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 

Looking for unique ways to light up your bedroom? Discover our creative bedside wall lighting for adding a cosy touch to your sleeping space. Bedside wall lighting can add a warm and inviting ambience to your bedroom, while also providing functional lighting for reading and other activities.

Bedside Wall Lighting can be installed directly above your headboard or on the wall next to your bed, creating an area of focused lighting for each bedside. We design and make a variety of adjustable options that allow you to direct the light where you need it most, as well as an array of styles, from vintage-inspired downlighters to more contemporary plug-in options.

THE CLUB

It’s no wonder that the Club Wall Light is one of our most popular designs. With its simply striking look and vintage inspired elegance, it’s a staple for many interior styles. The Club is made for creating cosy corners out of alcoves, archways and other architectural nooks, but is also extraordinarily apt at creating pockets of light in larger rooms for boosting the ambience where needed. The Club Works a treat when looking to add dimension to a bedroom setting, as you can see in this photo from @oakhomeinteriors. The Club is also available as a Plug-in, a Pendant and a Flush Ceiling Light.
⁠

THE LIBRARY

The Hanson Library Light comes with or without a pull cord, and as a Plug-in Light so you can illuminate your bedsides appropriately.⁠ Featuring a slim, rectangular backplate originally designed for easy fitting onto narrow beams, bookcases and shelving units –  the single hinged arm still allows you to direct the light where you need it – making it a stellar choice for smaller bedrooms. @dynarghdesign have tucked this dainty light between the bed and window; perfect for switching on when it’s time to pull the curtains closed.

THE CARRICK PLUG-IN

Not only do our new plug in wall lights enhance your room with our statement, vintage-inspired look, but they free up room for all your favourite things where a table lamp might normally reside.⁠ @lynne_bramble_barn has carefully curated this bedside using our Carrick Plug-in Wall Light, leaving space to de-clutter any surfaces, allowing for greater personalisation and still giving this restful scene room to breathe. The matching cable holder (which you can fix wherever you need) helps to keep the exposed cable tidy but to-hand when you are dozing off with your favourite book.

⁠

THE PUTNEY PLUG -IN

Easy to fit straight out of the box without the hassle of internal wiring, our plug-ins are an easy solution to bedside lighting, as illustrated hrere by @cb_trending. For those who wish to cast a soft light without losing visual impact, the Putney Plug-in Wall Light is gently diffused by the hand blown fluted shade: perfect for bedsides and living areas that require accessible layered lighting. The matching cable holder (which you can fix wherever you need) helps to keep the exposed cable tidy whilst maintaining the desired vintage charm.⁠

THE MALDON

Our classic brass Maldon Wall Light is a neat, versatile wall sconce with an understated elegance that will look wonderful illuminating any kitchen, bedroom or dining room wall. Similar in look to our popular Chester Wall Light, we have adapted it to take a candle shade so you can choose the style and colour that best suits your interior. Here we have paired it with our popular Natural Isabelle Linen on a French Drum Candle Shade.

WHY NOT TRY A TABLE LAMP?

Layering your bedroom lighting with table lamps is essential for adding depth and modifying the energy around you. Bringing in pools of light from different sources like table lamps is the key to a balanced atmosphere whilst giving you the option to dial up the cosiness alongisde your wall lighting. Discover our 5 bestselling table lamp designs.

THE FINER DETAILS

With us, you can match all your metalwork for a cohesive, stylish finish to the home. Visit our website to explore our range of switches and sockets, handles and cupboard pulls and much more.

SHARE YOUR STYLE

For even more home interior ideas, keep up to date by following us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us in photos of your bedside wall lighting – we love seeing our products in their new homes.

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.

There is nothing quite like returning home from a winter walk, pulling your arms from your coat sleeves and catching a hint of lingering woodsmoke. Your hands begin to thaw as you kick off your boots and muse about what might be for tea. This is what the essence of a boot room is to us…a cosy space that says ‘welcome home’.

