Spring cleaning is not just about taking out a mop and duster. At a time of year where our outside spaces are changing and growing is also an opportunity for our interiors to blossom too. Rather fitting for the season, pink and green are two big colours that make an impact alone or paired. They can be used in their softer pastel forms, or pack a punch with darker tones.

When it comes to houses, first impressions do matter! A deep green shade like this one pops against white for a clean cut, sophisticated look that is still playful. Painting your front door for Spring will lift up the entrance to your home, and lets be honest, who doesn’t want to be proud of the space they’re stepping in and out of every day? Combining a new colour with matching quality door furniture like our Matt Black range will instantly transform the exterior of your home. Add some fresh foliage of your choosing and you’re set for the sunny season ahead.

Our Holborn’s are suspended effortlessly in this modern pastel kitchen. We love seeing what our classic designs bring to more contemporary spaces. Blush pink is a delicate update for a space that is normally reserved for black or white. House plants add a touch of green for a natural feel.

Black and distressed metals are hot on this years interiors agenda, but the Luxe Metallic trend doesn’t have to be reserved for contemporary or industrial spaces. We’ve collected some of our favourite interiors and exteriors that bring both matt black and tarnished metal to the fore in a way that can be effortlessly translated into your modern country home.

These trends aren’t always built to last, but we think this year’s big look of using a sophisticated metallic colour palette within your home is a timeless classic. Our antiqued brass, forged iron lights and matching accessories help to add a luxurious metallic finish to any room. When looking to the exterior, there’s no need to forsake style for function. Create graphic silhouettes for elegance outside as well as in with a hand finished matt black. Combined, bold black and tarnished gold tones create a touch of luxury to both contemporary and traditional interiors.

It’s easy to understand the enduring appeal of Matt Black door furniture. This hard wearing, durable finish is the perfect choice for creating a timeless and sophisticated look – all you need to make a lasting impression. Your front door is the first thing yourself, your guests and potential buyers might notice. A well lit porch is a good start. Statement outdoor lanterns are an inviting addition and define the entry to your castle. We love the use of a single Boathouse light to brighten up this bold black doorway belonging to @thisoldcottage.

The kitchen is not just a space for food preparation. It’s a meeting place where you and your family cross paths at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes it is where you share coffee with friends, pour a glass of wine after a long day and where the kids sneak into for a midnight snack when they have sleepovers… It’s a room where memories are made. Without a thoughtful approach to the lights these rooms can end up feeling the opposite of how they should – which is inviting, relaxed and looking delicious. It’s a multifunctional space that needs multifunctional lighting.

We love a statement pendant over the island. The Butler Rise and Fall is our go-to show stopper, styled above by Humphrey Munson (photographed by Paul Craig) and matched with brass details. Seemingly small details like door pulls and knobs make a real impact when chosen carefully. Chalky ‘off-blacks’ and grey blue tones also encourages the brass to pop, making the whole room design feel considered and cohesive.

We’ve teamed up with Fawn Interiors Studio to bring you some home decorating tips for the most romantic time of year: Valentines Day. They’ve picked out their top tips for creating a romantic scene in the home.

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and togetherness. Many people also use the occasion to add to their décor and create a romantic space. Whether you’re preparing a cosy dinner for two, spending time with friends, or it’s a night to pamper yourself, Fawn Interiors have come up with a few tips to dress your space that will add romance and cosiness, but in an individual way that won’t cost the earth.

IN BLOOM

Nothing says romance like fresh flowers and the more, the better. But we suggest not just rushing out and buying the first red roses you see…instead choose seasonal blossoms and wilder flowers so that your floral arrangements will seem more thoughtful and personal. (Image: A Quiet Style)

ACCENTS

If you are preparing a romantic dinner at home, here’s where to spend the money and be creative. To accompany your delicious meal we always like to give a twist on the traditional and suggest using pink accents instead of red, for a softer look you can use again. Try using coloured napkins, glasses and/or crockery. If the overall look in this image is a bit too much for you, why not swap the graphic tablecloth for a dark grey linen? Pink and grey are on our radar at the moment, ideal for incorporating smooth shades of colour in otherwise neutral décor. (Image: Style Me Pretty)

ATMOSPHERE

Let’s be honest, Valentine’s is one day of the year. While we want to make an effort and make someone (and ourselves) feel special, we don’t want it to cost us the earth either. How about getting out those Christmas lights which are rapidly gathering dust, and artfully string them around for a romantic, sparkly effect? Soften your room even further with glimmering candlelight. Tall tapered dinner candles layered at different heights bring a decadence to the meal and will make you both glow.

