D.I.Y. Bare Bulb Deconstruction

3/27/2015

Yes, these fabulous lights are stripped bare right down to their skeleton wire frames, twisted cloth cords and bare bulbs. Yet, surprisingly these lighting fixtures have more character, style and charm in their little pink pull chains than most have in their entire lighting kit.

Vintage Revivals, SIMPLE DIY COPPER PENDANT LIGHTS

I found this comprehensive step-by-step instruction for creating your own deconstructed lighting fixture on Vintage Revivals. They illustrate how you can take an unattractive shade found in your grandmothers attic, thrift shop or lighting shop and turn it into a functioning piece of art.

The cost involved are minimal, especially when compared to those for purchase D.B.O. (done-by-others). Estimated cost for the copper shade style demonstrated in this tutorial would be about $30-60 including the vintage, filament light bulb.

One technical thing I'd like to shed some light on is the light bulb ban by the EISA. Last year I designed and had installed custom lighting in a restaurant that spanned over thirty feet and consisted of 27 Vintage Edison bulbs. After I presented this design, there was a lot of concern about using this style due to the light bulb ban that was happening. After significant research we discovered that these special Vintage Edison bulbs were one of many styles to be exempt from the ban. (For the record, they are also coated as required by law when hanging over a commercial food prep area. Coated bulbs are also exempt from the ban.) There are several other types of exempt from this list, including the Vintage Edison bulb. An article from January 2014, written by 1000.bulbs (another great source for vintage bulbs) explains things in plain English. See the last group of exempt bulbs at the very end of the article for confirmation.

Vintage Revivals, SIMPLE DIY COPPER PENDANT LIGHTS

Snake Head Vintage, Custom Lighting & Electrical Supplies

If you like one, you'll love several. Try repeating a number of minimalistic pendants for a major statement.

This wire lamp shade technique easily lends itself to a table lamp.

Wanting something more whimsical, not grungy? Accessorize the cord with colorful or stained wooden beads.

Going for something absolutely fabulous? Then you must have this crystal bare bulb by British designer Lee Bloom. Lightology, $248 (each)

D.B.O. Bare Bulb Lighting

It's clear that you can create just about any look with the bare bulb, whether it be fun and corky or ultra swanky. The same goes for purchasing something D.B.O. (done-by-others) right from the catalog of your favorite brand's website.

Everywhere from Etsy to Anthropologie offer this still brightly trending, fixture style at every price point.