Sue is amazing. Amazing shop, amazing staff. Then there is the G. O. A. T. With Sue and her creative mind. You have to make a visit read more

Sue Johnson's lighting is not only unique, it's exceptionally well-crafted and expertly made. Each shade is a handmade work of art that warmly illuminates the space. We recently moved to Vermont and needed a new fixture. Sue Johnson's ginko shade looks absolutely stunning in our renovated all-season porch. What sets Sue's lighting apart from others is that they are collectible pieces that maintain their value and last forever. Plus, they bring the beauty of nature indoors. A very special, one-of-a-kind place. read more

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. read more

See all

This place is a gem and the craft is remarkable. As I sat in the midst of her shop I noticed that the lamps came in all shapes and colors, and that I was surrounded by a wonderful golden glow that shone through lamp shades made of mica or parchment. I especially liked the animals, and figurines that some of lamps supported. You will enjoy visiting here and Sue is especially warm and easy to talk to. read more

Amazing service! I brought a lamp that wasn't functioning. They confirmed the awesomeness of the lamp I found. I finally found a lamp worthy of their shade! Turns out the lamp didn't work, but they fixed if for cheap and found a beautiful shade to match. I can't say enough about the service and beautiful piece of one of a kind art! read more

Beautiful lamps; HUGE HASSLE Tldr; If you have endless time and/or money, this is the store for you. This store has a lack of care for customer's experience, time, and money. That isn't ok at this price point, or any. I bought a small vintage lamp. After spending hundreds of dollars (a huge splurge!) they didn't even give me a light bulb. I wasn't thrilled, but let it slide. When I left the store, I was looking forward to rating it 5 stars due to the nice selection and the time the staff person spent helping me choose. However, when I got home the saga began. I got home and was excited to try the lamp. I tried to put in a lightbulb, and it didn't fit! The harp (the part that attaches the lampshade to the lamp) was too small to fit a bulb. I didn't even have a usable lamp, after spending all that money. I then had to spend hours online researching bulbs to figure out that I needed an A15 (refrigerator) bulb. I don't want to know about bulb sizes! I ordered a bulb, and when it finally arrived a few days later, I turned the lamp on. It didn't work. I turned the switch again, and then it worked. I realized they had wired the lamp as a 3-way switch. There was no sign on the lamp to indicate that when I bought it. I don't want a lamp that I have to turn 3 times just to use! I called them and drove back to the store to drop it off for them change it to a regular 1-way switch. Another 45 mins each way. 90 mins of my life wasted. I had to drive back a week later to pick it up. Another 90 mins of my life wasted. While I was there, I figured I would invest in the matching lamp so I could have a pair. I asked for a shade that matched the one I had bought from them for the first lamp. They didn't have one. They said they sold it a few months ago. (And hadn't made another one in case someone wanted a pair.) I asked what should I do. They told me I could custom order a shade from them, which would take 2 to 3 months. They thought nothing that I would have to wait all that time to use the expensive lamp I had just purchased. I asked what to do in the meantime, and they said I could buy a shade from another store, and then throw it away when my custom one was ready. (Another $50, more of my time to buy the temporary one, and another 90 mins of my life wasted to drive back to pick up the custom one). They acted as though I had endless time and money. I then went up the street to Ensler lighting, that sells shades. He said the two stores send customers "back and forth, all the time". This indicates I'm certainly not the first person to run into a huge time-suck and hassle. He explained that the refrigerator-size bulbs don't even come in a 3-way version. So, there was no way to ever buy a bulb that worked with the way they had wired the lamp! He didn't have a lampshade in stock that fit my lamp. As a result, I had to spend hours and hours online reading about lampshade heights, widths, lengths, etc. and how to pick one to fit a lamp. I ended up having to custom order two online. I now know so much about lamps, bulbs, and shades that I could practically open my own lighting store at this point. Sue Johnson: when you are wiring a small lamp, that takes a small shade, that needs a small harp, that won't fit a regular bulb, that will never fit a 3-way bulb: 1. don't wire it as a 3-way lamp. 2. Give your customers a speciality size bulb when they leave your store. Otherwise, you are selling your customers a lamp that won't work properly. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE TELLING YOU THIS? IT'S YOUR JOB TO BE THE LIGHTING EXPERT, NOT ME. I am discouraged from ever buying a vintage or unique lamp again. Sad to say, online shopping only for me from now on. I WILL NEVER STEP FOOT IN THIS STORE AGAIN. I encourage you not to either. read more

