Necessities: Sculptural Pendant Lights

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Bold or delicate, alone or in multiples, these sculptural pendants double as functional task lighting and cool contemporary art.

One-of-a-kind Paper Acorn chandelier, starting at $200, paperacorn.net
One-of-a-kind Paper Acorn chandelier,
starting at $200, paperacorn.net

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

1.Pyramid Scheme
Jessica Wolf creates custom stationery and small event favors, but intricate light fixtures are her other specialty. So is patience: For this piece, she cut, folded, and tied 372 individual paper pyramids to the 48 hanging strands suspended from the hand-constructed base.

Moooi Random light pendant, $1,324 for medium, Voltage, volt agefurniture.com
Moooi Random light pendant, $1,324 for medium, Voltage, voltagefurniture.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

2. String Theory
This lightweight sphere, which seems to float around its bulb, began with Dutch designer Bertjan Pot randomly wrapping epoxy-dipped fiberglass around a large balloon.

1970s chandelier, $950, Mainly Art, mainlyart.com
1970s chandelier, $950, Mainly Art, mainlyart.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

3. Pop Culture
It took approximately 130 cases of beer to create this folk art chandelier made of pop-top pulls. We’ll call that drinking for a cause.

Four Hands Little Black Pendant, $150, Bromwell’s, bromwells.com
Four Hands Little Black Pendant, $150, Bromwell’s, bromwells.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

4. Black Magic
A no-nonsense matte-black finish contrasts with the warm golden glow, courtesy of a clever metallic interior.

LBL Kendall Line Voltage pendant, $450, Switch Lighting & Design
LBL Kendall Line Voltage pendant, $450, Switch Lighting & Design

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

5. Orange Crush
Color inside the (sleek, modern) lines. These brightly colored glass lights are hand-blown by artists in Poland.

Chrome vintage reproduction Sputnik chandelier, $2,400, Quince & Quinn, qandqhome.com
Chrome vintage reproduction Sputnik chandelier, $2,400, Quince & Quinn, qandqhome.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

6. Space Jam
The infant stages of space exploration affected earthly enterprise too: 1950s-era designers catered to society’s interest in exploring the final frontier with their work.

Uttermost Majano three-light pendant, $378, HighStreet, highstreetcincinnati.com
Uttermost Majano three-light pendant, $378, HighStreet, highstreetcincinnati.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

7. New Age
It would be easy for a 22-sided pierced-metal figure to feel harsh. But some heavy burnishing adds depth and keeps things organic.

Big Mobile Light, $2,000, andrewneyer.com
Big Mobile Light, $2,000, andrewneyer.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

8. Mobile Plan
No age limit here. Play with the rotating arms of local designer Andrew Neyer’s mobile light—the widths and tiers can be customized to your liking.

Saucer pendant, $300, Astute Furnishings, astutefurnishings.com
Saucer pendant, $300, Astute Furnishings, astutefurnishings.com

Photograph by Anna Jones/OMS

9. Hanging Saucer
Designed in 1947 and part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, Bubble Lamps are still handcrafted in Michigan using George Nelson’s original design.

Originally published in the May 2015 issue.

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