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Home
Spotlight On
Beautiful Homes
Meet The Team
Behind the Name
Our Showrooms
Visit Jim Lawrence Website
Made By Us
  • Home
  • Spotlight On
  • Beautiful Homes
  • Meet The Team
  • Behind the Name
  • Our Showrooms
  • Visit Jim Lawrence Website
  • Made By Us
Jim Lawrence Blog - Jim Lawrence Blog
Spotlight On

Stylish Switches & Sockets: Luxury In Every Detail [Updated for 2023]

Handcrafted stylish switches and sockets are the perfect finishing touch to any period or contemporary home. Our range of colourways and designs allow you to think creatively so you can highlight your wiring accessories instead of hiding them. When decorating a room it is sometimes easy to miss the little extras that can add the design flare your room was missing. A white plastic switch is a sight I’m sure we are all familiar with. But, switches and sockets don’t have to be boring or unoriginal!

When we’ve got hundreds of hand finished switches and sockets to choose from, it can be hard to pick which combination is right for you. We thought we’d make it a little bit easier by highlighting a few of our favourite designs…


From traditional antiqued metal effects, to bold contemporary paint colours, our products are available in a fantastic variety of hand crafted finishes to perfectly suit your home’s style.

Our hammered edge is where the switch plate is cut with a sloping, or chamfered edge that is hammered to produce a subtle, rustic aged look. Our bevelled edge is where the switch plate is cut with a straight, slightly sloping or chamfered edge for a slimline, contemporary look.

A beautiful, hand forged double plug socket made from solid natural brass and lightly antiqued for a classic, aged look. This Antiqued Brass Bevelled Plug Socket combines a 2 gang, 13 amp switched, slimline design with black inserts and antique brass rocker switches to create a simple sleek look to suit modern and traditional homes.

Though it’s a bathroom essential, a shaver socket might seem like an afterthought when you’re dreaming up your desired bathroom décor. Wall colour and lighting may come first, but our Shaving Sockets are a practical AND pretty solution to make sure every element of your bathroom is up to scratch.


We have found that making a feature out of the quirks of period homes is often the best way to enjoy them. A hinged design that fits into the floor, this 2 Gang Floor Socket is the dreamy modern rustic detail you might not have thought of, but now know you need! A great solution when you don’t want wires stretching around the room or have limited wall space, you can enjoy floor or table lamps in more central spots around the room, or use them for other portable accessories. Our range of colourways and designs allow you to think creatively so you can highlight your wiring accessories instead of hiding them.

Take a look at our 2amp and 5amp round pin sockets for something a little different…

The go-to for vintage-inspired homes: the dolly switch. Shown here in our beautiful Heritage Copper, a dolly switch is perfect for capturing the spirit of your period home whilst taking advantage of modern wiring. Copper lends a subtle blush warmth to any interior, creating a lovely aged look that will darken naturally over time, much like our Antiqued Brass finish. Our dolly switches (also known as toggle switches) refer to the toggle-like button you use to turn the switch on or off. Ours are all 20 amp, 2-way.

The antithesis of the standard white light switch: a slick matt black rocker switch or ‘Modular Grid’ Switch. This is a more modern looking sloped button that ‘rocks’ backward or forwards to turn a switch on or off. All ours are 20 amp, 2-way, 240V. This design adds a modern industrial look, or works wonderfully paired with other black ironmongery and accessories in a contemporary country home.

A dimmer is a button that pushes in and out to turn your lights on or off and rotates to dim the lights. You can choose from beautiful Dolly or Rotary Dimmers. Our dimmers are Varilight V-Pro 250W push On/off trailing edge dimmers. Jim Lawrence dimmers incorporate 120w trailing edge modules that are suitable for good quality dimmable LED bulbs, incandescent bulbs and dimmable CFL bulbs. They are also compatible with good quality dimmable electronic transformers. The minimum load on the dimmer module is 10w. Each dimmer switch is 2 way which means it can be used for switching lights from either one or two places. Higher wattage dimmer modules are available on request. Please call our sales team for more information.