Helped breathe new life into my mid-century modern art lamp. They offered custom options for all kinds of lamps and also electrical work. Pricing was very reasonable. read more

Excellent shop for quality lighting and lamp shades. Sue also provides custom work and offers great customer service. The best lampshades I've seen here in the Bay Area. read more

After a long unsuccessful search online and at brick and mortar shops...I was referred to and ordered 4 custom made ceiling pendant lamp shades from Sue Johnson last month and they came out beautifully done! Great look, materials and quality workmanship which is important to us. Our ceiling light now has the gorgeous elegant fine look it needed. Sue and her staff are very friendly and helpful to work with. Will definitely use them again when in need in future. read more

This is an eclectic store with interesting/pretty lamp shades that will burn a whole in your pocket. This stuff is not cheap, but it is quality. On the other hand though... Sue Johnson is a MEAN OLD WITCH. When we tried to return a lampshade, she gazed at us with furious eyes, arms akimbo and splattered out a whole spiel that, "We are a small business and we do not offer returns. Store credit is the best that we can do. If you told us in advance that you might return this, then we would had put a hold on your credit card and not had charged you. But you didn't! This is not how we do things! We have already authorized the purchase! Yatta yatta yatta." After a good amount of talking and reasoning with her that we bought it as a gift for someone and did not know she'd hate it, she said with a flustered-rolly-eyed-look, "Well, you tell me what you want me to do?!" and handed us a check in the refund amount. Omg, what an ordeal! Geez, that was painful! I would never ever come back to this store again! read more

A lamp store? Why would Elle want to review a lamp store? She's SUCH an ARTsnob!!! Oh. but my children, this is NOT a lamp store one finds in strip malls and such. Ms Sue Johnson IS an artist, an artisan, a business woman. The minute you walk into the shop, lit by the lovely lamps, you are away from the land of Ikea, BBand B, Arts and Crafts Kitsch. Each lamp is different, why you can bring in an objet d'art and tell Sue and her charming helpful assistants will transform it into a useful item, which will light up your room, and satisfy your desire to be what you have always aspired to be,----- A person of TASTE. P.S. TASTE costs a bit more read more

Update 11-3-09: Sue's annual sale will be held November 6-15. Great chance to pick up some deals! Sue's shop is a wonderland full of unique objects that have been turned into beautiful, functional, one of a kind lamps and lighting fixtures. The workroom in the back of the shop is fascinating and the artisans who work there are free with their advice - and opinions. Over the past few years we've purchased some pieces from her shop, and just love them. Picture a hand made mica shade with ginkgo leaves embedded within, sitting on a ribbed brass stand, topping a hunk of gleaming black walnut. A wall fixture in our hallway features a lampshade is hand made out of paper and ribbon. Not your everyday shade, that's for sure. They do lots of custom work - bring in your object d'art and they'll turn it into a wonderful lamp for you, complete with a fabulous shade. Pricey? Indeed, but worth it for a one of a kind object that'll be the star wherever you place it in your home. read more

The shades here are really fabulous and the fact that you can take a shade home to try it out before buying it is great! The staff are also very helpful and knowledgeable, but the friendliness and quickness of service can be hit or miss. 1. There tends to only be 2 employees in the shop at any given time. This means that sometimes you have to wait to get help, even if you've found what you want and just want to pay for it. This is not your average take-it-off-the-shelf-and-just-buy-it place. Customers with questions tend to have a lot of questions. 2. The staff seem very keen to help. Sue, the owner, seems very keen to get back to her art. Sue can be aloof and even dismissive of her customers, particularly those who don't have an eye for artwork. If you need her to make you a custom shade, by all means talk to her. If you want a second opinion of which already-made shade goes with your lamp, one of Sue's employees will probably give you a warmer welcome. read more

great store and phenomenal lamps. staff and owner both very friendly. highly recommended for custom lamps.

