apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What does your dining room look like (style, colors, etc.)?

Without seeing your space, I'd recommend something with clean lines in a metallic color (silver, brass, etc.).

By the way, the lighting designer at my office says that anything over a 40 watt bulb is going to burn those lamps over time (making them yellow on top). I put in a 20 watt fluorescent in my saucer lamp, and it is kinda gross and dim. Anyone have suggestions for TVP (and me)? A 150w lamp will definitely be hot!

...and what a wonderful splurge it is!!!

Since you've got enough good taste to pick this in the first place, you likely have a good idea of what would NOT work - so I won't waste time telling you that the Dallas Cowboys helment lamp is out!

I wouldn't be so concerned about the lamps themselves because shades make such a difference - and here I would play off the rounded edges, the modern lines, or the Asian feel. If you have bases already head down to the lighting district in NYC or a lampshade store nearby and try on everything - show the sales people what you are working off of and they will surely have suggestions. Good luck!!

I love the saucer lamp, especially the criss-cross version. I went hunting for a ling time for a lamp for my apartment that had a similar aesthetic. I really liked the lamps from Rico on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn called "Buster," especially the floor lamp with the textured oatmeal shade. Here is a link to the store, look under Rico Espinet, then Buster: http://www.shoprico.com/lighting/. It is quite large though. I will try and post a link to a picture of it in situ in my apartment.: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gpollach/1877319022/

I have the same saucer lamp over my dining table.
I have been drooling over this Jonathan Adler lamp to go on my sideboard: http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?productid=16789&cat=385&page=1
It's not cheap, though!

Hello-

I am of the opinion that in the long run it is better to look collected rather than the space feeling like a time machine (ie all items being 50's Danish Modern).

I made you a slide show some cool and affordable options (all items are under $200.00 and available online) as well as some of my fave sites...
bellacor.com
circa lighting
plantation (in LA)

http://www.hueandtimber.com/DesignBlog.html

Enjoy!

Okay, you asked for cheap and I hate to say it but Walmart has a nice table lamp with a white ceramic Jonathan Adler-esque base and chocolate brown shade for just under $30. I've seen this in person and it's nice.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5086307

reef - you may be the cause of my very first walmart purchase! Did you see it in the store, because it looks like it's only available online?

To avoid the yellowing, put a good CFL in there -- they run much cooler than incandescents. Popular Mechanics ran a test on the most popular awhile back, and one of them (n:vision, sold at Home Depot in the US) had warmer color than a regular incandescent. (Make sure you buy the candlelight one -- if you buy the daylight version, it ain't too warm.)

I think it all depends on the rest of your furniture...

These shades can go with anything and everything, you can do the obvious and go 50's atomic space age styles, which i would do in a metallic bullet shaped goose-neck for the sconces and standard lamps

Or you can riff on the asian flavour, contrast with opulent asian reds

Or you can riff on the creamy organic flavour and place with pleasing woods

Or you can riff on the design classics theme and team with classics from a different age...

I don't really like the Johnthan Adler style other people have mentioned, far too matchy, matchy in my opinion