Living with a significant other (or even just a picky roommate) can make decorating decisions a little tricky. Before my boyfriend and I rented an apartment together I ran around painting things willy-nilly, rarely thinking twice about how "girly" my pillows, bedding or chairs were. Fast forward two years and I'm learning to decorate our new apartment in a way that pleases two very different people with very different styles.

So far, we've managed to pick a desk for our home office with relative ease. Lighting was another issue. Here's what we found on our quest for a lamp that's stylish and modern without being too feminine. If some feel too pricey, I've compiled a companion guide for lamps under or around $100 right here. Enjoy!

Lamp shown: Brushed aluminum lamp base, $77 at Rockett St. George

 
Metallics are so popular right now, both in fashion and home design, so I started with silver and gold. These shiny silver lamps add a little shimmer without going overboard with glitter or crystal. From left to right: Miss K Lamp ($228 at DWR.com), Celestial Lamp ($288 at Chiasso.com), Orten'zia lamp ($455 at YLighting.com, Bourgie Lamp ($328 at MomaStore.org. (This last is made of clear plastic, but has a lovely silver sheen.)
 
 
Silver not your thing? How about something earthier? I loved the loopy copper lamp, far right, from Anthropologie, but the more traditional styles were a better fit for our home. From left to right: Dorado Lamp ($745 at Gumps.com), Tiny Terry Lamp ($160 at CircaLighting.com), Miss K Lamp ($229 at ConranUSA.com), Copper Horn Lamp ($398 at Anthropologie.com).
 
 
Wood or wood detailing always have a simplicity and grace that never goes out of style. I've chosen some of my favorite wooden (or faux wood) lamps on the next slide, but this would have to be my absolute favorite (and one of the few lamps about which my boyfriend and I agree): the Cesta Table Lamp ($1375 at YLighting.com).
 
 
Wood can really warm up a room. Here are some more of my favorites from left to right: Acacia Table Lamp ($128 at Anthropologie.com), Woodworker Lamp (Faux wood, $128 at Anthropologie.com), Tripod Lamp ($210 at CircaLighting.com), Legna Table Lamp ($250 at JefDesigns.com).
 
 
 
Jet-black clothing and accessories were all over the fashion collections this fall. No wonder home design is leaning towards black again. These sleek noir numbers take part in the trend without getting carried away. Clockwise from far left: Bel Air Lamp ($695 at JonathanAdler.com), Coupe Lamp ($625 at Nova68.com), Fold Lamp ($250 at MomaStore.org), Black Table Lamp ($200 at ShadesOfLight.com), Wilton Lamp ($249 at ), Spun T1 Lamp ($844 at DWR.com), Meurice Lamp ($245 at JaysonHome-Garden.com).
 
 
At the other end of the spectrum from black is this vibrant lampshade or colorful base, an easy way to add a pop of color (or accent existing colors) to a room. The next two slides are bursting with colorful, pattern-filled lamps so I hope they'll be helpful if you like a little color in your room.

Lamp shown: WeeGee Table Lamp, $110 at DesignPublic.com
 
 
These lamps are sure to brighten your day. Clockwise from top left: Versailles Light ($475 at CottageandBungalow.com), Red Light District Lamp ($400 at MatterMatters.com), Flavia Del Pra Lamp ($548 at Anthropologie.com), Miss K in Yellow ($228 at MossOnline.com), Thomas Paul Flock Lamp ($248 at 2Modern.com), Nesso Lamp ($336 at UnicaHome.com), Oasis Lamp ($425 at JaysonHome-Garden.com), Root Lamp ($450 at StonegateDesigns.com) .
 
 
More colorful options, clockwise from top left: Signal Lamp ($450 at ConranUSA.com), Thomas Paul Star Light ($198 at 2modern.com), Thomas Paul Bird lamp ($298 at 2modern.com), Mibo Table Lamps ($198 each at DesignPublic.com), Bellweather Lamp ($359 at CottageandBungalow.com).
 
 

I've saved the wildest lamps for last. All of them are personal favorites of mine that I wouldn't recommend for those who want their lamps to blend in. Whimsically shaped bases can be both nostalgic (I always associate shapes like this with a balloon-base lamp I had as a child) and modern at the same time. Here are a few modern takes on the sculptural base look.

Top row left to right: Carlos Light ($160 at UnicaHome.com), Wilderness Lamp ($1024 at DesignPublic.com), Antler Table Light ($270 at ShowLifestyle.com). Bottom row, left to right: Lily Table Lamp ($565 at MomaStore.org), Emily Lamp ($588 at StonegateDesigns.com), Owl Lamp ($165 at JaysonHome-Garden.com).

 

Last but not least, this table lamp from Ochre was the one design I had a hard time letting go. It was a bit out of our price range but this is a piece I'll definitely be saving up for one day- Ochre's Artic Pear Table Lamp, available through Ochre NYC. (Price available upon request)