Wow - I've been wanting a lamp from here for the longest time. Absolutely beautiful. I've read some of the other reviews - guess I lucked out - immediate service, very friendly and helpful staff willing to help customize the lamp (make it taller), ready next day, and simply stunning. But do not go in here on a budget. For some silly reason I didn't see the base and shade were sold separately so needless to say I was a bit shocked, but it's gorgeous and that's why we Americans have credit. Definitely go in and look around, maybe pick up a nightlight. ;) read more

Sue Johnson - Embedded maple leaves that show up when the light is on and disappear when it is off. - Lighting Fixtures & Equipment Near Me - Berkeley, California

Funny little shop that sells the best hand made lamps in the world! I own 6 Sue Johnson table lamps. Not cheap, but good works of art do not come cheap. Small table lamp with a custom made shade will run from $125 to $400. Quirky, nostalgic, eccentric lamps that never cross over to being creepy! If you appreciate the unusual and have eclectic tastes, come here to purchase your next lamp. read more

We were recommended by a lamp store on 4th St. in Berkeley to come to Sue for a lamp shade. Sue was busy with a customer, but someone else helped us locate the perfect shade! When Sue was done, she came out and greeted us and talked to us for a while. She's very passionate about what she does! Her work is amazing! When our daughter is older, we will get her a lamp from Sue. We went in again a couple months later to get a shade repaired that we got from my husbands mom. The estimated it would be $25 (It was actually around $20!). They did a great job, the shade was torn on an edge and it's hardly noticeable now. A third time that we came in, I had a Tiffany style lamp that needed a new cord and a socket. They estimated only $45 (it was $49, but that included tax, so it was right on). They fixed it the same day and it works great now! They are a fantastic place to go to get a lamp or get a lamp repaired. I don't know the going rate for lamp repairs, but the prices seem pretty decent to me and they are fast and call you when it's ready! read more

Everything you find at Sue Johnson Lamps is a hand-made work of art whose special ingredient is love. We purchased our 1920 bungalow in 1999 and the first thing we did was to buy a Sue Johnson Mica ceiling fixture for our dining room. It was transformative and completely changed the character of the room. I think these lamps and shades would look terrific in any style of home, but they are especially well suited to older homes (Craftsman, Tudor, Colonial Revival) such as you find in San Francisco and the East Bay. They bring a warmth and graciousness that is timeless. They can even make a San Francisco steel and glass condo feel like a place you'd actually want to spend time in. Walk into Sue Johnson's lamp shop and be charmed. Don't expect to walk out empty handed... read more

This is the best lamp store in California! They made me a custom shade years ago for a lamp my Dad made in the 40s from an antique candle mold. It was perfect! Since then, I've bought another lamp shade and a number of seashell night lites. They stand behind their products and offer gracious customer service if there is any problem. read more

I love these lamps and shades. So unique and beautiful. Another customer was picking up a custom order. This is not your typical lighting store ... read more

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. read more

Sue's shop was recommended to me by an interior designer who is actually friends with Sue. The designer and I went to the store and were helped by a very rude sales associate. When we were documenting what we needed to have done to the lamp, the designer commented to me that the sales lady was a real bitch. I readily agreed. Two days later, I got a call from the shop telling me that they would not wire my lamp, that it was too heavy. The components were a small lamp body and a medium sized pot. When I called the shop, a sales representative cut me off when I stated that my lamp components were far lighter than the lamps in her store! She just cut me off and kept saying, "It's Sue's shop, she made the decision." That's fine, but there was really no logic to support their decision and the message was delivered like a sledge hammer. It is her shop and she can refuse business, but the reason given was complete bunk. They missed out on wiring my lamp, and my buying a $400 lamp for my livingroom. I will NEVER, NEVER go into this shop again, save actually picking up my lamp pieces. read more

