...and the desperate need to do something about it.

Tulip grew out of a very relatable problem: why is overhead lighting always so harsh? Our founder, Lori, was at a graduation party in a college apartment, arguably one of the worst-lit places on earth. The vibe was off, and that familiar flush-mount ceiling light (yep, the infamous “boob light”) was casting its usual glare over everything.

In a desperate moment to try and salvage the party, Lori rummaged around and found a freshly washed pair of bright red boxers. She snapped them over the light and just like that, the room transformed. Softer, warmer, more inviting. People noticed. The party picked up. It felt like magic. But really, it was just better lighting.

From there, Lori started experimenting in other spaces: friends’ homes, her son Alec’s NYC apartment, anywhere she could make the lighting feel more human. The need was obvious: people everywhere were living under lighting that didn’t do them, or their spaces, any favors.

The boxers stayed on her son’s ceiling for years. But the bigger idea stayed with Lori even longer, and eventually became Tulip.

Tulip Shades are our way of helping people create softer, more beautiful spaces without tools, rewiring, or contractors. Designed with sustainability and simplicity in mind, they’re renter-friendly, mood-lifting, and made to make your space feel more like you.

We still have a soft spot for the boob light. It gave us a reason to dream up something better.