so the store's associate should have no objection to your "testing" a variety of looks and may even have some advice on proportions. Personally, I would not touch the base...it's lovely. Good luck.

Talking table lamps [I live in South Africa by the way] what I don't like about them is - when one is sitting - the works under the shade are visible. Even sometimes they stick out below the shade? Lindi Gross Durban Natal

Thank you everyone for your ideas! I have a lot of choices to think over and a lot of fun deciding what to do. For those of you who asked where I got the lamps, a 95 year old woman, a family friend, passed away and we were invited to select any furniture that we wanted from her house. We chose 2 of these lamps, the tables they sit on, a couch and 2 chairs. I love the lines of the couch too, but the fabric will have to go soon! we recently bought our first home so this furniture is definitely better than no furniture and it is in great shape! Definitely no old lady musty/cat smells or anything.
If anyone has any thoughts on the couch also that would be great :)

Upon further examination of the lamp I discovered that there is no harp, there is this interesting assembly that a shade rests on top of. Has anyone ever seen one of these before?

I have never seen that kind of 'no harp' arrangement!! You may be able to get the 'normal' harp arrangement put on your lamp. Next to the chairs they look HUGE (as in TALL). I think the top of a shade needs to be about where the top of the skinny neck ends and the bottom just below the small orb. And do take the base to a shop and play with all shapes and sizes of shades to get ideas as to what you like best. I do love the other furniture and FREE is fantastic!!!

Well, that's pretty nifty inside! Thinking those were pretty darn expensive lamps. I do now believe if you took it to a lamp shop they can shorten the slender metal rod pretty easily and adjust the wiring. Also, how nice to get pretty furniture for free! I'm sure she would be pleased her things are with a young family in their new home. The couch fabric doesn't look horrid (just save up for reupholstering). Can you take another picture of the fabric in more light, and a little closer?

I did some googling. These are torchiere lamps. You can look them up. Yours looks vintage.

Torchiere lamps. That starts a whole new game! Still, I would not alter the lamp bases whatsoever as it will destroy their value. These are from the early 1950's and probably worth between $100 and $150 each, depending on condition, style, manufacturer, etc. Shades other than the glass bowl were not intended. I tried to save photos from eBay to attach, but they wouldn't save for some reason. The eBay links are below. One pair has been updated tastefully with simple short drum shades. Look on the underside of the base of one of the lamps and let us know if it has a manufacturer's label.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Century-Brass-Hollywood-Regency-Lamps-James-Mont-Parzinger-Torchiere-Asian/111429339181?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24902%26meid%3Dd91f1f82fdb24d588897c4a334cac565%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10502%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D121404751776

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Signed-Mid-Century-Modern-Brass-Torchiere-Lamps-Hollwood-Regency-Rembrandt-Lamp/121404751776?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24902%26meid%3Da85a384925c74342827f8492b6658b72%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10502%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D111429339181

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-STIFFEL-Deco-Vintage-Mid-Century-Torchiere-Brass-Black-Lamps-Shades-Large/231304117705?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24902%26meid%3D42a0a776e79b4012a14e1c3af8bdfb64%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10502%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D111429339181

Following a link with guidance I mentioned previously for choosing the correct size lamp shade It's irrelevant in view of the discovery that you have torchiere lamps, but may be useful for other types of lamps and for other readers.
http://alittledesignhelp.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-lampshade/

okay, given comments that these are torchiere: You still have the option to have them rewired as regular lamps, just take a before photo and label and SAVE the parts that are swapped so they can be changed back later, if desired. I agree with the comments to not spray paint any of the parts. I'm guessing from your comments that you might be happiest with these as "regular" lamps. Bottom line, they are your lamps, so do what makes you happy!

I found a label on one of them that says Stiffel and that is a major lamp manufacturer from the mid-century era. I had no idea that they were supposed to be torchiere lamps! I guess they just added the shades at some point. I like the idea of staying true to the torchiere style because that is how the lamps were designed. I was thinking of some sort of metallic sculptural design to hang down from the glass lamp shade? Something to give it some more horizontal presence......still mulling this over.....

I'm thinking of something like the metallic portion only of this lamp, but placed over the torchiere lamp shade, kind on like a metallic wreath.....hard to describe!

A new shade will defenetely give it a new look ,

I also found these intriguing....I love the glass torchiere shades but I am on a more of a DIY budget!

rissafin: Stiffel is still a major manufacturer of high quality and expensive lamps. No doubt your lamps were expensive when purchased. new. You certainly have a couple of treasures with them being in the original condition, and they appear to be in excellent condition. I wouldn't even polish the brass. Upon seeing that most of your furniture is traditional style (love the flowing lines of the wing back chair), I think keeping the lamps in their original form or with a simple drum shade (not black, necessarily) such as the following would look nice. How about putting the end tables with the lamps at the ends of the sofa and trying them for a while without the tall shades? New glass shades need to be clear, frosted, or white if you decide to change those. Don't throw away the original shades, though. and be sure to pack well if you decide to take one of them to a lamp store!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mid-Century-Brass-Hollywood-Regency-Lamps-James-Mont-Parzinger-Torchiere-Asian/111429339181?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D24902%26meid%3Dd91f1f82fdb24d588897c4a334cac565%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D10502%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D121404751776

Very nice. The ebay photo rlcatron linked shows a nice size shade and proportion that allows the longer "neck" on the lamp to show. This might be a good option to add a shade without having the lamps rewired. I'd definitely suggest you go to a nice lamp store with a good selection of shades and see what appeals to you.

Agree, Harriet. The ebay ones with the black shades look beautiful, and that would be easily and inexpensively done.

Just looked up torchiere table lamps on line, thanks to sophcj. I'm including a link with an example of a torchiere table lamp with a much shorter metal rod, thanks to nwduck. It looks amazing! You really might want to consider this option. http://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-double-bronze-console-lamp__3f197.html

This is a lampshade that I covered in knotting yarn ...I just wrapped it around ...li have a very creative mind

linjofulch...not to argue, but why would someone want to take a vintage Stiffel lamp with a potential value of $150 or more and alter it to look like a lamp that's worth $50??? http://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-double-bronze-console-lamp__3f197.html In that case, I would say sell the Stiffel lamps and buy new ones.

The best things about this site are information, and options. As our OP is a new homeowner starting out, I can see where she wants a younger, more contemporary vibe on a family budget. So, best options presented I think, rissfin, boil down to: 1) sell lamps as vintage, and get something you like more, 2) embrance the vintage torchiere and do more contemporary touches around it, 3) shorten the rod somewhat--which is not expensive and can be done by a careful DIY, just google lamp rods--preserving the original pieces for future and balance a shade on it as was previously done, 4) keep the size, and do a shorter shade to your taste as in the e bay example. I'll bet you never thought you had $300 or so in lamps, yes?!?

ricatron, it was an example of what the lamps might look like with the rod shortened in keeping with the original concept of the torchiere lamp. I was suggesting shortening the rod. Not a huge alteration.

You need to update the lamps with a shorter, drum shade. Visit www.fenchelshades.com. They are a wonderful, on-line, shade company that offers so many options and they are wonderful to work with. You can call them and they can help walk you through the details too.
Post new pictures when you get your new shades!

Love Sneha Joshi's last shade. My daughter has a lamp like that, and it has always been one of my favourites.

Please do not paint the base. It is lovely as is.