apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What about those little chanelier shades to cover them that pottery barn and restoration hardware carry -would those work? Could be cute!

Funny- searching google for the solution brought me full circle:
http://hometech.apartmenttherapy.com/hometech/good-questions/good-questions-new-lighting-without-rewiring-019893

I would suggest purchasing the reccomended adapter and then buying som e really nice old fashioned bulbs: http://1000bulbs.com/products.php?cat=Nostalgic-Light-Bulbs
and hang them using cloth-covered wire http://www.grandbrass.com/catalog.cfm?category=Wire&subcategory=Cord%20Sets

Oh yes.

We have a similar situation with the fixture in our living room and use oversized chrome tipped bulbs. They cast a nicer light and look a little more "intentional."

I'd go withe the "nostalgic" bulbs, but I wouldn;t go with hanging them -- these fixtures were designed to have the exposed bulbs in mind and look best with the bulbs in the intended sockets.

I would, however, consider painting the fixture to draw attention to it and give it some heft -- perhaps even a brass-like or other metallic paint.

To cut the glare, how about silver-tipped bulbs?

http://nymag.com/shopping/bestbets/30305/

I was also going to suggest the silver dipped bulbs. They definitely have a more finished look to them, and the light they give is much softer.

Chrome-tipped bulbs oh yes.

Rather than painting it, why not silver leaf (or aluminum leaf) the fixture. The light on it would look rather stunning... A packet of aluminum leaf should cost about $5, the necessary brushes and size another $5 and shouldn't take more than an hour from start to finish...

Oh YES!

These carbon filament bulbs (1890 Thomas Edison replica) don't need an adapter. They're not cheap, but look great. Come in 30, 40 and 60 watts, I think.

http://www.rejuvenation.com/fixshowMRB1/templates/selection.phtml

I love the idea of the chrome-tipped bulbs, because I like the idea of no (or less) glare, but really it would almost be like indirect lighting from a direct lighting kind of source.

Must have a dimmer, though, if at all possible.

However, I think there's also something very charmingly antique-y about the ones you have up there now.

I would hang three small pendant lights there... either all the same hight or different hights. Something small similar to these from Ikea called Rimfrost or three of something modern if that's more your style.

I dont like the plastic wire and socket cover (is that what its called ???) but you could probably find something in steel or something nicer looking elsewhere.l

http://www.ikea.is/ikea/vorur/ljosin/loftljos/?ew_8_cat_id=3565&ew_8_p_id=22598372

Go with the Edison bulbs and a dimmer. You won't have a lot of glare. I have an original fixture in my 1923 apartment and it looks great with Edison bulbs.

It's really the only thing you can do.

Factoid:
Did you know that once upon a time the electric company provided you with bulbs and then picked up your burnt out ones?

I don't know if you need this light for full lighting. I have a similar plaster piece but I have it mounted on the wall with little 7 w gumball sized night light bulbs in it, they come in different colors too. It gives nice ambient light similar to what you get with christmas lights. If you could live with table and floor lamps then this might be an alternative

Kurt, et.al.
I REMEMBER gathering up and turning in our burned out light bulbs and having them replaced for free. I also remember when the practice ended, as I remember someone sued the utility co. stating the practice of free replacements interfered with his ability to make a profit--unfair competition.
Alice

i agree with the idea of the edison bulbs,frosted or clear, and a dimmer.

number one, I would avoid actually using this fixture, cannot imagine that this kind of fixture would cast a very flattering light. I hope it is in a hallway, stair landing etc.

two, I think you chose the best possible bulb already. I like the mix of early fixture with modern bulb. Its like the synergy of the PEI pyramid and the Louve, (well not exactly the same synergy, but close.)

three avoid and flickering flame tipped, they are not historical, if you must go retro the edison bulb where the filiment shows would be ok.

have you seen those really small LED bulbs, those might be nice...

I 3rd or 4th the Edison blubs, they'll look great, give a wonderful light, plus they last forever--a bonus for ceilings. There are blubs in Edison's house that have been burning for 100 years!
http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/page1.php?QNum=566

thanks everyone for the ideas! I'm going to try the silver-tipped bulbs to see how the light diffuses. These overhead lights are rarely used, but when they are needed, I'd prefer a different feel than I get right now...