What about this clip-on shade? It's even on sale, and its piping can come in different colors.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p4191/index.cfm?pkey=clgtshdall

I'm not sure if it will match the look of your kitchen 100%, but since it's pretty simple it seems like it could be adaptable. Good luck!

Solved! This shade clips directly to the bulb.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p10496/index.cfm?clg=75&bnrid=6930401&cm_ven=NexTag&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=Home%20page&cm_ite=Datafeed

There are also these glass clip on shades that may be better for kitchen environment. I still like the Poterry Barn ones better though.
http://www.lampglass.nu/store.php?crn=71

Another quick fix I often use is just to use any lamp shade lying around and turn it into a pendant.

First unscrew the bulb, place the shade's middle ring over the socket, and then screw the bulb back. The bulb is what holding the shade up.

Use this Ikea shade for a Starck look:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00121846

Use the bulb holding up the shade trick again, but try with this $4 shade for a nice conical look (and you can't see the bare bulb because of the cone shape). Very nice in a series too, like down the hallway.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50118926

These too, I think AT reviewed them a few years back:
http://www.shoprelish.com/Store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=10&idproduct=1541

These are pretty, no prices, in Canada, the pyramids, and might not be bright/light enough for the kitchen:
http://www.shadesofnature.ca/index.html

Fabric or acrylic:
http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?pcode=8978

Clip on paper parasols:
http://www.shojidecor.com/cgi-local/catalog/catalog.pl?category=PAPER_PARASOLS-1

Lots of ideas for you!

I have the Lunette (first on TRUE BLUE's list) and I just love it. The terrible photo doesn't do it justice.

Ooh, perfect post. We're currently sporting a bare bulb in our kitchen. It previously had a glass globe, but the globe slipped twice and fell. Once, my husband caught it, and the second (and last) time came dangerously close to falling on my young daughter's head. The globe managed to NOT break when it hit the floor, but we decided to retire it just the same.

Sounds like a clip on shade would be perfect. I hadn't even considered that, and figured we'd leave the bulb bare until we move. :P

what about those bulbs that are silver-dipped on the end?

Here's a couple links to the older posts that might have more ideas:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-pull-light-cover-solution-006489

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-light-fixture-makeover-008099

This one has a picture of the Lunette on a bulb hanging via a light kit:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/onlinecatalog-only/pure-design-modern-furniture-from-canada-000785

This is how it comes:
http://www.butter-ny.com/shop/

And one more idea...from the sister site, Unplggd, light socket adapter:
http://www.unplggd.com/unplggd/good-questions/good-questions-new-lighting-without-rewiring-019893

I think it looks fine. Minimal, clean, punk.

I use an extra large bulb, it looks slightly better than regular sized bulbs and kinda vintage-y if you use a clear one.

why not just rewire that thing and get track lighting :)

Scalloped Linen Clip-On Shade, $19.99- $39.00 SALE $19.99- $24.99. 6/14/08

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p4191/index.cfm?cm%5Fsrc=rel

Say, any reason you can't update that fixture?

Monika1 answered a chair question here:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/seating-dining-sidechairs/ny-good-questions-who-can-identify-this-chair-053303

And I started browsing the site she put in, and found this nice fixture:
http://www.idnbi.com/goods.php?id=137

It's not real expensive. Oh...crap...uh, I think they must have left out numbers at that site. Because it's over $500.00 elsewhere.
http://www.ylighting.com/moni.html?productid=moni&channelid=FROOG

I don't understand why. I think because one is a reproduction??? The $55.00 one? I don't know.

Anyway, can you replace that ceiling item? If you're renting, you might ask the landlord. You don't need a cascade of crystal, but a new overhead fixture with more than one light, as well as a dimmer switch greatly improves your light and the apartment.

One of the first things I did in my apartment was put in dimmer switches for the kitchen, both halls, and the dining area. It saves energy, because I rarely need those lights on at all...and if I do want them on, I don't always need to be signaling other galaxies with a full-on bulb.

Here's what I did in my apartment built in 1938. Got Chinese Lanterns (they come in a set of various colors). Affixed one to the fixture and clustered the other two around it.

[url]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2581849735_9087cb36c8_m.jpg[/url]

[url]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2582677182_9f8bf6246b_m.jpg[/url]

Sorry about the double post but I forgot to mention the lantern is paper, and the bulb is a CFL. Attaching it around the fixture keeps it far enough from the bulb to keep it from getting hot. The effect is diffused yellow light because I chose the lightest lantern.

Thanks everyone, I love all these different ideas. I love the idea of building something, but know I just would never get to it. I'll keep you updated as to what I choose!

I'd replace it with one of those cool old style, 1900s style bulbs, and leave it exposed.