Notch System | Ball-Chains | Mixed Finishes | Materials | Tailoring | Custom Edge | 3D Shapes | Custom Design | Packaging | Care
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A Guide to Finishes, Materials & Customizing
This design guide serves as a toolkit for understanding our finishes and materials. It is also a guide to all the endless possibilities, from simple tailoring options to customization right through to our full-scale custom design service, where we invite you to unleash your creativity in co-creating your own original willowlamp design.
Our patented notch system
The willowlamp journey began with a deceptively simple concept: a patented notch system that enables ball-chain curtains, veils, or latticework to flow effortlessly from laser-cut steel frames. This elegant design solution is surprisingly versatile, offering the creative flexibility to bring complex, visionary ideas into stunning, free-flowing, functional form.
Standard Finishes and Materials
Ball Chain Finishes – Metallic & Colour
- The Colour Chain finish (black, red, and white) is priced higher than the Metallic or Oxide finishes.
- Mixed Finishes: Refer to our mixed finishes section below for information on how to mix finishes. (add link)
- We do not recommend the metallic finishes within 5km of the ocean or humid environments
Materials and Finishes
- Metal Frames: Brushed laser-cut stainless steel.
- CNC components & spinning’s: Solid brass components are all chrome-plated.
- Decorative ball-chain: Brass & Copper chain types are solid base metals that are polished and lacquer sealed. Both the Chrome & Smoke (black nickel) plated finishes as well as the Colour coated finishes are mild steel base metal.
Ball Chain Finishes – Oxidized
Materials and Finishes
- Metal Frames: Laser-cut mild steel, chemically treated and sealed to match the chain finish.
- CNC components & spinning’s: Solid brass base, chemically treated and sealed to match the chain finish.
- Decorative ball-chain: Mild steel base, chemically treated and sealed to match the corresponding rust oxide or black oxide chain finish.
Non-Standard Finishes and Materials (on request)
Ball Chain Finishes – Antique
Materials and Finishes
- Metal Frames: Laser-cut mild steel. We recommend a lacquer-sealed black oxide finish with antique chain types.
- CNC components & spinning’s: Solid brass base. We recommend a lacquer-sealed black oxide finish with antique chain types.
- Decorative ball-chain: Mild steel base, plated in antique brass, copper, and nickel options. This does not match the rest of the components.
Ball Chain Finishes – Stainless steel
- The stainless steel spec is for use in covered outdoor areas, and tropical, humid, or marine environments.
Materials and Finishes
- Metal Frames: Brushed lasercut stainless steel.
- CNC components & spinning’s: Solid brass components are all chrome-plated.
- Decorative ball-chain: Acid polished stainless steel. Grade ordered depending on the corrosiveness of the environment.
Mixed finishes – The many methods
Alternating, striped finishes
You can mix 2-3 chain finishes in a repeating pattern to create a softer effect or a vibrant striped finish.
Colour blocking
Select multiple colours and finishes for different zones, shapes, or tiers within the design to create vibrant, dramatic contrasting effects. Some are suited to this process and others are not. It all depends on what the form and structure of the design allows.
Gradient or Ombré tints
Blend multiple finishes gradually to morph them from one finish or colour into another. Choose between 2-4 finishes to create an Ombré effect.
Our materials and other options
All willowlamps are lovingly hand-made from only the highest quality materials. Laser cut parts are brushed stainless steel. All the CNC metal parts are solid brass which is chrome plated for the most premium durable finish. Our electrical components are sourced from Italy and are of the highest quality.
There are always two main elements to a willowlamp, firstly there is the decorative ball-chain and secondly, there are all the other metal parts. For the most part these are treated differently and do not have a matching finish, with the exception of the Rust & Black oxide finishes where all the parts match.
Standard Material Specifications
Stainless steel & chrome plated
We use brushed stainless steel laser cut frames. Chrome-plated solid brass CNC machined components. This specification is the standard for all metallic (chrome, smoke, copper & brass) and colour (black, red & white) decorative ball-chain finishes.
Black Oxide Treatment
All the parts, including the laser cut mild steel frames, CNC machined parts and the decorative ball-chain are treated with a special black oxide process and then lacquer sprayed for a durable matching matt-black finish.
Rust Oxide Treatment
All the parts, including the laser cut mild steel frames, CNC machined parts and decorative ball-chain are treated with an accelerated rust oxide process which is chemically stable and does not rust any further. It is then lacquer sprayed for a rich durable matching rust effect finish.
Non-standard materials (on request)
2-Tone – Black Oxide & Brass
Mix things up to create an interesting effects by combining different finishes and materials for the structural elements of the light fitting. Here we use a combination of black oxide mild steel laser-cut frames. For the decorative ball-chain we recommend using the black oxide finish but Copper and Brass could also work well.
2-Tone – Stainless Steel & Brass
Mix things up to create interesting effects by combining different finishes and materials for the structural elements of the light fitting. Here we use a combination of laser-cut stainless steel frames. For the decorative ball-chain we recommend you choose from one of our 4 standard metallic finishes: Chrome, Smoke, Brass & Copper.
