The bedroom should be a hub of relaxation. With the right balance of lighting, accessories and personal touches, you can transform any bedroom into something luxurious. You might be familiar with this beautiful room after seeing our Suffolk Barn Renovation. We thought you might like a closer look, and to learn our three best tips for creating a restful space in your own bedroom at home…

Whilst our Harleston Lamps add a soothing glow to snooze by, useful task lighting from our carefully positioned  Edgeware Spotlights and Holt Wall Lights offer stronger directional light for those evenings curled up with a good book. Finding a balance with different layers of light is crucial when developing a relaxed space, so that you can alter the light outputs depending on your mood and the time of day.

These Antiqued Brass designs bring a warmth to an otherwise cool-toned room. Again, finding a balance in the colour scheme is also key…

Another way to balance lighting and enjoy a sense of calm is with candles. If you don’t want the hassle of wax and want to opt for something longer lasting, our Samworth Oil Lamp will do the trick. Hand blown here in Suffolk, the fluted glass lamp catches light and reflections while the antique brass topper gives it an elegant finish.

That’s right. If more gaudy tones make you feel relaxed, we’re all for it! But personally gentler natural hues are what does it for us. Here we’ve paired deep blue-greys like the Pewter Satin French Drum Shades, with lighter tones to soften the presence of the beams and create a sense of serenity and calm. We’ve chosen deeper grey fabrics on the bed to add depth and a sense of cosiness to an otherwise light space. The curtains are a bespoke cottage pleat design by us, made with the Stirling Lovat Wool fabric. These help the small window still feel light and open, but they can be lined or even interlined to keep out the morning sun. Using colours from a similar palette gives you a timeless and classic feel, ensuring a consistent look when you start building up with accessories like cushions and throws.

Sometimes less is more. Soft furnishings and home accessories are what you will actually use in the room, so it’s important you get these spot on. A bedside table is just what you need to hold a morning cup of something, as well as a platform for your essential bedside lighting. We chose the sleek Cromer Beside Table here, adding a touch of industrial-chic to an otherwise modern country look. When it comes to soft furnishings, pairing cushions and blankets adds texture and of course comfort. For a similar look, try the Hunstanton Velvet in Navy…

Subtle accessorising can also apply to your hardware. Matching sockets and switches to lighting creates a cohesive and considered look. Details do matter, and often it’s the smaller things in a room that ensure the overall space looks its best. All Jim Lawrence products are made using traditional metal working techniques and are hand finished to the very highest standards here at our Suffolk workshop, so every part of your room will exude quality no matter how big or small.

So there you have it! Our favourite tips and tricks for a restful space. We would love to see how you translate these ideas into your own home, so don’t forget to tag us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. For a wealth of home décor and interior inspiration, view our Pinterest page. To find out even more about Scotland Barn and how you can book a stay, visit here.

We’ve been enjoying some bursts of gorgeous sunshine in the UK lately, and with longer days and lighter nights sometimes we feel the need to shed our home décor skin and brighten up what’s indoors too. We thought we would share our favourite ‘quick fix’ tips for turning your home into a stylish and seasonal utopia, Jim Lawrence style…

When you’re so in love with your Jim Lawrence light but feel the need for a change, a new shade will do the trick. Linen is a summer fabric go-to for clothes, duvets, cushions…you name it! It is sometimes overlooked as a lampshade fabric – but not by us. Shown on our Double Shell Wall Light in Antiqued Brass, two Candle Shades in Cream Killowen Linen contrasts with the ages brass, updating the light to a more contemporary style.

Pictured above is our 40cm Empire Shade in Pale Green Faux Silk, another soft pastel alternative with a little pop of colour for your modern country lighting.

For a little pattern, our Longford Gingham Cushion Covers (above) will bring in some cool country charm. For a plain colour but with added texture, the Waterford Pure Linen Cushions would look stunning in an Off White or Vintage Pink.

If you’re not ready to let go of your soft, plush velvets from the winter then don’t fear, our Dusky Pink and Mole cushion covers in Hunstanton Velvet will satisfy your craving for something with more volume.

We imagine you’re doing this already, but we don’t mean literally. We believe in embracing your windows and window accessories, letting even more light flow in by using lightweight pale fabrics. Open up your space with white or lighter toned colours to lift the room and highlight your poles and finials. With curtains like these you can enjoy the lighter days for longer, and they look ever so pretty in a gentle breeze!

Though more of a permanent fixture, ensuring your window accessories are up to scratch in the summer is important too. With curtains drawn and the fresh air coming in, a unique and personalised touch that comes from hand-made products ensures the view from your window will be beautifully enhanced, finishing the room off with style and sophistication.