I have a history w/ this store that goes back to when Tam made a driftwood lamp in the sixth grade. I bought a small, elegant paper shade for it and it lived in our living room for years. Recently I saw an article in Sunset online about making kitchen light fixtures from colanders. http://www.sunset.com/home/decorating/diy-kitchen-lighting?xid=soc_socialflow_facebook_sunset Our kitchen light fixtures are lovely enclosed white glass globes about the size of a basketball. They are both attractive and functional in the light they shed, but as we age we are no longer as ladder-worthy as we were when we installed these fixture. The 200 watt incandescent bulbs in them burn out often enough that we've had to ask Tam or Kevin to replace them for us every couple of years. Last week I went to Sue Johnson and spent some time talking w/ her about what I wanted to have done and getting an estimate for the work. I even had a couple of gorgeous, sculptural Ikea colanders in mind: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90011829/. Sue suggested I check out Batteries+Bulbs in El Cerrito for the LED bulbs I wanted. I had all the components together in my mind, and then I started having doubts. What if the lamps didn't cast a bright enough light. I'm not a lighting designer and have switched out these fixtures once before and been unhappy enough w/ the results that we had my brother, who was visiting, switch them back. It occurred to me that we could just replace the incandescent bulbs w/ LEDS, which are rated to last about 25,000 hours. That's long enough they'll probably outlast us, at least in this house. I stopped by today to thank Sue for her time and to let her know our decision. The store is crowded w/ beautifully created lamps which make me wish I didn't have all the lamps I need. read more

Ranging from subtle to stunning to whimsical to bizarre, many of the lamps have as their bases art objects like African masks, ceramic artichokes, Arabian pipes, Chinese vases, and even a ceramic Mr. Peanut. Shades might be parchment, translucent mica, Arts and Crafts papers, or elaborate needlepoint. Everything is created by artisans employed by the store, and all of it carries a very large price tag. read more

When I first met Sue Johnson, in conversation, I asked her what she did for an occupation (some people consider this a conversational "breaker" ) and she told me that she "made lamp shades". Hah!!! Sue Johnson does not make lamp shades. She creates works of art. I finally got around to making a stop at her store and was really very impressed by her craft and artistry. While I did not buy right away, I did continue to occasionally stop by her shop and finally sucumbed to a shade that had the perfect shades for my Apartment. The staff was helpful and the atmosphere was eclectic...go see it. No lamp-shade maker this one...an artist...yes.....a very good artist...definitely! lynn s. read more

You take one shade from their store, put in in your front hallway ceiling, and your house feels like home. They will let you take things home on approval, with a full refund if you don't like it, but I don't think they have a return anything at anytime policy. I love, love, love this store. The shades are more beautiful than any I have found anywhere, the lamp bases are gorgeous! And Sue Johnson, was not only quite nice to me, she has an amazing eye. I have also liked everyone who works for her! It's not cheap, but for the beauty and quality per buck ratio is read more

Drove from Union City to have an old floor lamp rewired. The sales staff was courteous and informative. The lamp was repaired and the charge was exactly as estimated. The store offered to manufacture a custom lampshade to complement our lamp. The display showroom is awash in beautiful lamp shades and lighting fixtures. Store prices seemed what to be expected for the area, and their lamps would add to the decor of any home. We'd be happy to shop at Sue Johnson's again. BTW, they reminded me of the need for a parking slip to be placed in my car to make sure I didn't get a ticket. Just a nice added touch. read more

