my question is: Do you really need BOTH?

I personally like the idea of a lamp hanging above the bed on 2 conditions: 1) dimmer 2) bottom component to the shade so as not to stare at bulb from underneath

I think beds look best when flanked by either:

2 matching nighstands and 2 mismatched lamps or
2 matching lamps on 2 mismatched nighstands.

Arc lamps are definitely cool but im not really feeling it in this space. Also, you should install a long curtain rod and curtains to.disguise that small window.

Hmmm...I think I'm with you on this one. Arc lighting is more social, and I think you want your bedroom to feel more intimate. And, um, I think it would interfere with wild sex, lol.

If your boyfriend loves it, then you might have to let it live...but if you can think of another place it looks better, he might be open to removing it.

Best luck!

Are those vertical blinds hanging behind your bed? If so, I would be more concerned about that than the arc lamp.

I personally am not a fan. I like arc lamps over couches, though.
It might also get in the way of sexy time.

I like the arc lamp, but it looks strange with the other lamp on the nightstand. I would keep the arc lamp and get rid of the bedside lamp.

I have this lamp (from CB2) and it has the ability to she shortened and raised a bit. If you did this and placed the foot of the lamp in the center behind your bed you might still have the look but then maybe you wouldn't bump it? I'm not sure, mine is over the couch (and yes, I do hit my head on it once in awhile- the price you pay for style). Also, I agree that you should get rid of the side table lamp. OR get another for the other side and go totally symmetrical with the arc lamp in between.

I've never had that sort of lamp. Does it swivel out of the way easily? It's fine if so. Otherwise it could get ...awkward at certain times.

I'd live with it a while, and see if it gets on your nerves. As far as feng shui, I laughed a little looking at the picture: nightstands and lights are singles, window at the head of the bed... you were on a roll before the lamp was cutting across the bed, so what's one more thing? Maybe you could store a bunch of junk under the mattress? :P

Arc lamps are so overdone.

While it's fine over the corner of a sectional sofa, it doesn't belong next to a dining table as a replacement for a chandelier, nor does it belong next to a bed - as it just gets in the way of things.

(Are you going to hang from the thing while you and the BF do the deed?)

sturgeongeneral, meow but agree

First: Your boyfriend did a great job. His enthusiasm and engagement should be applauded methinks. And your collaborative spirit too.

In my opinion, I'd take @rlmesq's idea about the long curtain rod to hang or swag above the bed to soften that wall (unless you have a fabric thing). Also, I think two matching pendant lights dropping from the ceiling like the funky bedroom here http://www.timberlakelighting.com/news/tag/pendant-lighting/

you've inspired me to fix my own bedroom lighting issue too. Thanks!

...would look cool. sorry for the unfinished sentence above!

If it was alone then ok but with the table lamp it looks off balance.

Agree with others - of more serious concern are those blinds...

I really don't think you should have the arc light over the bed, for several reasons.

1. The heat from the lamp would disturb sleep and reading.

2. I imagine you're staring up at a light bulb.

3. In bed, you can bump your head.

4. In the room you're showing, the lamp seems to be precluding one of you from having a nightstand, which seems uncomfortable to me.

That said, it does look cool and unusual and your boyfriend clearly has some design sense in that respect.

Perhaps your boyfriend would be amenable to placing this very cool arc lamp elsewhere. It does add pizzazz.

My hope for you is that you are able to resolve this without too much discussion; at my house (both of us are stubborn) a small issue like this would cause a rift.

it isn't working for me, either, especially with the table lamp.

A) the space is too small for an arc lamp.
B) I would be concern facing the light from the lamp when lying down in bed - even with 40W or soft light bulb.
C) Thee On/Off switch on the arc lamp should be easily accessible when you are in bed.

Other than that, the room looks good so far. keep it up.

I do like the lamp but not here. I agree with some other people that it looks off balance with the other lamp and nightstand, and I think a bed is a more annoying place to worry about hitting your head on a lamp than, say, a couch (I'm thinking middle of the night potty break, sexy time, etc). I'd move it to another room and go for a pair of nightstand lamps (and I guess another nightstand). I also think the lamp hanging in that position is drawing more attention to the vertical blind thing and putting the focal point on the room at a place where there's nothing specifically pretty to focus on.

