Set alongside the River Gavenny, the 17th century Little Mill boasts a unique interior with a charming vintage appeal. The Welsh Mountain views and wild swimming spots on the doorstep are enough to entice you, but the rustic walls, a folky colour palette, and antique furniture are bewitching in their own right. Unpretentious in its approach, the Little Mill embodies cosy cottage styling in its most authentic sense. Unique in its simplicity, the house is dressed with traditional wool blankets and bedside candles, whilst colourful door frames and flooring adds a playful edge to whitewashed walls. We caught up with host Hayley to find out more about this historic Welsh hideaway.

How did you come to be the custodians of this beautiful property?

We were actually renting the property next to it, when it came up for sale. We had been looking for nearly one and a half years, so it felt like fate.

The Mill has incredible bones, can you tell us about the history of the home?

It is a late 16th century corn mill, sat next to the river Gavenny. I believe it was one of two mills in Abergavenny. At one point it was owned by the local Pen-Y-Fal Psychiatric hospital that loomed on the hill above. It produced flour for the people interned there. After that it was purchased by the NHS, and the local Doctor used to live next door. It fell into disrepair in the early-mid-19th century until it was purchased in the 90’s by two local musicians who began the works of restoring the old building.

Have there been any big surprises on your renovation journey? 

Too many to count! Some good, some bad. I love discovering the history of the building, so I was thrilled when we uncovered the old miller’s handwriting all over the lime plaster walls. We found the old mill stone in the undergrowth in the garden as well. I have no idea how we are going to move it, as it weighs a few tonnes! We have a lot of the old machinery including two large mill wheels and a 17th century staircase still in situ.

Your decor choices are intentional in their gently folky rusticity. Where does this influence stem from, do you have a background in design?

I did not grow up in the countryside or in cottage style homes but have always loved the aesthetic of a rustic country kitchen. I think it stems from my grandma describing her childhood in rural Estonia. It was a very simple aesthetic from her description, with a lot of handmade textiles, wooden furniture, and endless blankets in the winter. She grew up in a mill, so it is rather serendipitous that I have ended up living at one too.

What inspired the colour palette of your painted doors and floors?

As we were working on Little Mill, I went through so many colour changes, but one colour I always knew I wanted was the sorrel green floors upstairs. The colour is very saturated but without being garish and reflects the real natural tone I find in the garden in spring.

You’ve chosen to feature our beeswax ironmongery throughout, how easy have you found it to find new items that are sympathetic to the era of the house?

I love the beeswax finish. It is the right level of industrial and beauty that fits the mill perfectly. Brass finishes felt too showy for the rustic aesthetic. I have spent hours trying to find products to complement the building. Some felt to purposely ‘olde’ and others too new and shiny. I found the Jim Lawrence simple designs and finish worked in harmony with what was already there.

We’re interested in your sourcing secrets as a whole…where is your favourite place to gather antiques and other homely treasures?

I am an auction room addict. I don’t often get to attend them, but I am always looking online.

We love your dedication to ‘slow living’. Not just in terms of the aesthetics of the Mill, but the fact there is a vegetable garden to pluck from, no television, and a focus on enjoying all the nature on your doorstep. What can visitors expect when they book to stay with you?

We really want our guests to relax and step back from the day-to-day stresses when they visit Little Mill. There is a calmness in the space, which guests often remark upon, and the constant sound of the river rushing past can be very hypnotic.

Do you have any advice for others who wish to implement a simpler, more thoughtful approach to decorating their own homes?

Take your time. Don’t feel the need to finish everything in one go. Sit with a patch of colour for a while. Live with a painting in a certain spot, and don’t be afraid to change your mind the next day. Simple handmade items (whether it is furniture or textiles) always bring me so much joy. I have tried to allow Little Mill to breathe and tell its story, without feeling drowned in too much clutter.

What are your plans for the Little Mill going forward?

We are opening up the second half of the Mill in October which is really exciting. It has been a real labour of love and I can’t wait to have her finally open. We will also launch our artist residency in 2024.

Finally, a few quick-fire questions…

Three words to summarise how you want your guests to feel when they step through the front door?

Calm, quiet, informal.

Three words for when they leave.

Nourished, content, settled.

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

Wool blankets and beeswax candles.

Follow the Little Mill on Instagram (@little_mill_abergavenny) for more enticing interior shots and visit littlemillabergavenny.com to book your stay. 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

Suffolk Latch in Beeswax, Pendant Lampholder, Self-closing Portiere Rod, Beeswax Door Hinge 

You’d be forgiven for stumbling across Dani’s Instagram profile and assuming your eyes were scanning the beaches of South Africa, the vast wildernesses of North America or another far-flung location. But, as her username ‘@the.devon.good.life’ perfectly reveals, the bulk of her beautiful imagery and video content captures life on the Southwest Coast of England. Between renovating a 19th century coastal cottage and pulling on a wetsuit to paddle board with seals, we caught up with Dani to discuss the concept of home and why nature is key to that good life feeling.

Tell us about your move away from city life, what made you take the plunge? 

I had lived in London for coming up to a decade and whilst I loved it for the most part, the city lifestyle had started to wane just before Covid hit. I’d always grown up in a countryside setting and I was craving space, nature and a slower pace of life. I was also desperate to make a home. With soaring property prices in the city, I’d had years of moving from one rented room to the next. I think city life can cause an element of instability, some people thrive from that kind of challenge, but not me. When the pandemic changed the ways of working, I was suddenly able to do my job remotely and it was a chance to make a completely different lifestyle change that I knew I couldn’t pass up. So began the quest of finding a country cottage to renovate, which had always been a dream of mine to do.

Why Devon? 

Devon has always been a special place for me, it’s where I was born and where my family are from. The thing I love most is just the variety that this one county brings, I feel more than any other. I can start my day hiking the tors on Dartmoor National Park and finish my day with a sunset at one of our many beautiful beaches. There’s so much wildlife and marine life, and because it’s so big there’s always new places to explore. Now I’m here, I realise there are more and more younger people moving here, looking for this way of life, so it’s lovely to be surrounded by such like-minded people.