We have just bought two clip-on paper lamp shades that are beautiful for two light fixtures that we wanted to improve. We didn't want to spend a fortune on these and they are working out just fine! We will, however, design two more lampshades for our main hallway and our bedroom. Sue Johnson's shop is amazing. Her lamps are like works of art and she really does believe in what she does. It is true that she can be a little persnickety, but that's because she's an artist. You know how artists are...But, if you LOVE the beautiful glow of amber in your house (think Chez Panisse and Bay Wolf--I think these restaurants actually have her lamps), then you really need to go to Sue Johnson. I can't wait to adorn my 1930s hallways with her lampshades! read more

On a recent trip to Morocco, we ordered a rather expensive custom made hanging metal lamp for our entry hall. Although the shop owner in Fez assured us that the lamp would be fully ready for use, with US electrlcal fixtures and a parchment lining, it arrived as a shell - no wiring and no parchment lining- and was completely useless to us. Help!! Good thing I knew about Sue Johnson's shop. We made a beeline there and the helpful staff knew exactly what to do. A short few weeks later, we have our gorgeous lamp, perfectly and expertly finished, just in time for Christmas. The store is a treasure and you can't beat the professionalism of the staff there. We have several other lamps from Sue's shop and each one is a work of art. read more

My wife and I have been purchasing lamps from Sue Johnson for the past 25 years. We love the style of her lamps, her creativity, and how much she stands behind what she makes. Recently we purchased a new lamp, and had an old shade repaired. The experience was really great. read more

You won't find nicer people or better lamps and parts than Sue Johnson. We've bought shades and parts from her over the years but a recent trip reminded us what a gem this shop is. Once you move beyond the look alike shades of a big box store Sue Johnson provides original quite wonderful shades. read more

It's no overstatement to say that Sue Johnson's custom lamp shop is a cultural treasure. Just browsing there is an aesthetic delight--but imagine the joys of importing some of this one-of-a-kind beauty and wit into your own home. You'll be ably and patiently assisted every step of the way by enthusiastic staff, each one of them willing to spend as much time as you need to produce the optimal combination of base and shade. And given the quality of materials and workmanship, the prices here are actually quite reasonable. Sue Johnson's lamps are works of art, and they absolutely make a room. My last project there posed a series of technical challenges. I had obtained a postmodern brushed chrome stand topped with an ugly Ikea-ish shade. The idea was to cast off the offending part and recast the lamp with a more mid-century look. The new shade had to be constructed over an improvised frame, a difficult task because, among other things, the socket is strictly Euro and rarely seen in the U.S. Johnson and staff pondered the problem awhile and then aced it, but when I got it home I was clueless as to how the shade attached. I brought it back, certain that the shop had gotten it wrong. They hadn't. I received a delightfully calm and non-patronizing lesson in lamp parts from Sue Johnson herself, who was graciousness incarnate about my faux emergency. She's an artist AND a lady. read more

This place is great. I have taken all sorts of thrift store finds with no shades and they come out treasures with her great shades. Also this is one of the only places I have ever seen where they have the old fashion silk covered cords which really helps the older lamps keep or restore their period feel. read more

So I picked up a nice and sturdy (that's what they used to call my grandmother when she was young) floor lamp on craigslist. But it wasn't working so I took it here, and they fixed it all up on the spot. I just sat and yucked it up while the wizards in the back got down to work. I already had a lampshade to go with the lamp, so that saved me a bundle (I have to say, though, that the entire repair was under $70, which seemed very reasonable to me, knowing that my local electrician makes over $100/hour). But even though they couldn't sell me a shade, the staff there made sure that my shade sat right and looked well on the lamp. I'll be back. read more

I called to find a part for a large chandelier I purchased on my Next Door site (as it turned out, totally different from the aesthetic vibe in the store, but that did not matter a lick), and I my two through directly on the phone. She helped me with my terminology to describe what I actually, which was super helpful. Then she put me on to him who was able to determine exactly what I needed. I came down to the store, really in the office, I was able to show picture of the chandelier read more

