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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

Spotlight On | Sara & Dan of The CONTENTed Nest

Stylist, art director and author, Sara Bird is highly skilled in the world of interiors with a keen emphasis on sustainability. A flair for storytelling woven through her work, Sara has styled many beautiful photoshoots for all your favourite home magazines. Teamed with award-winning interiors photographer Dan Duchar, they make up two halves of The CONTENTed Nest. We caught up with Sara and Dan to find out how two professionals approach the styling of a real home, and how best to embrace the ethos of thoughtful decorating.

Sara and Dan, welcome to the Style Journal. Can you tell us a bit about how you both got into the world of interiors?

S: I was always interested in interiors, even as a child, and went on to study architecture at University. It was always the designers who thought about the whole home and not just walls who I was drawn to. William Morris and the Arts & Crafts were a massive influence on me, not just for their artisan and authentic approach, but their designs were very much about how they would be used on a human level. During my early career I managed to secure work experience at Homes & Gardens, and then a position in the press and marketing team at Sanderson and Morris & Co, which meant I was introduced to the world of styling and interior shoots.

D: I started out as a food photographer, and I’d gone into a magazine to show my portfolio. They really liked my lighting and asked if I would be interested in applying that style to interiors. They made it very clear it was a different discipline. I changed direction, did tests, and put together a new portfolio and went from there. I loved it.

Where did the concept for The CONTENTed Nest come from and how long have you been working together?

S: We’ve been working together for over six years now creating photographic stories and campaigns for makers and brands. We realised pretty early on we had the same vision for crafting images, but for us it is also the behind-the-scenes narrative and detail which we love to incorporate whether it is the about a setting, a skill, a style or vision. Sharing what makes a person or company ’tick’ through an image is very rewarding and we’ve got to know many amazing creatives along the way.

You touch on the concept of ‘slower styling’ in your book Home For The Soul, what does it mean to curate a more mindful living space?

S: Interiors will always have trends and new looks, but curating a home is very different to repeat redecoration. Living somewhere gives us the chance to gradually create our own style, make it unique and bespoke to how we live and how we feel when we are at home. Slower styling allows us the time to curate this look, to blend what we inherit with gradually gathered finds and new buys, so everything sits comfortably together in our own individual style.

In the past few years there has been a real shift in attitudes towards more sustainable practice like this. How can we all implement these positive and conscious changes in the everyday home?

D: I’ve always adopted things early both with new technology and practises but as with most things it’s so easy to cast off old things without a thought. Far better to invest in something over time.

S: It is true about small changes making the biggest difference. Switching to refills and reusables, recycling, and revamping, learning to re-love rather than remove, or if one is buying then purchase for longevity. For myself I’ve really started to think about how best I can re-use something.

When you are styling a beautiful scene for a magazine or brand there is a particular shot in mind. In the age of Instagram many people are viewing their own homes in this way too. How can you apply careful curation to an area of the home without it looking too staged?

S: The trick with styling, particularly home styling, is that it has to feel like someone could live or be there, like someone has just left the scene. There will always be a place for certain formal styling but for the home it’s the imperfections which make the shot.

Lighting is everything. Do you have a formula you stick to when it comes to illuminating a space? 

D: I’m a firm believer in not forcing light into a room. If you’ve not got a light bright airy home, go with a darker moodier colour to create a far more atmospheric and interesting home. For shoots, I always light things to make them feel as natural as possible.

S: Lighting a room has many subtleties and layers to getting it right. I always consider how a room might be used, what atmosphere I want to create and how flexible the lighting needs to be. Ambient lighting works best if it is dimmable. I like to use task lighting and decorative lighting to create zones in a room. Accent lighting needs to be really considered and used in measured manner to illuminate just the right amount of distinctive decorative elements or spaces.


The latest edition to your book series Retreats For The Soul came out this year, why do you think it’s so important that we explore spaces other than our own homes? Can we make our own homes feel like a luxury retreat?