Working for a travel company and documenting new locations for your Instagram page means you are often on the move! How do you ensure your home is a sanctuary that you always look forward to coming back to? 

As we are mid-renovation that’s an interesting question because sometimes it’s hard to look past the mountain of jobs still to do which can be a bit overwhelming. I’m proud of what we have achieved so far though, doing the majority of work ourselves which does give a real sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. For me, it’s about making my home as light and spacious as possible using neutral colours, and then utilising as much natural texture as possible; woods, limestone, and linens for example, to make it cosy and warm. Nature and exploring new places is soul food for me, so if the inside of my home can remind me of what’s outside beyond it then that gives me a lot of joy.

Do you know much about the history of the cottage?

I believe it dates to around 1890 and over the years has had many alterations. In the last two decades, I understand the previous owner of next door was in some financial difficulty, so kept selling off sections of his house and garden to the previous owners of my cottage. My cottage looks quite small from outside first impressions, so I do enjoy seeing people’s reactions when they come in and the layout is always different to what they expect.

What has been your most unexpected discovery when getting stuck into the DIY side of things?

This is my first proper renovation project and so far, I’m thankful that we haven’t had any disaster discoveries like you see on all the renovation programmes. We managed to reveal what I think has turned out to be a beautiful fireplace which was always a hope of mine. We also paint stripped all our wooden doors and they ended up being so beautifully rustic that they’re now a favourite feature of the house. Over the years, some of the character has been removed so my aim is to really add that back in.

We are here to talk interiors, but what is it about being outside that you find so inspiring? 

For me, the outdoors and creativity go hand in hand now. Shortly after moving to Devon, I picked up my camera and finally felt like I had reason to use it every day so it’s lovely that one passion has completely sparked another. I get so much excitement from exploring somewhere new and seeing places for the first time, but once you move somewhere, there are less and less new places to find. For me, it’s inspiring because whether it’s the change in seasons, or that one sunset is always different to the next, the outdoors can give you a totally different experience, whether somewhere new or old. Time in nature is humbling, it provides me with a mental reset and a perspective on what’s important.

Your interior style appears to focus on pared-back natural materials. Does your love of nature impact the design choices you make?

Oh absolutely! After living in a city, I wanted a lifestyle that meant I had nature on my doorstep. For me, your home absolutely contributes to that lifestyle, and reflects your personality so for me it all goes hand in hand.

Where else do you seek ideas for the home?

Instagram and Pinterest are firm favourites, the ease at which you can consume and save inspiration is something I love. But I also find I get really inspired when I travel, especially places like Canada, the USA, and Europe. I’ve never been to Australia, but I know I would LOVE the interiors over there. That’s where interior coffee table books are also such a favourite of mine as there is often inspiration from all over the world. A couple of my favourites are the Surf Shack series by Nina Freudenberger and Still: The Slow Home by Natalie Walton.

Do you have any advice for those seeking out their first property?

Location is everything. It’s tempting to move for a house, but in my opinion it’s not enough. Loving where you live is so important, and you can change pretty much everything about a house, but not where’s located. If you’re moving to a completely new area like I did, I would really recommend renting before buying. By doing that, you can see what different areas are like at different times of year, how different locations and amenities would impact your lifestyle and in doing so, save yourself a lot of time, stress, and money, by having to move again.

Finally, a few quick-fire questions…

In three words, what does ‘the good life’ mean to you?

Nature, Contentment, Home. Or…work life balance!

Where’s next on the list to visit? 

Hiking in the Italian Dolomites or Norway.

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs? 

A comfy, stylish sofa!

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

It’s got to be the Club Wall Light; I just love them.

Follow Dani’s journey on Instagram (@the.devon.good.life) for a feast of beautiful travel and home photography. 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.

SHOP DANI’S LOOK

The Club Wall Light, The Club Plug-in Wall Light

Neha Shah is the founder of NS Interior Design, a Hertfordshire based studio. Characterised by bright spaces and warm accents, NS Interior Design specialises in a timeless style by offering spatial planning, interior design, and design management services. We’ve loved watching Neha fine tune her design with perfectly placed Jim Lawrence lights and are delighted to welcome her to the Style Journal.

When did you begin your journey into interior design?

I carved my own footsteps in the industry 4 years ago, in 2019. Having worked for other established interior design firms within London for 10 years, I was ready to take the big leap and go it alone.

For us, your styling has a relaxed, comfortable appeal which is elevated by elegant detailing. Can you tell us about your design ethos?

One key design statement I channel is creating interiors that have understated elegance and timeless feel. I naturally gravitate to neutral and calming colour palettes throughout and tastefully injecting subtle colour through items the client could easily change themselves in years to come. It’s key to get the right balance between style and function.

We initially connected over some images of your Little Venice project, a dainty property where maximising on space (particularly in the kitchen area) was key. In your experience, how important is lighting in helping to make the most of smaller areas?

That’s right. With that project in particular, lighting was important especially with regards to creating zones for the client. As I reconfigured the space to a single large open plan area, it was important we catered to each area and get the right balance of decorative lighting as well as practical lighting. Pairing the Edgeware Flush Mount Ceiling Lights with the Thornton Glass pendants is a great example of this.

Other than introducing bigger changes such as lighting and perhaps painting, what are the most effective ways to transform a room?

Once you have considered the fitted elements of your home, the next phase is the furniture and soft furnishings. This will truly complete the transformation of a room. It’s important to first ensure you establish the furniture layout before executing this with your choices. This allows you to ensure items are proportionate to the room.

Our favourite project of yours is your recent Maida Vale holiday home which weaves laid back neutral tones with swathes of warm brass. It is so welcoming and fresh. What are key pieces of styling advice for creating inviting bedroom and living areas like these?

