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CHI Good Questions: Black or White Lamp?

2008-06-05-IMG_1408.JPGFerha has a good question: "The question is "Black or White?" Should we go with the black antler or the white antler lamp for our bedroom? I always thought white - it's more soothing & easier to work with, but then the black one looks so modern & glamorous...

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...We've just started this slow process of doing up our room & this month's budget called for lamps. Other pieces that'll make up the room is the GRIMSTAD bed from Ikea that I hope to buy some time soon (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S29857247 - loks way better than it is looking in this picture), and the Porto 6 drawer dresser from Crate and Barrel which we already have. I'd also like to incorporate this rug (that's on the bed in the picture) in the bedroom. I can't use it as a rug because it's too delicate & quite slippery.

So which one should we go for? Or better yet, should we dump the antlers & find something else? My first choice was a wire base lamp from West Elm that I first saw on this site, but they are now out of stock. If you've seen better lamps for under a $100 each, please let us know!"


Please let Ferha know...black or white? And as requested above above, other suggestions are also welcome...


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Comments (66)

If you're going to leave the color of the walls white, then i say go for the black one.

posted by mvastudios on June 5th 2008 at 7:40am
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I second black.

posted by Pteetsa on June 5th 2008 at 7:41am
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Black

posted by TallulahBelle on June 5th 2008 at 7:41am
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I guess I would want to see more of the room. I like the way the black pulls the color of the trim on the pillow cases, but the white looks more ethereal to me. I'd go with the white.

posted by pbblythe on June 5th 2008 at 7:43am
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White. :-)

posted by Carla Marie on June 5th 2008 at 7:46am
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I don't think the lamp style works with the bedside tabels. But I would say black if you had to choose.

posted by LoriSF on June 5th 2008 at 7:49am
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Black will show the dust more than white, and you'll end up cleaning the lamp a lot more often than the white one. But, black looks nice in the picture because of it's contrast against the white walls.

I'd rather have the white one, and paint the walls a little darker.

posted by plain jane on June 5th 2008 at 7:49am
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Black. The white is great but it just fades into the white wall. The black pops and brings everything together. It does add some glamour and elegance.

posted by jessibee on June 5th 2008 at 7:51am
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white lamp with a black shade... is this an option?

posted by meredith on June 5th 2008 at 7:52am
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black Antler with White Shade...

posted by jako on June 5th 2008 at 7:52am
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I agree with the painting of the walls and the keeping of the white one, but it's hard to tell with so little of the room shown.

posted by maugust3 on June 5th 2008 at 7:53am
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I would go with White but paint the wall behind the Bed a different color. Also is the bed frame going to be the Ikea Beige? I would also consider switching the lamp shades on the lamps so the white base has black shade i think that would really make the lamp Pop.

posted by erikasky on June 5th 2008 at 7:53am
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with that white bed i'd say go with the white lamps but paint the wall a color. if you aren't going to paint the wall then stick with the black lamps, the white lamp will just disappear into everything else.

nice choice tough.

posted by riggle007 on June 5th 2008 at 7:54am
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Black. It's obvious from the pics.

posted by LBhirise on June 5th 2008 at 7:54am
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black!

posted by nanou on June 5th 2008 at 7:54am
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White Looks Better!

You will get more light out of the white lamps.

The black ones are too heavy looking.

Oh, by the my answer is the correct answer!

posted by phauxtoe on June 5th 2008 at 7:56am
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curve ball- when this happens when i do a film set i often just scratch both and start over. rethink! maybe hanging lamps or using a curved floor lamp. end tables dont necessarily need table lamps. maybe you need something more versatile and timeless if you can decide between both. you like the glamour of the black but the levity of the white. maybe you need a combined black and white lamp rather than having to decide between both. i think from a practical perspective the white antler lamp will be more versatile in the long run with color and interior changes. toss a coin and live and love with it?

posted by gorillaglam on June 5th 2008 at 7:56am
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black with a white shade...

posted by Soulstice8 on June 5th 2008 at 7:56am
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It seems as if there are too many looks in the room. You have a modern, classical bedding with an oriental style coverlet, contemporary side tables and chair and then the modern lodge look with the lamps. I'd keep the white lamps, get a less "busy" coverlet, paint the wall a darker color or get a large print to hang above the bed, and I'd eight-six the chair.

posted by kahlil19107 on June 5th 2008 at 7:57am
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Everyone has strong feelings for your lamps! ;P

I say: white shows definition of antlers better - but yes, you need to paint your walls. Even a pale taupe background will showcase both your lamps and bedding. White is my vote. Clean, modern, goes with what you currently have.
But if you must go with black - then I think you need white (or paler) bedside tables, b/c the black shades just fade into the tables.....

posted by tartlet on June 5th 2008 at 8:01am
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FYI: You may have trouble "dumping the antlers" as I tried to return this lamp to West Elm recently (it was bigger than the website dimensions indicated) and was told that it was a final sale only item. Now that I'm stuck looking at it, it occurs to me that I should have bought something less trendy.

posted by tess on June 5th 2008 at 8:02am
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Have you thought of hanging the rug on the wall?