TEXTURES

Just by softening the textures around you, it can help create a romantic space. Adding cushions and blankets will create a cosy, layered environment for after-dinner and these colours are perfect to take you into spring. No need to hide them until next year… soft pinks and greys will gently update your décor for months to come.

HAPPY VALENTINES FROM JIM LAWRENCE

For more gifting inspiration pop over to our gift guide and inspiration for a magical, memorable valentines.

Flicking through February’s Country Homes & Interiors magazine we spotted a glowing recommendation for ‘Tudor Farmhouse‘, a chic country hotel nestled in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. On closer inspection of their beautifully styled rooms (and an eagle eye!) we couldn’t help but notice quite a few Jim Lawrence lights in their midst. Rich wooden panelling, restored beams, impeccable modern country furnishing and the idyllic green landscape is the perfect backdrop for our lighting.

Love locally sourced grub, outdoor adventures and a beautiful room to relax in? Look no further for your next family holiday.

You can never have enough bedroom inspiration, so here’s a closer look at our Weston pendants bringing a soft lighting to one of the suites within the renovated Cider House. The Weston is a small light that makes a big impact thanks to the solid metal shade. The mahogany sheen of the four-poster and golden colour in the armchairs are mirrored in the brass tones, bringing an inviting warmth to the room.

Accent lighting is what we use to accentuate certain features within the room. Usually this would be to illuminate a piece of art (eg with a picture light) or creating a soft glow above or below cupboards for a softer halo of light than a task light. Using the Weston’s in this way by the bedside avoids using just a harsh angled spotlight and allows the low light to gently pool in areas you need to see. In country homes ceilings are often lower than new builds, so a shorter cable with a smaller shade creates a feature without a reduced chance of banging your head!

In the suite below they have included a Butler pendant which brightens up the room with it’s beautiful golden glow – even by daylight! Again, a pendant with a shorter cable creates the statement you need whilst complimenting the space instead of intruding on it.

Using pendants frees up the bedside tables, creating a clean, clutter-free space for the guests – more space for breakfast in bed!

Pick up Country Home & Interiors latest issue to read the lovely words about what to eat, do and see in this gorgeous location. We’d like to say a huge thank you to owners Colin and Hari for letting us share these interior images. Find out more on their website and succumb to inevitable food envy on their Instagram. Want to find out more about the designers behind the hotel? Influential designers Fawn Interiors have collaborated on a post with us about romantic décor, and you can follow them on Instagram @fawninteriorsstudio for even more inspiring interiors.

GET THE TUDOR FARMHOUSE LOOK:

THE BLETCHLEY BATHROOM COLLECTION

After the launch of our deluxe Bletchley bathroom range, we simply had to create a post about our inspiration behind the collection. At Jim Lawrence we thrive on recreating classic designs and giving them a new lease of life with modern twists.

The warm brass detailing of our new Bletchley range is the perfect choice for an effortless and stylish bathroom update. The vintage appeal and ongoing trend is not lost on us, so we’ve treated the range with lacquered antiqued brass to make sure they stand the test of time physically as much as they do aesthetically.

Bathroom décor can sometimes be a place of untapped beauty. We believe they should exude as much comfort and style as your bedroom so that your bath soaks are spa-like and your morning routines calm and invigorating. Why shouldn’t you feel as pampered in your own home as you can in a swanky hotel? The Bletchley collection is a good place to start.

 THE FINER DETAILS: SOCKETS AND SWITCHES

Start small. You don’t want to spend time revamping your room only to be left with some unsightly sockets and light switches. Our Antiqued Brass Shaving Sockets are a practical but pretty solution to make sure every element of your bathroom is up to scratch!

ATMOSPHERE: SOFT LIGHTING

No one wants to be blinded by spotlights first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night. Soft wall lighting is essential for that lovely hotel feel. We recommend the Cheltenham Wall Light to line your mirror for a warm glow.

Alternatively, as used in Melford House with the Hinton, try placing the light lengthways above for a unique old-timely look.

We love the luxury that pendant lights naturally bring into a space. Thanks to Pinterest there are thousands of gorgeous images of free standing tubs and chandeliers to take our fancy. For a more minimal but nonetheless graceful addition to your bathroom, why not include our Holborn Pendant Light? Suspend above the bath for truly sophisticated styling.

ADDING ACESSORIES: HOLDERS AND HANDLES

Though an eclectic or maximalist feel can work with soft furnishings – we suggest matching accessories in a bathroom setting. Everyone is different, but a consistent style makes us feel a little more relaxed.

The Bletchley Towel Ring, Soap Basket and Loo Roll Holder all have one thing in common: elegance! The period styles are curved and traditional, together creating the vintage look you are after but without any rust staining on your towels and tubs.