Want to learn more? See our full guide to Dimmer Switches on the Knowledge Base.

This is the plastic connector box that sits behind the metal front plate that connects your switch or socket to the mains wiring in your home.


Blank plates are useful for covering unused back boxes that may remain in your walls as they are not currently required in that location.

A 1 way switch is the most common found in the home and means that only one switch is used to govern one light. All our switches are two way which means they can be used to operate lights from more than one location, such as the operating a stairwell light from the top and the bottom of the stairs or from either end of a room. If you need to operate your lights from a third location, you will need to fit your switches with an intermediate module.

An intermediate switch or module allows you to operate your lights from three locations, so from a landing as well as from the top and bottom of the stairs in the example given above, or from either side of the bed as well as by the door in a bedroom. Intermediate switches are ideal for rooms where there are multiple entrances.

 

These are just a handful of our stylish switches and sockets that we have constructed to make sure the smallest details can still be the most beautiful. All Jim Lawrence products are made using traditional metal working techniques and are hand finished to the very highest standards here at our Suffolk workshop, so every part of your room will exude quality no matter how big or small. In need of advice on how to wire your switches and sockets? Our detailed knowledge base will guide you through all you need to know on installing our lovely switches and sockets. Please read these instructions carefully before you start work.

To view all of our home accessories and lighting visit our website. For even more home interior ideas, keep up to date by following us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Don’t forget to tag us in your home updates– we love seeing our products in their new homes!

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Welcome to the Jim Lawrence Style Journal.

We are a British interiors company creating beautiful lighting, ironwork and home furnishings from our Suffolk workshop.

This is where we share ideas that we love, show sneak peeks behind the scenes of our brand and offer a unique insight into classic design.

jimlawrencemade

Jim Lawrence Lighting & Home
The relationship between a light and its lampshade The relationship between a light and its lampshade can transform the mood of a room, enriching it with colour, character, and texture.⁠
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Born from a love of intricate details and luxurious textiles, Imogen Pope established her studio to craft lampshades that do just this. Each piece is designed to complement other finely crafted creations in a room, making it a joy to see Imogen’s shades paired with our lighting.⁠
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Whichever way you choose to style it, the popular Nayland Adjustable Reading Lamp is a timeless addition to any corner of the home - dressed here in a relaxed buttercup linen. See more at jim-lawrence.co.uk.
We've been crafting lights and home accessories in We've been crafting lights and home accessories in Suffolk for 30 years, and in that time we've come to know the staple pieces you return to again and again.⁠
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Our bestsellers page is rich with customer favourites to fuel your renovations and restyles for 2026 and beyond, from modernised twists on our classics, to our first ever designs that continue to stand the test of time.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to explore our most-loved pieces.
If you’re planning a visit to London this Christ If you’re planning a visit to London this Christmas, don't miss our newest showroom in beautiful Pimlico 🎄 The area is a treasure trove for antiques and interior design shops, so you can find everything you need for the season and more.⁠
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Our friendly team will be on hand to guide you through our collection, but please note our opening times over the next festive period:⁠
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Closed 24th - 28th December.⁠
Open Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th between 9.30am to 5.30pm.⁠
Open Wednesday 31st Decemeber - 9.30am to 3.30pm⁠.⁠
We will be closed on New Year's Day, but open as usual from Friday 2nd January.⁠
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To visit, find us at 94 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8PL. If you want to chat to us in advance about what’s on display, please call us on 01473 826945.⁠
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We've added adapted versions of our bestselling Mo We've added adapted versions of our bestselling Morston wall lights to fit seamlessly with our clever conduit kit. ⁠
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A Jim Lawrence conduit kit offers a smart lighting solution, helping you to transform unsightly wiring into a stylish feature by connecting wall lights, pendants, sockets, and switches when internal wiring isn’t an option.⁠ ⁠
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For a closer look at this clever new lighting option, tap the image via the link in our bio 💡
We’re dreaming of a white Christmas this year ❄️ Visit us in our Bath showroom and enjoy some warmth and inspiration. Step out of the cold and enjoy a coffee and conversation with our team, whilst exploring our beautiful array of fixtures and fittings. We have everything you need for your New Year renovations and refreshes, so visit us at 114 - 116 Walcot Street to find the finishing touch for your home.

