Its name gives it away. The oval Custom Black and White Floral shade gives bold, graphic expression to a black-on-white print evocative of the 1930's and 1940's. 816 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021; 212-832-8190; orientallampshade.com.

Light filters through the Inox mesh or maple slat shade of &Costa's Eclissi stainless-steel pendant fixture. It also comes in a table, floor, and wall version; in two drum heights; and with a half maple–half Inox mesh shade. 37 Whooping Hollow Road, Easthampton, NY 11937; 631-329-7490; sparklights.com.

Light and texture come together in the Lampada floor lamp from Bis Bis. A rectilinear metal frame supports a coir coconut fiber weave that softly diffuses light from six sources. An accompanying pendant lamp has a draping cylindrical shade. 4 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116; 888-247-9909; bisbis.com.

Set to be introduced to the U.S. market in spring 2006, Ross Lovegrove's SystemX light fixture combines two curved 21-watt fluorescent lamps that are infintely linkable by means of rubber connectors to cover large expanses. Made of plastic and aluminum, the modules may be altered in color temperature so different zones of illumination can be created. 31340 Via Colinas, Unit 106, Westlake Village, CA 91362; 888-879-8611; yamagiwausa.com.

Helen Kontouris's La La lamp is one tall drink of water. Standing either 53 or 71 inches high, its red or white plastic body has a shade of opaline-coated fabric. The fixture features a noiseless dimmer and takes 60-, 100-, and 150-watt incandescent lamping. Through Imoderni, 210 71st Street, Suite 307, Miami Beach, FL 33141; 305-865-8577; kundalini.it.

Inspired by 1970's wall reliefs, the square base of the Rex table lamp features sand dollar–like discs on a tactile, gouged ground. Made of cast resin, it comes in a gesso, architectural bronze, or gunmetal finish and with a shade in cream faille or black or white paper. P.O. Box 841, Milford, PA 18337; 570-296-3900; salgadosaucier.com.

Translucent white bone china is the substance behind the spinelike Nexflex T rotating lamp. Standing 15 inches high with a 6-inch-diameter base, it takes a 1-by-49 GP lamp. 170 Via Monte Maddalena, 25075 Nave Brescia, Italy; 39-25-38378; monnalisadesign.com.

Receiving the Excellent Swedish Design Award, Camilla Diedrich's oversize BPL pendant gets its form and texture from polyester fabric that's been tied to a wood structure and baked until it bubbles. Illuminated by either 75- or 150-watt incandescents, the bubbles diffuse and redirect the light. Offered in 15- and 26-inch diameters. Via Della Rupe 35 38017 Mezzolombardo, Trento, Italy; 39-46-160-2376; Rotaliana.it.

Tissuelike layers of tear-free, flame-resistant polyester are stacked one atop the other in Steve Lechot's dimmable, fluorescent One by One lamp. With four steel posts and a steel base, the 11-inch-square lamp is available in either a standard 14- or 59-inch height or custom. 20 Klünenfeldstrasse, CH-4127 Birsfelden, Switzerland; 41-61-316-7401; belux.com.

With the dimmable, fluorescent Lost, dark light optics are directed downward; indirect light is thrown up. The slim 2-inch-wide fixture accepts T 16 lamping and comes in 54- and 80-inch lengths; its aluminum shell comes in polished or satin finishes. 1980 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735; 631-694-9292; artemide.us.

Embolden any hanging, floor, or table lamp with the three-tier fiberglass Nancy shade, hand-dyed in nicotine with squiggled, hand-patterned lines. (Shown on the steel-wire T-000 lamp base in matte black.) 4219 Tanglewood Trail, Spring Branch, TX 78070; 830-885-5221; moonshineshades.com.

Every Madara table lamp, constructed from a piece of natural driftwood, is utterly unique. The designers found specimens with twin branches; each one supports a bulb and both are surrounded by an oval linen shade. It comes mounted on a blackened steel base. 151 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-343-0800; interieurs.com.

Inspired by the mythological Greek goddess, the Athena glass lamp collection offers three stunning shapes. All come in tints of either green, pink, or blue-gray with a taffeta shade. 485 Broadway, New York, NY 10013; 212-925-2777; donghia.com.