For me personally and as you pointed out, spaces such as these in my opinion should be kept calming and comfortable. The choice of colours you place within a room, be it on the walls or furniture have an impact on how you feel within a space; how you’re able to relax within a space. Really think about the intensity and tone of colour you insert, as well as how much.

How can we all refine our own personal style?

It is so easy to get carried away with looking at inspiration online and say, “I’d like this, this and this in my living room” and assuming it will look amazing and cohesive. It’s important to really sit down and think what truly works, and what works well together based on your preferred aesthetic. Putting a mood board together to assist you will allow you to visually see it all together or always consult with an Interior Designer to assist in this.

You work with a variety of properties, but we know older homes can sometimes present unusual challenges when renovating. What’s the key to perfecting a period project?

I suppose there are two parts to this question if you’re considering a renovation project in its entirety. Structurally, be realistic and always expect more works are required than you imagined. Typically, older properties are built differently internally with weaker structures that may not withstand the renovation. They also usually require rewiring to ensure they are up to current standards.

Visually, I would say try your utmost to retain any period features. These elements provide character and charm to a room and can really elevate what may appear a clinical space to a warm and tastefully designed room. I love the juxtaposition within classic details and contemporary clean lines.

What advice can you give to those passionate about interiors but not quite knowing where to start on their own home re-design? Do you have a go-to for sourcing new ideas and inspiration?

Having an Interior Designer on board is just as important as considering all other trades for your project, whether you’re quite confident in what you’re creating or haven’t a clue where to begin. The first request I always ask of clients is to spend some time on platforms such as Pinterest or Instagram. This steppingstone allows me to visually understand their vision too.

A few quick-fire questions…

What are your top tips for making a house a home?

It is all in the layering; once you’ve considered all the fitted elements, think about the furniture, followed by soft furnishing, artwork, mirrors, decorative lighting and so on.

What’s your favourite room to design?

Usually, a bedroom or lounge. But then I love the kitchens I’ve designed recently!

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

A good quality made bespoke sofa!

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

Tough question and I’m struggling to choose as there’s so many classic timeless pieces in your collection. Can I choose two? For a while I was hoping to use the Barchester and Arlington pendants and so glad I got to in the Maida Vale Holiday Home). They are realty timeless, and I feel in 10 years’ time they will still make the interiors feel fresh.

Follow @ns.interiordesign on Instagram for further images of her beautiful homes. If you’re in need of a design revamp, visit  www.nsinteriordesign.co.uk to browse the portfolio and discover more about Neha’s services. Interior photography featured by Christopher Snook who you can follow @snookphotograph.

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 @NS.INTERIORDESIGN LOOK

Edgeware Mounted Ceiling Light, Thornton Pendant, Carrick Plug-in Wall Light, Carlisle Three Arm Pendant, Dulwich Wall Light, Putney Wall Light

If you’re an interior design lover, then SJ Axelby won’t need too much of an introduction. Her delectable watercolours of period homes ooze charm and style, featuring the cosiest corners of renowned interior designers. A painter with an antique restoration heritage; SJ has art in her bones. As someone who captures the delight of other people’s properties for a living, we wanted to delve a little further into her own rooms that she calls home.

Welcome to the Style Journal, SJ! Before we get into your own interior, could you give us a rundown of your background as a painter? Where did it all begin?

From an early age my Grandfather and mother actively encouraged my art as they too loved to paint and ran the family antique restoration business together. I’ve been watercolour painting since I was a child and can’t remember a moment in my life when I haven’t had some sort of creative project on the go. I have a degree in textile design but can also turn my hand to ceramics, print making and anything practical. I have a roll my sleeves up kind of attitude to most things.  I now love exploring mixed media in combination with watercolour, the effects are truly wonderful.

You come from a long lineage of creatives, including Henry Corbould who designed the Penny Black and his son Edward Henry taught watercolour to Queen Victoria’s children. That’s quite a legacy. How has this knowledge impacted your life as an artist?

Every now and again I wish my Grandfather could see what I’m up to now, I know he would be chuffed to bits. As for my ancestors I am in awe of their work and achievements, it must have been quite an honour to work for the royal household. I love to visit EH Corbould’s work at the V and A Museum in London and I would love to see some of the palace’s private collection of his work, that would be a dream.

Your training in textile design emerges in your work in that the images feel tactile and alive, as though you could turn a handle and step into the page. Tell us how you layer a room with colour and texture to make it sing in real time.

In my work that’s entirely what I try to do. I want the viewer to feel the room as well as see it. Just like a painting filling a room with things is a process, layer upon layer until it feels right. A friend always said to me once you think it’s right…take one thing away. It seems to work every time. I couldn’t live without textiles and textures in my home, from the vintage madeleine tins I glue gunned onto metal beams to the tartan wool blankets that are thrown over the back of each kitchen chair.

Many of your paintings feature a rich tapestry of pattern and antique style. How important are vintage treasures in your home?

It’s hard for me to buy something new, it’s in my blood to find old antique and vintage finds. One man’s treasure and all that…

When you were designing your own decor, was it hard not to view each corner as a vignette of sorts? Or did that help you construct the space?

I do have to tell myself to stop. My husband is a minimalist and over time he has mellowed to my bits and bobs. He will chuckle when I come home with a new find. I sometimes start with a painting or a fabric or wallpaper I know I want to use in a space and then work everything around it. Although I don’t like things to be too matchy matchy.

Do you have a favourite room of the house?

Right now, it’s the kitchen, we are lucky to have views over the garden and fields beyond and springtime is such a joyful time of year with all the daffodils out. We recently changed the décor in here from quite a neutral palette to a softer warmer scheme of butter and red. It works really well with all the brass fittings.

Styling paintings we love in the home can be tricky. Do you have any tips for our audience who are keen to introduce artwork into their decor but aren’t sure where to start?

Frames are everything, my go to is @aprinart, he made me a special range of zigzag frames for an exhibition last year and I have these dotted about the house. I try to make my work easy to fit standard frame sizes to keep the costs down so most of my work will fit straight into an A4 nicely without the need for a mount. I would always just buy what makes your heart sing, after all its you that’s going to be looking at it most of the time.

