Drop Cardboard Pendant Light by Graypants Scraplights

Drop is the tall, slender member of the Scraplights Classic family. Where most pendants spread out, Drop stretches downward, from about 18 to 26 in (45 to 65 cm) high but only about 10 to 14 in (25 to 36 cm) across, so it brings height and light to places that a wide shade cannot reach.

It is made by Graypants from recycled corrugated cardboard, cut by laser and assembled by hand, in three sizes (Drop 18, 22 and 26) and three finishes (Natural, White and Blonde). Hang one over a narrow table, line up a row above a kitchen island, or let a trio fall at different lengths beside a stair.

The Design Story

Drop comes from Scraplights, the first collection from Graypants, the architecture and product design studio founded in 2007 by Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker. Today the studio works from Seattle and Amsterdam, and it credits Drop to Graypants Studio as a whole.

The idea behind the line has stayed the same for years. Take a material most people throw away, cut it with great precision, and give it a form with real presence. Graypants calls the collection its flagship, and it describes the light as warm, intimate and functional for any space.

“When something is made by hand, you can feel the life and soul that went into it. There is a greater sense of care.”

Seth Grizzle, Graypants co-founder, speaking to WeWork Ideas (January 15, 2016)

How It Is Made

The sequence is simple and exact. A design is turned into cut files, a laser cuts the cardboard layers and etches a number on each so they can be stacked in order, and the darkened edges left by the beam become a quiet outline on the finished shade.

Every Drop is then glued together by hand with a non-toxic adhesive, treated with a non-toxic fire retardant, and wrapped in recycled paper before it ships. Because the form is tall and narrow, the stacked layers create a long, rhythmic pattern that glows from within when the bulb is on.

Why You'll Love It

Drop suits places where height is an advantage: above a console in a hallway, beside a window, over a bar, or in a stairwell where you can see the pendants from several levels. It is also a good option for narrow spots such as a slim table, since the shade stays slim.

Natural shows the brown of the cardboard with dark laser edges. White is crisp and clean. Blonde is a soft warm white; Graypants describes its blonde Scraplights as white cardboard with a burned edge for a warm white finish. Weights are modest too: 1.5 lb (0.7 kg), 1.8 lb (0.82 kg) and 2.2 lb (1.0 kg).

Made for Real Life

Each Drop has 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. Because the shade itself runs 18, 22 or 26 in tall, plan the hanging height from the bottom of the shade, not the ceiling. It uses one E26 bulb, up to 15W LED, with 2700K warm white recommended, and bulbs are not included. Drop is rated for dry locations only and should stay out of direct sunlight.

Product Details

Handmade for You

Drop is made to order by hand. Natural and White take about 2 weeks and Blonde about 3 weeks, in all three sizes. Since every Drop is crafted for you, every order is final sale, and we are happy to talk through height, spacing or finish with you first. Please ask whenever you like.

Scraplights have been used in restaurants and offices as well as homes, including a Seattle restaurant, Pablo y Pablo, and an NBBJ project in Columbus, Ohio. Drop brings that same studio-built look into your own space.

Not the Right Fit If

Drop is a tall, narrow pendant, so it is not the choice if you need a wide, low shade over a big dining table or a light within days. For broad coverage, hang several in a line. It is for dry indoor rooms only.

Questions We Hear Most

How tall is each Drop?

Drop 18 is 17.7 in (45 cm) high and 9.8 in (25 cm) across. Drop 22 is 22 in (55.9 cm) high and 12 in (30.5 cm) across. Drop 26 is 25.6 in (65 cm) high and 14.2 in (36 cm) across.

Which size works over a kitchen island?

Drop 18 or Drop 22 in a row suits most islands because the shade stays out of sightlines. Drop 26 is better for rooms with tall ceilings, stairwells and entries.

What is the difference between the three finishes?

Natural shows the brown cardboard with dark laser-cut edges. White is a bright, clean look. Blonde is a warm white with a burned edge.

How long will my Drop take to arrive?

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

Does Drop include a bulb, and can I dim it?

No bulb is included. It takes one E26 bulb, up to 15W LED, and 2700K warm white is recommended. Dimming depends on the bulb, so choose a dimmable LED and an LED-compatible dimmer.

Can I hang several Drops at different heights?

Yes, and Graypants photographs Drop in clusters. Each pendant has its own cord and canopy, so you will need a ceiling point for every one. Vary the cord lengths for a staggered 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. Clean with a dry duster or compressed air.

Why We Love It

Drop is a simple idea made elegant: a lot of height, very little width, and a glow that moves through layer after layer of cardboard. It gives a room vertical interest without making it feel busy.

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