Get Illuminated

There comes a point in every grown man's life when he decides it's time to upgrade the home furnishings he's hung onto since college. Now is the time to ditch that halogen lamp before it ruins your love life or worse, burns down your house. If you're ready to buy a real lamp—not unlike buying a real watch—you want to strike the right balance between price, build quality and a design that won't look out of date in a few years. From classics like the Luxo lamp (designed in 1937) to more modern interpretations in wood and brass, here are some smart styles, in a range of lighting needs.

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  The Edison bulb, in all its aesthetically pleasing rustic charm, has become a beacon of today's throwback style. The filament bulb offers a warm, subtle glow in lamps where the bulb is visible.

Bulbrite, $8 at Amazon