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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
Beautiful Homes

Introducing Kate from @myoldpub

Transforming a run down 17th Century build is no easy task, but Kate from @myoldpub has achieved a result that appears effortlessly stylish. Steeped in history with each room now boasting a beautiful interior, we were drawn in by the stunning beamed bathroom featuring out favourite Ava Pendant. The reality of a project like this comes with its challenges, so we caught up with Kate to uncover what it takes to take on a mammoth refurb like this one and how you can turn a rickety, stale old pub into a gorgeous period home.

Please introduce yourself and tell us how you came to be ‘myoldpub’.

My name is Kate and I bought a 17th century pub three years ago. It was converted to a home in the 1970s/80s but unfortunately it had been quite badly damaged by tenants before I bought it. It was in a sorry state and desperately needed some love. Over the last three years I have been trying to bring it back to life.

We can’t help but be curious about the day jobs of the accounts we follow, have you always been interested in décor and design?

I work with historic buildings/places that are in a poor state of repair and generally on the Heritage at Risk register, finding new uses for them, securing funding and coordinating their regeneration. I am very lucky, I get to work with some fantastic clients and amazing buildings! I have a background in design and worked as a masterplanner/urban designer at an architects in London for a few years, so always had a real passion for design and decor.

 

We should start with why you chose to pick this property to renovate. What made you fall in love with this location in particular?

Having said I didn’t want a project because it is too much like work, I fell in love with this place the first time I walked through the door and saw the ridiculously over sized fire place! Honestly, it was within seconds of walking through the door I knew it was the one for me. I think it was the fact that it so needed some love from someone and that underneath the dirt and smell it obviously had a nice feeling to it!

Your beautiful home was a working pub up until the 1980s, but originally having been built in the 17th century it’s clear that its very bones are steeped in history. Many of our customers will appreciate that renovating older builder can present unusual challenges when renovating. How much work was there to do when you first moved in?

A lot! Nothing structural, but just every single room was damaged in some way, it really needed a lot of love. It had been neglected by tenants and the damage was throughout. The smell was so bad when I viewed, the owners actually agreed to let me have the worst carpets removed and the place fumigated before I completed the sale. The first five weeks were spent with no electrics, then six months of scaffold to fix; windows that were about to fall out, chimneys, missing tiles, damaged bricks and since then it’s been constant DIY and some professional help. I really do like to get stuck in and have a go at everything! It’s definitely been blood, sweat and tears but I’m slowly getting rid of the interior waterfalls, house guests (rats!) and giving this place some love.


How long have you been living at the property now? And were there any surprises uncovered when renovations began?

I’ve been here for three years now. Lots of surprises along the way, probably the most interesting find has been the witch marks and other ritual markings on the beams which has been rather exciting.

Please do tell us more about the striking beams that run through the house!

They are rather wonky aren’t they! I’m lucky that through my work I have a friend who is a building archaeologist and when I first moved in he was kind enough to spend a day going around the building with me and trying to piece the history together. We came to the conclusion, fairly quickly, that not a single one of the beams is in its original location. In fact, he thought given the woodworm damaged to them, they were possibly from an old barn or previously stored outside for a long period of time before they were used to build the house in the mid 17th century.

There is one beam that is particularly amazing, he thought it might be as early as the 14th century and has holes in it where mullions and shutters would have been prior to glass being used! It definitely isn’t in its original location, but fascinating nonetheless.


What do you think is the key to perfecting a period project? Did you keep the heritage of the building in mind?

Good question! I’m not sure I know what is key to perfecting a period project, but personally I really want to let the historic fabric of the building do the talking. I think there can be a temptation to overly restore old buildings and therefore I like to keep things a little rustic (or at least that’s what I tell myself when a bit of DIY isn’t quite as perfect as I would like it to be!). I think you probably have to be quite flexible and fairly laid back. Things will take longer than you anticipate and you may need to tackle things in a different way to how your first envisaged.

We were thrilled to spot some details from our Bletchley range in your dreamy bathroom, as well as our popular Ava Bathroom Pendant Light. Of course we feel our products are a wonderful fit for your home, but what made you choose us?

I love your products, there is such a good range to choose from, which is particularly helpful when your rooms or spaces aren’t a conventional shape and size! What I particularly like is that the products are always beautifully proportioned and balanced, which means they don’t overwhelm spaces. They are also very good quality and show great craftmanship. The other thing that is important to me is that you are a local company and I can fairly easily visit your showroom.


Naturally we love using Instagram because it introduces us to fascinating people with splendid homes like yours, but it can sometimes feel oversaturated with decor ideas! Do you feel that using the app has influenced your approach to styling a home?

Oh goodness, it can be overwhelming can’t it? I also find it so hard because I love lots of different styles, from minimalist to mid century…makes it impossible to settle on a style! However, what I’ve realised is that I need to work with the house I have in front of me, not try and squeeze a style in that just doesn’t work with the architecture. I  do use the app constantly for design ideas and inspiration. It’s such a useful resource and people are just so helpful! I do find though that there are a few key accounts that I go back to time and time again. The other thing that has been a really lovely surprise, is how helpful people are, it really has saved me a great deal of time and money by being able to discuss things with other people on Instagram.