We love coming up with boot room ideas for every kind of house. Whether a traditional boot room, a porch or a utility room, there’s no need to overlook this wonderful transitional space. These might be tiny areas by the door where you stash your walking shoes and hide your coats to keep the rest of the house tidy, but for busy families, dog owners and anyone who enjoys the outdoor life, a well organised storage area to welcome you home will transform how you feel every time you walk in the door.

In reality you don’t need a lot of space, just some well thought out storage solutions to keep clutter at bay. If built-in cabinets are a non-starter, use a bench, chest, baskets or crates to store your kit and double up as somewhere to sit to pull off your wellies. Coat hooks are wonderful for keeping essential outerwear, bags and leads handy but out of the way, while a mirror will make a small space seem larger.

LIGHTING WITH UTILITY IN MIND

This is a sconce your home really can’t live without! The Brooke Wall Light is versatile in that you can decide with orientation works best in your room…fix up or down depending on your preference.⁠ The Brooke is paired here with our 15cm Pendant Empire shade in Cream Killowen Linen. Linen is popular for it’s beautiful texture and softness which is ideal for diffusing light evenly around a room. The Brooke is excellent for highlighting a mirror or placed in a row lighting up a hallway to lead into the rest of the home.

HARDWEARING METALWORK FOR A HERITAGE FEEL

A fundamental item for your boot room styling is the humble coat hook. Hand forged by our expert craftsmen, they will fit even the smallest of spaces yet are sturdy enough to carry as much as you need to squeeze onto them. Layer with your coats, winter wools and dog leads and keep your home organised. We’ve styled this boot room with our Ramsholt Coat Hook: a simple, pared back design that offers both a storage solution and a stylish, slimline silhouette.

Banish draughts by using an internal letter plate on the inside of your door. This one is constructed from forged iron to complete the matt black look, but choose from small or large sizes in a variety of finishes.

Give your room an instant update by accompanying your favourite Jim Lawrence products with our matching switches and sockets. When decorating a room it is sometimes easy to miss the little extras that can add the design flare your room was missing. A white plastic switch is a sight we are all over familiar with, but with us you can find a unique alternative and never have to forsake style for function.

This 2 gang black modular grid switch features a hand forged steel hammered plate, finished in matt black to complete the uniform look alongside your lighting and other accessories.

KEEP IT COSY

The Hunstanton Velvet Cushion Cover in Mole is a must-have for autumn and winter. Adding a decorative cushion or two is a quick and easy way to invigorate a bench or other seating area with colour and texture whilst keeping to your budget. This richly tactile velvet makes a statement wherever it is used, perfect for adding a touch of luxury to this otherwise practical area. Use to contrast with rich blues and burnt oranges, or blend with faded earth and gold tones if you prefer a more mellow look.

To ensure your home is kept cosy, installing a heavy curtain in wool or tweed hung from a portiere rod or pole above the door is a brilliant way to keep out the cold whilst adding a heritage touch We’ve paired the dusky grey of our Mole Velvet above with the weighty weave of our Stirling Lovat Wool in cosy curtain form.

FURTHER HOME STYLING IDEAS…

We are very proud of the quality of our workmanship and designs that we feel highlight the skill of our workers and their ability to make products that suit both contemporary and period properties. To view all of our home accessories and lighting visit our website.

For even more home interior ideas, keep up to date by following us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Don’t forget to tag us in your home updates– we love seeing our products in their new homes.

A boot room, a porch, a utility room. These practical spaces might be where you shove your dog walking shoes and hide your coats to keep the rest of the house tidy, but whether it’s the entrance to your home or a tucked away room, there’s no need to overlook this wonderful styling opportunity.

If this area is cluttered it’s not actually serving its purpose. You want neat, space saving solutions to make the most out of a room that is designed to be a transitional storage space. We’ve put together a short and sweet summary on using our products to make the most out of a practical room whilst ensuring it looks its best…

Having coats and bags protruding from wall space can make a room feel too busy. Using our hooks in the nook of fitted cabinetry is a thoughtful solution, leaving the floor space of your boot room to feel open, spacious and uncluttered with plenty of tucked away storage for those necessities.