Christmas opening times:

We’ll be closed from 24th - 28th of December and on New Year’s Day.
Monday the 29th - 30th December: 9.30 to 5.30pm.
Wednesday 31st: 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Open as usual from Friday 2nd January.

Please see our website for showroom opening times across all locations.
Some of our favourite Jim Lawrence Christmas wreat Some of our favourite Jim Lawrence Christmas wreaths from over the years - because good design never gets old. From handcrafted door decor to quality bathroom accessories, find beauty in every detail at jim-lawrence.co.uk⁠.
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Thank you to @myoldpub⁠, @theoldvicarage.cumbria⁠ , @tothevillage⁠, @the_old_granary_matlock⁠ ⁠and @little_suffolk_hideaway.⁠
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Continue to share your homes and tag us to make sure we don't miss out on your beautiful seasonal style.
Every detail matters, which is why we also make st Every detail matters, which is why we also make stylish brass and forged iron door handle designs to mix and match with your lighting and other accessories. 

Each piece is crafted in Suffolk by us, ready be installed and beautifully styled by you.

Thank you @d.e.c_domedingtoncarpentry for the video of our Chester Mortice Lever Handle and Bristol Short Plate - turn the sound up for some superbly satisfying audio 🚪
A beautiful bedroom refresh for @ross_and_ian, hea A beautiful bedroom refresh for @ross_and_ian, head-to-toe in our luxurious Beeswax finish.

Choosing our spectacular Florentine pendant as the centrepiece for their room, this gorgeous central chandelier is supplemented with two Single Smuggler Wall Lights and a curtain pole to match.

With us, you can pair the colours of your lighting and hardware for a smooth transition across your space, ensuring every detail is as considered as the next. Discover more at jim-lawrence.co.uk.
From the outside looking in, the winter months mak From the outside looking in, the winter months make the threshold of the home all the more inviting. An enticing glow from your outdoor lighting is essential for a warm welcome every time, and with us, you can choose from an array of styles to ensure you get the look just right.⁠
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If you're a longstanding admirer, you’ll recognise this beautiful bestseller. If you’re new here, meet our popular Ship’s Wall Light: a timeless addition to elevate your exterior design year round.⁠
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Tap the Ship's light via the link in our bio to explore our full collection of garden lighting, each made by us in our Suffolk workshop.
Neutral tones and carefully curated textures in th Neutral tones and carefully curated textures in this stunning bathroom have been chosen to create a perfect backdrop for a relaxing soak. It’s lovely to see how our Cheltenham wall lights fit seamlessly with the design.

The balance of materials brings together calm, comfort, and timeless elegance. Every detail has been thoughtfully crafted to create a serene retreat, making it the perfect backdrop for our handcrafted lighting.

This beautifully styled bathroom has been designed by Aysa @thehighlandhome. For more inspiration and to shop her look, explore our bathroom lighting collection via the link in our bio, and discover designs that bring softness, character, and lasting quality to your space.
A staple in our collection, the Brooke Wall Light A staple in our collection, the Brooke Wall Light has fast become a customer favourite thanks to its simply elegant appearance and its adaptability. No matter your colour or style preference, the Brooke is beautiful with any number of shade designs with the helpful option of an up or down orientation.⁠
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We love to see this light flanking fireplaces during the cosy season, where will you place yours? 🎄⁠
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Discover more wall lighting options by tapping the Brooke image via the link in our bio.
The warm glow of Christmas is all around us, and w The warm glow of Christmas is all around us, and we love the comfort it brings.

It might be cold outside, but you can enjoy a warm greeting, warm light, and warm service this season at our Hadleigh showroom. We have all the inspiration you need to refresh your home with the radiance it deserves in 2026, so come and visit us at The Ironworks, Lady Lane, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 6BQ.

Christmas Opening Hours:
From 24th Dec – 1st Jan we are closed.
Open as usual from Friday 2nd January.

