Ausi Cardboard Pendant Light by Graypants Scraplights

Ausi is the Scraplights pendant to reach for when you want a small, glowing accent that still feels crafted. Graypants builds it from layers of recycled corrugated cardboard, and when the bulb comes on, the light moves through the corrugation like sun through paper. It comes in three sizes (Ausi 8, 12 and 14) and three finishes (Natural, White and Blonde).

Hang one beside a bed, string three at staggered heights over a console, or let a single Ausi 14 anchor an entry. Each one is laser-cut and assembled by hand, which keeps designer lighting within reach while the build stays honest and made to last.

The Design Story

Ausi belongs to Scraplights, the collection Graypants launched soon after architects Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker founded the studio in 2007. Scraplights was Graypants' first collection, and its success came from a plain idea done well: take everyday cardboard, treat it with real design care, and let light do the rest. The studio works from Seattle and Amsterdam and credits Ausi to Graypants Studio.

Graypants itself photographs Ausi in tight groups, which shows the personality of the design. One pendant is a quiet point of light; a handful at different heights becomes a soft, floating arrangement.

“It’s a material that we respect and honor. There’s an honesty behind it, and we’ve always stayed true to what it is.”

Seth Grizzle, Graypants co-founder, speaking to Business of Home (August 19, 2021)

How It Is Made

Every Ausi begins as a sketch that becomes a 3D model and then a set of cut files. A laser cuts each layer out of a sheet of recycled corrugated cardboard, arranged to waste as little of the sheet as possible, and etches a number on every layer so the stack can be sorted in order.

The layers are then glued one at a time by hand with a non-toxic adhesive. The finished shade is treated with a non-toxic fire retardant and wrapped in recycled paper. The laser leaves each edge slightly darkened, so you can see every layer of the build when the light is on.

Why You'll Love It

The three finishes keep Ausi flexible. Natural keeps the brown tone of the cardboard and its dark laser-cut edges. White is lighter and cleaner against a pale ceiling. Blonde is a soft warm white; Graypants describes its blonde Scraplights as white cardboard with a burned edge for a warm white finish.

Ausi is also very light, from 0.9 lb (0.4 kg) for the 8 to 1.5 lb (0.7 kg) for the 14, so it reads as airy rather than heavy. It suits bedrooms, entries, reading corners, cafe counters and boutique displays, and it mixes easily with wood, linen, plaster and painted walls.

Made for Real Life

Plan your sizes with the printed dimensions below: Ausi 8 is slim and a little taller than wide, Ausi 12 is wider than it is tall, and Ausi 14 is the largest at about 15.4 in (39 cm) across. A 6.5 ft (2 m) cord and a 4.5 in powder-coated canopy come with every pendant; 16 ft (5 m) and 26 ft (8 m) cords and custom cords and canopies are available on request. Each takes one E26 bulb, up to 15W LED, and 2700K warm white is recommended. Bulbs are not included. For dry locations only, and out of direct sunlight.

Product Details

Handmade for You

Ausi is made to order by hand. Natural and White take about 2 weeks in every size, and Blonde takes about 3 weeks. Because each pendant is built for your order, every order is final sale, and we are happy to talk through size, finish or a cluster layout with you before you buy. That kind of conversation is part of how we like to work.

Scraplights are not only for homes. The line has lit commercial interiors including an NBBJ project in Columbus, Ohio, and the Salt Lake City headquarters of Ancestry, and Ausi brings that same studio-made look at a smaller scale.

Not the Right Fit If

Ausi is a small, made-to-order pendant, so it is not right if you need a fixture within days or a single large statement above a dining table; in that case a group of Ausi pendants or a bigger Scraplights shape will serve you better. It is also for dry, indoor spaces only.

Questions We Hear Most

Which Ausi size should I choose?

Ausi 8 (7.5 in wide, 9.4 in tall) is the choice for bedsides and tight spots. Ausi 12 (11 in wide, 7.9 in tall) and Ausi 14 (15.4 in wide, 14.2 in tall) have more presence for entries, kitchens and mixed-size groupings. The printed diameters differ slightly from the model numbers, so go by the inches in the table.

What is the difference between Natural, White and Blonde?

Natural shows the brown cardboard with dark laser-cut edges. White is a lighter, brighter paper tone. Blonde is a warm white with a burned edge, softer in color than White.

How long will my Ausi take to arrive?

Natural and White Ausi pendants are made to order in about 2 weeks in all three sizes. Blonde is made to order in about 3 weeks.

Does Ausi include a light bulb?

No. It takes one E26 bulb, up to 15W LED, and a 2700K warm white bulb is recommended.

Can I dim an Ausi pendant?

Dimming depends on the bulb you choose. Use a dimmable LED bulb with a dimmer made for LEDs.

Can I hang several Ausi pendants together?

Yes, and Graypants shows Ausi in clusters. Each pendant has its own 6.5 ft cord and 4.5 in canopy, so plan a ceiling point for each one, vary the hanging heights, and ask us if you would like help choosing sizes.

What should I know before installing it?

Graypants advises having a licensed electrician handle the ceiling wiring, turning the power off and testing it first, and checking for hidden wires before drilling. Keep the fixture away from direct sunlight, leave at least 12 in (31 cm) between the lamp and the canopy, and dust the shade with a dry duster or compressed air.

Why We Love It

Ausi proves that a small light can have a strong point of view. It starts as cardboard, a laser and a pair of careful hands, and it ends as the glow that makes a corner of your home feel finished.

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