As demonstrated by customers @holly_oak_house and @casa.stook, our Chandler hooks look stunning in both Matt Black and Antiqued Brass, particularly popular against soft grey cabinetry. The longest double hook in our range, the Chandler Coat Hook is a simple, elegant item that will provide ample storage as well as a touch of charming modern country. If you’re after a full rack or something a little chunkier, take a look at our full collection.

Something we hope you don’t need, but (coming from a British company – you know we like to talk about the weather) it’s inevitable that you will. The Hardwick Hat Stand creates a great storage area out of often unused corner space. The slim and elegant design makes it a great accompaniment to any hallway, porch or boot room. We have fitted it with a tray at the bottom for catching rain water which is easily removed for draining. As well as for holding your hats, the hooks at the top are perfect for keys or other personal effects.

Inspired by the vintage luggage racks found on steam and slam door trains, our Wendle Luggage Rack is designed to be as beautiful as it is practical and could be the perfect storage solution for a stylish hallway or utility. Hand forged in solid steel, it features a gently curving shelf to stop hats, bags, throws and blankets from falling off. It also comes supplied with seven generously large hooks, three of them cleverly incorporated into the curving side and centre brackets, to allow plenty of room to hang coats, jackets, scarves and dog leads.

In a room meant for storage, cupboards and drawers are an essential. No matter the style, it’s easy to add beautiful finishing touches with knobs and pulls for a cohesive, thought-through look. To add a textural quality and warmth, turning to Antiqued Brass or Heritage Copper with our collection of handcrafted cupboard knobs, drawer pulls and cabinet handles is the way to go. Our beautifully forged fixtures and fittings help to bring the room together with robust materials that show off our classic modern country style.

We love seeing customers embracing our hand forged accessories. Our Matt Black Heart Knocker compliments this gentle off white porch from @marshlands0 perfectly, creating a sharp entrance to their traditional boot room decor. A stylish entrance is so important, ensuring your and your guests feel welcomed every time you step through the door. For more front door decor ideas view our full collection of door accessories here.

As period property lovers, a traditional basket is a go-to, ideal for wood, throws and even shoes that you kick off in a hurry by the door. If you are after a contemporary basket, our Chappel Log Basket is a forged iron construction perfect for log storage and folded blankets.

Last but never least, the lighting! Accent and task lighting is ideal for boot and utility rooms, adhering to the practical nature of the space. This delightful utility room from @humphreymunson features a pair of Club Wall Lights in Antiqued Brass. The brass detailing lifts the room beautifully, proof that this finish works in rooms of all shapes and sizes and tones. Photographed by @paullmcraig.⁠⠀

We love this customer photo from @our.country.home. Our Holt lights are perfect suitors here, lending themselves to more narrow spaces than the slightly broader Club. Function should not overtake comfort, so why not add some sheepskins like they have, or incorporate some plush cushions into the area? We suggest trying out our new Hunstanton velvets for a touch of luxury and softness.

Combining pendants with spotlights creates layers of lighting that you can opt in and out of depending on your need. Our vintage-look Weston Pendant Light is perfect for those small spaces in your kitchen, utility, cloakroom or hallway, where it can be used alongside your existing spotlights (like these dainty Edgeware Flush Mount lights) or recessed lights to inject a little character into your scheme.

If you don’t have space for several types of lighting, we suggest trying our adjustable wall lights for areas that need a bright direct lift. Our Aldgate Wall Light is an industrial inspired design that makes a bold statement in contemporary home after a retro look. It has an adjustable head, so can light as much or as little of the area as needed. Browse through our spotlights and wall lights to find more easy to manoeuvre, adjustable lighting.

No matter your interior design preferences, our range of finishes allow you to choose from an abundance of designs that not only look great but serve a vital role in these functional spaces. From the finer details to integral lighting solutions, we’ve got everything you need to kit out your boot and utility rooms with practicality and style.