We were thrilled to spot the Single and Double Howard Wall Lights in your kitchen and dining areas. What drew you to these designs?

Oh, golly these were perfect for the kitchen. I’d been looking for ages for something brass that would work with the DeVol kitchen, and these ticked every box for me. I don’t like fuss and this classic design is timeless.

Finally, a few quickfire questions…

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

Fill it with the people you love, a dog and lots of blankets (one can never have too many).

Can you describe your personal style in three words?

Homely, jolly, and eclectic.

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

Ooh where to start, my lights are fabulous, but I really love all the other details too. I have used brass dolly switches and sockets and the floor sockets too which are perfect for hooking up a laptop and for the Christmas tree in the kitchen.

What are you most looking forward to in 2023?

I have so many lovely projects on which I’m hugely grateful for, a new book coming out in the Autumn and lots and lots of travel plans from Egypt to India and some interrailing too!

Discover SJ’s endlessly endearing artworks on her website and follow along on Instagram @sjaxelby. To stay up to date with Jim Lawrence, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Browse our website to see all our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware.

Shop SJ’s Look2 Gang Chrome Dolly Switch with Clear Backplate, Single Howard Wall Light, 2 Gang Brass Dolly Switch in Antiqued Brass

A writer and avid interiors lover, both of Donna’s passions are expressed through her popular Instagram account, @littlestonecottageonthill. Relaxed but brimming with personal detail, Donna’s home serves up laid back luxury with a gentle period twist. The 300 year old cottage is located in an historic Yorkshire village and suitably styled with floor to ceiling modern country charm. We caught up with Donna to find out more about her beautiful home. 

Donna, welcome to the Style Journal! Please tell us more about the history of your Little Stone Cottage On T’hill. 

We bought the cottage in 2012 – it’s over 300 years old, built in locally quarried Yorkshire stone and situated in an historical little rural village.

Your style leans into the contemporary, and though neutral in colour, your rooms always feels playful and inviting. How do you balance this look whilst staying true to the era of the house?

Everyone’s different, but when you live in such an old house, I prefer the bones of it to do the talking rather than overpowering it with patterns and excess colour. It’s all about balance. The neutral tones and soft fabrics we chose respectfully allow the house to shine, from the ancient beams and the uneven walls to the aging stonework… it’s all very beautiful and we feel so honoured to be a part of its history.

Let’s go straight go your bright and beautiful kitchen. Kitchens are functional spaces first and foremost, but so often they come to be the heart of the home. How do you make this practical space as comfortable as the rest the house?

When we moved into the cottage it had the tiniest kitchen and a very narrow dining room, but by knocking down the dividing walls and opening up the whole of the bottom floor we were able to embrace open plan living. We designed the kitchen area to have curved cabinetry for a softer, more relaxed feel. By blending the colours, textures and furnishings to complement each other, and keeping the palette neutral, the whole of the downstairs feels like one big room. We chose crushed velvets and linens to create a natural look that works really well with the rustic modern kitchen, making the most of every corner.

To anyone scrolling through your Instagram it’s clear you have an affinity for lighting. What’s the most important thing you keep in mind when layering light in a room?

I love ambient lighting. It enables you to enhance all those dimly lit areas (particularly in older houses), by adding warmth and depth. Whether it’s the gentle flicker of a candle on a window sill, a table lamp glowing warmly or some magical twinkling lights hung on a beam, there’s always somewhere inviting and cosy to relax.

We were delighted to collaborate with you on your recent bedroom re-style. You opted for the hand blown glass of the Putney Plug-in Wall Lights. What led you to plug-ins over traditional wall lighting?

Because the cottage is so old it’s always a gamble to start cutting out walls for lighting, so when we were introduced to your new Plug-in Wall Lights it was a real game changer. No professional installation needed, just a plug to pop in an existing socket. Genius!

How do you keep your home feeling fresh through the year, do you find yourself influenced by seasonal trends?

I’m not influenced by seasonal trends but I do like to enhance the cottage with seasonal flowers throughout the year. I’m very much a ‘less is more’ person though; one too many blooms or accessories can make the place look very cluttered, so I’m always minimal but thoughtful with any new additions.

We have to admit that we love seeing our customer Christmas interiors unfurl. How do you prepare the home for festive period whilst staying true to a ‘less is more’ approach?

Because the cottage is so small I like to keep Christmas decorations to a minimum. A Christmas tree, a simple mantel garland and a subtle Christmas tablescape is just enough without overpowering everything. I like to trim outside the front door too so the curb appeal isn’t forgotten!

A few quick-fire questions…

What are your top tips for making a house a home?

Layering with cushions, throws and rugs. Lots of mirrors to bounce the natural light around. Candles and subtle lighting. Make sure you make your home about ‘you’ and not what’s trending.

What’s your favourite room to style?

I love styling the whole cottage so I don’t have a favourite room. We’re fairly lucky though as it’s so full of character which makes it feel easy.

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

We have Jim Lawrence lights all over the cottage and each one lends itself beautifully to its surroundings, so I’d be hard too hard pushed to choose one…

Finally, what’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

A dog!

Follow @littlestonecottageonthill on Instagram to follow Donna’s styling journey and revel in her joyously written captions. 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

Lynfield Pendant in Antiqued Brass, Hunstanton Velvet Cushion Cover in Mole, Single Cottage Wall Light in Matt Black, Putney Plug-in Wall Light in Antiqued Brass.

Fable Interiors is an interior design studio based in the picturesque town of Royal Leamington Spa. Experienced in renovating listed builings, it’s no wonder that owner Harriet Sinclair-Wilson is drawn to the heritage style of Jim Lawrence.

Fable interiors specialise in complete renovation and project management, helping clients to create bespoke interiors that suit individual requirements whilst embodying Harriet’s signature look: refreshed, elegant and ultimately timeless.

