Great post! I've been trying to decide what light fixture I want in our living room. I've been thinking about DIYing somthing like the West Elm Cluster Blub pendant and adding DIY cage lights.

A better source for edison bulb pendants is Barn Light Electric. Slightly less expensive than Anthropologie, and more options: http://www.barnlightelectric.com/pendant-lighting/cloth-cord-pendants/

Etsy is also a great, even more affordable and sustainable source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66913936/simply-modern-vintage-farmhouse-pendant#

Ha. Just a few weeks ago in a fit of anti-diy rebellion I dismantled the crazy pendant, the one that I made myself just a few months prior, hanging above the dining room table. I did so with the intention of replacing the fixture, but once I saw the bare bulb and simple pole that I was left with I kind of fell in love.

Funny, the look is similar to that of the first photo - and I have an antler on the table as well. Hm.

We have a couple of Urban Outfitters bare bulb pendants which we like the look of... our only problem is that you can't really look in their general direction when they're on, otherwise you get that circle- burned- into- your- retina issue. Are there certain bulbs you're supposed to use for these types of fixtures?

I really love this look!

@abt ours us on a dimmer, which helps. We also have it hung well above eye level. Mercury-dipped bulbs are another option - unfortunately you lose the down lighting with those.

My biggest concern with exposed bulb light fixtures is the move to cfl & halogen. With incandescent phase outs coming, are there attractive options that aren't incandescent?

this is the environmental equivalent of saying you like to leave your faucets dripping. can't people who care about design be a little more creative?

@Elankat: I agree with you. I've been searching for a bare bulb solution with CFL or LED.

I love this look (especially love the etsy link above). I bought these for my kitchen:

http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowC697/templates/selection.phtml

@ Elankat: I'm not worried - I think with the phasing out of incandescents we'll see a lot more options in CFL or LED. For now, I'm ok with using the incandescent in that ONE seldom used fixture. Anything with a shade gets a CFL.

@gotard I couldn't help but notice that you didn't offer any creative suggestions yourself. While I'm sure we all appreciate your concern for the environment, your comment adds nothing constructive to the discussion.

@tmoore - I hope so. In fact, I was hoping that there might be something out there. I love the CB2 Firefly fixture for an upcoming facelift in my dining room, but worry about not having attractive bulb options for it in a few years.

I don't believe these styles of bulbs are included in the new efficiency measures. My understanding is that lights have to produce at least 300lumens to be considered for the "phase-out", and these typically produce from 100-150. Also, specialty lighting is exempt from the efficiency measures; and old fashioned lights are considered a specialty lamp.

Side Note: Many appliance bulbs have the same look as many old fashioned lights, only on a much smaller scale. They also produce a brighter light and are definitely not included in the efficiency phase-out.

Thanks for the info, Rachael!

agree with gotard. plus, at least 2 people have talked about the 'circle- burned- into- your- retina issue.' not practical at all. this is the design equivalent of 5-inch heels for women.

Thanks Rachel. :)