I can't *do* lights...

[oxcat1]

I hate lights. Can't ever find a shade I fancy, and usually go for something completely inappropriate and horrid!

We live in a mid-Victorian terrace, with the sitting room and dining room knocked through. The walls are a sort of neutral 'tusky' colour, with neutral light brown carpet, and a couple of dark red rugs; ideally I'd like stripped painted wooden floors, but this is a rented house. The sofas are large squishy things in cream corduroy, there are a couple of vintage chests of drawers and a table, and I have been trying (very gradually, and on no budget!) to introduce a sort of Scandinavian feel, hence the light neutral colours, with a contrasting hint of red in the rugs, cushions and some vintage prints we have on the wall.

I'm stuck with the light fittings though! We have in the past had the round paper shades, but these need replacing and DH thinks the paper shades look far too 'studenty'. I rather like these Panton lights, but can't actually afford them (would want two: one in each room) and don't know if they're right. Do the darker colours make the rooms dark? I want something stylish, classic, possibly slightly retro, but most of all, cheap! I hate chandeliers or anything fancy, and actually rather like the industrial, 'warehouse' look that's around at the moment, but really don't think it would work in a tiny terrace.

Any suggestions? What lights have do you have and do you love them?
thank you!

check out the first and thrid on this page

[[http://www.next.co.uk/x473100s3 I think this would look lovely in a small terrace but not industrial obviously.

I think you will need to be careful not to overpower the room.

I think this would look lovely in a small terrace but not industrial obviously

Thank you so much for those suggestions. I've just bought two of the first ones on the Next page, so we shall see how they look. It is indeed a diffcult room to get looking right.

this is not quite the question you asked, but if you are emulsioning the walls, you can use the same paint on cardboard lampshades, and they will look a very good match with the walls. Apply several thin coats so it dries without getting the card wet enough to go soft and mushy.