You started out owning the rather lovely Fable Interiors retail store for 6 years, so you are no stranger to homeware! Can you tell us a little bit about how your design studio came to be?

Whilst owning my retail store I found a lot if customers asked if I offered interior design services. I have always been very passionate about interior design and applied for a course that I could work through online. Once graduated I set up the interior design side of the business and ran a couple of competitions offering my services for free to trial the process and gain clients feedback.

We first connected via Instagram after you shared a beautiful boot and utility room featuring our lighting and hardware which is part of a larger Georgian Townhouse that Fable Interiors designed. We’d love to talk more about this project and why you chose to use so much JL throughout the property.

This was a full service complete renovation project, where we stripped back the property and refurbished throughout over a period of one and a half years. My clients were a family of 5 and our brief was to renovate tactically and in keeping with the period features, but also to create a future proof family home for modern living.

I have always loved JL lighting and used their products in projects previously. However my clients had recently visited the showroom and also fell for their designs. JL products are designed with a perfect mix of traditional and modern elements, so it was a great match.

Kitchen lighting is by far the largest draw for our customers, with interest showing no signs of waning! The shaker style kitchen you put together for the Georgian home is light and spacious but nonetheless very homely with warm brass accents. From a designers perspective, what can people do to elevate their kitchen from a good room to a great one?

Choosing the right hardware is so important when designing a kitchen and can really help to add interest and depth. Think about what finish your appliances have and choose your door knobs, taps and lighting accordingly. For me, I love to mix two or three different metals as I feel it’s a great way to create a homely look in a space that is essentially full of hard materials. For example, if you have a stainless steel range cooker, it might be nice to use antique brass door handles to warm the space, and choose a pendant light with a matching brass ceiling rose to tie everything together.

How do you help your clients to bring a touch of their own personality into the home?

I like to think about my clients lifestyles and what might be beneficial for them and the people they live with. I work with a variety of people and properties, from a retired couple who are renovating their new home in a town centre to a young family living in the countryside. Their requirements and aspirations will be completely different from one another.

Whilst working with my clients, I get to know what they are passionate about and what brings them joy, I will refer back to our conversations and think about what I can incorporate into the details or accessories in a space.

We were thrilled to spot a mention of the use of natural materials, fair-trade products and sustainability as a passion on your website. How can everyday people bring this message home with them and work into their décor?

I believe that less is more with accessories and buying quality items that you really love is a great place to start. There are some great companies that source beautiful fair-trade and sustainable homewares. Buying second hand furniture is also becoming more and more convenient.

Our favourite home in your portfolio has got to be the Grade II Listed Georgian house in Warwickshire mentioned above. Have you got one job that will always come to mind as your favourite project?

I loved working on this project too. I’m currently working on a family home in the Warwickshire countryside, that I am so excited about. The direction we are taking is right up my street and I can’t wait for it to be finished in around a years time and I think it will be a favourite for sure.

What advice can you give to those passionate about interiors but not quite knowing where to start on their own home re-design? Do you have a go-to for sourcing inspiration?

I would say that it is very important to know the direction you want to take before you start purchasing or booking in tradespeople. Take time to research different looks and read interior magazines for inspiration. This will save you both time and money in the long run and the outcome will be more harmonious.

Do you have one key piece of styling advice that you can share with us?

Books are so useful and something most people have already. There are so many different ways you can use them for styling. Stacked upright on a bookcase, lying flat with a vase on top to add height, or on a coffee table, they are so versatile and great to add a personal touch.

A few quick-fire questions…

What are your top tips for making a house a home?

To create a home that feels inviting and welcoming, try to use different natural materials, such as linen, cotton, wool and wood. By doing this your home will have more depth and will feel cosy.

What’s your favourite room to design?

Living rooms are always fun, they are used for so many different events through the year and I like to design them with these important dates in mind, such as Christmas, birthdays and so on.

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

A throw or bedspread.

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

Fisher wall light: so versatile.

If you are looking for more elegant decor inspiration follow @fableinteriors on Instagram and soak up all their beautiful imagery. If you’re in need of a restyle, visit www.fableinteriors.com to browse the portfolio and discover more about their services. Interior photography featured by @annastathakiphoto and portrait of Harriet is by Katie McCullough @katiemccphotography.

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 @FABLEINTERIORS LOOK

Grantham Wall Light in Antiqued Brass, Portland Floor Lamp in Old Gold, Romana Pendant Light in Old Gold, Fisher Wall Light in Antiqued Brass

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

Founded in 2021 by two friends, Charlotte and Kerrie, Torn & Cotton Interiors believe in creating interiors that are timeless, comfortable and considered. Creating drama with neutral palettes and bold contrasts alike, their decor is both harmonious and striking, a hard-to-reach achievement that we have very much enjoyed oggling over on their Instagram over the last year. We caught up with Charlotte and Kerrie to find out more about their ethos and how to ensure uniqueness is embraced in every home.

Can you tell us a bit about how you both discovered and refined the style of Torn & Cotton Interiors?

Discovering our style is something that happened gradually throughout our teens. Our tastes were often similar, and we would turn up to social events wearing the same outfit, or the same but in a different colour – we’ve ended up doing the same for client meetings sometimes too! It’s safe to say we always knew our styles were very much aligned, long before we were designing together!

When we were eventually old enough to be buying our first homes and renovating, we realised that not only did we buy similar clothes, we also had a very similar style when it came to interiors and a shared passion (read obsession!) for it. We both have a desire to combine classic and contemporary styles, and a shared love for nature inspired interiors by bringing natural fabrics, colours and pattern into the home. We always work together on our projects and really enjoy bouncing ideas off one another until it snowballs into this beautiful, shared objective.

Being in our second year in business, refining our style is something we work on continuously with each project that we take on, and it has a lot to do with the lovely clients who come to us because they’ve seen our work and like our portfolio and trust in us to express our style. We feel its hugely important as designers to have a signature style that brings in a specific client, but that also grows and evolves over time. As well as our designs reflecting our own style as a business, it’s also important to us to ensure the personalities of each of our clients are reflected into our designs. The interior of your home is a reflection of who you are, so we are dedicated to ensuring our clients homes are individual to them whilst getting the Torn & Cotton Interiors touch.

