Stone mushroom lamp – a compact light for nightstands, desks and shelves

At about 9 inches tall and 7 inches across, this lamp leaves room on the nightstand for a book and a cup. A short travertine cylinder carries a rounded dome, the familiar mushroom shape made from real stone.

Reasons to pick this travertine lamp

You choose the top: alabaster with soft veining, or plain glass. Since the base is natural travertine, its pores and shades of beige change from one lamp to the next.

Choice of shade: veined alabaster for a stone-on-stone look, or glass for a cleaner line.
Desk-friendly size: around 7 inches wide, so it fits a desk corner or a narrow shelf.
Turn switch on the body: a rotary switch sits on the lamp itself, so there is no cord switch to look for.
Natural stone base: porous travertine with its own tonal variation and carved detailing.

When it is off, it looks like a piece of carved stone. When it is on, it works like a small lantern.

A pair on both sides of the bed gives a neat, symmetrical setup. The alabaster shade gives a mottled, candle-like light, and the glass shade spreads it a little more evenly. Either version looks at home next to wood, linen and other natural materials.