apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

In my apartment, three of the ceiling light fixtures are the typical square glass covers with a hole in the center to screw it into the fixture (over two bulbs) that one would ordinarily find in a child's bedroom. Without changing the current fixture (restricted in my lease) I am looking for a modern update that is affordable. Perhaps a similar cover to replace what is currently there. I am open to the idea of making my own covers. Any suggestions?

I have the same light fixtures throughout my apartment and HATE them with a passion. Over the weekend though, I found the perfect (almost) solution:

I took the glass part and both bulbs off and put this capiz pendant light I have from west elm over the double fixture. I had to rig it with hooks to get it to stay up.

Then I got a regular swag light kit and strung it across the ceiling and down the wall to the nearest plug.
The pendant is perfect because it hides the ugly double fixture, and I still get a ceiling lamp. The light is more diffused and cozy now - I love it.

The light I have is: http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODp219&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1WALPEN&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1WALPEN

I need some new speaker stands. Right now, I have big, bulky, ugly stands that look like this:

http://www.racksandstands.com/VTI-RF-VI1049.html

I'm looking for something more lightweight, visually speaking. Mounting to the wall is not an option. Anyone have any ideas?