Bell Cardboard Pendant Light by Graypants Scraplights

Bell is a Scraplights pendant with a full, rounded body that is nearly as tall as it is wide, so it fills the space around it with soft light instead of pointing it in one direction. Graypants makes it from recycled corrugated cardboard in two sizes, Bell 10 and Bell 16, and in three finishes: Natural, White and Blonde.

It is an easy pendant to live with. It looks at home over a kitchen counter, in a stairwell, above a reading chair or in a row along a cafe bar, and every one is cut by laser and put together by hand.

The Design Story

Bell is part of the Classic series of Scraplights, the line Graypants calls its flagship. The studio was founded in 2007 by Seattle architects Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker, who now work with teams in Seattle and Amsterdam, and Scraplights was the first collection they released. Bell is credited to Graypants Studio.

Graypants describes Scraplights as warm, intimate and functional light for any occasion or space. Bell fits that description well: it is quiet in the daytime, a lantern at night, and it never fights the furniture around it.

“People paid more attention to the lights than the furniture, and so we decided to do something with that”

Seth Grizzle, Graypants co-founder, speaking to Metropolis (March 30, 2018)

How It Is Made

A Bell begins as a digital model. Cut files drive a laser that slices each cardboard layer from recycled corrugated sheets and etches a number on it, so every layer lands in the right order. The same laser leaves a faint dark edge on each cut, which becomes a fine line along the finished shade.

Assembly is done by hand, layer on layer, with non-toxic adhesive. Graypants notes that small fixtures are built on a jig for consistency and that larger ones are joined by skilled hands. Each shade is then treated with a non-toxic fire retardant and wrapped in recycled paper for shipping.

Why You'll Love It

Bell stands out for its proportions. The Bell 10 prints at 10.6 in (27 cm) across and 11 in (28 cm) tall, and the Bell 16 at 15 in (38 cm) across and 15.7 in (40 cm) tall, so both read as compact, upright forms rather than wide domes. Weights of 1.2 lb (0.54 kg) and 1.8 lb (0.82 kg) keep them easy to hang.

Natural is the warm brown of the cardboard, with dark laser-cut edges. White gives a clean, bright look on pale ceilings. Blonde is a softer warm white; Graypants describes its blonde Scraplights as white cardboard with a burned edge for a warm white finish.

Made for Real Life

Use the Bell 10 in pairs or threes over a counter, a console or either side of a bed, and the Bell 16 as a single piece over a small table, a landing or an entry. Each comes with a 6.5 ft (2 m) cord and a 4.5 in powder-coated canopy; 16 ft (5 m) and 26 ft (8 m) cords and custom cords and canopies are available on request. One E26 bulb, up to 15W LED, goes inside, and 2700K warm white is recommended. Bulbs are not included. Bell is rated for dry locations only and should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Product Details

Handmade for You

Bell is made to order by hand: Natural and White take about 2 weeks and Blonde about 3 weeks, in both sizes. Because every piece is crafted after you choose it, every order is final sale, and we are glad to help you decide on a size or finish before you order. Ask us anything; it is what we are here for.

Scraplights have been specified for workplaces and restaurants, including the NBBJ project in Columbus, Ohio, and Ancestry's headquarters in Salt Lake City. Bell carries that same craft into everyday rooms.

Not the Right Fit If

Bell is made to order, so it is not the choice if you need a fixture within days. It is a modest, rounded form, not a wide chandelier-style piece, so for a long dining table you will want several of them. Dry indoor spaces only.

Questions We Hear Most

Which Bell size should I choose?

Bell 10 (10.6 in wide and 11 in tall) works in pairs or trios over counters and nightstands. Bell 16 (15 in wide and 15.7 in tall) is the single-statement size for an entry, stairwell or small table. The names are model numbers, so use the printed inches.

How do the finishes differ?

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

How long does a Bell take?

Natural and White are made to order in about 2 weeks. Blonde is made to order in about 3 weeks. These times apply to both sizes.

What bulb does Bell need?

One E26 bulb, up to 15W LED. Bulbs are not included, and a 2700K warm white bulb is recommended.

Can Bell be dimmed?

Dimming depends on the bulb. Choose a dimmable LED bulb and pair it with an LED-compatible dimmer.

Can I group several Bells together?

Yes. Graypants photographs Bell in clusters. Every pendant has its own cord and canopy, so you will need a ceiling point for each one. Hang them at different heights for a relaxed look.

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 out of direct sunlight and leave at least 12 in (31 cm) between the lamp and the canopy. Dust it with a dry duster or compressed air.

Why We Love It

Bell turns cardboard, a laser and patient assembly into something soft and a little ceremonial. It has the quiet confidence of a good lantern, and it suits a room that wants warmth more than spectacle.

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