Samuel Bernier Designs a Collection of 3D Printed Lampshades

Inspired by his broken <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ikea-announces-plans-to-become-100-energy-neutral-by-2020/" target="_blank">IKEA lampshade</a>, and unable to find a suitable replacement, <a href="http://www.coroflot.com/samuelbernier/Dentelle-3D-printed-lampshades-by-Samuel-Bernier" target="_blank">Samuel Bernier</a> decided to take matters into his own hands. Daunted by expensive and “ugly” lampshades, the designer <a href="http://inhabitat.com/patrick-jouins-3d-printed-bloom-table-lamp-opens-like-a-flower/" target="_blank">turned to 3D printing</a>. Rather than spending $50 to $100 for a store-bought replacement, Bernier designed and printed himself a set of gorgeous new shades for just $5 each.

Bernier’s collection of lampshades, dubbed Dentelle, come in twelve different delicate designs and several colors.

After sketching up designs with swirling edges, cutouts, folds and other patterns, Bernier turned to the trusty le FabShop by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-makerbot-replicator-2-brings-desktop-3d-printing-to-homes-and-small-businesses/" target="_blank">MakerBot Replicator 2</a>.

Each <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nervous-systems-ethereal-3d-printed-led-leaf-lamps-shine-light-on-natural-design/" target="_blank">lampshade prints</a> in around four to twelve hours, depending on the intricacy of the design.

Using only MakerBot 3Dprinting plastics, the shades stand sturdily without requiring the support of wires or frames. The shades are durable but remain lightweight, weighing in at only 50 to 100 grams each.

Bernier's collection features simple variations of texture and color, coming in white, black, red and even glow-in-the-dark. The lamp shades all share the same shape, and they look great in combination like a make shift chandelier, or on their own as stand alone lights.

Bernier’s Dentelle collection proves the viability of buying your own <a href="http://inhabitat.com/new-cubex-3d-printer-from-3d-systems-can-print-an-object-as-big-as-a-basketball/" target="_blank">3D printing machine</a> (or having access to someone else’s). With the MakerBot, the designer was able to inexpensively produce his own artisan product without needing to prototype or outsource.