That's a sputnik lamp, no specific designer as there were (and continue to be) many different people making these. The bulbs are actually incorrect, the ones you want are these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/SPUTNIK-LIGHT-FIXTURE-STAR-BULBS-PACK-OF-SIX-6_W0QQitemZ130205136735QQihZ003QQcategoryZ20706QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

http://www.inmod.com/2418armbrspl.html

It calls for 25 watt bulbs. Dimmers are ok.

Are you saying your kitchen just CAME with that fixture included?! I am HIGHLY jealous.

I have the same fixture in my living room! It's original to the house, which was built in '56. I absolutely love it. In fact, it's pretty much the reason I bought the house, which now sounds completely irrational.

The previous owners had replaced the burnt out round bulbs with candelabra bulbs. It actually kind of works, I guess, because it didn't occur to me until I saw your picture that I should maybe replace those bulbs with round ones...

My grandparents had one just like that in their entryway! Kind of which I'd claimed it when they got rid of their house... did snag the original Nelson sunburst clock from the Kitchen, though :)

Lucky duck!

i got the exact same sputnik in perfect condition at the long beach flea market a few weeks ago for $75! I don't think the guy knew what he had. yay flea markets!

I went with 15 watt satin white chandelabra bulbs. mine has 10 arms so that is 150 watts which is plenty. I may put in a dimmer, haven't decided yet.

i prefer the round bulbs to the ones that Gigi818 suggests, but that's just my opinion. the guy at the light bulb store said that they are the kind of bulbs used in vanities

Joey - your day to have a fixture like this has come unless you are wanting something vintage:

http://www.inmod.com/sisp.html

Wow, love your Sputnik chandelier!!!
I believe you can put in a higher wattage bulb but if it goes over the recommended wattage, the bulb will not last as long. I currently have a 75watt bulb in a 40watt max lamp and it's working fine. :) hope others will chime in soon.

I think the fixture is an accident waiting to happen. You should get rid of it immediately.

I am happy to take it off your hands, as a Good Samaritan, of course. j/k :D

Looks like a sputnick chandelier. It may be a reproduction like this one, which takes 25w per socket, max.

Your kitchen came with a sweet bonus!

You can buy small chrome-tipped lightbulbs from bulbs.com, which look really cool (although it's too bad I haven't seen lightbulbs with gold tips to match your Sputnik). They can look intense on full wattage, but installing a Lutron dimmer will give you the right amount of ambience.

How about putting in fluorescent bulbs? A fluorescent at the same wattage should put out more light. And you can buy fluorescents that look cuter than the standard ice cream swirl type.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/4-Watt-Compact-Fluorescents/

If the fixture is a lightolier lamp, then it would have been designed by Gino Sarfatti. Sarfatti was an Italian designer who started the Arteluce lighting company and latter in the 70's sold that company to Flos. Sarfatti is also responsible for quite a bit of other beautiful lighting.

here is a grainy bad pic of the one in my living room:

whoops:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/3292600927_d82257b98e_m.jpg

As much as I am an advocate for CFLs, these fixtures would look positively horrid with fluorescent bulbs. The bulky transformer and twirled bulb would look incredibly awkward.

I freaked out when I heard that the government had banned all incandescent lights as of 2014. I was worried what I would put in my sputnik chandelier at home, but then it was revealed that they were only banning 40 watt - 100 watt. Dodged a bullet

I own that fixture also. We renovated our 1950s house in 1982 and were offered our pick of fixtures from a defunct lighting company. I think I spent $10 or $20 apiece on lights including this one and a companion half-dandelion that hugs the ceiling and lacks the long rods. Our children loved it. Really silly and wonderful. I cannot bring myself to get rid of it, although it's now lying in a closet because of a second renovation.