Walter von Nessen (and Inspired) Mushroom Lamps

I used a pair of mushroom lamps recently in our guest room. I like the 60s/70s style they bring to the space, taking it a little more mod than the rest of the house.

They were inspired by the Walter von Nessen NT1037 mushroom table lamp, which featured solid brass construction and a choice of finishes (brass, chrome, nickel, enamel paint, and a plastic dome). Besides the obvious differences in finishes and silhouette, the Nessen lamps were also a larger in scale at 27″ tall and 16″ in diameter. You can still find vintage originals via 1st Dibs or Chairish.

There are several lamps drawing inspiration from those original mushroom lamps on the market right now though, in addition to the pair I picked up. Here’s how they compare.
 

 

• Threshold Metal Table Lamp, Target — $42.99
  The base column is much thicker than the others, and it’s made of a base metal with a brassy gold finish on the outside. 20″ tall, 13.5″ in diameter. Also available with a light bulb for a few dollars more.

• Tiered Shade Table Lamp, West Elm — $149
  The tiers pull inspiration from Art Deco fixtures and the column is very slender. Also made of a base metal with a faux antique brass finish. 20″ tall, 17″ in diameter.

• Sidnie Lamp, Schoolhouse Electric — $449
  Made of natural brass with a painted steel base, and designed with thoughtful details like a cloth-covered cord and more finished interior with rotary switch. 19.5″ tall, 12″ in diameter. Also available in white or royal blue for $299.

Real talk, the Target lamps are fine, but the thicker base and connection between the base and shade are not my favorite. They’re also lightweight and easily tipped over, but the price was right and they were for a guest room that mostly hosts the kids’ occasional sleepovers. If I were buying them for a different spot where we’d see and use them all the time, I would have invested in the far lovelier version from Schoolhouse Electric. I even prefer their styling over the Nessen originals.

Which is your favorite? And if the answer is different (as it was in my case), which would you buy?