To see more of our lighting and homeware, please visit our website. For more home interior ideas, keep up to date by following us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Don’t forget to tag us in your décor updates– we love seeing our products in their new homes!

If you have any questions at all about installing your lighting accessories or perhaps how to take care of your Jim Lawrence products, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can drop us an email at sales@jim-lawrence.co.uk, or call us on 01473 826685.

You probably know about our popular curtain poles or very Instagram-friendly Heart Door knocker. You might even own our sought after Cheltenham Bathroom Lights. We have many items that you can recognise quickly as a Jim Lawrence design, but with over 8,000 products there’s plenty that you might not know you needed. We aren’t here to tell you what to buy, but we do know a thing or two that could help make that decision a little easier…

With many of our customers living in period homes attracted to our vintage style, we have developed some clever solutions to some common home styling predicaments that tend to arise in older homes. Here are ten accessories you didn’t know you needed, helping you to make the best of your interior and exterior design.

Our 1 and 2 gang Surface Mounting Boxes are finished to match our electrical switch and socket plates. Ideal for use where it’s not practical (or possible) to make a hole in a wall or a beam, to conceal the necessary electrical fittings for your switches and sockets.

Draw your curtains without having to reach them by hand using these fine iron draw rods which are available in a choice of finishes to match your curtain poles. When attached to the last ring of each curtain, they will help keep your curtain fabric clean on the leading edge and are ideal for tall, hard to reach windows. They are designed to hang discreetly behind the curtain edge – the simple forged detail clips very easily to a curtain ring.

This ingenious ceiling hook creates the look of a forged hook without requiring the removal of an existing plastic ceiling rose, as it screws over the top of the existing one. This product is an excellent solution for renters or those wanting to bring a period charm to newer properties. The Gifford covers a standard 80mm diameter ceiling rose as well as smaller sizes if need be. Made from brass, it has a beautiful antiqued finish to enhance your lighting and interior with a simple slide-on design.

A stylish hand crafted wall mounted door stop, the Bembridge Door Stop is available in brass and steel finishes. A sometimes overlooked detail, this small but significant tool is great for preventing your door from opening too widely and any of your lovely Jim Lawrence door handles getting damaged or marking your walls. For an alternative design look to our Boynton Door Stop.

Why not add a sophisticated slant to your ceiling pendant lighting with our clever Pendant Flex Ceiling Hook. With our customary attention to detail, we have designed this ingenious little hook so that you can position your pendant in the perfect spot, no matter where the ceiling rose and wiring are situated.

To complete the look and help you with your repositioning, we offer additional braided cable lengths on many of our pendants – simply call our helpful sales team for more information.

Sometimes when installing outdoor lighting (which we have plenty of) often the practical side more is overshadowed by the ‘wow I have to have that light!’ side… Sometimes outdoor lighting can present some interesting dilemas, such as external wiring. We have the perfect solution for transforming drooping wires from a nuisance into a stunning external feature. 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 don’t forget to read our easy “how-to” guide to assembling your own.

This neat backplate pattress enables wiring to be fitted externally if required. For example, perhaps the Fisher Wall Lights (pictured) are exactly what you’re after for your living room? If there is insufficient space in the wall for internal wiring, you can now purchase one of our pattresses to house the wiring connection externally. This pattress works with a wide range of ceiling roses and wall light back plates and comes in all corresponding colourways to give you a subtle but practical wiring solution. We have also created an equivalent pattress for our pendant lighting to match our Georgian Ceiling Rose.

Ideal for any door in your home, Jim Lawrence hooks are a fantastic way to clean up clutter where space is tight or keep your favourite coats, dressing gowns or kitchen utensils close at hand. Choose from a selection of individual hooks, hook racks and shelves in a range of finishes to ensure you get the right look.