BAD MOJO, DOES NOT TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT OR COURTESY. Beautiful lamps and shades...BUT...Sue Johnson was unwelcoming, argumentative and downright rude as a salesperson, let alone owner of a shop that bears her name. We brought in a lamp that had been in my family for many years to find a lampshade. Maybe the lamp wasn't good enough for her because she proceeded to talk over us to tell us her problems with this lamp. Everytime we tried to get in a word to explain what we were lookng for, she cut us off with some patronizing remarks ending with "I don't mean to be confrontational..." HAH, guess she's been told that before. Then, after SHE lectured US on what we should do (giving the priciest options, of course) for about 4 minutes, she looked past us and said, "I have some customers to wait on" -- as though we weren't!!! I'm giving one star rather than just none because her worker in the back of the shop was very helpful, but Sue -- you lost two potential customers and everyone we will ever talk to. Maybe Sue's nice to some people, but we'll take our money where we're appreciated. Be forewarned! read more

I dream of owning some of Sue's creation with Lindsey's work. I finally was able to do just that, own some of Sue's work. I love supporting local artists but it goes beyond that. This is world class art and I know better being a creative director of more than 20 years in the Bay Area. This is as good as it gets people... read more

Over the many years I lived in Berkeley, I loved going into this shop to admire the amazing shades and lamps. I appreciated the workmanship so much that when I finally I made enough money to buy a shade, a treat to myself, I did. Expensive, very expensive for me, but a special purchase. I am very fond of unusual papers and had been experimenting by color xeroxing large yellow/green striped leaves from my garden. Pleased with the results, I hit on the idea to use the paper as lamp shade material. I knew that Sue Johnson and her staff would know if it was feasible so I had a consultation and the answer was yes! Exciting! I gave them all the paper, with detailed instructions on exactly what I wanted; it was a sensitive collaboration, really. I put down half the money and waited for my two shades to be constructed. Weeks later, I got the call and there they were! As beautiful as I'd imagined, conjured up from my garden, totally specific to me and flawlessly executed. I paid the balance, collected the shades and the left-over paper and went home beyond satisfied. I gave one to my daughter, and one to my closest friend. Perfect ending, right? Wrong. A month or so later, I went into Sue Johnson's lamp store, just to browse and there, on the shelf, was a lampshade for sale made of my unique paper! Stunned, I asked the staffer what the hell was was going on and was told I would have to talk to the owner. The next day I met Sue in the shop and I insisted that keeping my paper without asking and, unauthorized, creating a shade for sale, using MY art was unethical. She was incredibly hostile and told me that the lamp shade was HER creation and that I was free to buy the shade if I felt so strongly. Even though she was insulting and vicious, I remained adamant that the paper was mine and that, no, I was not going to buy my own work. Furious, she threw the shade on the floor, stomped on it and asked me if I was happy now. My answer: unfortunately, yes. read more

Sue's lamps are not for the Pottery Barn set (people who let aspirational catalogs shape their personal style). Each lamp made by Sue Johnson is almost a work of art. Each lamp is unique. She uses sculptures, cloissonee vases and antique objects as lamp bases. Her mica lampshades are beautiful and cast a golden glow over any room. I have bought two of her lamps, and will likely buy at least one more. The lamps are not cheap. Then again, you won't find any lamp you buy from her in someone else's house. read more

This store has beautiful lamps and the owner is an incredible artist. However, I would avoid going in again. Much to their credit, it is always busy and you often have to wait to even speak to anyone. That's just because they are so popular though, so all the more power to them. I brought an antique brass lamp to have repaired and for some reason, maybe it was just too small of a job, but after leaving it for a week it fell apart again and I have it put together with duct tape. I certainly wouldn't go back to have it fixed. I will go to Ensler down the street! The attitudes in the store do leave a lot to be desired, there's not a big feeling of customer service as I got the feeling they were doing me a big favor by taking my business. Customer service is shoddy but the products are high quality and beautiful. read more