You have been friends for 10+ years, how did you meet and at what point did you decide to pursue a business together?

We met at school in 6^th form and became friends along with a larger group of girlfriends, who we are still very close with to this day! We had many a conversation about our desire to work for ourselves and run our own businesses one day (usually after a couple of red wines), however the matter of us actually working together wasn’t properly discussed until the pair of us started having children. The more we talked about it, the more it seemed like a great idea. It then of course took time for the cogs to start turning, and for us to work out the logistics, but we both ultimately shared the same goal, and our personalities seemed to complement each other, so we thought why not!? It’s been a beautiful whirlwind ever since.

Torn & Cotton Interiors believe in creating interiors that are ‘timeless, comfortable, and considered’, how does this translate in practice?

When we are developing designs for a client it is important to us that these three aspects are always reflected upon. Timeless design is so important to us as we want to create something for our clients that will stand the test of time and that isn’t just a fly by trend. Of course, there will always be trends that come and go in interiors, some may have their place or may be perfect for a client, but what is key is to ensure the design in its entirety has longevity to it. A comfortable design is vital as we want the spaces we design to be loved and ‘lived in’. We strongly believe that your home should be your sanctuary, somewhere that brings you peace.

A considered design quite literally means that we ensure each aspect of the space and the design has been carefully considered, all the details have been accounted for ensuring that everything in the space works in harmony together and is fully functional for modern day life.

We love how you layer tone and texture in your rooms. How do you go about choosing a colour scheme?

How we choose a colour scheme for a room will vary from project to project depending on a multitude of aspects, whether that’s the clients particular brief, the surroundings of the space, the amount of light within the room, the type of room, the age and style of the building. Once we have determined the brief and/or starting point from the client, we go from there and start gathering inspiration for the design. Before making any final decisions, it is always so important to ensure colours and samples are checked on site too.

You’ve used our Club Wall Lights and Fulbourn Pendant in a recent project and to beautiful effect we have to say! What do you look for when choosing lighting for a room?

Thank you! The club lights are a favourite of ours. When choosing lighting for a room they need to be functional for the particular area they are being used in, beautiful, and in line with the design scheme in terms of finish and form.

Though there is a wealth of gorgeous inspiration on platforms like Instagram, sometimes it seems like a lot of houses can end up looking the same based on what is trending at the time. How do you ensure a uniqueness is felt in each a home?

A big part of being an interior designer is working with people from all different walks of life. It’s our job to get to know our clients, attempt to climb inside their minds and work out what it is that they want and understand how they live. That’s why we ask questions like, what do you do for work? Who do you live with? What’s your shoe size? (Just kidding).

But seriously, we have to know these things. It’s actually in our job description to be nosey! After all, how could we possibly design a home for someone we barely know? We therefore ensure uniqueness by making sure the clients own personal style is reflected within our designs whilst also trying to push their boundaries in the most creative ways possible.

Do you have one key piece of styling advice that you can share with us?

Our key piece of advice would quite simply be to surround yourself with the things that you love. One thing we would say is not to get het up on ‘trends’ and so called ‘must haves’. Be yourself. Seen something unusual that you feel really drawn to? Get it. Love the idea of painting your own artwork for your hallway? Do it! Your home should be individual to you and reflect your style and personality. Style is so subjective. No two people will style a room the same so our advice would be to try not to worry about what’s right and what’s wrong. Don’t fear that what you are doing won’t be liked, just do what feels good to you and what you love the look of. Your home is your own sanctuary.

A few quick-fire questions…What are your three tips for making a house a home?  

• Add soft furnishings and natural textures to create a warm and inviting environment to ensure your space doesn’t feel too cold and clinical.
• Surround yourself with items that feel special to you. Collect pieces that make you happy.
• Make your home functional as well as beautiful, for example by creating useful/clever storage.
  

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

Some Jim Lawrence lighting of course! In all seriousness, Jim Lawrence is our go to for classic, quality lighting that will make a statement in your home.

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

It has to be the Club lights: classic, timeless, simply beautiful.

Finally, what are you most looking forward to for Torn & Cotton Interiors?

This year we have lots of or beautiful projects coming to an end and we can’t wait to get them all photographed! Stay tuned!

If you too are inspired by Charlotte and Kerrie’s designs, for more of their interior styling portfolio follow @tornandcottoninteriors on Instagram. All Torn & Cotton images shown are taken by Laura Malin Photo. 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 TORN & COTTON LOOK

Brass Curtain Pole in Antiqued Brass, Fulbourn Pendant Light, Burnt Orange Cushion Cover, Club Wall Light

An expert in carefully-curated eclecticism, we spoke to Sian from @restore_home_ about her history with interiors and her advice on layering with textures which she does so well. Tinged with vintage-look items and framed with a cool industrial edge, we’ve loved delving further into her home and uncovering the secrets to a successful renovation journey.⁠

Sian, welcome to the Style Journal. Can you tell our audience how you got into refurbishing property?

I’m really just a frustrated lawyer! I wanted to be an architect so refurbish houses as a hobby to fulfil my need for creativity and appreciation of the aesthetic. I guess interiors nourish my soul whereas law feeds by brain and puts pennies in the bank!

We know older homes can sometimes present unusual challenges when renovating. What’s the key to perfecting a period project?

Every project is completely different and I think no matter how many properties you renovate, there’s always something to learn. Keeping an eye on the original details and remembering what you fell in love with about the house is critical. In my latest renovation it was the staircase and proportions that drew me in. In planning the extension, the ideal new floorplan would have meant removing an original window and compromising an existing staircase. I’d fallen in love with the original Georgian windows and staircase – so the compromise had to be in the extension – not the original features. As soon as the structure was up I knew that retaining the details was the right course as that’s the soul of the property.

What is it that makes you choose Jim Lawrence lighting?