Designer Piero Lissoni's latest light is as cute as, well… The Button wall and ceiling lamp houses a Circline T5 fluorescent bulb and has a round, white technopolymer diffuser to match. Its back rim is pigmented in white, blue, or yellow, producing a correspondingly colored halo from behind. 200 McKay Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746; 800-939-3567; flos.com.

A tinted ring of translucent handblown glass surrounding an imbedded incandescent lamp makes up the Corona pendant. The ring diffracts light; the brass fixtures can be painted or polish- or satin-finished in antique, chrome, or nickel. 420 Railroad Way, Mamaroneck, New York, NY 10543; 914-698-7799; nessenlighting.com.

Bring nature indoors with the solid bronze Arbre sconce, a sculptural branch that seems to sprout from the wall, complete with whimsical songbird. Choose from natural, brown, green-brown, and black patinas, as well as chandelier, table lamp, and floor lamp versions. 201 Wyandotte Street, Suite 102, Kansas City, MO 64105; 816-842-0496; corbinbronze.com.

Available in single- or double-light versions, the Papeete Bobeche sconce features hand-painted fiberglass shades that evoke feathers and glow from behind when lit. The steel and solid brass fixture's iridescent bronze enamel, satin nickel, or faux-rust finish heightens the effect. 127 Little Fresh Pond, Southampton, NY 11968; 631-283-8175; donovandesign.com.

You're in luck with Marta Baumiller and Cliff Baldwin's Clover fixture. Measuring 17 by 12 inches, the pendant's shapely shade is available in maple, cherry, zebrawood, and white linen. It arrives ready to hang, with an adjustable cord and white ceiling canopy. P.O. Box 2390, Aquebogue, NY 11931; 631-722-9450; lampa.com.

You get two in one with Zig-Zag: Both sculpture and lighting, the satin-nickel halogen bar is 78 1/2 inches long. Buy several and arrange them to your liking on the wall or floor. 6085 Northwest 82nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33166; 305-718-9052; terzani.com.

The Will D pendant casts crisp, white light downward and flattering pastels to the sides. The acrylic cylinder, surrounded by a ring of satin-finished aluminum or brass, can be custom tinted; lavender, amber, chartreuse, and white are standard colors. May be specified for incandescent or compact fluorescent lamps, in three diameters: 9, 15 1/2, and 32 inches. Cable length is custom. 247 Middaugh Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817; 607-256-3640; donovanlighting.com.

The solid-brass Mimi NW422 sconce can be specified in brass, chrome, or nickel finishes, either matte, polished, or antique (brass only). Its shade, in white linen or silk, or black or white semigloss paper, tops a single 60-watt incandescent candelabra bulb. 420 Railroad Way, Mamaroneck, NY 10543; 914-698-7799; nessenlighting.com.

The petite PSQ halogen or candelabra sconce is just 11 inches high, 31/4 inches wide, and projects 31/2 inches. Its cast-brass wall plate is topped by a diffuser in splashed or shiny opal that can be finished in bright or brushed nickel, brass, or pewter. 82 Stevens Street, East Taunton, MA 02718; 800-977-4470; ilexlight.com.

The Monaco chandelier exudes the art deco glamour for which its namesake French Riviera principality is known. The antique-mirror fixture is 33 inches long and comes in either a 25 1/2- or 36-inch diameter. 232 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022; 212-319-7979; niermannweeks.com.

The four-piece Rhapsody in Blue hanging pendants collection features open nickel-finished brass cubes and rectangles framing bunches of spaghetti-like wires. All use halogen or incandescent bulbs. 41 Nikkelstraat, NL-1411 AH Naarden, The Netherlands; 31-35-692-12-59; brand-egmond.com.

The Drop hanging fixture captures its name in its form. Measuring 7 inches in diameter and 29 inches long, with an adjustable chain, the glass diffuser has an amber or cobalt accent and is illuminated by a halogen lamp. A companion wall sconce is available. P.O. Box 7829, Edison, NJ 08837; 732-225-0010; leucos.com.