How to save 11,644.07 on a designer lighting fixture!

My wife and I posted almost exactly a year ago a request for ideas on how we could recreate the chandler pictured. We got mostly comments on how amazed people were that a light could cost almost 12K! In the past year we have worked hard remodeling our 1880 home to a modern contempory dwelling. So after a year we came full circle and were staring at our small dining room. We really wanted that light. Of course you know the economy being what it is, and well, we wouldn't have the money to buy this light in 3 liftimes. So, I contructed it myself. I have left out the details on the electrical wiring, I consulted my electricion friend and would advise you to do the same. FYI, its basic electrical work but I don't want you coming at me if you burn down your house. I hope you enjoy this. I'm excited to show off my work!

Step 1 The Goods

Ok. Once again IKEA pulls through with the Hemma light. We chose to go with 7 bulbs on our light since our dining room is not that large. The silver "cups" which cover the sockets were easy to find on the internet. The "canopy," which covers the wiring in the ceiling, I salvaged from an old lid to a dog container. The ring... It was the hardest thing to find for the lamp. I have to get points for imagination on this one. All I can say is if you visit an adult novelties store and look, you'll find what I used.

Comments

[ClarissaMark]

Where on the internet did you find the silver cups? thats the only thing I can't find.

[lbranscombe]

hey there.. maybe I missed it, but I am pretty sure I looked at every one of your slides - how do you connect ALL of the wires to the single electrical box? (pardon my non-electrician terms).

If i were to remove a ceiling light from my house there would be a place to connect two wires - not 16..

[piaferre]

Here's an awesome 2nd option, enjoy.

[mrwd40]

is there an instructable for the fixture in your picture?

[HeidiJJJJ]

If you make this version you can use these...

www.bluelounge.com/cabledrop.php

[brandon9271]

I'm probably the only person on Earth that thinks those Cabledrops looks slightly obscene :)

[wufeisgirl]

No... No, you're not. *GRIN*

[brandon9271]

They should've been called CableToes.  lol

[brandon9271]

It looks like a camel's err.. hoof :)

[Foxtrot70]

I really had not thought of the item looking like that...but then I have just awaken for the day!

[eoutlaw]

This is very nice.  Is there an Instructable for this version?

[scott!]

That looks good!

[daftpusher]

Ooohh...nice! :o)

[Anathema_Herem]

Wow. That's freakin' awesome.

[alahti]

Where did you find the chrome cups? I did a quick google search and I only get bad wall sconces. EEK. Overall, I have to say you have done the design justice!

[edwinston14]

http://www.grandbrass.com/catalog.cfm?category=Cups&subcategory=Stamped%20Cups

[HannaO]

I love those bookshelves but can't find the instructable for it. :(

[edwinston14]

Pick one! I can't find the one we used, lot's of others have posted after the orginal.

http://www.instructables.com/pages/search/search.jsp?cx=partner-pub-1783560022203827%3Anpr2q7v5m6t&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=invisable+book+shelf

[HannaO]

Ah, I just realized your photo sideways - now it makes sense! I kept looking for shelves where the books would be upright. Thanks!

[edwinston14]

I already figured out how to make your idea come to life! Love it?

[polar bear6]

i think this instructable should be called "How to make 11,644.07 magically apear in your hands from nothing"

[edwinston14]

If you make that money appear and post how to do it on here. You'll have the number one instructable! EVER!!

[Valche]

Could someone PLEASE direct me to anyone with information on how to do the wiring for this? I'm working on something similar in my apartment but I refuse to risk anything by going about this uninformed, so I need as much help as possible.

[hogthrob]

http://www.thelightbulbshop.co.uk/Shop/B22BayonetCap/Product/30945/MLEDBulb/MASTERLEDBulb.aspx these phillips bulbs are the most similar off the shelf bulbs I could find they are 6-7 W each Part of the aesthetic of the original is the big clear glass bulbs and the elements inside which you dont get with led or cfl bulbs however, I thought the detail on the cup around the bulb made up a little in aesthetic . They are smaller then the original bulbs but then you can have 10 bulbs for the same power consideration of 1 incandescent bulb. and they are dim-able down to 10% or about 35 lumens.

[EdurusFas]

edwinston14,

I'm not sure if this would work - or if it would be green - but here is an idea.  As already mentioned - a dimmer switch -- then maybe see if the same type of LED bulbs used for car's headlights could be modded to fit into the fixtures?  I don't know the specs for those type lights - but if I'm not mistaken, the highest voltage for the bulbs would be approx 12 volts.

Good Luck!

P.s.  Very clever saving a LOT of money on the fixture.  Kudos to you! :)

[lasersage]

if you had an even number of bulbs you could put pairs in series.
Wiring all 7 in parallel gives each bulb the full voltage, but if each pair was in series you'd have half the voltage.
It'd be like permanently dimming it by half (assuming lux falls off with voltage uniformly).
It'd probably make the filaments last forever and you'd still get to use those cool giant bulbs but at only half the wattage.
If that's still too bright and power thirsty you could always put three in series but that might be getting too dim.
Just an idea, speak to your electrician if you're uncertain.

[Combine Clite]

Nice

[JohnJY]

 Could you do this to hook up 1,369 filament light bulbs to your roof?

[boarder2k7]

One addendum to your instructions.... Don't cut the cord that close to the plugs!! Leave yourself a couple feet and toss them in a drawer to use for a different project when you need a plug!

[Morganbarker]

(removed by author or community request)

[kiaas]

You seem to not consider the possibility of -replacing the entire cord- with it, which really should work just fine..assuming the requirements of the application are about the same.

[YAMAHAMMER]

NOW THATS THINKIN! LOL

[boarder2k7]

haha I always end up needing those plug ends for something, and I never have them around when I need them....

[pirateaboard]

If you want to make it eco-friendly I'd recommend using LEDs.  I attached a picture of a few light bulbs that I installed LEDs inside of.  I broke the back off of the bulb and put a warm white 1/2W 10mm LED inside of each.  If it was used for lighting a room (as opposed to accent lighting) then I'd go for a 1W LED and build a larger bundle.

[tommywiles]

i'm trying to recreate this but i cannot loosen the nut that you mention. It looks easy but it isn't working at all. Can you eleborate on this step? Is it a snap or a twist?

[edwinston14]

It is a twist. I think I had to use the pliers; could not start them by hand.

[jacob2die4]

i would recommend hanging them with weights and heat them a bit with a blowdryer, that should do the trick and would take about 20mins

[edwinston14]

Thanks for the tip. My electrician said I run the risk of damaging the wire inside with weights but have seen it used by may other people.

[ttrruu]

I love this lamp! I've also seen the original in mags and was wondering how to put it together at a reasonable (do-able?) price. I'm thankful for all the artistic talent that there is out there, and I want to support them, but I've limited means for the time being.

I noticed you mentioned you wanted to use red cloth wire. I live in Europe where we have 'Habitat' stores which sell it (http://www.habitat.net/pws/landing.html) so for those of you in one of the lucky countries you could always try there.

Again, congrats on the great solution!

[icarlson1234]

I wanna do this!! i cant find those silver socket cups though! I googled "lamp parts" but still not working for me. Could you provide the site you got them from or a direct link would be perfect. Thanks so much