Lighting is so much about personal preference. There is a huge resurgence in the market for antique style light bulbs, and done right, they are cool. Why these vintage style lamps were made in LED is beyond comprehension. Other exposed bulb types in hip and traditional clear fixtures can bring a nice sparkle to a room as as decorative accent, NOT for work lighting or reading (even menus)! My rule of thumb is "a light bulb should never hit you in the eye". I cannot stress enough the importance of the right light bulb in the right fixture by design.

I have neighbors with those clear pillar lights for lighting outdoors. The big box stores are full of them. When I drive past this house on the way home, it nearly blinds me. It creates disharmony. It is not beautiful, it is offensive to my eye and my psyche. I would close my eyes going by if it weren't unsafe.

Well designed, proper lighting creates an experience, subliminal or otherwise. If you are not glaringly aware of lighting in a room after you appreciate the ambiance, a good designer was at work.

I love them! I'm sure we're going to look back in thirty years and be like oh yes *that* trend, but for now they're great!