Top tip: Our Beeswax finish is made using traditional technique used since Tudor times. The metal is heated until it darkens and then dipped in natural beeswax which gives is a lovely soft black wrought iron effect. Whilst this looks stunning in all settings, we do not recommend the beeswax finish for hanging up damp items and for use in bathrooms or outdoors, as it may rust in a humid environment. We feel that Matt Black is the preferable option.

We can’t imagine an Escutcheon is the first thing you think of when styling your home, but it shouldn’t be the last! These small details complete your overall look and prove particularly useful… Spring might be on the horizon, but there’s nothing worse than a cold breeze sneaking in to the home and an exposed keyhole might just be the culprit. Available in a variety of finishes and designs to suit your architecture and other door furniture, our Escutcheon’s feature a traditional keyhole shaped surround with a flap that will keep out the draft all year round.

We have found that making a feature out of the quirks of period homes is often the best way to enjoy them. A hinged design that fits into the floor, this 2 Gang Floor Socket is the dreamy modern rustic detail you might not have thought of, but now know you need! A great solution when you don’t want wires stretching around the room or have limited wall space, you can enjoy floor or table lamps in more central spots around the room, or use them for other portable accessories.

These are just a handful of items that we have constructed to make sure everyone can enjoy a bit of Jim Lawrence in the home. To view all of our lighting and home accessories visit our website. For even more home interior ideas, keep up to date by following us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Don’t forget to tag us in your home updates– we love seeing our products in their new homes!

If you have any questions at all about installing your lighting accessories or perhaps how to take care of your Jim Lawrence products, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can drop us an email at sales@jim-lawrence.co.uk, or call us on  01473 826685.

Kay Prestney is an Interior Designer & Stylist working on private and commercial projects as well photoshoot and event styling. She also runs Kinship Gatherings, a business hub teaching people crafts and other creative skills. Not only is Kay’s own home a culmination of these talents, but her scandi-inspired interior is all sustainably and locally sourced. We chat with Kay about her gorgeous renovation and why an eco-ethos matters.

Hi Kay, welcome to the style journal! Your home has a rustic feel with a very neutral colour palette, but your interior is far from plain. Can you tell us a bit about how you discovered and refined your own style?

I have always been drawn to Scandinavian style, using lots of natural materials and a muted palette. As a stylist and interior designer I am immersed in design on a daily basis, I love colourful and playful interiors but always find that I need a neutral, calm interior at home to be able to switch off at the end of the day. I love to use layer textures, to bring the natural world into our home and use vintage pieces to create interesting rooms that tell the story of who lives there, reflecting their life and loves.

You keep to an eco-ethos whilst renovating your own home, is this something you stick to when styling other spaces?

Yes, very much so. I try to encourage clients to rethink their existing pieces, to look at making the most of the natural light and moving things around to get the look they want, rather than getting rid of everything and buying new. There are lots of ways you can repurpose pieces or give a vintage item new life such as adding castors and a linen cushion to a vintage wooden trunk to make it into storage and easily moveable occasional seating in one. Buying vintage makes your home unique and helps the planet, what’s not to love about that!

There is certainly a wave of recognition for sustainable practice rippling across the world – and rightly so – but how can we all implement these positive and conscious changes in the everyday home?

I think we can all start by buying less and if we are paring back then considering how we get rid of unwanted items sustainably by donating to charity, putting on free cycle or repurposing. Its amazing how many creative ways there are to upcycle unwanted things. Try googling ideas before you throw something away and you might find a new crafting hobby!

We love that you champion local businesses in your design. What draws you to Jim Lawrence products in particular?

I feel passionately about supporting small local businesses and Makers. I always try to choose heart-led companies in my work and I love the ethos of Jim Lawrence, the attention to detail and the fact it is all hand made locally. The products are also built to last which helps reduce our throw-away culture.

Of course we love your lighting choices, but where do you find inspiration for the rest of the décor?

