I think you should do a floor reading lamp that sits between the chair, table and radiator and place a small plant on the table with books/mags. It's a sweet, simple table that I think would look best if kept clean and uncluttered- a reading lamp there might be too obstructive.

I agree with ebbunny, I my vote is for a floor reading lamp with just a simple accessory on the table.

^^agreed. I wouldn't clutter up that table with a lamp.

I'd suggest a pharmacy-style floor lamp, something like this: http://www.lampsplus.com/products/Brass-Finish-Pharmacy-Floor-Lamp__08600.html
They provide great reading light and are somewhat inconspicuous.

Totally agree with the above comments...a floor lamp, pharmacy style would be perfect. Keep the table clear for your coffe and nosh!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40152124

Yes, a very thin, low profile floor lamp seems to be the best resolution.

I got the Artemide Nesso lamp for this same reason and almost the same spot, although it is a tad pricey.
The shape is kind of perfect for that side table: http://www.artemidestore.com/?page=shop/flypage&pageTitle=Nesso%20table/wall&product_id=1037

I agree w/ the others - That's not a table that's suited for a tablelamp.

But I'd put the floor lamp on the other side of the chair - away from the fireplace...

I would change out that chair for something that actually goes with the table and the rest of the room. Then get a nice modern floor reading lamp, arco style.

search ebay for west elm tripod table lamps, use any drum shad you like

i would definitely put a table lamp there!

http://www.lampstore.com/showlamp.php?l=2190&cn=Medium%20Contemporary%20Side%20Table%20Lamps&cp=150

or

http://www.lampstore.com/showlamp.php?l=2485&cn=Retro%20Lamps&cp=190

Agree with the floor lamp suggestions, and had to laugh at "get rid of the $1,300 Anthro chair that you probably just bought because you really like it."

I have a similar arrangement in my house--a sort of fussy (but fabulous chair) with a modern table, right by the fireplace.

I got this floor lamp from Room & Board:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19653

and it's perfect--small, simple, and elegant. Really inconspicuous except to people who notice the design and like it.

sorry, meant: "fussy (but fabulous) chair"

I have a huge crush on the ostrich egg crystal lamps at Restoration Hardware. The alabaster versions are on sale right now, and would look great too.

Mostly wanted to say that I LOVE your apartment (house?) it is gorgeous.
I would go for something like this

http://www.pbteen.com/products/p3398/index.cfm?pkey=cside-table-bedroom-lamps (Maybe not the green in your room) or

http://www.pbteen.com/products/p3404/index.cfm?pkey=cside-table-bedroom-lamps. With a lot of shape and smooth lines.

I love the whole room, chair, table. It's fabulous! I would do a simple globe lamp with a low profile like this one:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70096377

This won't compete with the hanging lights in the middle of the room, or block the window like a floor lamp would. You can run the cord behind the table and it shouldn't be too obvious.

I just bought a beautiful table lamp at Mxyplyzk for only $25 !! It would go perfectly. It's called the Quartro lamp - two sizes $25, $45. Check it out:

http://www.mxyplyzyk.com/v03/index2.php?cat=500

I have the same saarinen table and opted to go lampless because of the beauty of the table. I didn't want anything to compromise or compete with it. I went with a very narrow profile floor lamp instead. It's cheap too!

Alang Flor Lamp from IKEA
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60123574

I'd put this Ikea lamp. I use it for reading and it gives a very good light

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70096377

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm the second one to suggest this lamp.

I'd pair it with a floor lamp as well -- one of two classics.

Either the Tizio floor lamp, whose sleep linear blackness is a great foil for the rounded cushiness of the chair, and echoes the black in the room (the curtain rod, picture frames, fire screen, etc.):

http://www.artemidestore.com/?page=shop/flypage&pageTitle=Tizio%20with%20floor%20support&product_id=913

The other option would be a Tolomeo, which comes in many floor versions. The most appropriate would be the Tolomeo Reading Floor or the Tolomeo w/shade Reading Floor.

http://www.artemidestore.com/?page=shop/browse&application=Floor&current_page=3

i'm in the floor lamp camp

Floor lamp, for sure! The table is delicate looking, so if you put anything on it that is not pretty spindly, it's going to look top heavy. Plus, I think you will get better reading light from a floor lamp.

Love the chair!

floor lamp, other side of chair.
i would also mess around with sliding the chair over a bit/ changing the angle, and try to get it to work with the TABLE on the other side of the chair. it is a bit lost where it is, and i think you would see its great shape better against the wall and plant.

I'm not crazy about the chair, but if you must. ;) Here's what I found on craigslist that I thought would appeal to you and the chair.

Victoria and Richard McKenzie Childs (Bethesda, MD)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/fuo/1154187128.html

Thanks to everyone who posted such great lamp links!! The original poster will have lots of ideas to chose from.

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions and taking the time to include links. It all makes sense now. We were having trouble imagining any lamp on that table...now we have some ideas about why. We definitely agree that the floor lamp makes functional and aesthetic sense...now to pick one. We like the more modern solutions (tizio, tolomeo and room&board).

I suggest something clean and curvy. Take a look at the Resin Ball Lampbase from Urban Outfitters. It'll cleanly make the transition from the traditional chair to your modern side table, and you can easily pair it with any color or neutral lampshade.

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp%3Bjsessionid=9F11949C89A2DBA447D0C1AC46464289.app11-node2?itemdescription=true&itemCount=60&id=14398820&parentid=A_FURN_LIGHTING&sortProperties=&navCount=154&navAction=poppushpush&color=

i dunno, in light of the site's call to support independent businesses, it would be nice to buy something that's not from ikea/restoration hardware/urban outfitters.

also, i still think the space is well suited for a table lamp.

a floor lamp will clutter up the space and always be in the way. whereas a table lamp on that table will warm up the room.

i think this is the *perfect* lamp.

it's inexpensive, doesn't compete with the chair, will nicely block the gap looking at the table, is a good size (won't compete with the mantle), and has a 3-way socket.

Hit the thrift stores. Something vintage would be nice in this room.

Oh and btw, can you read with the lamp over your right shoulder? I've always had to use the old "task light on the left".