This post is in no way sponsored by Creative Cables. We simply want to share the tip with our amazing SimplyMakers!
Lamps are to your decor what shoes are to your outfit; the extra little detail that makes all the difference. We LOVE lamps and in this post will share our best tips for hanging your favorite lamp and inspiration for choosing a hanging lamp, if you, like us, want to make a little extra out of the lighting in your home.
Design your own lamps with Creative Cables
In our search for the perfect lamp solutions, we came across Creative Cables. The Italian brand are experts in small components such as cables, sockets and rosettes, but also have a huge selection of lamps, both indoors and outdoors. Most of their products are produced locally, in northern Italy. With Creative Cables, you have the freedom to design your suspension - or lamp - from start to finish. Regardless of whether you are into classic, simple or crazy about colors, Creative Cables most likely has a solution for you. See just some of the many fine products we have collected in the gallery below.
Step-by-step guide to hanging your own lamps
Our co-founder Maj had a wish for a large ceiling lamp in rice paper above her dining table. The challenge was that there were no power outlets in this part of her living room and she did not want a wire across the living room. She therefore had to think outside the box, and this is where Creative Cables comes into the picture. With a combination of the products below, she was able to create a beautiful and functional suspension.
In Maj's case, she uses Philips Hue and could therefore ditch the switch, but if you want the same solution without smartlights, you must remember to order a switch as well.
STEP 1: THE PERFECT PLACEMENT
The first step is to find out where you want your lamp to hang. Maj wanted the lamp to hang in the middle of the table. The easiest way to find the correct location is to use a laser meter or cross laser, by placing it exactly in the center of the table and marking the laser's location on the ceiling. If you don't have a laser meter, you can instead measure with a ruler. The last option is to simply use eye measurements to assess where your lamp should be hung. This is easiest to do if you have a sweet SimplyMaker buddy to help you. A good tip is to step back a bit, so you can more easily assess whether the placement looks correct. If you do that, you can mark where to drill.
STEP 2: MEASURING THE CORD
Once you have marked where your suspension should be, measure how much wire you will need. In our example, we have first measured from the socket up to the ceiling, then we have measured the distance from the wall to where the suspension is to be placed. Finally, we have measured from the location of the suspension down to where we want the socket/lamp to hang. It is a matter of taste how far down you want your lamp to hang, but a good rule of thumb is that large lamps should hang 60-75 cm above the table from the bottom edge of the lamp. Small lamps, on the other hand, must hang between 55-65 cm above the table from the bottom edge of the lamp.
When you have measured all the lengths, these must be added together, in this example the total measurement will be: 254 + 120 + 30 = 404 cm. We have rounded down to 400 cm, as the suspension and socket add a few cm, but you should only do this if you are sure you have enough cord. Better too much than too little, you can always shorten your cord.
STEP 3: ASSEMBLY OF SUSPENSION
It is actually not as difficult to install a lamp as you might first think. You just need to make sure you have a drill that can drill into your ceiling. Maj lives in a concrete building, which is why she has to use a hammer drill, but if you have a plaster ceiling, for example, an ordinary drill is fine for the purpose.
Once the hole has been drilled, drive the included rawplug into the ceiling. You can now screw your decentraliser into the ceiling with an ordinary screwdriver. Add another decentralizer in the same manner as the first in the ceiling above the outlet so that your wire can run neatly along the wall down to your outlet. See the process below:
STEP 4: ADD A PLUG AND SOCKET
Start by running your cord through your decentraliser(s) before fitting the plug and socket.
When you have to install the plug, you start by taking it apart completely. Next, you lead the cable through the opening and mount the the blue and the brown wire into each 'socket' using the small screws as shown below. Finally, you reassemble your plug and it is ready for use.
Now all you have to do is mount the socket. Start by taking it apart and run the wire through the outer part. After that, you mount the the blue and brown wire using the small screws. Blue shell in N and brown shell in L. Reassemble the socket and VOILA! You can now put a light bulb in 💡
STEP 5: HANGING YOUR LAMPSHADE
Once the bulb is mounted, you can hang up your lampshade. Our co-founder Maj has chosen this lamp in rice paper from HAY, which, together with an E27 bulb from Philips Hue, provides a cozy and pleasant light in her living room.
We hope this guide has given you inspiration and courage to start your next lamp project. If it does, please tag us on Instagram or use our hashtag #simplymaker so we can see and share your result! 🛠
Comments