Please see our website for full showroom opening times across all locations.
The festive season is well and truly upon us, and The festive season is well and truly upon us, and we are loving the influx of Christmas imagery paired with a touch of Jim Lawrence...

Thank you @chapelhousesuffolk for this video of our Morston Wall Lights, perfectly placed to illuminate the hearth all year round.

Continue to share your homes with the hashtag #christmaswithjimlawrence to make sure we don’t miss out on your beautiful seasonal style, and make sure to tag @jimlawrencemade.
Designed to refract light beautifully along their Designed to refract light beautifully along their handblown lines, fluted glass shades conjure a gentle ambient glow in the home, ensuring the light is softly diffused for a calming, laid-back atmosphere. ⁠
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@interiorsbyleomaharper⁠ has chosen the Fluted Chalford Pendants and dainty Octavia Wall Light to achieve this relaxed but elevated look, beautiful captured by @adamcarterphoto⁠.⁠
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Carpentry and flooring @bathbespoke⁠
Kitchen @bathkitchencompany⁠
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Discover more handblown fluted shades by visiting jim-lawrence.co.uk.⁠
A Jim Lawrence light will bring warmth and cheer t A Jim Lawrence light will bring warmth and cheer to your home long after the Christmas decorations have come down, with every detail designed to endure.

Choosing pendant lighting with handblown glass shades gives your room the best of both worlds: solid metal craftsmanship with a softer handmade touch, both expertly designed and made by us.

Created in our Suffolk workshops using time-honoured techniques, each piece tells a story of charm, quality, and care, a beautiful reminder that your home should feel as thoughtful as it looks.

Explore our full range of statement pendant lighting by visiting jim-lawrence.co.uk.
With a modern take on traditional country house st With a modern take on traditional country house style at the heart of her design choices, we discuss the principles behind this aesthetic with @claireordersinteriors, the decor rules to follow (and ones to break!), and choosing details that will bring lasting comfort and character to any home.⁠
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See more on the Style Journal by tapping the 'On the blog' button via the link in our bio 🏡⁠
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Beautiful imagery featured from both @peas.in.my.pod and @claire_naylor_photography.
Here at Jim Lawrence we have a specialist team who Here at Jim Lawrence we have a specialist team who handcraft our forged iron bay poles to your exact measurements, ensuring that you find the perfect solution for your unique window. ⁠
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With over twenty years experience in creating curtain poles for all manner of home styles, our specialist team are here to help every step of the way.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to learn more.
It's a joy to see our pieces become part of your f It's a joy to see our pieces become part of your festive traditions year on year.⁠

Swipe to explore some customer favourites of ours, and the timeless ways you've styled with Jim Lawrence over the years, and continue to do today.⁠
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⁠Thank you @hope.croft.living, @_our_housetohome_ ⁠, @bigredhome , and ⁠
@claudias.cottage.⁠
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Continue to share your homes with the hashtag #christmaswithjimlawrence to make sure we don't miss out on your beautiful seasonal style.
Warm and bold whilst staying earthy, this @littleg Warm and bold whilst staying earthy, this @littlegreenepaintcompany yellow is a joyous backdrop for our Mayfield pendant. Featuring a fixed central stem and generously extended arms, the Mayfield lights command attention with the utmost elegance.⁠
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A sculptural look with simplicity in mind, these lights are designed to make a sophisticated mid-century statement in any room of the house, but we love this homely and playful kitchen dining space from @mckennainteriors. Thank you for sharing💡⁠
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For more kitchen island and dining table inspiration, tap this image via the link our bio to see more styles at jim-lawrence.co.uk.
If you want to give the gift of choice this Christ If you want to give the gift of choice this Christmas, treat your loved one to a Jim Lawrence voucher which is redeemable against our full collection.⁠
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Available online, you can choose to receive an e-voucher to be emailed directly with a message of your choice, or you can have it printed out and delivered first class to your recipient's door in a beautiful envelope.⁠
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⁠Tap this image via the link in our bio to learn more.
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