scarbowcow I can't believe I'm the first to say that I'm SCARED by a floor lamp in a wet place like a bathroom. I'd be afraid to touch it. Wall sconces, maybe. And not an upholstered chair so close to a water source - especially with kids splashing around nearby. That last picture is pure fiction.

Rough Linen Love all the ottomen too, they are essential - and a throw, and little table exactly to hand.

homefluffyhome That Orla Kiely wallpaper is fantastic!

I just blogged about some seriously stylish book ends - the best gift for any book lover this christmas: http://homefluffyhome.blog.com/2012/11/13/best-ever-bookends/#

agastacia Thank you for all the wonderful ideas you expose us to!
I have a request that involves lighting while reading in bed. I have night stands on either
side of my bed with fairly large lamps that have 3-way light bulbs. I find this unsatisfactory
as I want the light to be less diffused and more directed to what I am reading. I read late
into the night and sometimes fall asleep sitting up so, It would be an advantage for me
to have a cheaper, more effective light. I have tried at least 4 to six book lights, for one
reason or another they are not adequate.
Also, I have looked for desk lamps that can be swiveled or extended, no luck.
I would appreciate and consider any suggestions.
Thank you.
Maggie Popham
(agastacia)

olldbobbi Give me a cozy chair and a good book over cleaning a bathroom any day! I think it would be nice if the table/floor lamp combination could find it's way back into design, they're such an efficient use of space without fear of knocking a lamp over, and I'm sure can be made more attractive than the old style was.

lisatmaddox Sorry but the wallpaper in the "room for Manhattan mom" is just hideous! How anyone could think that was relaxing is beyond me!

Cathy Lara @lisatmaddox, To appreciate the room, I think we need to keep in mind that the chair actually faces out into a view of midtown Manhattan. So when you're chillaxin' in the chair, you're looking out into the view and not necessarily around the room.

But I think even they (client and designer) realize that it's a pattern heavy room; the client loves pattern and color!

dcer @Scarbowcow- But a nice fantasy room, right? :)

appytrails Agastacia - We installed a one piece tract with two lights on the wall over the bed.The lamps have small goosenecks that can be directed exactly where you need it when reading in bed. Ours have dimmer switches, and the highest power is quite bright.There are many of these types on the market and they really solve the problem of no eye strain when reading for long periods in bed.
Regarding some of the photos of "reading" iights... I have never found that lamps that project light towards the ceiling work for reading. Maybe it's these old eyes, but I need focused, directed light on the page.

patricia beharry I would not put an upholstered chair next to a bathtub either if there are kids in the home. But we don't all have kids in our homes, or they sometimes have their own bathrooms.

richardparker I am a serious reader and the light with the oversized reading chair does not look like great light for reading; it's basically a torchiere, right? And the light for the Manhattan Mom would throw shadows on the book. Form must follow function when it comes to your eyes! Although the chair and ottoman next to the tub are gorgeous, they look like realtor staging, especially with the pink nightie reflection.

Shelter 7 Always nice to have a comfy chair and some light while reading.

j0dy Love the big over size modern chair in the bedroom. Looks so comfy.

frenchdecor expected something innovative to suit any design style, but all those lamps are ether not good enough for reading or contemporary. Agree with scarbowcow, I wouldn't dare to put floor lamp in the bathroom, perhaps it's not safe and it is not place for reading hours, maybe brief scanning through magazine.

Shelter 7 Well aimed and directed light should be sufficient for reading, also keep in mind that iPads don't need any light. I disagree with the comments regarding the last picture. It is far from fiction. Imagine that you don't have kids, not everyone has them! Also, many people read in the bath, so if that person is able to not get their book wet, then I'm sure they would be careful of the upholstered chair. Manhattan Mom's lamp may seem misplaced for reading, but notice the recessed lights above chair which would create plenty of lighting.

frenchdecor I have to say it looked to me staged or exaggerated, too. Not that adults can't have such a beautiful bathroom, I imagine how wonderful must be the rest of the house, but comment: " The couple...allowing you to read a few pages while the kids splash around nearby" made me think "splashing kids" are too young to read nearby them (books look rather not for kids), hard to believe if you have had kids. But the point is the article is about lighting and it looks not safe.

olldroo shelter 7 - if you don't have kids, why would you read in the bathroom?? In the bath maybe but if you did have kids there is no way you would have any peace to read.

Sorry Cathy, I think this one missed the mark. Loved the first one though, very elegant though my old eyes would probably need a more direct light.

zanzi1 I don't like uplighting for reading, but the others are great.