Switch the shades on the lamps and look at them again. I think they will look a lot better that way.

posted by erikasky on June 5th 2008 at 8:04am
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I like the white - and i agree about painting the walls and getting a rug pad!

posted by AndreaU on June 5th 2008 at 8:09am
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i'm with erikasky: hang the rug on the wall behind the bed.

then go with the white lamp. it'll stand out against the hanging and bring in the white walls and bedding. meanwhile the hanging will provide a high-contrast focal point and tie in the dark tables.

posted by katiebug on June 5th 2008 at 8:09am
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dump the lamps and get one that work better with your bedding. In either colour they add nothing to the room. If you insist on incorporating them in the room, then it depends on what colour you plan to paint the walls and if you plan on keeping the carpet on your bed. I would favour the black as it has more versitility and has more visual weight.

posted by TheoJ on June 5th 2008 at 8:16am
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White. Definitely. And I agree with those who suggest something for the wall behind the bed.

posted by Reni on June 5th 2008 at 8:16am
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white, and painted walls, if you are keeping the rug on the bed--love the way it looks.
If you are going with the white duvet with black trim, then the black lamp.

posted by ValHalla on June 5th 2008 at 8:18am
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Black. The white fades away against the white wall. Like them with the table, btw.

posted by outonalimb_2008 on June 5th 2008 at 8:20am
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another for mix and match. just swap the shades on what you have there.

posted by voodoodle on June 5th 2008 at 8:21am
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Black.
It gives more depth and texture to the room.

posted by polychrome1 on June 5th 2008 at 8:24am
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black antler
with the white shade
trimmed with 1/2"-1" black ribbon on the top and bottom

The black antler does have a great graphic appeal, and trimming the white shades will pop it off the wall and echo the black on white detail you have on your bed.

And second hanging the rug...

posted by a6sinthe on June 5th 2008 at 8:28am
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I like the white, but then I tend to gravitate towards light and airy. I like the idea of the white with a black shade if you want it to pop or painting the wall to allow the same. I think the black on the dark dresser looks like a lot of heavy furniture.

posted by Clairepetrol on June 5th 2008 at 8:28am
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Black antler.

As for your rug, check out the July issue of Domino and take a look at the guest bedroom of the art direct for Lee Jofa. He uses the seagrass headboard from pottery barn and hangs a rug over it. Also does it with a rug over a fabric headboard. With your rug and greek key motif bedding, it would look stunning.

posted by Seaside on June 5th 2008 at 8:34am
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I think you should paint the wall the golden color that's in the "rug", and keep the rug on the bed, and have both lamps be black, but change the shades out for a pair of these:

http://www.everylampshade.com/ES20573.htm

Seriously. I'm not kiddin'. Do it. Now.

- Curtis

posted by Curtis on June 5th 2008 at 8:42am
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black

posted by PlanItGirl on June 5th 2008 at 8:42am
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I like both the lamps, and I like the idea of having one black and one white in the room. Its a little unexpected. I think the problem is that the black lamp really pops out against the white wall and the white lamp almost disappears into the paint.

Have you thought about painting in a rectangular "headboard" shape on the wall, that extends behind and a little above both the black lamp and the white? You could use a colour pulled from the spread - maybe that warm gold/tan, or the trim colour from the sheets - it would emphasize the colour and shape of both lamps, and it would kind of anchor the bed as well. Also it would stop those white pillowcases from also disappearing into the wall paint.

posted by loopychick on June 5th 2008 at 9:07am
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Neither - Yuck.

posted by bepsf on June 5th 2008 at 9:07am
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Black, and leave the rug on the bed, it looks great!

posted by semidivine on June 5th 2008 at 9:17am
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i don't like either. wouldn't want to hit one of those antlers if i have to turn on the lights in the middle of the night or on a gloomy morning. and black lampshades are so somber...
so sorry

posted by little flower on June 5th 2008 at 9:22am
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For some reason I always associate black lampshades with hotel rooms. White puts off more light which is the point, right? I have never cared for that shape of shade, and would suggest going to ikea; they have some of the best lighting solutions for the money. A Noguchi style or worklamp perhaps. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10371/10732/

posted by msbeachwood on June 5th 2008 at 9:28am
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black and lose the quilt

posted by designerny on June 5th 2008 at 9:29am
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Black

posted by K T G on June 5th 2008 at 9:30am
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I'd keep one of each, just the way you have it is great.

posted by nboxwell on June 5th 2008 at 9:43am
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Post the antlers on Craigslist or Ebay, then get something more squat and spherical--maybe hammered brass or bronze with a natural shade. Something that brings out the neoclassical idea of the Greek key pattern on the sheets, like an urn shape, would be good.