S: For me it is more about having the luxury of a retreat rather than a luxury retreat. Busy lives, extreme stresses, everyday worries can build and manifest and to be able to leave these to one side for a moment is a great comfort. Having this escape place, or retreat, is a simple way to find your own place to just ‘be’ in your own terms and fill the time doing whatever you want to do, even if it’s nothing!

 

Your lovely books are bursting with inspiration for your readers, but do you have a personal go-to source for when you need to ignite that creative spark?

S: The books have been a pleasure to work on with Dan. As content creators we have a shared interest in looking around and behind the scenes of historical properties or places of special interest advocating artisan making methods and traditional techniques. These aspects of the work are what inspires me the most.

D: We often seek inspiration from history – I love the National Trust and visiting their properties for ideas.

Finally, a few quickfire questions…

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

D: Take your time to decorate.

S: And don’t worry about what anyone else thinks about your decisions. It is your place to style it to create your happy place.

What has been your favourite project to date?

S: I’m enormously proud of the books and meeting the people behind the homes, gardens, and retreats. Work wise and shoots in general, I think my favourite part is always working with the people behind the brand and designs. Understanding what makes them tick and how they feel about something they have created just lights up a project and packs it with meaning. I’m a softie for a good old story, be that how something came about or how it was made.

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

S: Can I stretch this to products!! I’m obsessed with your door furniture, the locks in particular which I think must come from the crossover to my architectural study days. They are beautiful but oh so functional and designed to be touched and used. If I had to drill down to just one item, it would be the rim lock with the mews handle. It’s stunning.

What are you most excited for in 2023?

S: 2023 so far has seen us launch our new book Retreats for the Soul, which has been very exciting. It’s published worldwide and hearing such lovely feedback from home and abroad has been humbling and really satisfying.  We also have shoots in the pipeline with favourite brands of old and new partnerships in the making and to work with these design teams always is a highlight.

To explore Sara’s styling work follow Sara on Instagram at @sara_bird_stylist, and discover the beautiful escapes uncovered by @thecontentednest, captured beautifully by @danduchars. All the CONTENTed nest books are published by Ryland Peters & Small available in all good book shops. To stay up to date with Jim Lawrence, follow us at @jimlawrencemade. Browse our website to see all our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware.