Seasonal blooms are what makes the spring summer months so beautiful. There’s no better way to freshen up your interior than with the real deal: foliage! Our go-to plants and flowers are freshly cut from the garden at best, but at a close second you can turn to your local florist to spruce up the corners of your home lacking in colour. Whether you using tumbling philodendrons, delicate ferns or vibrant bunches and bouquets, layering with different heights and matching pots to your décor can be a really fun exercise. We love the faded terracotta against the timeworn walls and white-washed woodwork here, but the options are endless!

What other ways do you like to refresh your home? Let us know how you use Jim Lawrence products to update your décor! Don’t forget to tag us in your home updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Happy shopping!

We make our aged brass lighting the Jim Lawrence way because we love them, but it’s always a treat when interior trends line up with our designs. We spotted an appreciation for ‘Real Brass’ in this gorgeous Apartment Therapy article. Of course trends ebb and flow, but our Antiqued Brass lighting is made to last, and once you choose our designs your love for them will last too.

“We are already seeing a bit of a trend toward new traditional interiors with classic lines and updated colors,” says Janet Lorusso of JRL Interiors. “This has already produced a return to real brass, not the fake lacquered shiny brass, in classic fixtures and chandeliers.” 

Of course you can opt for genuine vintage lighting for one-off designs, but with our specialist finish we offer you versatile new lighting made by hand using old techniques. So you get the best of both! When it comes to our brass lighting, we create our version of this traditional look by treating solid brass with an antiquing solution, which simply speeds up the natural tarnishing process. All Jim Lawrence lights are made using traditional metal working techniques and are hand finished to the very highest standards here at our Suffolk workshop, meaning the inside of our lights are as impeccable as their exterior.

Oversized lighting is growing in popularity as home décor gets bolder and braver. If your home has emphasised features (just like the exposed beams of our renovated Scotland Hall Barn) then ensure your ceiling lights don’t get lost in the room by choosing an upscaled statement design. These Leiston Pendants have a large, gently curved dome shade with a coordinating aged brass chain for a sturdy but chic industrial look.

Our Abercrombie Table Lamp has been designed with a heritage look that makes it as handsome when it is turned off as it does when it casts its pool of light across your countertop, bedside table or desk. It’s the perfect task light for further brightening areas that your pendants may not reach.

Incorporating a traditional spun brass shade and base with a contemporary steel stem, and featuring an exposed braided cable, the Abercrombie will sit as comfortably in a modern setting as it would a period one, while its Antiqued Brass finish works well with any colourway.

Where it might be difficult to install overhead lighting, wall lights are a fool proof go-to. The Club Wall Light is a neat, space-saving design with a period presence that produces a lovely pool of light for a subdued atmosphere in a large room. We do suggest layering both ceiling and wall lighting, ensuring you maintain a healthy balance of light. Our Antiqued Brass designs will bring a glowing warmth to your décor even when they’re switched off!

For a uniform look throughout your home, match your Antiqued Brass lighting with any of our stunning door and window furniture in the same finish, or with our range of matching electric switches and plugs. If you would prefer to create a contrast, see which other product finishes we offer.

Our Antiqued Brass products are created from natural, un-lacquered brass and will continue to age and develop a darker dull patina over time in your home. This is particularly hastened in harsh outdoor or damper environments. To decelerate this aging process we recommend regular polishing with a good quality brass polish and a soft cloth. Please note that chemical polishes can strip away the original antiquing solution too, so take care to use cleaning products sparingly to retain the aged look of the product.

Explore our full collection of lighting and homeware here. If you have any questions about fitting your lights, we are always happy to help, so give us a call or drop us an email and we will do our best to meet your needs.

Don’t forget to tag us in all your gorgeous Jim Lawrence home updates on Instagram @JimLawrenceMade. Happy shopping!

Using elegant glass pendants or natural linen lampshades is a great way to subtly add task lighting into a dining space. With many of our designs you can do this without blocking your line of vision through the room. The table is the central gathering point in your dining space, and much like a kitchen island benefits from task lighting, this area does too. Here are a few of our favourite elegant pendant lighting ideas for the dining room…

We are often asked about the rules of island or dining pendants. In our opinion… create your own! You might think that oversized lampshades can’t be elegant, but our ‘Shared Space’ styling in our Suffolk Barn Renovation above uses large shades without letting them overpower the room. Instead they create a gently translucent light over the table, softening the heavy, rustic beams.

