apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Don't ask me HOW to do this, but I've had many a handyman snip the cord of a plug-in pendant and hardwire it into the ceiling. The only thing needed will be some sort of canopy, but those are cheap and easy to find.

My favorite fixture that I've done this with was the West Elm capiz circles chandelier in chrome. It looks terrific in my hallway and I'm glad I didn't have to look for a substitute just to hardwire it!

Yeah an electrician can do that easy. I had a handy friend do it no problem.

I have been contemplating the same question but I am looking for a pendant that can accommodates more than one bulb. I want to use a least two dimming CF bulbs. I have always been puzzled by how those George Nelson pendants seem to throw out so much light with only one bulb. 100w doesn't illuminate my rooms.

Here's a couple kits.

http://www.mioculture.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=13

http://www.puremodern.com/-strse-350/2jane-canopy-hardwire-ceiling/Detail.bok

I know people get scared where electricity is concerned, I used to, but this kind of fix is super easy to do.

I just took a plug-in pendant this weekend and hardwired it -- it's totally easy. The plug-in cord is the same as a hardwire cord, they're both just three wires sheathed. Look at bejane.com or another online site to get step-by-step instructions, and please, please, turn the power off before you start doing anything.

And if anyone finds a good source for mid-century style canopies to cover the hole in the ceiling, please post!

you can not only have a handy friend or electrician clip the plug and hardwire it in, you can also have him clip the other side and replace the single bulb socket with a multi bulb one.
it is super easy and should take no time whatsoever.

WOW thank you for those links--I have been trying to find kits like these forever. No one in DC seems to carry them.

Home Depot, Lowes, or any other well stocked hardware store should carry them as well -- and for cheaper. I've even seen kits at dollar stores

CJL,
Could I branch two small pendants off of one hardwired light?

Expensive, but great pendants can be found from Fontana Arte

Chicagonicole,

A lot of the problem with the lack of lighting comes from the style of the lamp, it's shade and how much it lets light through and that alone will determine if lower wattage bulbs will be enough, but it also helps to have more than one light source in a room. One overhead isn't going to cut it for most rooms outside of dining areas and kitchens at the very least, you need lamps on as many sides of a room as possible to even the light around.

The George Nelson pendants and it's ilk will allow a lot of light to shine through due to their material that does not absorb light and I've found they often give off a wonderful serene glow for a mere 60-65 watts or so.

ciddyguy,
Thanks for the feedback. One of these days I might just splurge on a George Nelson pendant!

be sure and check that two bulbs don't add up to more wattage than the original light was rated. you don't want your wire to overheat.

Check out the affordable Wave and Asparagus pendants from Moderndose.com. Both can be hardwired and take 100w bulbs

http://www.moderndose.com/index.php?cPath=28&osCsid=d5011a95ee126ad0dd9d7cd6a843da44