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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
Take a quiet moment 🕯️⁠ ⁠ Create a snug r Take a quiet moment 🕯️⁠
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Create a snug retreat for darker mornings and longer evenings with rich textures, gentle lighting, and thoughtful details.⁠
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A well-placed lamp casts a comforting glow, while natural materials bring warmth and added charm. Whether it’s a favourite armchair or a quiet corner of the sofa, having a comfortable nook at home is an autumn–winter essential.⁠
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Tap these images via the link in our bio to explore our full home furnishings collection.
Set within a Grade II listed home dating back to t Set within a Grade II listed home dating back to the 1600s, each space from @_our_housetohome_ blends historic character with timeless design.⁠
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Nat captures a range of our designs at their best. Showcasing the warmth and elegance of our lighting from mid-century chandeliers, more subtle sconces, and statement glass, her styling choices are a true reflection of how lighting transforms a house into a home.⁠
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Visit her profile to indulge in more imagery, and visit us at jim-lawrence.co.uk to shop each look.
We are holding a lampshade making workshop in our We are holding a lampshade making workshop in our Suffolk showroom, giving you the rare opportunity to create your own lampshade to take home.⁠
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Join us the 15th October and create your own timeless piece by hand whilst guided by our expert makers.⁠
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Places are £65 per person for groups of up to 8 people and include:⁠
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-A 35cm wide cylinder shade in a fabric of your choice (excluding faux silk)⁠
-Jim Lawrence workshop tour.⁠
-£10 discount voucher to spend in the showroom on the day⁠
-Refreshments⁠
-A curated Jim Lawrence gift bag with thoughtful take-home pieces⁠
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Tap the ‘Tickets’ button via the link in our bio to secure your place today.
Last week, we welcomed our friends and family to c Last week, we welcomed our friends and family to celebrate the opening of our new London showroom on Pimlico Road.⁠ It may not be big, but it holds everything you need to understand our passion for quality and design.⁠
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To visit and browse our collection in person, 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 look forward to welcoming you soon!
Based in Henley-on-Thames and working across the H Based in Henley-on-Thames and working across the Home Counties and London, Anna Moss is the founder of @mosslivinginteriors, known for creating elegant, timeless spaces with personality. ⁠
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Her love of interiors began in childhood, trailing through antique shops and soaking up inspiration from her family studio. After a decade in marketing, she took the leap and launched her own practice in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. Today, Anna’s designs blend classic foundations with contemporary touches, always tailored to the lives and stories of her clients.⁠
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Tap the blog link in our bio to see more.
We are holding two lampshade making workshops in o We are holding two lampshade making workshops in our Suffolk showroom, giving you the rare opportunity to create your own lampshade to take home.⁠
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Choose from the 15th October or the 20th November to join us and create your own timeless piece by hand whilst guided by our expert makers.⁠
⁠
Places are £65 per person for groups of up to 8 people and include:⁠
⁠
-A 35cm wide cylinder shade in a fabric of your choice (excluding faux silk)⁠
-Jim Lawrence workshop tour.⁠
-£10 discount voucher to spend in the showroom on the day⁠
-Refreshments⁠
-A curated Jim Lawrence gift bag with thoughtful take-home pieces⁠
⁠
Tap the ‘Tickets’ button via the link in our bio to secure your place today.
There's nothing like a crackling fire to make a ho There's nothing like a crackling fire to make a house feel like home. Our fireside collection is crafted in Suffolk using traditional ironwork techniques: simple, elegant, and made to last.⁠
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Explore our fire place accessories and companion tools by tapping this image in the link in our bio.
Whether it’s a row of wall lights casting soft p Whether it’s a row of wall lights casting soft pools of light, a statement pendant drawing the eye upward, or layered accents that highlight architectural details, good hallway lighting serves as a welcoming invitation to the rest of the home.⁠
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@coopersofsurreyltd has featured both our Morston wall lights and Conway pendant in matching Antiqued Brass to add warmth to this calming, neutral space. ⁠
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Visit jim-lawrence.co.uk to get the look.⁠
When thoughtfully placed, a mirror does more than When thoughtfully placed, a mirror does more than reflect: it amplifies natural light and creates a sense of space. Our collection is designed to transform any room, with a range of styles and finishes to suit every interior.⁠
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The Hepworth, as featured by @southernhomesuk, was made with dressing tables in mind. Crafted from solid steel and powder painted in matt black, metallic bronze, or plain ivory, this adjustable mirror with frame brings an elegance to every day routines.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to browse more designs.⁠
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Easy to fit without the need for internal wiring, Easy to fit without the need for internal wiring, plug-ins are a flexible solution for quick-fix fittings that have the same quality as a traditional light.⁠
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The vintage-style flex can be draped where you desire, with the in-line switch just in reach when you need it.⁠
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Our Carrick Light, pictured here, is thoughtfully designed and made in several beautiful iterations, offering a versatile option to suit a range of spaces and styles.⁠
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Discover more plug-in designs at jim-lawrence.co.uk.⁠
By hugging the ceiling, our collection of flush mo By hugging the ceiling, our collection of flush mount ceiling lighting offers a refined version of our most popular pendants, whilst maximising your existing ceiling height. Designed to provide even, ambient light without taking up too much space, they’re ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms like this one from @katherinetaylorinteriors.⁠
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The Shotley glass is handblown in Suffolk, and gently coaxed into its fluted form with a sweetly scalloped edge, available for flush mounted designs like this, or as wall and pendant lighting throughout the rest of the home.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to shop more flush inspiration for your daintier spaces.⁠
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Never underestimate the power of a well-placed tab Never underestimate the power of a well-placed table lamp. Whether it’s adding a warm glow to a reading nook or enhancing a hallway console, table lamps play a key role in restoring balance, and bringing a warmer atmosphere into your home.