As in our Shared Space, you too can create lovely layers of light for a relaxed, easy atmosphere to share with friends and family by pairing generously sizes shades with the metallic hues of your light fittings. We supply 50cm of bronze braided cable with our Pendant Lampholders and a hand finished ceiling rose in natural brass that’s lightly antiqued, so you can be in charge of how high or low you suspend your shades.

Our Lovell Pendants hold their own and add character to the décor without looking clunky. They’re the perfect example of how to use lights that appear dainty and space saving, but say a lot more than an exposed bulb or single fitting. The glass shade fills your space without imposing on the rest of the room. We love that a small bit of Antiqued Brass is also exposed, and can be perfectly matched to other brass accessories like switches or sockets. Simple yet effective.

For a weightier, more industrial country style that still gives a more lightweight look than a full shade, the Foster is for you… A reeded, hand blown shade gives a softer touch, whilst the steadfastness of an Antiqued Brass chain ensures it makes a lasting statement in your room.

Architectural but slimline, the Barchester Double Pendant is a unique pendant that gives a little more than just installing two separate lights. The height of the cable is adjustable, making sure your get your pool of light to dine by just right. The natural candle shades and brass mimic the white walls and beams here, giving the décor that effortlessly cohesive feel.

For those will a smaller space to fill, the Bellingham Pendant is a nod to the ‘industrial luxe’ style whilst embracing simplicity. Its clear glass shade is cleverly suspended from three brass arms within its top, making a beautifully simple feature to fit over your dining area. Finish it off with a vintage-look LED Squirrel Bulb.

Last but not least…a Jim Lawrence favourite. The Greenwich Pendant features an oversized, hand blown fluted glass shade that plays with natural light in the most wonderful way, ensuring it catches your eye wherever it is hung. Pairing vintage style brass work with a modern glass shade gives the Greenwich a fabulous country modern feel without looking overbearing or out of place.

Like what you see? View our entire collection of Pendant Lights here. If you have any questions about fitting your lights, we are always happy to help, so give us a call or drop us an email and we will do our best to meet your needs.

Don’t forget to tag us in all your gorgeous Jim Lawrence home updates on Instagram @JimLawrenceMade. Happy shopping!

Jim and Sheena, his wife and business co-owner, began their married life here. The business they continue to build today has grown from humble roots at its kitchen table.  Over the last year Jim and Sheena have transformed this beautiful 17th century barn into a stunning modern rustic home away from home. Not only does it offer a taster of quintessential British country life, but of course the barn is the perfect backdrop to showcase our elegant lighting and home furnishings.

In our brand new spring mailer we invite you to explore each reimagined room, capturing Jim Lawrence modern country style at its finest…

Oversized cream linen shades create a gentle, translucent light over the dining table, softening the heavy framework of the beams in this spacious dining area. White furniture creates an almost weightless dining experience – perfect for late spring evenings and summer lunches.

Layering a sitting room or snug with pools of light from different sources creates a balanced sphere of cosiness for when the night draws in. With the dimmers in place and resting on our soft cushions, the added glow of a real log burner is sure to help you unwind.

Whilst our Harleston Lamps add a soothing glow to snooze by, useful task lighting from our carefully positioned  Edgeware Spotlights and Holt Wall Lights offer stronger directional light for those evenings curled up with a good book.

Our popular Bletchley Bathroom Collection encapsulates a simple, old-fashioned utility style that blends seamlessly with the period bath and other fittings. As with Scotland Hall as a whole, the warmth of our Antiqued Brass finish is a warm contrast to the modern white space, picking up tones of the rustic beams – embracing the character perks rather than masking them is what truly makes period barn restorations so magical.

Portland Floor Lamp in Beeswax, Harrington Wall Light in Beeswax, Harleston Table Lamp with Fluted Glass in Antiqued Brass, Bathroom Ava Pendant in Antiqued Brass, Raydon Wall Light with Plain Glass in Antiqued Brass

Our Spring 2019 Mailer showcasing the whole barn will be hitting your doorsteps this week, where we trust you will find a wealth of interior inspiration for the year ahead. Whilst you browse and pluck ideas for your own home, we hope that you might want to pack your bags and visit the barn. With three stunning double bedrooms and views of all Jim’s favourite cows, it’s a perfect place to escape to the country. To view the accommodation in more detail and book a stay, visit www.scotlandhallbarn.co.uk. If your holidays are booked up for the time being, you can always pop into our Suffolk showroom where you can see even more of our products first hand.

Want to see more? Browse our modern country Barn décor room by room…

Inspired by the colourways in Elle Decor’s ‘style trends to watch in 2019’, we have choreographed our new Spring Edit 2019 that really celebrates using blush tones with soft accents of antiqued brass, to create a warm welcoming feel in your home.