Bravo to you, though, you must have a lot of patience. I'd be furious if my husband decided he was going to fully design a room and make all the decisions and it wouldn't be a joint venture. Sweet and everything, but I'd be annoyed :)

I have this lamp: http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Spheres-Lamp-Antique-Bronze/dp/B000PRPT9U
hanging above my bed in much the same position as the one you have there. I LOVE it - it's so good for reading, and it actually doesn't get in the way at all (the three prongs move separately, so I only have one over the bed itself.)
What I actually don't like is the lamp on the nightstand - I think it unbalances the look.

First, to those who state that arc lamps are "overdone", plese remember that everyone has different taste.

I happen to think the arc light is great in that space but agree with some of the other comments about it potentially getting in the way of sexy time. I also think the suggstion of getting some kind of under mounted shade so you arent staring up into the light bulb was brilliant.

Maybe just live with it a while, but in the end, go with your gut.

I love that he is trying to put his ideas for the bedroom. But I think he might be a little off on this one. Like one reader suggested you do need to put up some curtains to make the window look bigger. Then I would get another nightstand for the other side. If you go with a different style of nightstand, please make sure that they are the same height. But if he is going for a feng shui look it should be the same on each side. For the lighting I would suggest the following: pendant lights above the nightstand or the same lamp on the other side or you could get two wall lights w/swings arms. That way you can control how much light you want. If he wants to have a light above the bed, I would suggest getting a chandelier. There are so many modern ones out that would look great with your other furniture. Lastly, be sure to get a dimmer for which ever lighting you choose. When you have two people sharing the same space, not everyone wants to be distracted by a light when they are trying to sleep.

Good luck!

Arc lamp over the bed...clearly no cowgirls in your bedroom.

It doesn't work for me because of the asymmetry but if you like it, then that's what you should have.

Just say no!

I really like the lamp, and I even like it over the bed!

My only 2 concerns are these:

1. It looks a bit oversized for this small space

2. It might limit your options for your ... um... "intimate moments"

Personally I'd move it to the living room, but I really do love the lamp!

Save an arc lamp, ride a cowboy!

I'm thinking that the lamp is too large for that bedroom. Perhaps over a reading nook in the bedroom, but then a little smaller. I'm not loving it in this photo, though.

I used to have my arc lamp in the bedroom, it was perfect for reading. Mine swivels so it was easily moved out of the way. It's now in the living room because we moved and the ceilings are too low for it in the bedroom.

Yikes - I can't think of anything worse than that!!

Move the arc light back to the living room, or maybe over the dining room table.

Nyet.

If need be, hang a ceiling fixture.

Wouldn't it scare you when you wake up?!

I have to say the idea sounded better then it looks.

For all the reasons previously listed, move the lamp to a more appropriate location.

I think it's strange. Perhaps you can re purpose for the living room?

Nope. Not working in the bedroom-at least not above the bed. Perhaps in a corner over a chair in a reading nook instead.

Not personally feeling it, but it's not my room to live in.

Wow, all the comments about a lamp (which looks like it's 2-3 feet over the head of the bed) getting in the way of sex makes me curious about what some people are doing there!!! (Over the middle of the bed, sure...)

Anyhow, aesthetically, I'm a fan of two nightstands and two lamps: both for negotiating the bedroom (if you need to get up in the night) and for reading. A centrally placed light might be ok for reading if you both keep the same schedule, but you are still lacking the night stand. So one of you is deprived of a place for a glass of water, tissues, alarm clock, reading glasses, or any other personal night-time belongings.

That is more of an issue to me than the arc lamp per se.

I like the look, but I'd vote no simply because of practicality reasons. Try to talk him into a slim nightstand there instead, and then he can pick out a lamp for it...it doesn't need to be the same as on the other side, but something that coordinates fairly well.