I am always inspired by the natural world and try to get outside whenever possible to walk in the woods or over the fields. I forage fallen branches, foliage and dried seed-heads to brIng into our home to create interesting vignettes. I also love the association of fond memories when I see the pieces in my home and remember the walks or family time when we collected them. I subscribe to magazines such as 91, Enki, Elle Decoration and always look at interiors magazines when I am travelling for inspiration. I go to Design fairs and am often falling down an Instagram rabbit hole finding new Makers to follow!

When it comes to designing a room, where do you start?

I always start by taking everything out, this doesn’t have to be done physically, but it’s easy when you live in a room to just accept that pieces have their place. Sometimes just moving a sofa, adding a mirror to reflect natural light into a dark corner, bringing in some plants for colour and their health benefits and having a declutter can radically change a room on a small budget. It’s also really important to think about what a room is used for and to consider storage needs.

What has been your favourite space to design?

Ooh that’s such a tricky one as I have never done a project I didn’t really enjoy! I think it would have to be one of my first commercial design projects helping transform an old run down Barn into a cool Scandi inspired kids play space, cafe and studios. It was all done on a very small budget and I worked with the lovely owner Jo repurposing lots of pieces from a barn on the family farm where people stored things they didn’t want any more. We used lots of natural materials, upcycled most of the furniture and custom made pieces using scaffold boards and other vintage finds.

I have also really enjoyed renovating a holiday cottage on the Suffolk coast where we had to balance design aesthetics with the practicalities needed for a property that is let out. It’s now one of the most popular rentals on the agency’s books which is hugely rewarding.

Why did you start hosting the Kinship Gatherings?

When I started Kinship Creative Design Consultancy I wanted to meet like-minded people running their own small business, to make connections and find ways to collaborate and support each other. I couldn’t find anything locally so I started one myself. We meet every six months and there is now a wonderful network of creatives, Makers, small business owners and people who would like to set up their own business but are not quite there yet. It’s a hugely supportive network and we offer a workshop as part of the gathering as well as coffee and cake to fuel our creativity!

What events do you have coming up that our audience might be interested in?

Our next gathering is on Feb 7th and will feature a workshop about Marketing for small businesses. We also occasionally run pop-up gatherings which have taken place in Bristol and Guildford. We also run creative workshops and have some fun ones coming up in the New Year including Ceramics, Modern Calligraphy and Photography and Styling. I am also planning workshops on sustainable living, plant styling and care, and some new crafting workshops.

Finally, what’s on the cards for you Kinship Creative in 2020?

I am looking forward to some really exciting new interior design projects including redesigning a bridal studio, helping create a series of glamping lodges and some private home projects. I am also looking forward to styling shoots, helping small businesses thrive, expanding our Kinship Community through our Gatherings, working on some content creation with brands that share my values and maybe even finding time to make a few changes in our own home!!

To see what’s on and attend one of Kay’s events take a look here. To make sure you don’t miss out, sign up to the monthly community newsletters. To see more of her interior styling and stunning scandi home, follow Kay on Instagram at @kinship_creativedc. To shop her style, browse our website to see all of our hand forged and finished lighting and homeware.

The team behind Thatched Cottage Cotswolds have created a beautifully cool country holiday cottage with sophisticated brass details throughout. Quintessentially British complete with thatching, classic period features and located in the picturesque Cotswolds, it’s a perfect home away from home.

We spotted some beautifully styled Jim Lawrence products amongst the sweet wooden panelling and stone walls, and wanted to delve a little deeper into this stylish cottage décor. We spoke to owner Vicky about the quirks of period homes and how to stay in tune with a cottage feel without becoming twee…

The first room we spotted of yours was the perfectly quaint double bedroom with shutters, beams and our dainty Curtis Spotlights. What made you choose these lights over a pendant or other styles?

When we were designing thatched cottage I knew the look we wanted to create. The cottage walls are mostly sloped so having the chance to add some panelling was very exciting too as I adore panelling. It has totally transformed that room. The tongue and groove in the kitchen actually slopes with the wall which I love!