I would keep the rug as a spread and hang a small horizontal piece of art over the bed--maybe something ethnic-looking.

posted by madsarah on June 5th 2008 at 9:48am
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Black if your walls are staying white, white if you plan on painting the walls any other color but white.

posted by trixxie on June 5th 2008 at 9:48am
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Go with the lamp that you love the most (in your gut), and then incorporate some of the great (and inexpensive) ideas from above to make it work. If you're doubting both go a different route altogether until you find something you can't live without. If you love something you'll have it forever (or at least longer!) But if you're just buying something just cause it matches (or b/c the pros recommended it to you), you'll never feel quite satisfied.

posted by katey m on June 5th 2008 at 9:58am
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White! I actually have that lamp too :)

posted by quietcal on June 5th 2008 at 10:08am
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white

posted by evilaril22 on June 5th 2008 at 10:54am
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Black!

posted by otis on June 5th 2008 at 12:43pm
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i say black, because it balances out the black in the blanket @ the bottom. with white sheets, the white one would blend in too much

posted by kitchenwilly on June 5th 2008 at 1:16pm
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If the walls stay white/light, then I say BLACK! If the walls get painted darker, then, obviously, go with the white lamp.

posted by swanygirl74 on June 5th 2008 at 1:21pm
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White because it will cast much better light and unless your batman, you will appreciate the light. A black base witha white shade would be just as good

posted by kristinprc on June 5th 2008 at 2:57pm
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White. I like black accents, but they are too big. The white looks much nicer in my opinion.

posted by molinette on June 5th 2008 at 3:19pm
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white

posted by LaDonnaNichole on June 5th 2008 at 5:02pm
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Black.

posted by LilyC on June 5th 2008 at 5:19pm
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One of each. I think swapping the shades is too busy. If one of each is too unconventional for you, I'd go with black.

posted by sypage on June 5th 2008 at 6:15pm
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I'd try white lamp with black shade.

posted by Keith & Jamie on June 5th 2008 at 8:16pm
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i'm not qualified to answer this but my first thought is get rid of them and get something else. they are both ugly. the white is only better in that it blends in so well that you don't notice how ugly it is. i'm sorry!

posted by Joan in SB on June 5th 2008 at 10:30pm
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If you like the lamps, then go with the black.

posted by crash on June 6th 2008 at 12:31am
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Black

posted by Violetsrose on June 6th 2008 at 2:55am
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White

posted by Sleek on June 6th 2008 at 4:09am
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black. white blends into the background and you don't get to enjoy it as much!

posted by mh330 on June 6th 2008 at 6:22am
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Paint your walls gray and use the white. Otherwise if you must use the black.

posted by surferartchick on June 6th 2008 at 7:33am
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(I tried replying a lot earlier but get the "error 500" when submitting the post thru Firefox browser on Windows..)

Wow!! I didn't expect so many comments from everyone... thanks so much for all the great advice and opinions.
I have a deal with my husband where he gets to make a choice for about every two that I make, and he LOVES these lamps so they've got to stay. My choice would have been wall lamps.
We are planning to planning to paint the walls a light blue-ish gray.
If the lamps stay, the rug on the wall as a headboard might be too busy. So I'm planning to use the rug as a cover for a low platform seating thing that I'll build (at some point). It's actually embroidered silk (not woven/tufted) so it'll work as a cover.
I can't change the side tables for a lighter one, because that was my first woodworking project (Yes, I did have the "stainer's remorse" when the color came too dark).
We tried switching the shades, the white antlers with the black shade look pretty good, the other way around, not so good.
Finally the answer my original question came to me last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom - half asleep, stumbling in darkness, the black antlers looked like they were going to attack me! As glamorous as they look, black antlers (or really any antlers) don't belong in the bedroom. So white is the answer, with smaller shades that don't look like they're covering the rest of the animal.
Again, thanks everyone for your suggestion... once the painting is over, the curtains bought and hung, I'll send in the "After" pictures.
Ferha

posted by ferha on June 6th 2008 at 7:43am
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Ohhhh or get one white one and put it on the dresser and something different for the bedside tables!
OR - something gold w/ either colour lampshade - you've got this luxurious thing happening...

posted by northernkate on November 4th 2008 at 3:14pm
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