Downsizing: Making Big Inspiration Doable
Downsizing. This is something that is typically done when the last kid is off to college never to return again. However in the lighting and design world we are often faced with the challenge of downsizing big inspiration into a size appropriate DIY projects. Recently we have been on the road at various trade shows across the country. If you saw us at the NY Now Winter Market, you may have seen this stunning and dramatic custom fixture hanging 14 feet above our booth.
This stunner is a hand made creation from Color Cord Custom. The custom 9-port canopy is made from a white washed ash wood and is trimmed with a blackened steel band. This fixture was designed with our newest shade offerings in mind, the Petite and Tall fabric shades, and to a be a large and dramatic cluster that gives of soft diffused light. Since white and gray were our shade colors, our fabric wire colors of choice were Gray Tweed, White & Gray Dot and Yellow Gold. These colors together make for a bold and textural light fixture. This absurdly tall fixture may not be practical to hang in your entry way or hang over your dining room table - unless your dining room table happens to be in the Taj Mahal or a Las Vegas casino. 
It is absolutely possible to make a smaller more manageable version inspired by a large and extravagant light fixture. With Color Cord Company standard parts and some creative thinking you can achieve a downsized fixture for your home. And the results are just as spectacular as the original!
Our 5-port ceiling canopy is a great foundation for a bold light fixture. Five individual lights is not too far off from nine, but is far more suitable for your dining room. The cluster of shades was reduced to 5, but still has the same large appearance as our inspiration fixture. Wiring the fixture is totally achievable for those who are DIY inclined, otherwise a certified electrician would be more than happy to assemble the fixture for you! Each of our pendants measured 6' in over all length (not including the shade).
The large knots seen in both fixtures are an easy way to bring some drama to your fixture. By simply gathering all pendants and tying them in a simple overhand knot, you too can replicate this look. 
We used the following components for our downsized fixture:
- 1x 5-Port Ceiling Canopy in White
- 12x Gray Tweed Fabric Wire
- 6x Yellow Gold Fabric Wire
- 12x White & Gray Dot Fabric Wire
- 10x Barrel Cord Grip in Clear
- 5x Standard Socket w/ Ring in Ivory
- 2x Gray Metal Socket Cover
- 3x White Metal Socket Cover
- 1x Tall Fabric Shade Gray
- 1x Tall Fabric Shade White
- 1x Petite Fabric Shade Gray
- 2x Petite Fabric Shade White
- 5x Joule Bulb
