Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to fill my order?  

Lighting normally ships in four to six weeks. If you are in a rush and can’t wait , please choose from our selection of items available at Room&Board.com that are usually in stock for immediate shipment.

Can I get an update on when my order will ship?  

If it has been seven weeks or more and you have not received tracking information, please email us and we will provide a new estimate or refund. If it has been less than seven weeks, please be patient. We build to order and are making over 100 hand-made items in the shop at any given time with limited and varying availability of skilled artisans. This and shrinkage restrict our visibility so “updates” only serve to delay production.

I saw your work at a Room & Board showroom. Can I buy those pieces directly from you?

No. Our partnership with Room & Board grants them the exclusive right to sell those items in the United States. The good news is that they have many of our most popular models in stock for immediate delivery. Just order here: Room & Board

I’m interested in a product that I saw online that I don’t see on your website or at Room & Board? Can I still get it?

Not for now. We routinely suspend or discontinue products for many different reasons. We may have designed something new to replace it or it may have been difficult or expensive to produce, ship or maintain.

Can I pay to expedite my order?

Nope. If you are in a big hurry, forgot to order, want everything now or just have the expectation that everything is available immediately, please discuss with your therapist or choose from our selection of items available at Room&Board.com that are usually in stock for immediate shipment.

My lamp isn't working! What do I do?

The most common cause of a lamp not working is that the bulb is not screwed in far enough to reach the contact at the bottom of the socket.  Check this first, then try another bulb and confirm that the circuit it is connected to is working using a meter or another light fixture.  If you are still having problems please contact us for a replacement.      

How do I install or change the bulb?  

Every shade has a seam running from the top to the bottom that you can reach your hand into to replace the bulb.  Only use LED bulbs!  The heat generated by inefficient incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs may discolor the shade.  And don't forget to wash your hands first!

What is your return policy?

Most of our products are hand-made to order for you specifically and are not returnable.  We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase and encourage you to see and compare them in person at a retailer near you before purchasing  We will accept undamaged returns in original packaging on a few of our most popular stocked products.  The shipping and return costs are not refundable.  Send a message to michael@thecaliforniaworkshop.com to see if we are stocking the item you are interested in.  

Do you offer special pricing to design professionals and for larger quantities?

When we’re not crazy busy, we occasionally offer discounts for volume and approved members of the trade.   As of August 2021, we’re crazy busy. If it’s 2022 or later, send us a message at Michael@TheCaliforniaWorkshop.com to inquire.

How much light do the light fixtures generate?  

We are passionate about light quality and it all starts with the bulb.  Leaving nothing to chance, we ship fixtures with state-of-the-art, super efficient, warm (2700K), instant-on, dimmable LED bulbs that have an expected life of over 22 years.  The light output of each lamp depends on the size.  Small = 500 Lumens (45W equivalent),  Medium = 1100 Lumens(75W equivalent),  Large & Saucer = 1600 lumens(100W equivalent),  Jumbo = 2 x 1600 lumens(2 x 100W equivalent).  These light levels are before the light is filtered thru the shade. Products shipped by our partners at Room & Board do not include bulbs. We recommend purchasing 2700K dimmable LED bulbs.

I have a brick and mortar store and would like to carry your products, what are your policies for retailers?

We are not currently seeking representation domestic or otherwise. Thanks for asking!

My lampshade got dusty or scuffed. How do I clean it?

Remember to wash your hands before handling lampshades.  Use a soft bristled brush or vacuum with the brush attachment to remove dust.  For marks and scuffs, we recommend a lamp shade cleaning pad like this one:  https://amzn.com/B0002YU6KS  If you still need more cleaning power you can use a clean cotton cloth with warm water and a mild detergent. Laundry stain pens like Tide To Go (https://www.amazon.com/Tide-Instant-Stain-Remover-0-33/dp/B0037KMI0K also work really well but sometimes require multiple applications.

Are your lamps UL listed?

While we don’t offer UL listing from our workshop, most of our lamps can be U.L listed and marked by your local certified independent lighting shop for an additional charge.

Do you ship outside of the United States?

We do not currently offer any international shipping. We will gladly ship to your designated third party or export agent within the U.S. Note that our lighting products are designed for 120V and have E26 lamp holders.

What tools or hardware are needed for the pendant or chandelier installation?

They install easily on almost all junction boxes with just a small flat head screwdriver , wire cutter/insulation trimmer to set the drop length and some tape to hold the fabric wire covering in place.  Mounting screws, wire nuts and light bulbs are included in the packaging (Room&Board sales do not include lightbulbs). 

How do I care for wood furniture?

Clean wood with a mild detergent and lint free cloth. For scratches or complete restoration, sand lightly with 150 grit sandpaper, wipe clean and follow with a thin coat of a clear matte finish of hardwax oil like Saicos 3320 or Osmo. On chairs and tables. periodically check/tighten seat attachment (if applicable) and feet barrel screws that may loosen with normal use.