Elegant but edgey design, first and foremost. But it’s the quality that never falters that keeps me buying it. The finish is fantastic and they only improve with age. And I’ve had some lamps for over 15 years and still they look beautiful and the finish looks perfect. I’ve honestly never been disappointed with a purchase from Jim! I’ve taken some risks with this property in going for real statement pendants (larger than I’d usually go for) but they’re fabulous and totally make the space. There’s a danger in under-budgeting for lighting. I feel it’s better to save elsewhere as lighting is a game-changer in a room and instantly elevates the space.

You often opt for shade-less light fixtures, why is this?

I love glass pendants. They’re timeless but importantly reflect the light, bouncing the brightness back into the room and complementing the room rather than providing a visual stop. In period properties particularly, enhancing the natural light is really important and glass optimises what you have naturally, even when the lights are off. I love shades too but tend to use them on lamps for more ambient lighting.

We like to think a home project is never really finished, as like our wardrobes, interiors develop and adapt for the seasons and how we feel. How do you refresh your rooms when they’re in need of a ‘quick fix’?

Soft furnishings are a great way of updating a scheme, with a throw or cushions in a seasonal hue, but also artwork is underused in my view. I’ll often base a room around a piece of art, and then when I want something new and fresh, will add a piece that easily be switched in or out and around rooms.

After a year where many of us could only venture the world of interiors by looking online, where do you find yourself sourcing most of your home inspiration these days?

Instagram is a fantastic place to be inspired. As is Pinterest, but you can’t strike up conversations and ask questions as well as you can with Instagram. It’s really such a fantastic interiors community with some very talented people just posting about what they love. But I’m also an obsessive about paper: flicking through a brochure and the medium of print are really underrated now I think. I’ll often use Instagram for inspiration but when creating a moodboard I need to see and feel the images, and nothing replaces a mountain of swatches and samples!

Those of us fortunate to have outdoor spaces have never been more grateful for our gardens, patios and even porches. What’s the key to good (and happy!) garden design?

I think for me it’s evergreen structure. I love John Brookes concepts of gardens being a series of rooms, an extension of our homes. I tend to separate my gardens into 3 zones, for terrace seating near the house, a play area for the children and animals (perhaps with a rewilding area if possible) and then a more formal area for wandering around and outdoor dining.

By having “walls” of hedges, you can create the rooms but also mask some of the not so aesthetically pleasing areas – trampolines, sheds etc. Then you can focus the planting around these areas. I’d have soft breezy aromatic plants for the terrace, such as Gaura, herbs, lavender,  evergreen structural hedges for the format and disguising like Holm Oak or Portuguese Laurel, and then formal and fragrant planting for the seating and dining areas such as topiary, jasmine and cypress.

We really love your eclectic but carefully considered styling. What are three top three tips on how to layer up display areas indoors like shelving and sofa cushions?

Groupings of three are really helpful as it provides balance and doesn’t jar with the eye. Also consider height within that grouping, so there are different elevations. But fundamentally it’s about harmony (which can be through shape, or colour, or a theme) but really it’s about objects you just love and that speak to you.

How do you stay true to your own style when choosing home furnishings?

I’m not sure I could say I stay true! I don’t really have any rules, I just furnish with things I love and that draw me in. I do tend to hide purely utilitarian things in cupboards but that’s about the only rule. Perhaps a new style I’m adopting is to really be intentional about what I buy, and try to buy pre-owned wherever possible. There’s not much that you can’t get vintage and traditional designs, be it architecture or engineering, quite often still hold up as the best. They’ve remained in existence for a reason!

We love your laid-back look, but you’re clearly influenced by elements of traditional or vintage design. Do you have any truly unique old items in your home that you could never part with?

Yes, too many to admit! Some are family pieces which mean so much, but many are new acquisitions with stories to tell. Artwork is hard to part with, and I really love battered tan leather so that features everywhere from chairs, sofas and boxes down to my decades old trusty Filofax!

New or old, what’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

A squashy chair for reading alone or with children (and for the dog to snooze in), a beautiful table lamp, plus an array of individual cups and mugs for morning coffee and afternoon tea.

Talk us through your plans for the rest of 2021 and beyond…

I’ve currently just sold my Georgian terrace in Oxford and am moving to the country to be near my son’s new school. It’s a change led by necessity but I think one which will benefit us all as we’ll be able to get into nature more. The house has a stable with exposed stone. And looks out on to the garden and fields. I’m hoping to use it as a study and workshop for a new venture. Constantly searching for that creative outlet! But currently we’re in a stone barn until the purchase on the new place completes. It’s on a farm and is a wonderful transition, with huge tall ceilings, and masses of oak beams. Your pendant lighting would be incredible in this space but sadly it’s rented so I have to make do with my table lamps for now!

To stay up to date with Sian’s Beautiful Home and to see how she styles her new space, be sure to give her a follow on Instagram. We would love to see more Beautiful Homes! Tag your images with #JimLawrenceMade or email to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk so we won’t miss out. For further styling inspiration you can browse our Pinterest.

Pendant Lampholder, Walcot Pendant Light, Orwell Table Lamp, Globe LED Filament Bulb, Thorpe Wall Light

A full-time mum, blogger, Instagrammer, freelance brand consultant, holiday rental property manager and events organiser. Sarah-Jane, or @justalittlebuild as you are likely to know her by, has an impressive roster of skills to her name. We talk to Sarah-Jane about her beautiful home, how to renovate in light of the pandemic and the best ways to translate your personality into an interior…

We’ve long admired your use of our Lovell Pendants in your coastal holiday property (@leathousecornwall) which continues to bring admirers to our website, and were thrilled with some lovely feedback you gave us recently about our lighting. We’d love to talk about what draws you to Jim Lawrence products in particular?

