Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades - Berkeley, California

Nonie Kent

Sue Johnson Lamps is a definite winner for artistic lighting. The lamps and shades we own bring a level of class and sophistication to our home that is peaceful and unique.
The staff/artists are fun to work with and Sue is a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise. Custom pieces are made. You can buy a whole lamp or a shade. The investment in the artwork is truly worthwhile.

Omar Sultan

Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades is an absolute gem for anyone seeking extraordinary, handcrafted lamps and lamp shades that are truly one of a kind. From the moment I stepped into their showroom, I knew I had discovered a haven for exceptional craftsmanship and artistic brilliance.

The staff at Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades exemplify passion and dedication in their work. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled as they go above and beyond to ensure that every visitor feels taken care of. Their expertise and knowledge in the art of lamp making are evident in the quality and attention to detail that is present in each creation.

But it is Sue Johnson herself who brings this establishment to life. Engaging in conversation with her was an absolute pleasure, as her genuine care for her customers and her craft shines through. Sue's love for her artistic lamps is infectious and her enthusiasm is contagious. It is evident that she pours her heart and soul into every lamp she creates, making each piece a true work of art.

When I first laid eyes on one of Sue Johnson's lamps, I was immediately captivated. However, I couldn't find the perfect shade to accompany it. This is where the magic of Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades truly comes to light. With their exceptional customization services, they created a lamp shade that perfectly matched my preferences. The attention to detail and the level of customization they provided exceeded my expectations, and the final product left me utterly delighted.

Not only does Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades offer exceptional craftsmanship, but they also provide an unrivaled level of customer service. They take the time to understand your needs and preferences, ensuring that every aspect of your experience is tailored to your satisfaction. This level of personalized attention is a rarity in today's world and sets them apart as a true beacon of excellence.

If you're searching for a place where creativity, craftsmanship, and customer care intertwine seamlessly, Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades is the destination for you. With their unique and awe-inspiring creations, passion-driven staff, and Sue Johnson's artistic brilliance, this establishment has carved a niche for itself in the world of handcrafted lamps and shades.

I wholeheartedly recommend Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades to anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind piece of art that will illuminate their living space and spark conversations. Prepare to be enthralled by the beauty and artistry that Sue Johnson and her team bring to life, and let them create an extraordinary masterpiece just for you.

Buttermilk V

Hey there! I wanted to share my heartfelt recommendation for some genuinely beautiful lampshades that can be customized just for you. Sue, Lauren, and Carmen are a few of the fantastic people who will go above and beyond to help you bring your vision to life.

They take the time to listen to your ideas and transform them into something beautiful. Their attention to detail is exceptional, and they have a deep passion for their craft, with most boasting over 20 years of experience.

From our first conversation, I felt a genuine connection; they instinctively understood what I was looking for. I was pleasantly surprised when my lampshades were completed; they matched my lamps perfectly. Thank you so much, Carmen! I will cherish these candlestick lamps for many years to come. Your dedication and skill mean the world to me.

JoAnn SkyWatcher

I was window shopping in Berkeley on a beautiful Spring day when I noticed a shop filled with lamps and shades. Was it an antique store specializing in lamps?

I walked inside. Lamps were everywhere. What a feast for my eyes!!! I couldn't help myself from taking pictures with my phone. I loved the creativity I was seeing in this little shop. It was buzzing with a warm glow coming from the handmade shades.

When Sue Johnson was a young woman she got a job in Orinda making lamps. She walked away from that job making $2 an hour, with the tools to create her life work. I wonder if she ever guessed that 50 years later she would have a business selling beautiful lamps all over the world?

I take my hat off to Sue Johnson for taking her skills and vision and running with it. How many hand made lamps and shades has she help "birth" in the last 50 years? How many people have been gifted with a treasure light from Sue?

You can walk into Sue's shop and get a lamp that has already been made. Or you can take a prize from your past, that means a lot to you, and see if Sue and her crew can make it into a one-of-a-kind lamp.

oren L

I bought two “matching” sconces to put on the wall as reading lamps near my bed. These work great as reading lamps and i can add a second bulb for more light!

What a wonderful and practical artist Sue is. The lamps are beautiful and i am so appreciative of her practical artistry!! I installed two lamps and installed individual switches and dimmers… perfecto! Huzzah for Sue Johnson!

PS… i don’t understand who could give her less than 5 stars

Ali Kather

This lamp store is a treasure trove of light! Their selection is exquisite, and the staff is warm and friendly. We had a sentimental lamp repaired here for my son who is thrilled with the results. They upgraded the lamp making the Spider-Man pull switch more durable to prevent a repeat breakage. Coming back soon to discover something new.

Patricia Tate-Camacho

To prepare for cataract surgery, I ordered two bowls of minestrone soup and Veranda salad. Excellent customer service! When I picked up my order, I was told “hot food in this bag and cold food here in this bag.” That was over the top customer service. I can’t wait to take family and friends to sit down and to enjoy the delicious foods and wait service inside the restored restaurant. So happy that you are back! Soup, salad and bread were delicious. The bread!!!!!!!!!

Carl Yeich

I have rarely found a retail shop to be so rude or incompetent, including Sue Johnson herself. My husband and I commissioned two shades to be made for two lamps we would buy from the shop, and spent hours choosing elements from various shades on their website to put on our shades. Carmen was our contact. She repeatedly didn’t get back to us when promised, and when once she was going to email us within a day with our deposit invoice and a photo of a recommended leaf for our shades, she didn’t get back to us for weeks despite reminders from me. I then emailed Sue, but she also didn’t respond for a number of days. We finally decided we didn’t have the confidence we needed to go forward, and nicely told Sue that. We had put many hours into the project, and they had put in very few. Two months later I emailed Sue to ask if she was still willing to make the shades. After a week she didn’t respond to my email or a call, so I emailed again asking her to please respond. She rudely said that she wouldn’t make any shades for us but would sell a lamp with a pre-made shade. Our purchase would’ve been about $1,500, but clearly she thought nothing of rudely brushing us off just because I had told her, “If something happens that precludes a promised response, which I was told to expect the day Carmen finally returned my call, then a simple email or call that says, ‘X happened and I will get back to you in Y days’ is simple courtesy.” No business should treat a customer like that, and very few have ever acted so badly to us.