I bought these for my new bedroom furniture.  They look great with my dark walnut sleigh bed.  The lights base is more black with a light goldish accent on the edges,  The shades are like a tan color canvas material.  It does defuse the light.  The cord is a clear plastic coding.  The light switch is at the neck just below the bulb socket.  It is a single way turn switch not a 3 way.  I find it best to using a 100 watt bulb because the shades tone down the lighting so much for reading in bed.  See photos, first 60 watt cfl, second with a 60 watt led bulb respectively.

Pros: Attractive modern traditional style, heavy weight, long cord
Cons: Single way light switch, defused lighting from shades with a tan overcast