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Home
Spotlight On
Beautiful Homes
Meet The Team
Behind the Name
Our Showrooms
Visit Jim Lawrence Website
Made By Us
  • Home
  • Spotlight On
  • Beautiful Homes
  • Meet The Team
  • Behind the Name
  • Our Showrooms
  • Visit Jim Lawrence Website
  • Made By Us
Jim Lawrence Blog - Jim Lawrence Blog
Spotlight On

Making An Entrance | 10 Matt Black Porch Lights For The Heritage Home

Our heritage outdoor lighting designs are skilfully made in our Suffolk based workshop, using traditional metal working techniques to create the quality product you take home. Our outside lights will transform the look of your garden, entrance or outbuildings, making the most of architectural features and the natural beauty of your building materials. Choose from period splendour or simple country cottage styles to find your perfect outdoor light.

For classic styling, you can’t do better than matt black when it comes to exterior design. An historic colour that dates to the earliest days of blacksmithing, black hued ironmongery will give your home a smart and traditional feel that will never age. Our Matt Black is a clean uniform paint that looks striking no matter the setting, sitting bold against natural building materials like brick, stone, wood and plaster. Admire this smooth and durable finish across our varied offering of black porch lights.

THE HACKNEY OUTDOOR LANTERN

Our wall mounted Hackney Lantern is a handsome, vintage-style outdoor wall light that has been hand crafted from high quality steel and painted Matt Black for a quality look to your outdoor lighting scheme. Traditionally styled on the carriage lanterns of the 19th century, it has a an elegant swan neck arm, gently tapering frame and hand blown glass sheets that gives it a beautifully robust and practical design that will lend your garden, porch or outbuildings a sense of timeless charm.

An alternative to the wall mounted design, the Hackney Lantern with chain can be ceiling mounted to suspend in your porches and hallways. The Hackney Lantern comes supplied with 50cm of black chain and cable and a ceiling rose and fixing screws in the same finish. We also make a selection of wall brackets should you wish to hang your pendant lantern from a wall but keep the feature of the cable and chain.

THE SHIP’S LIGHT

Hand crafted from high quality forged iron that has been painted in our smart hard wearing Matt Black, the Ship’s Wall light features a hand blown glass shade encompassed in an industrial-style steel cage. Inspired by the deck lights once found on ocean liners and steamboats, the Ship’s Light is as stylish as it is hardy, capturing the essence of a vintage find rather than a new item you can easily purchase at the click of a button. Of course this is because they are hand crafted and finished by us, which means they are made to last just like the high quality designs of days done by. This might be why they have long been one of our most popular outdoor lights.

THE BOATHOUSE WALL LIGHT

This Wall Light is the beautiful Boathouse, a Gold Award Winner in the Best Lighting Category at the House Beautiful Awards. As the name suggests, this light has a lovely nautical feel that will enhance any outdoor setting whether a coastal property or a modern townhouse. A relatively small wall light, the Boathouse’s most appealing feature is the elegant spun brass bell shaped shade and short swan neck arm that has been painted in our smart and hardwearing Matt Black to complement its heritage roots.

THE PEACOCK LANTERN

A pretty vintage-style forged iron lantern made for your porch, garden and exterior walls. The Georgian style Peacock Lantern is one of our most popular outdoor wall lights, the sweet detail of the back mirror reflecting light from the bulb at night and the beauty of your garden during the day.

Hand crafted from solid, high quality forged iron that is renowned for its non-corrosive properties, this Peacock has been painted in our Matt Black for a simple, elegant matt finish. It also depicts a decorative peacock emblem stamped onto the cap. The Peacock Lantern is modestly sized so it will work well in a small space and it looks fabulous when hung in pairs either side of a doorway or in a row along a back wall.

THE FINSBURY LANTERN

A more pared down version of our best-selling Peacock, the Finsbury Lantern combines the classic elegance of a traditional outdoor wall light with modern LED technology, to produce a light that is as beautiful as it is practical.

Hand crafted from high quality steel that has been painted Matt Black for an authentic, traditional appearance, we’ve kept the design details of the Finsbury to a minimum to create a simple, linear wall light with an understated elegance that will complement a modern setting yet won’t look out of place in a traditional one

THE NEWPORT DOWNLIGHTER

A dream choice for the more contemporary home, our Newport Downlighter will provide beautiful accent lighting wherever it is used. This unique light projects subdued beams of warm light down your walls, perfect for illuminating house names and numbers, lining a path or lighting up a driveway.

THE COACH LANTERN


A decorative outdoor wall light in classic matt black, our Coach Lantern design takes the best old fashioned styling and combines it with modern lighting technology to produce a handsome exterior wall light that is as practical as it is pretty. Featuring hand blown glass panes with a forged iron cross lattice on the front for security and an attractive handle detail on the top housing, this is one for the traditional country cottage.

THE STANDARD CANTERBURY

Our solid steel Canterbury Lantern is a handsome outdoor pendant light that will instantly draw your eye thanks to its imposing proportions. Designed to illuminate your front door, porch or gateway, it has a robust quality and timeless elegance that will suit modern as well as period properties.

