apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I have these and I don't think they will work as well as traditional "uplights". They really cast a glow through the glass. Maybe you could wrap them in foil?

I bought a couple of these about 2 yrs. ago and use them on my balcony as uplights behind large plants. I love them and they're so inexpensive.

Be careful how you place them; there's quite a lot of residual stress in the corners (byproduct of cheap glass manufacturing processes). If you tap them on the corner with something hard, they break pretty easily.

...I know that, because one of mine broke in exactly that way. Fortunately I could just rotate the damaged corner out of view. Worth what I paid for 'em, definitely -- just be a tad careful, is all.

Um... I bought one of these as an ambient light for my bedroom - whichever lightbulb they recommend is BRIGHT! Like...startlingly so. I'd be cautious about using lots of them or you might end up with blinded guests.

Where do you find bulbs for these? I've had them for 2 years and haven't used them because I can't seem to find the right bulbs.

I have these as well - you have to buy the bulbs at Ikea. And as Modfan mentioned, they are very bright. I was expecting a softer glow from the glass, but that is not the case, so I use two as my desk lamp since any kind of warm ambiance is not possible.

We bought these to use as interim bedside lamps so one person could read while the other falls alseep, but they're extremely bright. They're also not very good spotlights -- the glass barely diffuses the light (it hurts my eyes to stare at it directly).

Actually, they'd so bright that they'd be great hung upsidedown as pendant lighting.

Yes, I second the very bright quality of the light! We solved this by tucking them in with a cluser of potted plants on a knee-level table.

But because they in fact do give off so much light, I think they make great party atmosphere lighting. I like the idea of using them outdoors on a covered/screened patio (otherwise they'll attract bugs!)

Just to correct some of the statements made: you don't have to buy the bulbs for these lights at Ikea.

I've been using these excellent and very inexpensive lights for a couple of years.

They have standard "candle bulb" sockets and they can accept a variety of candle bulbs of varying wattages/ brightnesses. I buy my bulbs for these lamps at the dollar store in packs of four for a dollar.

The lower wattage bulbs generate less heat and give a nice ambient light.

These are a great deal, especially when you get the large and the small combo($12.99). I have found that you can do wonders with these just by changing the kind of bulb, I like using a blue bulb. I also hook them up with one of Ikea's dimmer cords, that can also cut the brightness. I have put them behind couches to create a nice glow, and in groupings. You can easily unscrew the lamp out and put a candle in there as well. Currently I have one behind my SO cello as an uplight, works great.

I have these in various spots throughout the house and love them. I even have a few laying on their sides on the tile floor in my bar.
I use regular energy saver bulbs in them. They are bright, but I figured it was the bulbs. When they're the only thing on in the room, it's not too bright, but that will probably depend on your space.
I will say though, that I had to move the ones I put on the floor in my living room around. I have it hidden behind a chair, but if it's a tad to the right, you can see the imperfections in the sheetrock. Try it out before you have your guests; I noticed the issue when a friend's husband mentioned my "messed up" wall (rude-- it's not messed up, houses settle after 20 years and I haven't decided on an art piece to hide it yet). :-)

I swear by these lights. I'm a college student who has lived in a wide variety of rooms over the past three years, most of them hideous, and they always look absolutely delightful with a few of these lights. I use them on top of my armoire, as reading/desk/bedside lights, all over the place. My room is beautiful and cozy thanks to them. I don't have any on the floor and haven't tried it in any of the rooms, but quite a few times I've put them high up (on top of the armoire, on a high ledge, etc.) and they uplight into corners of the ceiling beautifully. And for the cost, they really can't be beat.

I have these with CFL bulbs in them, they glow more than "shine", I don't think they'd make a good uplight but I love them and was surprised by how cheap they were.

I have the small and large pair in my living room and use two small ones on my computer desk.

I gave them a knitted cover

http://www.bilder-hochladen.net/files/1p0s-4q-jpg.html

We bought them as bedside lights with energy saving bulbs which was not the best idea: no short use, rather harsh but diffuse light.

But for party lighting i would choose energy saving bulbs. Hidden behind curtains it might give you the soft glow i prefer for ambiance lighting (They do not heat up with the bulbs we use.)

How do clean the inside? Even after vacuuming and akward wiping i don't consider them spotless. I do have small hands but i wonder if I have to dissamble them to give them a dusting.

Has anyone tried coloured vellum on the inside to change the light?

kicki, for cleaning try a static duster. You know, those fluffy nylonish things that you can stuff into crevices.