“Colours I see in for 2019 are blush, dusty pink and bronze. Warm colours and feminine tones for on the walls and dashes of soft pinks to break up expanses of taupe or neutrals will instantly update a tired room.” (Katharine Pooley of Katharine Pooley London)

When we were putting this collection together we absolutely fell for Farrow and Ball’s new for 2019 ‘Sulking Room Pink’. We loved this muted warm rose colour the minute we saw it and couldn’t wait to pair it with some of our soft grey textures and antiqued brass pieces. We hope you enjoy this Spring Edit from the Jim Lawrence team…

Blush pink is a delicate update for a space that you want to keep fairly neutral but are after an exciting refresh. Sulking Room Pink is a muted rose tone, with the right amount of warmth to make a room feel cosier, but light and powdery enough to compliment with similar tones and contrast with bright white. See how the Fluted Harleston Lamp with our Soft Grey Waterford Linen Cylinder Shade blends effortlessly into the space.

We always feel that Farrow and Ball’s hues look gorgeous with our products, but dusky pink and brass is absolutely a match made in heaven.  You may know that we create this traditional look by treating solid brass with an antiquing solution, which simply speeds up the natural tarnishing process. This vintage-inspired look is ideal for Sulking Room Pink, as it is evocative of the colours so often used in boudoirs. Paired, they conjure a romanticised intimate old-timely feel, perfect for bedrooms and living rooms that require a soft touch. We love the way the colour shifts with the light from pink to grey – beautifully reflected here in the glass Walcot Pendant.

Why contain trends to the indoors? We love putting emphasis on the exterior of your home, because as we always say…there really is no need to forsake style for function. We promise you can have it all! This is probably our favourite combination. The bulb of our Peacock Lantern looks like welcoming candlelight, and we think it would look beautiful on each side of a soft pink front or back door. You could complete the look with antiqued brass door furniture, creating a sought after but long-lasting external décor design you won’t tire of.

A finishing touch. Adding a cushion or two is an easy way to freshen up your existing colourway or as an accent in your new scheme. Why not try our subtle Lovat Herringbone in Granite, or go bold with our new Hunstanton Velvet Cushions in Teal? Greys, whites and teals are on our radar for this time of year, and each bring a complimentary colour pop to this dusky theme.

If you want to see our 2019 Spring Edit in person, you can visit our Suffolk Showroom Monday – Saturday and browse our full collection.

We would love to see how you interpret this new look! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook @JimLawrenceMade and be sure to tag us in your delicious home updates using antiqued brass and pink. We are sure it’s a style that’s here to stay.

Another look at our sale this month has set our sights on even more beautiful items for the home. We do put a keen focus on our lighting, but we must not overlook our home furnishings, which are all lovingly designed and hand forged in our Suffolk workshop. From fabrics to hardware and everything in-between…with discounts of 40% or more, grab them before they go!

Our hand forged Staveley metal baskets make a stylish alternative to traditional log baskets and will hold ample logs to get you through those cold winter nights. Finished in matt black, they will co-ordinate with all of our fireside range which includes everything from a small toasting fork to a large and impressive fire back. Alternatively, they look superbly stylish holding your quilted or faux fur blankets when you’re not wrapped up in them on the sofa. When summer comes around you can use them for newspapers and magazines, or even children’s toys.

A solid steel light pull available in our mercury finish. The Hatton Light Pull Set includes 120cm of ivory cord and a matching adaptor. The Hatton Light Pull can also be purchased without the cord and adaptor. Seemingly small details like these might be the final touch you didn’t even know you needed. Trust us, they make all the difference…

A handcrafted, solid steel coffee table available here in our Beeswax finish For ease of delivery the Windsor Coffee Table will arrive unassembled, but can be put together without the need for tools, even by the most DIY-phobic. Easy to assemble and easy on the eye, the Windsor will bring a sleek and timeless architectural silhouette into your décor.

Embrace the practical instead of masking it and add understated glamour to your modern country home.  These rustic Barn Wall Hooks in Old Gold are suitable for hanging coats on, but if you are going to be hanging delicate fabric directly onto a hook, we can blunt the ends for you on request.

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In the spirit of resolutions and new starts, we’re having an early Spring clean to make way for some exciting projects in 2019. With discounts of 40% or more, our online sale features over one thousand of our end of line product designs from our lighting and home furnishing ranges.