The secret to a truly polished look is finding the perfect lampshade. Too big, and it overwhelms the base. Too small, and it will skew proportions.

Our simple guide to sizing your shades will help you get it just right, ensuring your table lamps feel in tune with the space around them. Tap this reel via the link in our bio to read more.
Nautical lighting design remains a popular choice Nautical lighting design remains a popular choice for outdoor spaces thanks to its blend of timeless coastal charm and practical durability. Originally crafted to withstand the harshest maritime conditions, these vintage-inspired looks offer both style and substance for enhancing exterior settings. ⁠
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Our award-winning Boathouse Light strikes this balance effortlessly. With its classic bell-shaped shade and curved swan neck arm, it brings a refined yet robust presence to any outdoor space, ensuring that it's an enduring favourite for all kinds of properties.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to browse our full outdoor collection.
Celebrating the hints of September sun in our Bath Celebrating the hints of September sun in our Bath, London, and Suffolk showrooms.⁠
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If you find yourself in Walcot, Pimlico, or Hadleigh, enjoy a glimpse into our collection of lighting and home accessories, with thoughtfully curated displays to suit each unique sapce.⁠
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For individual opening times, please visit our website for more details.
Rich brown hues in the home are earthy, timeless, Rich brown hues in the home are earthy, timeless, and can serve as a 'neutral', allowing other materials to sing against a grounded but luxury-looking backdrop.⁠
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This en-suite from @karlylouise_x exudes comfort and calm with its coffee-toned palette. Paired with brass details that blend in beautifully, the space proves that thoughtfully layered dark tones elevate instead of overpower.⁠
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Swipe to see Karly's lighting choice in further detail: our Cheltenham lights in softly antiqued brass.
Designed and made by us, Jim Lawrence multi-pendan Designed and made by us, Jim Lawrence multi-pendant lights are carefully crafted to leave a lasting first impression.

Elevate your home entrances, hallways, and stairwells with our luxury collection of multi-pendant ceiling lights, available in striking cluster, track, and cascade designs. ⁠Aysa of @thehighlandhome has selected the Barbican Five Pendant Rose in Antiqued Brass. Expertly crafted from solid, natural brass and gently antiqued to create a beautifully aged finish, this piece brings warmth, character, and a bold statement to her contemporary home.

Tap the reel via the link in our bio to shop the look.
Basking in the natural light of our Pimlico Road s Basking in the natural light of our Pimlico Road showroom 💡 

We’re drawn to unique architecture that perfectly showcases our craftsmanship, and with lofty ceilings and expansive glass frontage, our latest showroom is flooded with beautiful light to highlight every detail at its finest.

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. 

For easy access, the interior is all on one level and the nearest Tube is Sloane Square. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
At Jim Lawrence, we design and craft almost everyt At Jim Lawrence, we design and craft almost everything you need to make the living room just right. Starting with our range of wall lights, pendants, floor and table lamps, you can go on to browse our extensive collection of fabric shade to finish off the look perfectly.⁠
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By thoughtfully layering ambient, task, and accent lighting, you have a space that can adapt for intimate evenings or larger gatherings.⁠
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Tap this image of our gorgeous Grantham light via the link in our bio to shop our edit for the living room.⁠
Perfect for brightening up a seasonal tablescape o Perfect for brightening up a seasonal tablescape or supplementing the glow of the hearth, a hurricane lamp like our Penfold adds further charm to autumnal interiors.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to find yours in a bronze, matt black, or polished finish.
From rather rustic roots to a refined living space From rather rustic roots to a refined living space, this barn kitchen is the heart of @bijoubarn 's 1800's home renovation. ⁠
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Glass pendants are a timeless choice that complement any space, no matter the size, shape, or colour palette. The Lansdown pendants may be large, but their lightweight look allows the room to breathe, whilst falling in effortlessly with their modern country style. Tap the image via the link in our bio to explore more handblown designs.
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