I love working with Harry! I have brought him my antique lamps for rewiring. This is also a good place to get new shades.

I had a wonderful experience getting new shades for lamps I inherited from my Mom. Harry was consultative and I'm thrilled with my 3 new lampshades! Plus, he's repairing two of my lamps. I learned so much from him today and I agree with another review that said they don't make people like Harry anymore. he absolutely knows his business. read more

My wife and I like the proprietor and would not take our lamps to anyone else. He's old school, can be a bit crotchety, especially with customers who seem to think that they're really important, and are clearly in a big hurry. I took two lamps in this morning. He examined both, tried them with new bulbs, checked the wiring and connections, and said I should use new bulbs, as much as 75 watts, and make sure the bulbs were tight. No charge. Excellent advice. A real gentleman. read more

A gem that had the shade we needed at a reasonable price. Don't buy stuff online when you can try on the shade and meet the friendly proprietor who knows his business well and gave advice about bulbs, shades and a few other things. They ain't making them like Harry anymore. Glad he and his business were part of our day today. read more

What can I say about this shop that hasn't been said. They're all true! Stopped in about replacing a pair of old worn out shades. Harry, the owner, looked at the photographs, went over and picked out an almost identical shade...fabric both sides, elegant but, $90.00. We discussed alternatives of lesser cost ... and of course lesser quality. The prospect of a $180+ expenditure send me home to consult the 'boss.' When I mentioned this, his demeanor became slightly crusty. "Heard that before. You won't be back. blah, blah. I know my business." Sounded like he'd said that before. After explaining this to my wife over dinner, her reaction was...let's go back with one of the lamps in the morning. Upon returning we were greeted with bemusement and a little charm. The wonder of someone returning...not the least of which a $200.00 sale on a quiet Saturday morning. Clearly, a lamp and shade professional that's been at it a long time...just needs more traffic to soften the crust! read more

Harry the owner couldn't even do a simple rewiring on the valuable vintage lamp I had just brought in, and told me to go to Fun Antiques in Cambridge. Then he dropped the lamp base on the floor and broke it into 30 pieces. Thanks, Harry. I went to his referral and they referred me on to Restoration Services in Arlington. They think they can repair it, but urged me to go back and retrieve any additional pieces Harry still had. I did so, and it got a bit scary. Harry had the pieces, gave them to me, his wife said they would pay, but Harry decided *he* would be the one to fix it, since he broke it. (He couldn't even rewire it, I should let him repair seriously broken hand-blown glass??) I told him I would send him the bill, turned to walk away, and his wife screamed "HARRY!" I turned back and put up my fists because he was charging at me from his chair. He stopped and yelled at me "I'M NOT PAYING!!!" Guy from the auto glass store next door came in as I was trying to escape -- probably not the first time he's had to rescue customers from Harry's temper. The old guy is too angry to be in business. You may have to call the cops. read more

I brought in a lamp I had purchased at a consignment store that needed a new shade. Lamp and Shade Gallery was THE perfect place. Harry found the perfect shade and also suggested a lower harp (I kept the original finial) which I agreed made all the difference. I love the new look of my lamp and appreciated him making it so easy! It was maybe a 10-minute solution yet I found myself sitting and talking to Harry for what turned out to be an hour. Contrary to the other reviews, Harry could not have been nicer. Let me point out that he's 89. So, set your expectations and maybe even call and inquire about your need before you go in. He's not a 20-something working in Target that can hop onto a computer to look something up or grab a pair of pliers to fix something - he may have to refer you. He's owned the shop for 40+ years and his wife died 4 years ago. Yet, he still goes there every day (but Sunday) to sell lamps and shades - shades of all sizes and shapes that are IMPOSSIBLE to find at a box store. Sure, you can buy online (after searching for hours) but can you bring your lamp to try it out first? No. So, if you're looking for a "traditional" shade, Lamp and Shade Gallery is the place. Harry has a store full of different sizes and shapes. If he doesn't have what you need, he will do his best to get it for you. And when you're there, just take a few minutes to chat to Harry. You'll feel all the better for being nice to someone that day. read more

Lamp and Shade Gallery - Lighting Stores Near Me - Watertown, Massachusetts

See all

I had a great experience here! Harry was very kind and helped me tighten a cord on an antique lamp. I also got a great shade - most are over $50 but great local spot! read more

Buyer beware. During a simple phone conversation today, Harry displayed some of the negative characteristics described below confirming the criticisms as written. Might I suggest Neenas in Wellesley and the Concord Lamp and Shade shop in Concord. Both have excellent reputations relevant to customer relationships and their needs. They are knowlegeable, accommodating, and well stocked. I would not risk walking through the door of Lamp Shade Gallery in Watertown. read more

