Target recently sent me the Thomas O'Brien Small Crackle Glass Lamp ($29.99), which is part of O'Brien's "Vintage Modern" line for Target's 2008 Fall Home Collection. When it comes to luminaries, I don't take things lightly. I have a mild obsession with light fixtures, and I like to have an eclectic mix of lamps, sconces, pendants, chandeliers, and candles in my home. So lampies, to make it past my front door, you've got to be pretty spiffy. Did this Crackle Glass Lamp pass my test? Find out when you read more.

When the table lamp arrived at my desk, I wasn't keen on the color of the shade. I thought perhaps I'd switch it out, or embroider it to give it a little face-lift. But as it turns out, the greenish brown color is quite versatile. It's not a statement piece, so the color does a good job of blending in. Anything fussier would compete with the base. The juxtaposition of the traditional empire shade and the modern crackled glass ball base certainly lives up to its "vintage modern" moniker, but I think actually a drum shade would look more appropriate. Overall, I think for a small lamp, this one has a great price. It's a bit ambiguous in style (traditional? modern?), so I think it would work well as a filler lamp in most homes for whatever dim corner is in need of a bit of light.