Yes, more than one thousand items! We know that sounds exciting but a little overwhelming, so we thought we could break it down for you a bit with our top 5 lighting picks…

The Butler Pendant light is a Jim Lawrence classic. Initially designed to be hung in a kitchen, this smooth domed  pendant is perfect if you’re looking for a modern country look with a hint of glamour, or for a nod to timeless industrial luxe. The Old Gold finish creates a gorgeous focal point in a room, no matter your style.

Finished with our traditional beeswax technique, the Single Fleur wall light adds pretty plant detailing to a simple oval back plate – perfect either side of your bed frame to light up night time reading, or to add warmth to period hallways.

Hand forged in steel and given our classic, plain ivory painted finish. A must-have for any country home, this Ivory Coach Lantern is smaller than some of our other outdoor lanterns, so perfect for a warming welcome-home glow for smaller builds.

The hand forged steel Bannister lamp is ideal for bringing a sturdy, architectural silhouette to your interior. This handmade shade is available as standard in parchment, cream Killowen linen or Royal Oyster silk, but we can also make it in any of our fabrics.

The Churchill light is made of solid brass with a frosted glass cover. Suitable for bathroom use, this unique flush fitting will bring a nautical, vintage-look to your décor. Hurry – there’s only one left!

There’s plenty more where that came from: browse our lighting clearance for more beautiful end of line discounted designs. Next week we’ll share our highlights from the home furnishings sale. Happy shopping!

Since falling in love with The Hadleigh Ram, we often find ourselves recommending its sister locations that you can find in a number of East Anglia’s favourite historic towns. The Lavenham Greyhound, The Ram and now the Old Crown in Girton Cambridge, are all owned and designed by family run business Stuart Inns.

The Swan also offers accommodation, which comprises of a beautiful boutique hotel that offers four very unique and fabulous rooms. Naturally, we jumped at the opportunity to have a look around and admire our products in this beautiful setting…

Want to see more? Take a look at their website and Twitter. Want to see more features like this? Follow us on Instagram @JimLawrenceMade for the latest in what we’re loving at Jim Lawrence.

Our favourite interior to swoon over is finally available for booking. We’ve been watching intently as Jacqueline Caley Interior Design has unveiled each room in the gorgeous Chalet Mirabelle. Each divine corner of her French ski chalet is home to a Jim Lawrence item or two, and we are so excited that you can all see it now too.

Nestled into the hillside with spectacular views of Mont Blanc, the chalet is situated on Le Bettex ski run a couple of moments stroll to the piste. With this idyllic location, Jacqueline knew the interior had to be above bar. Often finding herself on trips where her family were missing things that would make life just that bit easier, Jacqueline wanted Chalet Mirabelle to, in every facet, cater for a myriad of family dynamics.

“For the chalet interiors I began to brainstorm how I wanted it to feel – these were the highlights: contemporary, cosy, warm, polished, family-friendly, snug, organized, calm, comfortable, eclectic, inviting. I wanted clearly defined elements of formal vs. informal, wow-moments for older and younger, and ‘yes’ places for children (where you don’t find yourself saying ‘No’ every five minutes!) places teenagers could slope off to and places that felt completely indulgent for adults.”

A truly inspired kids playroom brings the outside in, pulling together motifs from nature and the local wildlife. Our Double Star Light in Old Ivory is a magical addition to this wonderful hideaway – mirroring the vast sky that encompasses the chalet at night. For a more grown up look (though we wouldn’t mind staying in there!) a pair of Hanson Wall Lights illuminate this statement headboard, perfect for catching up on a holiday book or two. How about breakfast in bed?

Jacqueline’s vision for the chalet was to use sustainable, recyclable, eco-friendly, no-nasties products, from toys, to cleaning products, kitchen-ware and spa products. We were thrilled to find our products being used so thoroughly, and love the rustic edge they bring to the decor.

A great example is the luxurious kitchen, streamlined by slick details of lucite and glass, contrasted with our textural aged brass against dark wood and shaggy sheepskins. A perfect combination of natural, tactile products that creates a carefully considered, quality atmosphere. We love how the chairs look like little snow-capped peaks! A trio of Antiqued Brass Walcot Pendants was a great choice for this space – we love how the open plan living room also taps into the antiqued brass theme.

What more do you need after a day of hitting the slopes than an indulgent trip to one of the nearby restorative spas, quality family time, and a divine interior to settle into? As Jacqueline says, Mother Nature can take care of the rest! Just sit back and enjoy the view…

To follow Jacqueline’s design journey, make sure to take a look at @chalet_mirabelle on Instagram or even make a booking on her website. Browse our full collection of lighting here. Want to keep up to date with our own designs? Follow us @JimLawrenceMade. Images courtesy of Susie Lowe.