My grandmother brought a lampshade in for them to fix/glue. They said they couldnt fix it and instead sold her an $80 lampshade. When she returned(with a piece missing from her shade) I thought that was ridiculous. I called the store and asked if they had seen the piece. The woman kept going on about if my gma wanted to return the shade she could, ignoring my question. I asked again and got- "we wont be open tomorrow because of a death in the family" my response -"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you see the piece that might have been left?" She avoids this question a few times then answers its not there. She keeps going on about the shade, i say that i dont appreciate them selling an $80 shade when glue could have fixed the first one. The call ends. Arriving at the store the husband and wife are waiting for my grandmother and I. We bring the lampshade to return. The husband right off the bat is in my face about why I think they took advantage of my gma. I proceed to calmly explain my reasoning but was very rudely interpreted by his "OOO"-ing and hollering in my face because he didnt like what I was saying. I was shocked he was behaving like this! He was shouting, "You're crazy!" "You'll never get married!" "No man will marry you!" "Look at you!" He was saying this to me, a customer. It was ridiculous. After trying to talk this obviously troubled old man down, after 5 minutes of him telling me "No man will marry [me]" I'd had it. "I'm a lesbian, this is not insulting me! And if I was straight, why would you say such a thing?!" When he heard this he snapped. He got out of his chair and pushed his fat stomach onto me saying "OH, you're a CUNT SUCKER. GO FIND SOME CUNTS TO SUCK" I replied by saying "Don't touch me! Don't fucking touch me!" He then grabbed both of my arms and and stepped forward in a pushing motion and said "Hit me, I'll call the police" He literally said this while he had hands on me. I said he was a sexist, homophobic man. He continued with many insults with the "c" word. Do not shop here. read more

The husband and wife team that run this store are rude and judgemental. Service is terrible, which would be bad enough, but the hostility I experienced in our interactions, not to mention an absolute lack of socially-acceptable boundaries, left me with a very bad taste in my mouth. At first it was the litany of complaints about their own problems, especially medical things, that was so intrusive. Then, they got even more unprofessional when they started interrogating me as to my marital status, my children, the college I went to. . . It became clear that if I wanted to emerge with my two lampshades, I'd better be evasive, or pretend that I was straight, married, had gone to a fancy college, had children, or plans for children. Last but not least, I should let you know that the selection was limited, dated, dusty, and for that reason alone, not worth a visit. read more

Paid $40 to have the socket replaced in my lamp. Felt bad for the pathetic owner who was sitting there in the dark - in a lamp shade store! I was interested in a shade also, but all they had was sad outdated stuff that you couldn't see because it was dark in there. When I tried to ask if they had other styles available - the man was impatient and said " I do have shades but if you are going to be inflexible about it - then I can't help you"... he had offered me something outsized and completely inappropriate for the lamp I was holding. It is a weird place and you feel super uncomfortable while interacting with the owner. read more

AWFUL service Rude people Lazy If you don't buy a shade, they don't want your business. They wanted $100 for a simple cord replacement. Asked me where I as from, as if that was relevant. I will NEVER go there again. Don't go Prices are way out of line and people are impossible NOT friend;y I too would like to support local businesses but NOT this one. read more

Hi, how are you? I'm looking for a gray lamp shade, something kind of round and... "We don't carry those kind of lamp shades." Oh, okay... well what kind of lamp shades do you carry... "we carry what you see here..." ummm, okay... well do you have different colors or... "No, we have what you see here...." I should have taken Kathy's advice but i thought that might have been an isolated occasion... Guess not... This lady is very rude and seemed not to be interested in my business at all. read more

I stopped in today to look at lamp shades for 2 lamps. The owners were condescending, rude and unprofessional. I have never received such poor customer service; it's time for them to retire. read more

I never understood how important it was to have a reliable lamp shop--and the difference a lampshade can make to change the look of a lamp until I shopped at Lamp and Shade Gallery. I visited the store on a Saturday afternoon and was helped by the couple who owns the shop. They helped me find a small lamp that is perfect for my living room! I also find their prices to be reasonable, which is always nice when you are working on a number of house projects! read more

The man who runs the shop was incredibly rude. Don't waste your time! I came here because I didn't know exactly what shade I needed for a lamp I recently inherited, and the owner was downright nasty!! When I told him I didn't appreciate the way he was speaking to me and that I would take my business elsewhere he was aggressive, waving his arms at me and yelling. I wish I had read some of the other reviews regarding this behavior before driving all the way over here, but hopefully this review saves someone else the trouble. read more

This shop is wonderful! The owner is a lifelong expert and can repair pretty much anything, and if not he can refer you to someone (usually down the block :) who can. This is the only shop I've ever been to where you can pick a new shade and a new fancy finial (little knob that keeps the shade on) within a few steps. Prepare for a very sweet encounter with your grandfather who randomly knows everything about lamps and doesn't want you to spend too much on a fancy shade. He's a sweet soul and he does an excellent job. read more

I entered the shop and greeted the lady owner with a "Good Morning", I was ignored as she continued with the piece of paper in front of her. I think the owners have been trained by Henry Ford. Her reply to my request for a patterned shade was met with consternation and the comment,"We only do white". And as for customer service it's nonexistent. Don't be fooled by their advertising, which says that they can do custom shades, they can't. I was told we can only do what you see here. All in all a complete waste of my time. I don't know how they've stayed in business for so long. read more

