The one at the top. In general I think the heavy stone finials look like they should "bend" or "crush" the shade. That's a detail I don't like. The base is fine.

Oh goody, it is one fourth the price! I just wasn't sure if the second rock down looked like a potato or not. : )

How funny! My first reaction was that the second rock from the top looked just like a potato. That aside, I still prefer the first lamp because I like the gradation of colors better.

I like the second one also. It's the base that makes it look more grounded too I think. I can't see the top in the first photo. Love that they look like cairns!

But what I'm really wondering is if that Johnny Walker Black Label dispenser thingy really works? Lol!

I don't think you could go wrong with either. I would prefer the first, i like the wood base & the graduation of the stones. It may have a potato shape but is clearly a stone.

Really like both of them. Are you going with that shade. I think a more natural material shade would look better and not white.

I also like the first one - the wood base makes it more "finished" to me.

I prefer the second one. The first looks too much like a 4th grade summer camp project to me.

LOL, Errant, I can see that, and that was my thought too. I was not sure if I was biased though....

Since I knew the price, I preferred lamps in the second photo (240 vs 65). It amazed me that, just stacking a bunch of rocks could be done so much more "professionally" in one version vs the other.

I posted it here to see if everyone would immediately say "wow, the first one is so amateurish". Since they didn't I think I am going to pocket the delta and call it a day!

Props for use of delta. - math fan

The stones in the second lamps are clearly stacked in a "let's make this look random" arrangement....I prefer the straightforward look of graded sizes increasing to the base. Two things though, I might paint the base a darker color (like gray, or maybe I wouldn't bother) and I def would get a burlap or linen shade.

Somewhere there's probably a $500 rock lamp! ;-)

This post was edited by kswl on Wed, Aug 20, 14 at 12:53

I prefer the second one, but would certainly go for the first. :)

I like the first one. Now totally OT but...near Rigaud Quebec Canada there is a whole field of these potato rocks.

"According to the legend, a peasant who ploughed his potato field on Sunday offended God who punished him by transforming the potato field into a field of stones."

About 20 years ago I brought a few potato rocks home....wonder whatever happened to them....LOL.

This post was edited by decordummy on Wed, Aug 20, 14 at 13:47

I like the second one....don't like the wood base....looks like it came from Michael's and was painted.

I like the second one best as the rocks are ground/cut/chosen flat so they fit together better.

The first one has a more natural look altho I would have preferred the base be natural wood, not painted.

Really I think it doesn't much matter as there isn't a comparison item once it's in the room.

Did you ask your son for his opinion? Let's you off the price hook if he likes the first!

I agree the wooden base looks like it came from Michael's. The entire lamp looks more like a craft project than the other ones. I also like the way the stones fit together better in the second photo. Does your son have an opinion?

Ignore me if you already made your decision:

"I prefer the second one. The first looks too much like a 4th grade summer camp project to me."

I completely agree, without having read any comments. The base on the first looks cheap. I do not like the finials on the second, but a finial can be easily replaced.

I prefer the second one also. But I don't think I would pay the difference for a child's room.

I like the potato one :-)

I like the rock base one better too, but don't like the finial tho- I would change that... but, for the price difference, I would definitely buy the 1st!! couldn't justify the price difference for a kids' bedroom when they are so similar!

Never saw the potato until you mentioned it and now I can't unsee it. The rock finials on the second picture are too contrived. Go for the first one. It rocks (ugh, sorry).

Why not let your son decide?

Definitely the one with the potato stone! Kidding there, I don't really notice the 'potato'. Good suggestion to ask your son.

This post was edited by oldbat2be on Fri, Aug 22, 14 at 13:00

Oh, my son won't really care, especially the difference between the two. He will think its a cool homage to Andy Goldsworthy.

I'm surprised so many don't like the stone finial. I love it! I think it makes for an interesting juxtaposition. A rock on top of lamp? I think that is so odd that it's cool :)

after you change the rock finial to a smaller rock finial and the shade to burlap, I vote that one.

ditto what lov_mkitchen said.