Select light fixtures that reflect your own cabin style. Rustic lighting designs can give your cabin an earthy, more casual feel, and chandeliers need not be fancy to make a lofty impression.
An eye-catching fixture can also serve as a great conversation piece for your cabin guests. Rusted steel is the star of this custom “Sphere in Sphere” chandelier. It hangs in a cabin located in the Rockies that features a combination of vintage and modern fixtures to complement the architecture. The globular chandelier was designed by Coup d’Etat (www.coupdetatsf.com) in San Francisco, Calif. The firm once used reclaimed wagon wheels in the design, but the fixture’s popularity led to a shortage of resources, prompting a switch to steel rings.
Rustic Lighting Ideas
An illuminated chandelier or pendant can lend a very dramatic touch to your cabin décor, especially if it’s made out of rustic and/or reclaimed materials. You can order a custom design, or make your own using glass jars/bottles, shed antlers, twigs, rope, wooden beams, metal pipes or antiques. Here are a few examples to inspire you.
1 Getting Twiggy
Handcrafted from hickory branches and twigs reclaimed from construction sites, this Naturally Superior Twig Chandelier features six lights. Why hickory? Because the wood doesn’t shed its bark as it dries. Available in white, orange or turquoise, or unpainted. www.shadesoflight.com
2 Whisky Industry
A mixture of steampunk and industrial design, this pendant lamp (“The Warehouser”) is fashioned out of two recycled whiskey bottles, a decorative pulley and vintage-style braided cloth wire. Choose from four finishes: black, copper, oil-rubbed bronze or antique brass. www.moonshinelamp.com
3 Mason Jar Masterpiece
While renovating their kitchen, blogger Brandi Sawyer and her fiancé handcrafted this chandelier using 10 Ball-brand canning jars and curtain rod extensions. The blue tint of the jars lends a touch of color to the mostly white kitchen. For a step-by-step tutorial, visit www.brandisawyer.com.
