I'm thinking with today's more energy efficient bulbs, you can get a lot of lumens that don't use a lot of wattage, so any fixture might be fine.

I'd look for something that doesn't have a too thick or too dark shade, and doesn't cast unpleasant shadows.

It can be hard to find a sconce that doesn’t project too far from the wall.

I have these in a stairwell, from Rejuvenation Lighting. And in taking this picture, I realized the painters got some paint on the shade last spring! Ha, this is at our beach house where I don’t pay attention to the details so much.

Here are some ideas…

This one is expensive, but really pretty

https://www.horchow.com/p/john-richard-collection-calcite-2-light-wall-sconce-cprod130830017?utm_source=google_shopping&ecid=HCCS_GP_NCXX_XXXX_XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX_XXXXXXXX&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ3vh5L9EVLAlsdmsZ7rp85pV-agJtzWef8pHeEuIruvMDnAMRIHCR0aAjVOEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks, y’all. Sue, nice sconce. Funny about the paint and the things we see when we take a picture of it!

I looked on PB. I like the one below except I think I’d prefer brass, which the description says it comes in but I couldn’t find it anywhere. However, I have a question.

The description says

“15" Sconce accommodates one 10.5W 120 Volt Integrated LED bulb (included).”

What does “integrated LED bulb“ mean? Does that mean it is part of the fixture and cannot be changed if it goes out?

ETA: I googled ”integrated LED bulb” and as I suspected, the lighting mechanism is built in as part of the fixture. So if it goes kaput, the whole fixture has to be replaced!

Id look at Circa lighting?

I have this at the double door entrance to a large guest room downstairs. It’s bigger than you’d think.

Thomas O’Brien for Visual Comfort

I’ve seen it on lots of sites, Perigold is just the first hit that popped up. If you use an LED bulb you can get a lot of light for the wattage rating.

This may surprise you, but I love antique/vintage lighting and a lone sconce is a great opportunity to go find something in a 1930s art deco slip shade...

Too bathroom-y?

Not a bit bathroomy.

Would a picture light give sufficient light? I have a large painting on the adjacent wall that I could shift and put a picture light over.

To give you a feel for the stairway that I’m trying to light: Open the door at the bottom, flip on the light switch. Up 4 or 5 steps, small landing where the light fixture is located, 90 degree turn, and then up another 10 or 11 steps straight into the bedroom. So, a possibility of going up the second run with no light at the top…just whatever light is on the landing which is now behind you.

The (not) too bathroom-y looks like one DD2 added to her staircase. It's very pretty.

FYI our first house came with a full set of stairs to the attic you had to stoop in. When we added a second story MBR suite. We were told a door could not be added at the bottom of the stairs - against code, in case of a fire, because the door bottom was lower than the step.

Allison, I’m so glad to hear that you’ve seen this style sconce in a similar setting.

Interesting how code varies from place to place. There is about the width of a tread between the door and the first step. Perhaps that is what makes the difference. Or it might simply be a difference in jurisdictions. As we both know, ”uniform” codes aren’t uniform.

I like all the suggestions so far.

I’ve been crushing on these:

https://www.rejuvenation.com/catalog/products/wildwood-single-sconce/configurations/old-brass-and-8-opal-ball-shade

https://www.shadesoflight.com/products/mid-century-parlor-sconce?color=Antique+Brass+Black+White+Glass&via=624c8815736964001902ad62%2C624c884173696400190365cc

There’s something about this one (in bronze) that reminds me of an aunt’s house when I was a kid:

https://www.lumens.com/simple-lines-single-wall-sconce-with-water-glass-by-hubbardton-forge-uu114163.html?cgid=505&dwvar_uu114163_AttrValue1=Dark%20Smoke#tileIndex=11

https://www.perigold.com/lighting/pdp/visual-comfort-suzanne-kasler-1-light-wallchiere-vscf2101.html

Jinx, I have the Wildwood fixture as a ceiling light in my bedroom.

Totally impractical but just sharing because it’s cool:

Jinx and Sue, all great suggestions! I had looked at the Foundry one. I like it but I think I’ve determined that I need a fixture with 2 light bulbs and it needs to allow light to shine up and down, similar to the Suzanne Kasler light.

What about this one on lamps plus

I don't have any to offer but am enjoying this thread bc I love sconces or any lighting for that matter! You've rec'vd great recommendations!

bbstx, buy two, put them next to each other and hang one upside down! : )

Would a picture light give sufficient light? yes it could

The double you posted 12 hours ago has long been a fave. So graceful