When we unveiled our kitchen remodel, we mentioned collaborating with Shades of Light to design pendant lights for the space. Those pendants were just one part of a much larger lighting collection we’ve developed with them over the past year. Along with sharing the new designs, we wanted to pull back the curtain and show a few of the tricks catalog and studio photographers use to stage and shoot products—like how we temporarily turned an armchair into a headboard to get the right shot.
After the initial collection launched in 2013, we added a handful of designs over the years, but this most recent wave started when we wanted to use a farmhouse pendant in a spec house kitchen we were designing. The existing finishes were too bold for the look we envisioned, so we asked Shades of Light to custom-paint a couple in a softer blue. That request evolved into refreshing the entire palette so customers could purchase the softer tones: neutrals like soft gray and warm brown, plus subtle pink, green, and blue options. The original, brighter colors are still available for those who prefer more saturated hues—all at an accessible price point.
The refreshed farmhouse pendants inspired more designs: geometric shapes, open-frame fixtures, and new finishes like brass and aged gold. We explored diamonds, lanterns, and equilateral frames in sconces, ceiling lights, and pendants so the collection could work across many room types.
We also dug into gold and copper finishes and made sure to offer different hanging options. Whether someone needs a flush mount, a sconce, a pendant, or a ceiling light, the goal was to cover a variety of uses. The result includes a broad range of forms—glass pendants, textured pieces, and more sculptural fixtures—so you can find a style that fits hallways, bathrooms, mudrooms, and bedrooms.
One of the features we like to highlight is versatility. For example, our metal convertible pendants are available in several finishes and can be used as hanging pendants or converted into semi-flush mounts by simply omitting the hanging rods. That flexibility makes them practical for lower ceilings or more compact spaces. We also experimented with glass and chrome options as well as fixtures that pair metal with diffused glass for a softer glow.
In addition to hard finishes, we expanded our fabric shade selection. Several patterns come in multiple colorways and some have subtle textures for added depth. Each shade is offered as a pendant with a diffuser or as a flush mount with a diffuser—practical choices for hallways and bedrooms with lower ceilings. The shades are also sold individually for anyone interested in retrofitting an existing lamp or creating a custom fixture.
Most of the new pieces remain priced affordably, with many items still under $99, but we did expand the price range to allow for larger sizes and higher-quality materials that weren’t possible under the original cap. That allowed us to add features like diffusers, multi-bulb fixtures, and more substantial finishes while keeping the majority of new items under $150.
One favorite is an adjustable-arm wall sconce offered in mixed finishes and a chrome option. It’s available as a plug-in sconce, which makes it simple to add to a bedroom or other space without hardwiring—an easy styling upgrade for renters and DIYers alike.
Last spring, once many finished pieces and prototypes arrived, Shades of Light invited us to help photograph the collection for their catalog and website. They had just moved into a large facility that included a dedicated photo studio, which was a fantastic opportunity to see how products are styled and shot in a controlled environment.
The studio used movable wall panels on casters, each finished with different treatments—tile, beadboard, shiplap, varied paint colors, and even faux windows or architectural details. By rearranging these panels, the team created many distinct room scenes without leaving the studio. Small details like removable baseboard strips hid gaps at the bottom of the casters, making each set look seamless on camera.
They also kept cabinets and furniture on hand to build believable vignettes. After a scene was styled, we swapped in each variation of a light fixture while the photographer captured every angle. Because some pieces were still being finalized, the team used creative workarounds—like temporarily wiring a lamp from above so it would appear lit, with the cord later removed in post-production.
One improvisation involved faking a headboard using a tufted chair back and a length of fabric as a bedspread. Up close the setup looked improvised, but with careful styling and cropping, the final image reads like the corner of a cozy bedroom—a great example of how staging and perspective matter in product photography.
It was genuinely fun to create these different scenarios and to try props from the studio collection. The shoot also offered a reminder that photography often requires both planning and improvisation to make products feel right at home in a variety of settings.
If you’d like to browse the full collection, all pieces are available through the Shades of Light catalog and website; many items come in multiple finishes, colors, and configurations. If you’ve added any of these lights to your home, we’d love to see a photo—there’s nothing better than seeing a product in its natural habitat.
PS: Last year we also shot a series of short DIY videos for a free app. We created six quick projects—each five steps or fewer—covering things like a paneled headboard, an outdoor house number plaque, a twine-wrapped shelf with leather brackets, a wall-hanging photo and recipe display, a wooden centerpiece box, and a simple frame upgrade for old bathroom mirrors. They’re great for quick weekend projects and an easy way to add custom, budget-friendly touches to your home.