If there was a top ten list of the most recognizable modern design pieces ever, there's no doubt George Nelson's Bubble Lamps would be on it. Though they come in quite the variety of sizes and shapes, their core design — a space-ship like, self-webbing plastic lamp — is the look that many folks gravitate to when looking for an element to add a touch of modern design to a space.
First created in 1947, Nelson Bubble Lamps were designed to be made up of materials that were developed for military use, which was typical in the postwar era. You can learn more about their history and read about them in George Nelson's own words in this history of the bubble lamp.
Its rich history aside, the soul of the Nelson Bubble Lamp is its ability to blend perfectly with many different styles and also stick out just enough to add a punch of personality. Some might call a Nelson Bubble Lamp a safe choice (they're not a crazy color or particularly "loud"), but we don't think so. Any time you use one of these lights in a space, there's a strong energy that permeates the whole room. It's a bold choice, and a classic one. We grabbed some shots from around the web that show how great George Nelson Bubble Lamps look in a variety of spaces, from traditional to very modern.
TOP ROW:
1. Simple and bright at The Brick House
2. Corner classic in Marsi & Robert's Bright and Tidy Southern Ranch
3. Looks perfect with wood. John Lum Architecture, Inc. via Houzz
4. Living room lovely from SF Girl by Bay
5. With the wood ceiling, from another angle by John Lum Architecture, Inc.
BOTTOM ROW:
6. Hollywood regency via Desire to Inspire
7. Vintage and dramatic in the Brooklyn home of Jordan Provost and Jason Wong via Design*Sponge
8. A lucky break in Dwell Magazine
9. Simple and sleek in Vancouver via
10. Global-inspired in a dining room by Aaron Hom
What do you think? Feel like you need one for your space now? Find resources for where to get one or more in this post.
(Images: 5: Sharon Risedorph & Michelle Wilson (Sunset Books), 7: João Canziani; all others as credited above)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
I got the bubble lamp above my dining table as well.
Love it!
So I have a question for the AT community:
I just bought a large nelson pendant (the crisis cross style) for over our dining room table and the issue I'm having is the best location for the table and the location of the lighing box don't line up. The ceiling box (sorry, I don't know the proper name) is a foot or so away from the spot the light should sit. So what are my options? I"ve called an electrician who quoted me $1000 to move the box and fix the ceiling (and something I especially what to do right now). Would doing a hook ruin the look of the light? Should I add a decorative cover plate over the spot the electricity comes out of? Should I buy a huge oversize decorative cover and try and cover the whole thing? Thoughts?
@phd2bpolisci - have you shopped around for an electrician? $1,000 is awfully high. Also, I would say that if you can't move the box, you should either fudge the location of the talbe just a little (split the difference and move it 6 inches closer) and most people wouldn't care or notice. If you look at photo 4, the lamp is swagged and it's plugged into a wall outlet. If you think that looks bad, you shouldn't think about swagging yours.
Look at all of the photos. Each light comes with a small plate that covers up the hole where your cord goes into the ceiling. That is enough. If you add anything else, especially to the area above the lamp itself, you're just drawing attention to the fact that it's not where it's supposed to be.
@phd2bpolisci, in my old place I had the same problem and used a hook centered on the table. Make sure that you have enough cord to give it some slack so that it looks like it was intentional and not a mistake.
On that note, are you sure the box is not in the right spot? The reason I ask is because in our new (very old) house the junction box is not centered on the room. I thought this was odd until I realized that the original designer/builder placed the box so that the table was off to the side to allow circulation through the dining room. I placed the table centered on the box and the room looks right.
I've actually owned two in two different houses because I do love them. I'm disappointed that Modernica closed most of their showrooms because you really need to see one of these lights in person to appreciate the craftsmanship.
For those of you who own them :
is it difficult to change the bulb?
is it difficult to keep clean?
how frequently do you dust them? and how?
To my eye some of those lamps are hung too high. I especially like Nelson's hung in groups, at different heights.
I have a similar, slightly non-centered ceiling light to the one DuaneHill mentions. It was done that way to allow people to skirt around the dining room table to the living room. I thought it was a problem until I hung a large bubble light there (a more organic Noguchi paper lamp, in my case) over a circular table instead of the rectangular one I used to have. It became obvious that all I had to do was balance out the room with some large cabinets. A little asymmetry can be a good thing.
I actually grabbed one of these out of a foreclosure in "pre-trashout" mode. The place was knee deep in trash and I saw the large Ball light half buried in a corner of a bedroom. I unburied it to find it in PERFECT condition. I didn't think to google the name on it -I could see the quality and thought what a great find. It lives in my living room. I also scored 4 postmodern chairs in mint condition. Cool post! Glad to know I saved a historically relevant piece.
We have a bubble lamp in our home office. My husband had to talk me into it, but I LOVE it now!
Yeah, my work has a cluster of all of the different shapes, hung in a cluster in our large meeting room. They look amazing, though unfortunately the AC creates a breeze that makes them one of them sway a bit unattractively.
May I say it? As a kid, I used to have a similar one my bedroom. It was in some sort of sad green and I just hated it. I was sooo happy when eventually I was allowed to throw it away.
I second HMO's questions!
is it difficult to change the bulb?
is it difficult to keep clean?
how frequently do you dust them? and how?
Two bubbles live in my abode, one in the foyer, another on stair landing to second floor. Five years later, they look great, no discoloration, no cleaning except for an occasional feather dusting if you are the obsessive about it and changing bulb is no brainer.
This list is pretty good. We are looking at buying a Nelson or two.
Can you add names of the lamps and prices. I don't want to click through 10+ websites for the info.
I bought mine tru dwr.com
I change the light bulb easy, you can stick your hand in there from the underside.
Dusting..... oops I should do that soon.
I have the round one.
I mean I have the one in picture 1 and 6
I bought mine at a DWR showroom only to find it online for about $90 cheaper. I'd recommend buying it online.
Depending on your state you might be able to avoid paying tax. I bought a Aeron chair online (from an official dealer) and saved about $300 because I didn't have to pay tax or shipping. Maybe not the best for the state of Illinois but it made the price a little easier to handle.
I've been considering purchasing a Nelson saucer light to go over my dining room table. I'm guessing by what 'inneedofmakeover' is saying, there's a hole in the bottom that the bulb goes into. So when the light is on, is there a small 6-8 inch halo of light on my table? Or is there a diffuser inside?