COLOUR SCHEME: LIGHT AND DARK

You shouldn’t have to totally redecorate to update a room. With the rise in dark interiors continuing to spike, but traditional white still a popular go-to, we wanted to make sure the Bletchley range would suit any lick of paint. As you can see, it does!

Now all you need to do is light some candles and pop open the bubble bath… See more of our bathroom collections here.

Have you added some of the Bletchley collection into your home? Tag your images on Instagram or Twitter with #JimLawrenceMade or email to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk.so we won’t miss out.

If you want to learn more about the Antiqued Brass finish and how to care for it you can find out more here.

What about adding the other elements of a vintage-style bathroom? We think metro tiles in the shower, reclaimed glass bottles for display and decoration, plus some carefully selected artwork will really inject your own personality into the room. Don’t forget to take a look at our Vintage Bathroom Inspiration Pinterest board where we’ve added in some more interior ideas that we love!

A lot of brands (ourselves included) tend to put a lot of focus on the interior of a home. This is because it’s where we spend most of our time (inside, looking out) but what about when we’re on the outside looking in, realising the exterior is looking a little tired…? This is where a conduit comes in.

We have the perfect solution for transforming those drooping external wires from a nuisance into a stunning external feature. Our favourite way to light up the night is to group lights and create a glowing feature that wouldn’t look out of place indoors. There’s no reason to forsake style for function. Our Antiqued Brass Conduit is a smart way to hide ugly exterior wiring, particularly when combined with our slim Doncaster Wall Light or Bulkhead Light.

We want to make sure our conduit kits are a breeze to install, so here’s an easy “how-to” guide to assembling your own.

Firstly, decide on the style of light you want to connect the conduit to. We have two robust outdoor lighting designs that perfectly match the lightly antiqued brass of the conduit to bring an aged vintage elegance to your home:

• An RHS Garden Product of the Year finalist, the Bulkhead Light is a respectful nod to old ships lighting with a caged, modern twist. Made in solid brass and fully non corrosive, this handsome light will shine no matter what the lovely British weather throws at it!
• The Doncaster LED Light is suited to the smallest of outdoor spaces, but with no shortage of design detail. With an overall depth of just 5.4cm it would sit neatly in even the narrowest of spaces.

(View the entire outdoor lighting collection here)

A solution for even the most challenging space… simply add any of the following items to create the perfect industrial conduit solution. Our conduit kits give you the chance to be creative with your outdoor lighting.

The antiqued brass poles can be shortened on installation if necessary, but we offer a 1m or 2m kit to purchase. An IP44 rating can be achieved when fitted as a complete system with the recommended outdoor lights.If you are looking to group your lights as above, the Junction Box is a neat solution for containing even more wiring and made in our beautiful antiqued brass finish to match your kit.

Please note that we always recommend you use a qualified electrician to help you install your lighting and accessories. However, there is no harm in getting to know the tips and tricks behind the conduit so you understand exactly how wonderful this kit really is! If you want to install your new lighting in a problematic area – do not fear – this is all made possible by the conduit elbow. These joints allow your electrician to fix the poles up, down, across and around corners. This means your can achieve whichever look you are after with ease.

We all know the British weather can be temperamental, so we have ensured the conduits are completely safe. This all comes down to the olive. No, not the pitted kind, but a small ring inside the joiners which is crushed on fixture to ensure a watertight seal to protect the precious wiring.

 If you require additional couples and joiners our helpful sales team are happy to advise.

Once you and your electrician have followed the above steps, you are ready to illuminate your home: Jim Lawrence style. If you still have any questions don’t hesitate to call up our knowledgeable customer service team on 01473 826685 and they will happily walk you through the process.

We would love to see any pictures of your completed conduits! Tag your images on Instagram with #JimLawrenceMade or email to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk so we won’t miss out on seeing how you style your Jim Lawrence products. We love seeing our lights and accessories in their new homes.

Why not take a look at our full range of outdoor lighting and door furniture to add the finishing touches to your outdoor design?

“The front door is the touch point between your interior and the rest of the world.”

‘Interior design’ has become an iconic phrase and thanks to social media platforms such as Pinterest we now have access to beautiful inspiration and imagery at our fingertips. The idea of interior design itself has become so iconic that you can now even go to university to study in the field. Lately it has got everyone in the Jim Lawrence office thinking… what about exterior design? This is not a phrase that we hear so often but isn’t it just as important? We feel that the exterior of your home should be a teasing taster of the beauty that is within. So, we have handpicked some of our classic and period exterior product range  to help you create a lasting first impression…

Our Heart Door Knocker has become one of our most popular products and we are thrilled that our customers love it as much as we do. It is hand cast in solid brass and then treated in antiquing solution to give it our signature Antiqued Brass finish. It can tackle anything our unpredictable British weather throws at it and will provide a unique look to your front door for many years.

