The scratch is a brass-color and the entire lamp is magnetic, except for the finial. Thanks for reminding me of the magnet trick! I used to carry one in my wallet for testing "brass" until it wiped out a couple of credit cards. My husband says he thinks it is steel, with brass-plating on the base. (Though why someone would brass-plate the base and not the rest, I don't know.) I've never seen steel used like this in a lamp, but then again, I haven't seen everything ... or maybe I have, now. The man has no soul. He suggested taking it to an auto body shop and having it powdercoated in candy-apple red. I hope his tongue was in his cheek. I think I'll follow LInda's suggestion and spray it with lacquer once it's cleaned up, then take it to the electrician. This is not the kind of thing I would rewire myself. I've ordered a wire candelabra-lamp frame to cover -- just have to pick out fabrics for it. Lazyg, I'll see if I can get a shot of the whole fireplace. It' ll have to wait until tomorrow, when there's more light. The surround and hearth are English handmade tiles with glass tile accents -- not too expensive, since it's a small space, and the tile has a lot of impact. We remodeled this room recently. What? No one noticed the beautiful cat? I couldn't keep him away from the camera.

Several months ago I finished a multi-media sculpture for a business. I visited it yesterday and found that some of the ccopper has turned black. From the pattern of it, I wonder if it was caused by oil from my hands touching it but it could also be from glass cleaner (used nearby) or maybe adhesive. I assumed I would use brasso to get rid of it but I have learned from reading this discussion that may not be best. PLEASE ADVISE. Thanks for any help you can offer!

I've always used Brasso on brass... it should be in your grocery store. If it's a really tough job, I've heard a product called Bartender's Friend works very well on brass and copper, but I've never personally tried it. I am wondering if the spot means that your lamp is really painted, and not brass at all? I'd try a simple damp sponge and follow with a soft cloth on it first and see what you get. Remember, too, that the lamp can always be painted. I would use the scratchy side of a normal kitchen sponge (dampened) on the white paint transferred onto your table. I've removed lots of layered on paint marks that way. I would then apply Scott's Scratchkote to the rest of the table, and polish it up with a soft cloth. I use rubber gloves and a scott towel to apply it. You can get that in the grocery store too.

Fun, I love the parallel bed, and would love to have it. It is too big though (at least I think it is). Compare it to the simple platforms: 78" x 89" to 62" x 82". That is a significant difference in a small bedroom, although most of the extra width with the parallel bed is the headboard. The parallel would reduce the space between the end of the bed and the wall from 5'1" to 4'6", and I need to add at least 20" of storage in that space. I know neither simple beds are great beauties, the bed will mostly be about the linens. That said, I do like the dark steel bed with the oak headboard quite a bit. Makes me sad that the min is likely the better choice for the room.