In my first apartment years ago, I hung a pair of rice-paper globes from Pier One on either side of my bed for a similar effect...

It works for the small and simple, or plain, ones. But that first photo with the large, elaborate light at bed height looks just silly. And dangerous. Definitely not for an area that's geologically active. Or for a home with small kids.

The first photo is photographed by James Merrell take a look at his website there are some great interior shots-
http://www.jamesmerrell.co.uk/

I like the idea. It's unusual and if you find the right chandeliers it can change the entire look of the room.
The first one is my favorite.
Here is another one that I really like:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/18968/Feldman-Architecture-eclectic-bedroom-san-francisco

I looked at Merrell's Web site, and he does have some fabulous shots of places that look like real homes, not photoshoots (I especially like the room where the little boy is wandering around in y-fronts, and Mom is on the divan). So I'm surprised that he shot the room with the chandelier, above -- because it looks like a photoshoot for the Anthropologie catalog. It doesn't look "real".

I'm pretty sure he was tapped to shoot Brocade's first catalog. Check out their site at:

http://www.brocadehome.com/

That's a great idea if you can find the right lamp shade.

This might be a dumb question but how d'you turn 'em off? I don't see any light switches in these photos and I hate hate hate having to get out of bed when I've spent the last whatever-amount-of-time warming up the sheets, getting the pillows just right, positioning partner/hot water bottle to optimum effect...

@Lares, you could do remote controlled lighting. I have it and love it.

Great idea. Except for the bottom photo, these things are monstrosities.