I chose the Single Curtis Spot Lights because they perfectly fitted in with the beautiful panelling as a backdrop.
I particularly liked the traditional twist of the fabric covered wire, and they also can be angled to work perfectly as a bedside lamp.

The cottage is a 17th century property, how does the history of the building effect your interior design choices?

To be the custodian of these beautiful buildings as we are, it’s always the feeling of the building as well as the look: a quintessentially cottage feel but not twee. I think if a house looks good naked you’ve done well. A focus on floors, walls, windows and doors etc. I wanted to keep it light, timeless and uncluttered but cosy. A serene colour palette. I’m a huge fan of light white interiors adding colour with picture, cushions and throws.

Period homes have their quirks, so which room was the most challenging to style and why?

Probably the sitting room. The quirk here is the shape. Originally there would have only been one room up and down, with a ladder to reach the room upstairs. With the addition of stairs some years ago, this narrowed the room somewhat, so positioning furniture was key. Having a sofa and a separate reading nook works really well here, as the inglenook dominates the room that end which is a feature in itself. We added some old tin buckets re-purposed for wood and kindling, plus our gorgeous Harrods box found in an antique shop fits perfectly for a cosy coffee table. It’s a great place to sit in the evening enjoying the fire and a glass of wine, or to cuddle up on the sofa and watch a film.

What are the main perks of your charming Cotswolds location?

We are in Whichford, a small village famous for its pottery so have regular visitors attracted to the area. There is a classic car meeting every third Thursday of the month too, and fortunately still a thriving village pub which is a rarity now in lots of villages. It’s perfect if you like peace and quiet: no street lights and no traffic! The dulcet tones of the nearby St Michaels church are very soothing and feel classically English countryside.

Was it always your intention to set up the cottage as a holiday destination?

Yes, we love the area so much and will be using it ourselves more as our children grow up and we have more spare time.

In your opinion, what are the three key ingredients for creating the perfect home away from home?

A great bed, great bedlinen and a great shower. And bath… That’s four! Having travelled extensively in my time at BA these were the most important aspects of creating a home from home feel and this is where we started.

And you definitely chose a good bath! Talk us through the design process for that heavenly bathroom of yours.

I have always loved the idea of a bath in the bedroom so having the opportunity when we renovated the cottage was a dream come true. It is not for everyone, but when you are on holiday it’s perfect. A bit different. A lovely little luxury. The single Barbican Pendant Light by the entrance is perfect too, we hooked it over to the side and it gives the perfect glow while relaxing in the roll top bath. A great spot to relax after a days exploring!

Of course we love your lighting choices, but where do you find inspiration for the rest of the décor?

My inspiration comes from the looks that I love on Pinterest and Instagram. There’s some incredible talented people out there and these platforms have transformed the way we all live and design houses. For me personally I think stay away from trends, traditional and timeless elegance is key. Less is more.

Thatched Cottage looks ideal for a cosy getaway in the autumn and winter months with its gorgeous fireplace. How do you recommend refreshing home interiors for the lighter summer months?

The summer months are really about throwing open the shutters to a garden abundant with shrubs, jasmine, honeysuckle and roses, feeling like the outside is coming in. The scent of these plants is gorgeous. We have added some beautiful slightly bonkers flowery armchairs  (a collaboration with Joules) for the summer months. In winter we have lovely leather chairs for a more muted palette.

Last but not least…what’s the next step for the Thatched Cottage?

The next step for Thatched cottage is to continue to be an inspiration for others. The amazing feedback we have from a followers on Instagram is heart warming, having inspired many other home owners doing up similar properties. We’d love to be featured in a Homes magazine one day, but our intention was to offer a boutique hotel room in a whole cottage was our ultimate goal which I feel we have hopefully achieved.

We think it’s safe to say Thatched Cottage has exceeded this goal – but why not find out for yourself? Book a stay in this idyllic Cotswold’s location here. To follow their décor journey, take a peek at their Instagram @thatchedcottagecotswolds.