There is a lot of focus is put on your interior design (and rightly so) but we also very much besotted with the outside. Do you have big plans for the garden?

Thank you! Sorting out the garden was the first lockdown project. It had obviously been planted up by someone who really knew what they were doing about 20-30 years ago. But sadly, it was full of rubbish and was very overgrown when I moved in. The brambles were about five metres tall and most of the walls were covered in ivy, so much so I didn’t know they were there!

This year the plants have really started to mature which is lovely to see, its still an evolving project, but the main work is now done. At some point, I would love to create an open fronted oak framed garden building at the rear of the garden. The idea would be that it provides a bit more outdoor storage and a place for sitting with some cover…but that’s a few years off yet.

What rooms are you currently working on in the house?

I am currently working on finishing the utility room, which has a major overhaul and the downstairs loo! It is a small space that needs to work quite hard, but just reorganising it has made such a difference to its useability. That will be the last major bit of work to do on the house, although I’m sure there will be more surprises!

A few quick-fire questions…

What is your top tip for making a house a home?

I have learnt to try and not rush things (I am naturally impatient so this is hard), only buy things you love or have a special meaning to them.

Can you describe your personal style in three words?

That is so difficult, but I hope it is natural, cosy and timeless.

We have to ask…what’s your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

Has to be the Ava Glass Pendant, it’s so delicate and beautifully proportioned.

Is the Old Pub your forever home?

I am not sure! Can’t see myself moving any time soon, but never say never.

If you too are inspired by Kate’s home, follow her ongoing refurb journey at @myoldpub on Instagram. To stay up to date with Jim Lawrence, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Browse our website to see all of our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware.

GET THE LOOK


Ava Bathroom Pendant, Button Finial Pole Pack in Matt Black, Bletchley Roll Top Soap Basket, Club Wall Light

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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.

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Jim Lawrence Lighting & Home
We’re absolutely in love with our new Pimlico sh We’re absolutely in love with our new Pimlico showroom, and if you’ve already made it to London and stepped through the doors…chances are you might be too💡 

Nestled between Westminster, Belgravia and Chelsea, our new Pimlico showroom sits in the heart of London’s iconic design district, renowned for its interiors, antiques, and craftsmanship.

Pop in to say hello, explore our beautifully crafted lighting and accessories, or pick up our latest brochure to browse at home. If you’re yet to visit, we can’t wait to welcome you.

For opening hours and more details, simply tap the reel via the link in our bio to visit our website.
Whether you order online or visit one of our showr Whether you order online or visit one of our showrooms, we offer complimentary samples of our fabrics for you to take home if you need some more time to decide before you buy.⁠
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With a focus on natural fibres like silk, linen, wool, and pure cotton in a wide range of colours and patterns, there is plenty to choose from. If you'd like to browse our collections in person, find further information on locations and opening times at www.jim-lawrence.co.uk.⁠
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Thank you @charlotte.sje, for capturing this cosy moment - a perfect setting for choosing fabrics and comparing linen textures with beautiful paint swatches.
Our handcrafted shelf brackets are a quiet testame Our handcrafted shelf brackets are a quiet testament to timeless craftsmanship and refined functionality. ⁠
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Tap the images via the link in our bio to shop.
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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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Its universal size is designed to work seamlessly with our full range of conduit components and a curated selection of Jim Lawrence lights. Tap these images via the link in our bio to discover all the components you need to create your own kit.
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Kindly note, we will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, but look forward to welcoming you again soon.
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Featuring our lighting and accessories throughout, Tanya has masterfully crafted a relaxed yet lived-in look. Thoughtfully selected vintage-inspired pieces echo the property's era, while made-to-measure custom fittings and a soothing palette of calming colours come together to create a family home that feels both comfortable and effortlessly elegant.⁠
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Captured beautifully by @dean.hearne for @houseandgardenuk, Tanya's home is a lovely harmonisation of thoughtful design and personal style.
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Tap the images via the link in our bio to shop the brand-new look.
With the opening of our new London showroom, we wa With the opening of our new London showroom, we wanted to highlight some of our other beautiful locations and the inspiration they’ve brought to our collections.⁠
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Our very first showroom sits beside our workshops in Hadleigh, an historic market town in Suffolk. Surrounded by the rolling countryside of the River Brett valley, Hadleigh is known for its rich heritage and character. The town is home to over 240 listed buildings, many of them timber-framed from the 15th century: the kind of architecture that has long influenced our period lighting designs.⁠
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It’s a fitting location for where our story began, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and enduring design. We’re proud of the places that shape our work, and we look forward to welcoming you to your nearest showroom.⁠
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Find us on Lady Lane just off the A1071 Ipswich Road. Visit our website for further details and opening times.
Your front door isn’t just an entryway, but an i Your front door isn’t just an entryway, but an introduction. ⁠
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Thank you Eilidh of @revamping_the_edwardian for sharing your magnificent home entrance, featuring antiqued brass details from us, and the rich Preference Red of @farrowandball. We love how the delicate florals soften the bold character of the stonework.⁠
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Create a lasting first impression with our beautifully crafted detailing - tap this image via the link in our bio to shop more Jim Lawrence door furniture.
Bedside lighting is an essential detail that blend Bedside lighting is an essential detail that blends comfort, utility, and beauty.