I walked in to drop off a lamp for repair, and was immediately referred to two other stores that repair lamps. Ignore the large "we repair lamps" sign. read more

This place is great! It's been owned by the same couple for 40 years, and they are so kind and helpful. They have a great eye for what works with whatever you bring in. They also do repairs in just a few days. read more

Came in with my three shade examples of what I needed. One was what I wanted to keep, the other two I was trying to replace. The woman who "has been selling shades for 40 years" and "knows her shades" told me in a condescending tone that I needed a certain type of shade for the lamp I was describing. I was holding a totally different type that CAME FROM THE LAMP! She was very unhelpful, and downright rude. I would love to support local business, but sadly at this location I will not. As I type, I'm in the Home Depot parking lot and will kowtow to 'the Man' and buy from them. Hopefully, I will shed some light onto my lamp shade situation. read more

The family that runs Lamp and Shade Gallery knows as much about friendly customer service as they do about shades - and that's a lot! Highly recommend this store because of them, and also because of their great selection and pricing. I needed a quality fabric shade to replace one that had been water-damaged in my apartment. It was a slightly odd shape, but unlike a couple other places I called, they had several in stock right then, in three different colors. Their prices were about 30% lower than the one other place I checked. Will happily return and recommend to my friends. read more

I'd have to agree with Josh O. The people that run this store are friendly, funny, helpful and likely as not going to have just what you need. I needed a shade with a clip on fitting, that I could not find in any of the larger box stores. I left the Lamp and Shade Gallery with exactly the shade I needed, a smile on my face and several good restuarant and take out recommendations. read more

I ordered a bankers lampshade from this store for Christmas. They mailed a shade that was completely different from their posted picture and then refused to refund me the shipping cost. Sue, claims to be part owner, was extremely rude and hateful on the telephone. She even hung up. Beware this business at all costs! read more

Very rude very dismissive woman unhelped me here today. I simply asked in person if they could help me "with a custom lamp solution." The woman went from an unkind expression to open hostility. "what do you mean by 'custom lamp solution'? " I started to explain "I've looked for something online and I haven't been able to find the right match..." she rolled her eyes like she hoped I would go away. I've never felt so derided and unwelcome in a small independent shop. "You know I'm fine with what I have. Never mind." and I got out of there. Memorably the most rapidly unfriendly and impatient and then openly dismissive "sales" person I've interacted with in a long time. Smiling is not required but a modicum of patience or consideration would be fine. If other people have been treated well they weren't there on a this womans bad day. Or maybe she was filling in for regular folks on the day after Thanksgiving. But be warned today is not a good day to enter that shop! read more

I stopped going into the Lamp and Shade Gallery years ago due to the rude attitude of the owners. Customer service is definitely not part of their sales strategy. Their selection is outdated and their lamps and shades are way overpriced. Cannot understand how they've stayed in business this long. I'll drive 20 miles out of my way rather than step foot in that place and whoever is reading this review should do the same. read more

I'd bought a shade a few years ago from the very pleasant man who runs the place but today, when I returned for a new shade, his wife was there and this was a very unpleasant experience. She interrupted our conversation constantly, corrected him harshly and unrelentingly - so I couldn't get answers to my questions. He blew up at her, they had a big fight while I was standing there and he stormed out the door! Fortunately she persuaded him to come back in and was a little quieter, just enough so I could figure out what I needed to buy and get out of there. Awful. He knows what he's doing and they have good stock --- but I do not want to meet that woman again. read more

A rare find! I have 3 lamps in need of replacement lamp shades. I had not been able to find the shades I needed anywhere. Through a friend I was introduced to Lamp & Shade Gallery in Watertown. In business for 40+ years, the owners were very attentive and matched the 3 lamps I brought in to just the right fit shades. Very reasonable as well. We're delighted in all ways!!! read more

Arrived at the Lamp and Shade Gallery at 4:15 on Tuesday. They were closed. The sign says they close every day at 4 PM, NOT 5 PM as indicated on line. read more

I have very positive things to see about the Lamp & Shade Gallery. I took my mother's beautiful antique lamp to find a suitable shade and finial for it. The husband was alone in the shop while his wife was home baking for Christmas. He was cordial, friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Also very conscientious about offering me economical options, though I ended up with a beautiful silk shade that enhances my lamp. The couple have had their shop for thirty-nine years and, though they are getting on years, offer a great selection, wonderful taste, and expertise. It is rewarding to see seniors still thriving in their small business, a Belmont treasure. read more

i needed a unique lampshade for a vintage wallpaper roller lamp, very desireable in the 40's and 50's. "shady" recommended the best lampshade for it. he was right. I was so enthralled with the lamp and silk shade I purchased two smaller lamps and went right back. shady and charlotte were most helpful. yes, they can be "short" but they know their stuff. shady cajoled my friend who thought he knew better but shady was the expert and gave the best instruction/info. everything they have is right there, nothing hidden in the back. what you see is what you get. they have been in the business a long time and they know their business. I will go back if I need another lampshade. read more