Single Curtis Spotlight, Monkey Tail Forged Window Latch, Barbican Pendant, Bletchley Roll Top Soap Basket

To stay up to date with Jim Lawrence, follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. To view our full lighting collection, visit our website. Happy shopping!

Emma and Camilla are a styling duo who operate under the name Interior Facelift. Far from surgical, their Instagram is bursting with classically romantic décor and tumbling foliage aplenty. Featuring Jim Lawrence lights in Camilla’s own home, we were stunned by their skill in creating atmosphere and individuality to a space. With an aptitude for sourcing unique pieces and a self-professed skill for ‘decluttering and reorganising’ we wanted to learn more about their business and the rooms they transform.

Photographer: Fiona Murray

Camilla’s stunning city home was recently featured in a beautiful article for 25 Beautiful Homes Magazine. Was the styling of your home Interior Facelift’s first project together?

No, our first project together was an Edwardian house in London – the owners had used a developer and an interior designer to update their house but they couldn’t make the sitting room feel cosy and so called us in to add style and individuality.

On your website you talk about how ‘breathing new life’ into a home through styling can be just as effective as starting the whole decoration process from scratch. What is the best starting place for a client when they want to refresh their home?

To work out how they would like to use the room, what they would like to keep in it, (if anything) and what they would like to change. for example, we are currently doing a job in which the client has a wonderful painting above the fireplace which is very special to them so we are designing colours around it and eclectic pieces from our treasure trove of reclaimed goodies to bring the room together.

What would you say is the most transformative step in restyling?

For us, the way to add the greatest impact when restyling is to add a few key features in a room, such as panelling as well as a couple of interesting pieces, perhaps an oversized mirror or some reclaimed doors that then make the room come alive.

What is your top tip for lighting a room?

We would say lighting is one of the most dramatic ways of adding impact and creating an atmosphere in a room. Layering is how we add interest with light, from overhead pendants to wall lights to table lamps.

Where does your flair for design come from?

For Emma life has always been about being visual – she trained as an artist , so colours and attention to detail have been second nature to her for more years than she might care to remember. I (Camilla) lived in Italy for several years, where style and design go hand in hand in effortless fashion.

With a wealth of inspiration on platforms like Instagram, sometimes it seems like a lot of houses can end up looking the same and filled with similar things. How do you tap into adding your own personality into a home?

We are both opposed to the ‘developers look’ where rooms can look bland and lack individuality. Instead, for us it is about layering different textures, making pieces work against each other and mixing reclaimed with new to add interest. The most wonderful part of our job is that we can combine our experience and flair with the client’s personality to make their home truly original.

Which has been the most enjoyable project to design?

Probably our most enjoyable project to date has been a house which just needed styling as opposed to building work; we were given free reign to style shelves, consoles, wall art etc – our idea of heaven.

Which has been the most challenging?

We have had one job where the client kept changing their mind with regards to what they wanted – a few mood boards later we got there!

Can you tell us about your dream project?

A project that allows us to use lots of reclaimed features and interesting styling. We are most excited when we can explore our ‘ inside-out’ philosophy….crafting out door spaces so that they flow from the indoor rooms and reflect each other by strategically positioned mirrors and of course magical lighting.

Last but not least, what’s in store next for Interior Facelift?

We are really excited about doing a project in Mallorca – we are planning to use a lot of natural wood and stone with limed walls, rattan pendants and some stunning Jim Lawrence outdoor wall lights. We have already discovered some dusty reclamation yards waiting for our attention!

We can’t wait to see this Mallorca project, it sounds divine… Follow Camilla and Emma on Instagram at @Interiorfacelift, and see more of their work on their website.

‘Natali in Norfolk’ is the Instagram account of Natali Pendleton, documenting her interior design and fashion choices from her luxury country lifestyle in Norfolk. We loved Natali’s dramatic bedroom design featuring Jim Lawrence lights and sockets, and needed to take a closer look at the rest of the beautiful building. In the process of a big renovation, Natali has given us an insider look into her gorgeous Georgian home.