Present yourself in a good light

Designer lamps spruce up a workspace and make a statement of taste to clients and co-workers

WELLESLEY - We've seen the light. Lights, actually.

No frosted glass or solid cherry or laminated particle board cubicle desk is complete without the perfect lamp. It helps you see, and it sends a statement to clients and superiors about who you are and what your tastes are.

Too often, it shows you're willing to spend $20 at an office-supply store, but the Globe decided to test six designer desk lamps to give you some ideas for sprucing up your workspace.

Our test was Neena's Lighting on Central Street in Wellesley. Neena's is to designer lighting what Costco is to bulk foods and Best Buy is to DVDs. They have thousands of lamps, lights, and chandeliers ranging from $100 to over $15,000.

We tested a functional Artemide Tizio Classic drafting lamp at $386, a sleek, minimalist Holtkotter Bernie Series 6444 at $452, a funky yellow Rotaliana Luxy T1 at $511, a Champagne-finished Holtkotter No. 6243 at $588, the statuesque Holtkotter 6514 at $375, and the Artemide Castore at $218.

We fell in love with the matte black Artemide Tizio Classic drafting lamp. It's so functional and useful. When we're sketching something out, designing a logo on the screen, or writing out notes, it's invaluable having a lamp you can swing around, tilt, turn, and manipulate, focusing light wherever you need it.

This is the perfect lamp for this purpose.

The Luxy T1 is a quirky choice. The yellow and other brightly colored shade options add a creative I-don't-know-what to your workspace. But at $511, it's a big price to pay for a very simple design.

Some lamps did stand out more than others. These are all classy, artistic, beautiful lamps that would add something to any desk or work surface.

Our expert, store manager Lily Madrigal, was partial to the Holtkotter 6514 for its simple elegance. It is a very modern piece that comes in several metal finishes and shade colors. The dimmer switch lets you add full range to the 100-watt halogen bulb.

"It just is a really beautiful lamp," Madrigal said. "It's slim, bright, and I love it."

All the lamps we tested were either Italian or German manufactured, and that, Madrigal says, is often an easy way to tell a good lamp from a cheap one. As with anything, it pays to turn the knobs and push the buttons, too. If the dimmer knob is self-motivating, it's a good sign. If it's loose and just sort of spins around, it's often bad.

"Customers, they don't come in knowing the brand, but when we show them, they turn them on and they fall in love," Madrigal said. "It feels right, a very good lamp. You get what you pay for."

What it usually comes down to for buyers, however, is the actual light produced, and all of the lamps we tested featured bright halogen bulbs - not the typical light bulb that you find at your local drug store. Madrigal said it gives off the brightest, clearest light.

John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com.

ARTEMIDE TIZIO CLASSIC
$386
Pros: It's superbly functional and sleek. It looks very modern on a desk.
Cons: The lamp felt fragile. We're a little afraid it would break if we squeezed too hard.
Overall: Just a great lamp. The Tizio Classic is the perfect companion for reading, writing, drawing - anywhere you need directed light.

HOLTKOTTER BERNIE SERIES 6444
$452
Pros: It's a minimalist approach to design with maximally effective lighting. It comes in chrome, nickel, or brass. Great reach that can be moved all around.
Cons: It's expensive. You're paying for the name.
Overall: The 6444 is a solid choice for function, beauty, and reliability.

ROTALIANA LUXY T1
$511
Pros: The Italian-designed Luxy T1 adds an Art Deco look. It looks old and Italian, and we like that.
Cons: It's just too expensive. The T1 is a very basic design for $511.
Overall: We can picture this on a fancy European desk with a non-English language newspaper and a cup of espresso. If you can too, then go for it.

HOLTKOTTER 6514
$375
Pros: The 6514 is really a piece of artwork. It has a slim frame that opens up to a wide shade that comes in a variety of colors to match all tastes. It's priced right in the meaty part of the curve.
Cons: Keep the cat, dog, kids, or your clumsy swinging arms away from this piece of art.
Overall: This is a great lamp that puts out just the right amount of light and has a matching floor lamp available to complete the room.

HOLTKOTTER 6243
$588
Pros: Two 60-watt bulbs light up everything around it. The 6243 is a brand new addition, and it's big, sturdy tank of a lamp. Comes in four finishes.
Cons:It's a stationary lamp, more suited for ambient than directional light. It might even be a little too bright for a desk.
Overall: The 6243 is a great table lamp. It's a conservative choice that a lot of users will appreciate.

ARTEMIDE CASTORE
$218
Pros: It looks like a golf ball on a tee and is cheap enough for an awesome gift choice.
Cons: Lighting is not directional. This is more of a conversation piece than a functional lighting choice.
Overall: It's just a cool lamp, and it comes in a bunch of different sizes if you really want to get out of control.