This lamp is very nice. The black and gold metal of the base looks very classy and the base is a sturdy weight. Note that once you extend the top length of the lamp pole, it’s not easy to push it back down. The shade of the lamp is a nice modern shape. I used a yellow light bulb for softer lighting, but I’m sure with a clear bulb it would produce a nice bright white light. The light shining through shows a bit of waviness in the shade, but it’s very minimal.