Mica Lamps 

People may at first be taken back by the alluring brilliance of  mica table lamps or fixtures but they positively fall in love with the warm, softly filtered hues produced by these exquisite fixtures.  Clearly standing in a class all to themselves, mica lamps have come to symbolize the astounding creative possibilities one has when choosing lighting fixtures for their home or office.  While the mica lampshade may now seem like a classic design that has been with us through the ages, the truth is that its heritage can be traced back to the late 19^th and early 20^th century. 

The Arts & Crafts architectural movement was very popular at the start of the 20^th century and sprang out of a rejection of the “industrialized self”.  Mass manufacturing techniques, a disappearing rural life, and a widespread fear of the unknown gave birth to a desire to return to simpler times, architectural styles, and indeed light fixture designs themselves.  Among other things, the Arts & Crafts (and to a great extent the Mission Style as well) is known for: 

• Simple lines
• Square, basic designs and shapes
• Natural finishes (like mahogany bronze, for instance)
• Use of neutral or muted tones
• Use of materials from the immediate surroundings to craft the home and the furnishings themselves 

Dirk Van Erp, a proponent of the Arts & Crafts movement and a master coppersmith working out of San Francisco, is perhaps the person most responsible for bringing the elegance and beauty of mica lamps and fixtures to the world.  Featuring shades fashioned from translucent crystallized mica minerals finished with shellac and having unique variations of the mineral deposits in the patterns, mica lampshades diffuse light so that the surroundings are bathed in a warm ambiance that is soothing on the eyes.  

The same handcraftsmanship and attention to detail used by Dirk Van Erp to create his brilliant mica table lampshades is still necessary to make these light fixtures properly.  Mica lampshades are typically accentuated with a base made with a natural finish which combines to create a humble yet mesmerizing fixture. 

Although positively made for the Traditional or Mission style décor, mica table lamps and fixtures also provide compelling complements to the more contemporary design schemes as well.  Mica light fixtures are great for creating a soothing ambiance in a den or home library but also make for sensational conversation pieces in higher traffic areas like the living room or foyer.  

Like any professional and unified lighting design, make sure that mica table lamps are complementing other mica ceiling fixtures and so forth.  Contrasting styles or designs on fixtures in the same space create disharmony and completely disrupt the decorative flow of the room.  Plus, not only should your mica table lamps accentuate the other light fixtures in the room—they also need to coordinate with the style and design of the surrounding décor.  

When properly accentuated by other mica light fixtures, a table lamp featuring this unique and dazzling translucent mineral will positively imbue a space with all the grace and natural beauty that the Arts & Crafts movement was famous for.