An e-12 bulb is your typical skinny bottom candle-like bulb, correct? Three incandescent bulbs will give you 120 watts. That wouldn't be enough light for me, but she's young and she isn't going to be reading by it.

I'm guessing that Ikea wants you to switch to a florescent replacement bulb that *should* be equal. But the florescent bulb is likely not to be as bright.

As long as you are ready to put in a back-up light somewhere in the room, then I say buy the light and at worst, it will be a pretty decoration in the room.

I would imagine that the lack of shades or globes gives you more light, not less.

Those light fixtures aren't really designed for main light, more like accent lighting. With that light fixture you can wire it to be a plug in light and then you can swag it somewhere else in the room to give that look. (PS the light bulbs requried by Ikea lights aren't always easy to find...I've got a small light I use as my reading lamp and I ended up bringing the lamp with me to the store to find the right bulb! Basically those light bulbs are the teeny little post type.

As a main light source, this will cause a lot of glare and shadows. Whereas an unshaded light is brighter, the diffusion shades provide even out the light. Bare bulbs don't give off the most comforting light. The reason chandeliers work in dining settings is that they are closer to the floor, there are more bulbs for infill, and there are often light sources coming from other sources.

I agree that the above would work best as an accent light.

A certain amount can be learned from looking at the lighting in commercial spaces such as fine restaurants: There will often be decorative fixtures like this but they are not really the source of most of the light (which often comes from unobtrusive ceiling lighting). This is sometimes called "motivational" lighting (I think)--in that it looks like it is the primary light sourcem, but its not.

If you haven't seen this in person, I would try to get a look at it before you order it. It's not very glam in person, I'm afraid--quite cheap looking, and with higher wattage bulbs, it's pretty glarey. I wouldn't want it as a main light source.

I'd investigate the cheap chandeliers from Target and all, too, if you need to stay in that price range.

Thanks very much, folks, that is very good advice! She's actaully really most interested in a vintage one, anyway (which we can occasionally find at antique stores around here for around $60, and she's spening her own money on this since I already redecorated her room 1.5 years ago with my money!).... but it's good to know that we shouldn't plan on using it as the main ceiling light fixture.

Sigh--- that will be another whole search, bummer. The ONLY nice flushmounts I've ever seen are the Restoration Hardware ones, and they are just way too pricey !

You may well be able to use a vintage chandelier as a main light source. There are a lot of little 5-arm chandys from the 70s and 80s that would put out ample light, especially since you would have the option of using frosted bulbs, unlike the clear ones in the ikea chandelier. Five forty watt bulbs is 200 watts, which is plenty for an overhead light.

I am thinking of doing something similar for my DD's room. Some members here have had excellent results repainting old chandy's with rustoleum to give it a different look.

Also, put it on a dimmer, so she can adjust for mood! Personally, I think all lights should be on dimmers.

Oops, I see the price is outdated. Current price is $62, which may be getting up there for your daughter

Here is a link that might be useful: current link