These lamps are just as pictured.  Finding the right brightness of lightbulbs will be important depending if you want a soft glow to your room or one that is brighter.  We find we have to tuck these in corners of the room because the clear glass makes the glaring light hurt our eyes if they are in more direct areas of travel in our living room.  The lights turn on/off with a step switch attached to the electrical cord.  In a carpeted area, they are a bit wobbly than on a wood floor surface.