Here's an idea for buying something ready made and then personalizing it. After looking for lampshades for my home I became discouraged, mainly by the outrageous prices. So I turned to the local department store and bought the simplest, most inexpensive shades I could find, then sat myself down for an hour in the sun and used ribbons and vintage buttons to create something a bit more special. And when you haven't spent a huge amount of money you will be inclined to change your lampshades more frequently!

You will need:
A plain purchased lampshade
Ribbon for trim
Approximately 10 pearl buttons
All-purpose glue
Double-sided tape

Step 1. To work out how much ribbon you need, wrap it around the top and bottom of the lampshade, adding 1 cm (1/2 inch) for the overlap. Lay the ribbon flat and spread an even amount of glue onto the back of the ribbon. Carefully stick the ribbon to the lampshade, lining up the overlap with the seam of the lampshade and tucking under the raw edges.

Step 2. Stick small pieces of double-sided tape on the back of the buttons and place them on the lampshade, adjusting them as necessary. When you are happy with the arrangement, markt he position of each button with a pencil, remove the tape from the buttons, and glue them firmly in place.

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Excerpted from A Home for All Seasons by Kristen Perers, photography by James Merrell. Copyright 1998 by Kristin Perers and Ryland Peters and Small. Excerpted with permission by Ryland Peters and Small. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.