Full Colour
While we prefer to work with natural metal finishes, we can offer powder-coated paint finishes throughout the light fitting, upon special request if your project requires it. The range of colours is limited since powder-coated finishes cannot be mixed like ordinary paint.
Standard Design Modifications - Tailoring
We include free of charge as part of our standard service, any minor adjustments needed to ensure your light fitting fits perfectly in your space. We call these types of adjustments ‘Tailoring’.
This mainly affects the height by adjusting the suspension system and the drop. It does not include any changes required for the width or diameter of a light fitting, for that please refer to our Custom Design section below.
Customizing Edge types
Here are just some examples of the elegant methods that we have devised for finishing off and defining the edges that give shape and flair to our lighting designs. Think of these as tools you can use to apply to whatever shape or form you come up with. We invite you to play with the endless possibilities.
Cropped edge (straight cut)
A shear horizontal straight cut edge. The simplest and cleanest of them all, crisp, clear, hard, and defined.
Willowed edge (feathered)
Create a disappearing feathered edge, soft, feminine, romantic and gentle. We call this effect ‘willowed’ since it evokes the feeling of a willow tree.
Looped edge
Looping can work in various ways. This simplest resembling the petals of a leaf. What is elegant about this is that there are no ‘loose ends’ as the chain always returns to the frame.
Shaped edge
By cutting into the side of the ball-chain curtain we can create all sorts of interesting 3D shapes and forms. At its simplest, this could just be a ‘wavy bottom edge’ of a simple lampshade. At its most sophisticated, this concept can be further extended to create highly complex compositions of multiple clustered compound 3D forms.
This we explore in more depth in the next sections.
Contouring into 3D forms – Shapes and Volumes
By crafting 3D volumes and shaping the desired forms, we bring ideas to life in the most vibrant and dynamic way.
Shaping of extruded forms – simple
Here we see examples of relatively simple forms where a singular outline is cut at varying heights, lengths and angles to create simple 3D form.
Shaping of extruded forms – complex
Here we see the concept is taken further. Simple shapes are first cut into 3D forms. Then those shapes are arranged into compound forms like mandalas or entire latticework and patterns that are extruded then formed into a larger composition.
Shaping of extruded forms – massive scale
Here we see the concept of shaping 3D forms out of extruded shapes and latticework. It is developed to the highest level of sophistication and scale – extending into monumental scale works.
Shaping of looping and pod forms
These 3D forms are a bit different. Instead of the form arising out of cutting into straight curtain’s planar surfaces, the 3D form is created by the repeated arrangement of looping chains that gradate in height. There are no ‘loose ends’ and these designs have a more voluptuous feeling about them.
Custom Design
By now you have hopefully gained an understanding of the wild and wonderful possibilities. But how do we put that into action. We have a tiered approach from fairly simple custom designs right up to projects that take years to develop and complete.
LEVEL 1 - Simple Customizing
Adapting Upscaling or Downscaling of our existing range of standard designs. Typically this involves taking a standard design and re-designing it at a larger size or diameter. It is not quite an all new original custom design but there is still plenty of design work involved in re-doing all the design drawings needed for manufacture.
LEVEL 2 - New Custom Design
‘Custom Design’ is a collaborative bespoke design service where we work together or we work from a clearly defined brief to develop your very own original willowlamp design, leveraging our patented ‘notch’ technique.
LEVEL 3 - Massive Scale Installation Projects
For projects requiring advanced design complexity, we provide our ‘Signature Concepts’ service. This entails a highly collaborative process, enabling clients to act as co-creators in developing bespoke, one-of-a-kind designs. Signature Concepts often include large-scale ceiling installation projects, such as our ‘ceiling-scapes’ – extensive artistic installations crafted to span entire ceiling spaces.
Packaging
‘Flat-Pack’ Benefits:
Each willowlamp is carefully flat-packed and shipped in custom-designed, eco-friendly crates. This flat-pack approach minimizes shipping costs while providing a captivating unboxing experience, as the willowlamp elegantly unfolds from its packaging upon arrival.
Support, Service, and Logistics:
Our dedication to excellence goes beyond our designs, extending to outstanding customer service. The willowlamp trademark ensures meticulous attention to detail and a personalized experience with our luxury lighting products and services.
Cleaning & Maintenance
To remove dust or loose dirt that has settled on the chandelier:
- Thoroughly dust the chandelier with a feather duster.
- Follow feather dusting with a light dusting using a dry soft cloth.
To remove grease or fingerprints on the frames:
- Wipe the stainless-steel surface with a micro fibre soft cloth and stainless-steel cleaner.
- If any chains have tangled, simply comb your fingers through the chain to un-tangle.
Recommendations:
- Dust frequently to prevent significant dust build-up, especially for high-traffic or high humidity areas.
- Do not use any harsh chemicals to clean the chandelier.
- Use only stainless-steel cleaner for the frames and dry cloths/feather dusters for the ball-chain.
- Never attempt to clean the ball-chain with any liquid based solvent. To do so could damage the material and finish.
Oxidization information:
Coastal, Marine, and high humidity areas:
- Natural materials may oxidize in areas with high humidity and salt levels.
- Inquire at info@willowlamp.com for suitable alternatives in coastal areas such as our stainless steel finish or our rust finish options.