We design and make a variety of adjustable wall lights that allow you to direct the light where you need it most, making the best of your bedroom space. The Salthouse is a small but mighty option. Packed with industrial charm, its dainty silhouette and thoughtful detailing make it a quiet statement piece, wonderful for enhancing small bedsides with a touch of rusticity and perfect paired with a vintage-inspired bulb.

Tap this reel via the link in our bio to explore more adjustable options 💡
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A beautifully crafted fabric lampshade shade gently filters light, offers subtle texture, and allows for pops of colour or contrasting tones to suit your existing interior scheme.⁠
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Available in a selection of our most popular fabrics, our new 40cm Wide Cone Shades can be made in a lamp base fitting or pendant option to create the look you love.⁠ Swipe to enjoy our Porter Table Lamp, Pendant Lamp Holder, and Harleston Table Lamp, each paired with crisp Cream Killowen Linen.
With the opening of our new London showroom, we wa With the opening of our new London showroom, we wanted to shine a light on our other beautiful locations and the inspiration they've brought to our collection.⁠
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Our second showroom, situated on Bath’s famous Walcot Street, inspired the creation of our elegant Walcot Pendant. Bath’s iconic Georgian architecture is known for its graceful lines and balanced proportions which heavily influenced this bestselling design. The hand-blown, dome-shaped glass is our nod to the bell jars once found in Georgian entrance halls - perfect for complementing more decorative interiors with its refined simplicity.⁠
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Walcot Street itself, an historic artisan quarter, remains a vibrant hub of creativity, filled with independent shops, galleries, restaurants, and makers.⁠
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You’ll find everything from antique mirrors to paints and carpets. Don't miss the lively Saturday flea market just down the road, and be sure to stop by and see us at 112–114 Walcot Street.
Corners of our new London showroom.⁠ ⁠ Located Corners of our new London showroom.⁠
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Located in the thriving neighbourhood of Pimlico, nestled between Westminster, Belgravia and Chelsea, the showroom is in the heart of the Pimlico Road Design District - known for its rich concentration of antiques and interior design shops.⁠
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Find us at number 94 and drop by to say hello, browse our stunning collection of beautifully handcrafted lighting and home fittings, or simply pick up our latest brochure to delve into at home.
Drenched in deep burgundy, this kitchen balances b Drenched in deep burgundy, this kitchen balances bold design with everyday practicality. Our Club wall light proves time and time again that atmosphere and performance can harmonise in the home.⁠
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Thank you @ashmazzina for revealing your exquisite new space. The warm, focused glow of a solid brass light creates an inviting setting without losing the precision needed for tasking in a kitchen. To get the look, tap this image via the link our bio to shop our full Club collection.⁠
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The new Jim Lawrence London showroom is officially The new Jim Lawrence London showroom is officially OPEN.

We are proud to join London’s most iconic design district with a new showroom that celebrates manufacturing in England with our classic lighting and home design.

Visit us at 94 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PL. We look forward to welcoming you through the doors!

For opening times and further information, please tap this reel via the link in our bio to visit our website.
Designer Sean Symington began his career in Toront Designer Sean Symington began his career in Toronto, completing a Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson University, School of Interior Design. Now living in Bath with a business based in the beautiful Cotswolds town of Tetbury, Sean’s style is influenced by classic architecture and proportions, bold colour combinations, and a playful whimsy which keeps every space interesting.⁠
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Tap the 'On the blog 🏡' button via the link in our bio to read our interview with Sean about how he has fostered this signature look and the places that inspire it.⁠
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Images from @chriswakefield.photography.
Sometimes it’s the little things that make a roo Sometimes it’s the little things that make a room feel like home, like a stack of books, a vase of garden stems, or a comfy cushion.⁠
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But the real impact - the element that truly defines a space - almost always comes from the lighting.⁠
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Discover our full range of designs and colours on our website or within our showroom, with a special focus on natural fibres like silk, linen, wool, and pure cotton.

Choose from our wide range of existing looks or fill out a bespoke cushion form to customise your own. If you need a little more time to decide, select a fabric swatch directly from our website or give us a call on 01473 826685 and we’ll send them straight to your door.
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Swipe for @eliskasharp 's daytime look, proof the Hurricane Sconce holds it own even without a burning wick. Shop the sconce via the link in our bio.
A closer look at our latest fabric collection in g A closer look at our latest fabric collection in gorgeous greens, each ready to refresh your home for the summer and beyond.⁠
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With a focus on vivid but calming colour palettes, high-quality materials, and meticulous craftsmanship, each cushion cover, lampshade, and curtain in these beautiful fabrics is made by us in our Suffolk workshops.⁠
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From left to right: Cow Parsley in new Hedge Green, Waterford Linen in Green, and the brand-new Norwood in Green & Gold.⁠
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Tap the 'Discover new arrivals' button via the link in our bio to shop these cut lengths, or choose from our selection of cushions and lampshades to accessorise your home.
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