I have that lamp from CB2 and as a fellow interior designer...I love it. I do think it belongs in a living space though. I have mine next to my long mid century sofa. Since the switch is at the bottom of the lamp I would think it'd be difficult to use it as a nightlight or reading light. I think the asymmetry is fine but the functionality just isn't there. I would consider getting another bedside lamp and finding a drum shade pendant to hang over your bed if you like the romantic aspect of the lamp hanging above.

To the people who are concerned with it getting in the way of sex that's just craziness. It's not hanging in the middle of the bed. :) Hope this helps.

This would not work in my bedroom, but I think it looks fab in your's. Keep it there!

not cool.

Love it. I agree that the bedside lamp needs to be rethought as it competes. Get a mirrored light bulb and then you won't have to worry about the light burning your retinas if you inadvertently look up. :)

You may have better luck finding the light bulb if you search it is a half chrome light bulb. :)

I think it has a bit of a Gestapo feel to it - like you're being examined while resting in your bed.

Perhaps you have a chair the nook of your room that the arc lamp could go over?

I do have to say, it looks interesting and unexpected.

I like it. As long as you both sleep and wake on the same schedule. The overhead bit is total sharing.
You can convert most any lamp with metal parts to a touch sensitive lamp. Very useful in the middle of the night when something happens that you need to get up fast for. Like a yowling cat, car crash in the front yard, you get the idea.

I agree with the consensus about the vertical blinds. You want a bedroom that's soft and seductive, and I don't know if those emit those vibes. The curtains that you get don't have to be feminine, they could be just a soft material in a color that compliments one of the pillow shades or even the comforter. If you opt to keep the arc lamp, I'd see if I can raise it up higher, and possibly get a softer bulb or a different shade for it. I also would change the shade or the bulb on that lamp that is sitting on the nightstand also. Some artwork on the walls might be nice, like a picture of you and your bf. But if it were my room, I'd ditch the arc lamp and try to get a floor lamp because it makes that other side of the room look dark. That way, you have the height that you want, and you won't have to worry about hitting your head or anything.

I do think that if your boyfriend really likes it & is proud of what he has done, you do too - be delighted he is so keen on decor & the like.

Agree re vertical blinds, mind -

Dear Fellow AT Readers
I'm the boy friend - I had no idea my attempt at redorating would make it on AT. I appreciate all the feed back. The arc light is really great when laying in bed talking - dimmed down of course or watching a movie. I was just stepping out of my comfort zone. I confess I don't have a Queer
Eye for the Straight Guy.
Anthony

Antony - I think it looks like it'll be nice when you're done!
Apart from the sexy time issue, I like the lamp, but I'd say if you keep the arc lamp you need to ditch the other lamp.

I'd be very worried about bumping into it at night...not very practical for the space. Two end tables with their own lights or two sconces on would have looked much much better.

My husband and I both like to read in bed so we need good practial lights. As he usually reads longer we also need lights that don't bother the other one. That means two bedsidelamps that can be adjusted.
This arc lamp seems highly unpractical fto me and i imagine it shines right in your eyes when you turn it on. At some point you'll also probably bump your head, either while getting up in the dark or while doing other "bed activities".

It works, but only if you go symmetrical with the night stands (both sides with or both sides without) and lose the bedside lamp.

Also, if you hung a curtain wall directly behind the bed (floor to ceiling, wall to wall) instead of the vertical blinds, it would soften things a bit while emphasizing the geometric line of arc lamp.

If you don't have an overhead ceiling light, I don't see anything wrong with adding general light (for when you need to do tasks there in the evening) that way, as long as it's not cramping your space or flow.
But yes, a bedside table light or wall sconce is usually better to read by.
You obviously wouldn't be using the Arc light that way.

I don't think there's anything wrong with Arc lights, as long as you have the space for them. They're a great way of adding overhead pendant-type light without having to attach it to your ceiling.
They're a often great way to tie a room or a specific area together.
Castiglioni rocks.

And I don't think your bedroom looks bad with the arc light there.

I don't think it's ugly, just impractical in that small a room.

I cannot believe that patrick(the other one) did not chime in on this thread....P2 where are you???

Ugh . . . not for the bedroom.