We listen to our customer’s feedback over the years and this is one of the amazing products to come out of that. The fabulous Yale Lock Surround. This adds a touch of class to that run of the mill Yale Lock and allows for combing a modern locking system with a traditional finish.

This rather clever little cover sits on top of your existing doorbell allowing for an easy changeover. It sits neatly against the wall is available in a range of finishes to match the rest of your exterior. We just love the simplicity yet beauty of this product.

We love seeing how effortlessly these little touches create a big difference. Why not take a look at our full range of exterior lighting and door furniture to complete your exterior design.

When many of us think about coloured glass, our minds are taken back to the setting where we were first introduced to the idea; beautiful stained glass in churches. In the 50’s and 60’s the idea of using this coloured glass in the home for decorative items became a huge hit – well it seems that it is back again and not just with decorative items!

This versatile and beautiful trend is all about showcasing your personality and having fun within your home.

So, our design team sat down and had a brainstorm on how we could take this amazing trend and put our signature Jim Lawrence style stamp on it. Well, what better way to showcase the potential beauty of coloured glass than combining it with two of our popular pendants; the Fulbourn and Holborn Glass Pendant.

We decided to go for soft and subtle colours to stay in keeping with the natural feel and look of our lights. We now offer 3 coloured glass shades with our Fulbourn Pendants; Smoky Blue, Charcoal and Dusky Pink.

The fantastic thing about using coloured glass is the ability to achieve various looks without having to change your whole decor.

Each of the 3 colours we offer could be seen in a variety of settings.

Team any of these lights with our amazing LED bulb range to see it in its true colours!

Have you purchased any of our coloured glass pendants? If so then we would love to see them in their new home. Please send us a picture to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk.

When it comes to choosing the perfect lighting for our homes, many people have previously put practicality as the number one priority and the look and beauty would more often than not fall to second place.

We have seen the trends change dramatically over the years and it seems that many of us are now searching for something both equally beautiful and practical and we do not seem to be stopping at just the one essential light – hence the birth of our beautiful multi pendant lighting.

So many of our customers would love our products in a row of two or three above their kitchen islands however it would be a little tricky with all that extra wiring! So we have made life much simpler with our Track Multi Pendants.

Holborn Triple Track

These provide a fantastic option for extra lighting whilst discretley using just one electrical ceiling entry point. This not only looks fantastic but you may have a much happier electrician!

We heard such great feedback on these pendants that it led us to start thinking where we could take the multi pendant light next? We thought about those large stairwells, hallways and landings that were crying out for some beautiful lighting and it was then that we decided to launch the Ceiling Pendant Rose.

Holborn Multi Pendant Ceiling Rose

These are an elegant alternative to the straight track and they provide the option to adjust the heights of all three pendants. They are perfect for flooding those large spaces with light whilst making a bold statement.

After popular demand, our most recent launch is the Ava Ceiling Rose Pendant. The Ava Pendant (who has two sisters; Orla & Mia) has been our most loved pendant to date and we just could not resist turning it into a multi pendant – what do you think?

Ava Ceiling Multi Pendant Rose

Do you have any of our multi pendants in your home? We really would love to see them! Feel free to send any images to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk

A little extra cable goes a long way.

It is my favourite time of the month – product spot time! At the end of every month I have the luxury of getting to sit and enjoy all of the stunning homes and interiors magazines and spot our beautiful products, its a tough job! This month there was a fabulous find in Grand Designs Magazine, we just had to share it with you.

Image by Joakim Boren,

Norfolk architect, Hudson Architects, have produced something rather beautiful with this house project. It got us thinking about how changing the length of the cable and chain on your pendants can create some fantastic styles.

Image by Joakim Boren

Our Pantry Lights in Shaker Green look absolutely stunning here with the added 1.5 metres of cable. It gives a fantastic retro feel which is the perfect look in this open space. Some people shy away from placing pendants on slanted ceilings but we think it is such a simple way to create a unique look.  Team it up with a little extra cable and you have created something rather beautiful.

Most of our pendants are supplied with 50cm of cable/chain as standard but if you fancied a little extra then that is no trouble at all, just let us know at the time of ordering and our workshop team will simply add it on whilst they make your light – simple!

Image is by Joakim Boren

You may be able to spot the different finishes of our Pantry Light in the far end of this beautiful image and that is because it is available in six fabulous finishes. Having three different ones so close together is something we do not get to see very often and it looks simply wonderful.

We adore Hudson Architects take on our classic pendant lights and would love to see more of what can be done. So why don’t you try creating a new look by adding some extra height to your light?

Please do send us any images of our lights in their new home, we always love to see them, to press@jim-lawrence.co.uk