A Guide to Our Cords & Finishes

A Guide to Our Cords & Finishes

At The Light Factory, bespoke lighting is what we're all about. We customize the bubble finish, cord option, hardware finish, and overall height for each and every client. And we love it! It's so fun to see the different combinations you create, and how the finishes come together to form the bubble chandelier of your dreams: a one-of-a-kind, custom lighting design that's tailor-made for your space! Bespoke chandeliers are special because they're unique to you...and you get to be part of the design process. But of course, that also means they take a little more time than just grabbing some contemporary lighting off-the-shelf. Design is in the details, so it's absolutely worth taking the time to go over all your options. Which hardware finish do you love? Which bubble finish do you want? And which cord finish is best for your home? While there aren't necessarily any "right" (or wrong) answers, we hope this guide will be helpful in deciding what finishes are right for you. And if you're still unsure, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to work with you one-on-one to create the perfect light fixture for your space and taste!


 

Our Bubble Finishes

First, let's start with the bubble finishes! Think about the vibe of the room you're designing, the color scheme you're using, and whether you want your lighting to be a supporting player or the star of the show. Some of our bubble finishes are more soft and subtle, while others will make a big statement. With custom lighting design, you get to decide what you want!

Clear: Clean and classic, clear is our most popular bubble finish and The Light Factory original.

Frosted: Our frosted glass finish blurs the light which passes through, giving a soft glow without diminishing the wattage. Each bubble is individually hand-frosted.

Blush: A blush blown glass bubble chandelier makes a soft and subtle statement, with a delicate wash of whimsical pink.

Iridescent: This dreamy, ethereal finish radiates light through iridescent blown glass bubbles.

Jade: Our jade bubble finish adds a saturated punch of bright green, for a bold and playful look.

Ocean: If you love a saturated blue, our ocean bubble light fixture is a confident choice that makes a beautiful statement.

Skylight: Skylight glass bubbles are perfect for a coastal space, or anywhere that could use a soft touch of aquamarine blue.

Smoke: A smoke glass bubble light fixture is a modern, sophisticated choice with its translucent, dark grey blue finish.

Sunshine: Add a little sunshine to your home with pendant lighting in our bright, sunshine yellow finish.

Violet: Translucent violet bubbles are finished with a soft wash of purple, for a light and whimsical touch of color.

Chrome: A Space Age addition to our bubble chandelier line, our shiny chrome bubble finish makes a fabulous, modern statement.

And if you just can't decide between a few different finishes, we can also mix your favorites! That's the beauty of custom lighting.

 

Our Hardware & Canopy Finishes

Next up, it's time to choose the hardware & canopy finish. Look around at the metals that you already have in the room, such as cabinet hardware, mirrors, and faucets. If you don't necessarily want to match, we love the look of mixing metals! Just make sure to choose something that's different enough that it looks intentional (for example, two brass finishes that don't match will look accidental; instead, try brass + black). In addition, think about the overall aesthetics of your house. Brass is warmer and fits well with vintage/traditional homes. Brushed nickel is cooler, but its matte surface also mixes well with older homes. Polished nickel leans more contemporary, while white and black have a decidedly modern feel. You'll also want to think about the bubble finish you've selected and how the hardware finish will play with it (especially if you've chosen a colorful bubble finish).

Lastly, consider the care that each finish will require (below) and determine if it's a good fit for you.

Black: Extremely durable, our black powder coated paint finish comes with a velvety matte sheen. Using a clean microfiber cloth, wipe clean with warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Avoid using any harsh abrasive cleaners to clean this finish.

Brass: Our unlacquered solid brass is a hand-polished living finish that will gradually develop a rich color and exquisite patina. To maintain, lightly dust with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. To remove any patina or add shine, use a brass cleaner as directed. We recommend Brasso.

Brushed Nickel: Brushed nickel fixtures have a matte surface, giving them the charm of antique fixtures but the functionality of new ones. Wipe finish clean with a soft, damp rag or microfiber cloth. Do not use glass or hard-surface cleaners that contain alcohol or ammonia to clean brushed nickel.

Polished Nickel: Polished nickel is a living finish with a mirror-like reflection, and warmer in tone than it's chrome cousin. Dust with clean and dry microfiber cloth. Avoid using any harsh cleaners, we recommend Wenol Metal Polish.

White: Extremely durable, our white powder coated paint finish has a velvety satin sheen. Using a clean microfiber cloth, wipe clean with warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Avoid using any harsh abrasive cleaners to clean this finish.

 

Our Cord Finishes

The last detail to decide on is your cord finish! For a casual or coastal space, our knotted jute rope or cotton rope are great choices to add texture. If you're designing for a room that gets high humidity, leather cord is a great choice as it is naturally water resistant and treated. Our leather cord has a sleek look that works well for modern light fixtures and a variety of design styles.

Jute Rope: Natural fibers look great in a bohemian space. We love the juxtaposition of our chunky, textural jute rope with a sleek glass bubble chandelier.

Natural Cotton Rope: Natural cotton rope adds texture and soft color; perfect for a beach house or farmhouse chandelier.

Silver Leather: Our water resistant leather cord, in sleek silver, pairs nicely with our nickel finishes.

Gold Leather: Gold cord goes well with our brass hardware...or mix it with black or white for a contrasting look.

Dove Grey Leather: Soft grey leather is a timeless neutral that works well with a variety of design styles.

White Leather: White leather cord has a clean, minimal look and matches with our white hardware.

Pearl Leather: A little creamier and more pearlescent, pearl leather is a beautiful choice that pairs nicely with brass.

Matte Black Leather: Matte black leather is a perfect finishing touch for industrial lighting or modern light fixtures. Pair it with our matte black hardware for a sleek look. 

Rawhide Leather: Rawhide is a light-colored, textured leather that works well with any metal finish.

Natural Red Brown Leather: Natural red brown leather brings in rich color and subtle texture.

Hopefully, this how-to serves as a helpful starting point! If you're still not quite sure which finishes you'd like, or if you want to see them in person first, you can also order a sample pack with all our cord finish & metal options! This allows you to try out different combinations and hold them up to other finishes in your space. If you're on a deadline, you can even place your chandelier order and the sample order at the same time to hold your spot in our production queue.

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