I am honestly so pleased with the Lovell Pendants that we bought for Leat House. Not only do they look great in situ during the day – like glistening jewels hanging from the ceilings – but they completely transform the room to an atmospheric dining space in the evenings, similar to the experience you would have in a high-end restaurant. I think its down to the way the light deliberately shines down on the table below, making it feel intimate and welcoming. Other pendants on the market can disperse the light all around the room through the sides of the glass shade, but these simply don’t do that which makes them rather unique. We have them set up with dimmer switches which allows you to make the space feel more intimate as you can dim the lights right down for a more cosy dining experience.

Not only have you renovated your own home and Leat House, but you offer a design service for others who need the expertise. Have you always been interested in pursuing interior design?

I have always had a real passion for all things homes and interiors. From the early days of watching ‘Changing Rooms’ on the TV and more recently “Your Home Made Perfect’, I enjoy nothing more than immersing myself in design-led makeovers and challenges! Seeing rooms transform into more desirable, welcoming and practical spaces is something I love to see and thankfully now, I have the ability to do myself in my own home(s), and in that of others.

Many of our customers are led to us by their interest in period properties and English heritage, but we are always pleased to see our lighting and homeware tied into more contemporary schemes. Tell us how you blend different trends and styles to make the decor work as a whole?

With any room scheme, determining the overall feel you want to achieve is the best starting point. Do you want the interior design mix of old and new to feel elegant, fresh, lived-in, relaxed, classic or unorthodox? For me personally, I tend to lean towards a more fresh mix – marrying the old and new to give a new design perspective that allows each aspect to shine in its own right. I would say my style is fairly contemporary in design with a classic edge. A nod to the Transitional Design which borrows from both traditional and modern design to facilitate a space that is not “too much,” in terms of one style or another.

Leat House is over 200 years old and has some beautiful original features such as a flagstone slate floor, some exposed wooden beams and a Cornish stone wall within the living room. These architectural aspects lend themselves to the ‘old’. With some sympathetic pieces of furniture such as a large comfortable sofa, a Persian rug and a vintage coffee table, you can embrace the character of this more traditional look and then, (and this is the fun bit!), you can bring in some of the more contemporary aspects to elevate the space and to give a sense of ‘freshness’. I like to do this by introducing some modern artwork that sits within a very simple frame, lighting that has a combination of glass and metal and an accent chair with clean, crisp lines.

Forgive us for mentioning the pandemic, but how do you think the experience of lockdown has changed how we view our homes?

Over the last year, the pandemic has transformed the patterns of daily life. Perhaps one of the most recognisable shifts has been seen in the way we view our homes. Where we once designed them for comfort and security – a safe haven to which we could retreat at the end of a working day – our homes must now take on a plethora of other roles providing space for work, education, fitness, social events and more. In smaller homes, or for homes naturally divided into small spaces, multifunctional rooms offer an innovative approach to creating an adaptive living environment. By combining different purposes into a single floor plan, multifunctional rooms can make small rooms go further – kitchens with islands doubling as workstations, or guest bedrooms that can be transformed into gyms or offices as required.

In a world where flexibility is becoming evermore essential to functional living, multipurpose spaces can allow us to comfortably adapt to whatever changes might appear on the horizon.


It is easy to incorporate our personality into our own interiors, but how to you help translate this for others when you take on a project?

There’s really only one way to successful do this and that is to fully understand your client. Find out about their likes/dislikes, their hobbies, what they like to wear (this can be such a help when deciding on fabric selections for the home), what art they like (and what art they don’t!), how they like to live and where they like to go etc. This will all help form an idea of how your client will want their home to serve them and how it should feel when they are in it.

Alongside this, you can inject some personality into a home by introducing a statement piece of art, some accent furnishings (perhaps an upholstered chair in a statement fabric or some contrasting cushions) and/or a unique item of furniture. These should be heavily influenced by the client to bring out their true personality and resonate with them individually.

You announced that you’re moving from your current home into a new location. Using your experience, how will you take on this renovation differently from your other moves?

Over the last five years we have completed two renovation projects and in doing so have gained so much hands-on experience. The do’s, the don’ts, the things to look out for, the things to not compromise on and the things to not get too worried about! It has been a real learning curve and I hope to take forward all the valuable lessons through to this project.

With our new home, we have the ability to design a space that really works for us. In our last house we were constrained by the square footage available to us so it was difficult to play too much with the space we had. Here though, I hope to create a home that not only provides us with what we want (we have a room checklist…!) but also allows us to have fun with the architectural design to bring in different design concepts, varying heights, textures and materials. And with reference to my answer above on how the pandemic has changed the way we view our homes, this will very much affect our design choices for this project. I think the project style will fall within the Transitional Design that I mentioned earlier but with a nod to a Scandinavian style.

A few quick-fire questions…

What are your top tips for making a house a home?

• Adding plants – they can can bring life, comfort and colour
• Texture – it helps to break up the formality of a space, adds depth, comfort and reduces the need for lots of colours (if colour isn’t your thing)
• Mix of design elements – ‘old & new’ to give character and a sense style

What’s your favourite room to design?

The kitchen, although it can be the most stressful! It’s the heart of the home and where I like to be so for me, its the anchor point of any interior design project.

What’s the staple homeware piece that every house needs?

Task and mood lighting. So often forgotten but extremely important! Not only for practically but for making a house feel/look like a home.

Your favourite Jim Lawrence product?

I love the simplicity of the Club Wall Lights which we also have down at Leat House and I have recently installed in a client’s home.

Finally, what’s on the cards for Just A Little Build in 2021 and beyond?

To fully immerse myself in our biggest renovation project to date!

We are so looking forward to seeing this new renovation unfurl. If you too are inspired by Sarah-Jane’s advice and approach to design, for more of her interior styling and stunning home style follow @justalittlebuild on Instagram or the justalittlebuild blog. To stay up to date with Jim Lawrence, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. To shop her style, browse our website to see all of our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware. 

Lovell Pendant in Antiqued Brass, Schoolhouse Drawer Pull in Antiqued Brass, Club Wall Light in Antiqued Brass, Hunstanton Velvet Cushion Cover in Dusky Pink