THE CARRIAGE LANTERN

The Carriage Lantern features a top mounted lamp holder, four metal corner pillars with ball finials top and bottom and hand blown glass panes: a pared back, more angular modern interpretation of traditional Victorian coach lanterns.

COMPLETE THE LOOK


A complete collection of front door furniture is a must have to ensure a stylish and picture perfect kerb appeal. Transform your front door into a thing of beauty with our collection of handcrafted door furniture in Matt Black, ensuring you achieve the perfect style to welcome you home.


MADE BY US, LOVED BY YOU

Do you want to see more? 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.

 

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Welcome to the Jim Lawrence Style Journal.

We are a British interiors company creating beautiful lighting, ironwork and home furnishings from our Suffolk workshop.

This is where we share ideas that we love, show sneak peeks behind the scenes of our brand and offer a unique insight into classic design.

jimlawrencemade

Jim Lawrence Lighting & Home
Launching next week. We’ve been exploring colou Launching next week.

We’ve been exploring colour in glass, taking time to refine tones that feel fresh and considered. 

A simple idea at the heart of it: a little colour can change the feel of a space completely, bringing in warmth and character in a way that still feels calm and considered.

Sign up to our newsletter via the link in bio to be the first to shop the collection.
A first look at something new.⁠ Designed to brin A first look at something new.⁠ Designed to bring a considered touch of colour.⁠
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We’ve been quietly working on a range of coloured glass shades. This particular finish has taken time to refine, adjusting the tone and perfecting the colours to feel rich but not too shouty. ⁠
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Sign up to our newsletter via the link in bio to be the first to shop the collection.
A small moment from the workshop, and one we never A small moment from the workshop, and one we never quite tire of.⁠
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Cutting brass on the laser, precise, efficient, and oddly satisfying to watch. It’s a process that speaks to our love of good machinery and thoughtful engineering.⁠
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We’ve always had a soft spot for this side of making. The hum of the machines, the accuracy they bring, and the way they sit alongside more traditional handwork without fuss.⁠
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Discover more of our manufacturing process via the link:⁠
jim-lawrence.co.uk/category/inspiration/manufacturing-in-england
A closer look at two new pieces, working quietly a A closer look at two new pieces, working quietly alongside one another.⁠
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The Double Brooke Wall Light has a reassuring weight to it, made with solid brass, it is a piece that will stand the test of time.⁠
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The Frosted Walcot softens the mood. Once lit, the glass gives off a gentle, diffused glow that feels calm and easy in a space.⁠
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Discover the collection via the link in bio. ⁠
Our May Edit.⁠ ⁠ This month, we’re drawn to Our May Edit.⁠
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This month, we’re drawn to Jade Green, Frosted Glass and Hunstanton Velvet in Duck Egg Blue, softer tones that feel fresh for the season, paired with the warmth of antiqued brass. Together, they bring colour, texture and character in a way that feels considered.⁠
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Follow along for our monthly edit, where we bring together best-selling pieces designed to work beautifully, and naturally, side by side.
Small spaces can still have plenty of character.⁠
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@logie_cottage has made every inch count, filling this bathroom with thoughtful detail and plenty of country charm. Our Single Malvern Bathroom Lights, placed either side of the mirror, bring balanced light and a simple, timeless feel that suits the space perfectly.⁠
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It’s a lovely reminder that good design isn’t about size, it’s about choosing pieces that work hard, look right, and help a room feel considered from corner to corner.⁠
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Photography & inspiration: @logie_cottage
Traditional forging has been with us from the very Traditional forging has been with us from the very beginning, back in a small Suffolk barn with little more than an anvil, right through to the workshop as it is today.⁠
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It’s a way of making that feels rooted in something honest and real, part of a much wider story of British manufacturing that we’re proud to still be part of.⁠
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If you’d like to see more, you’ll find the full Jim Lawrence story via the link in our bio.
Nothing similar is quite the same.⁠ ⁠ A light, Nothing similar is quite the same.⁠
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A light, open space made all the more inviting with a considered mix of pieces, our new Double Brooke Wall Light alongside the Frosted Walcot Pendant. ⁠
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Each one made with genuine care, each one carrying its own quiet variations. These gentle irregularities are signs of a process led by people.⁠
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Discover the collection via the link in bio.
A look inside the daily rhythm of our Suffolk work A look inside the daily rhythm of our Suffolk workshop.⁠
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This is where it all happens, pieces moving steadily from one bench to the next, each one handled with care and a good deal of know-how. Our painting and sherardising aren’t quick fixes or final flourishes, they’re trusted processes we return to every single day because they do the job properly.⁠
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What you see here is exactly that: an honest glimpse into how things run. ⁠
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It’s thoughtful, practical making that shapes everything we produce. Follow along if you’d like to see a little more of how it all comes together.⁠
⁠
How it’s Made.
As the seasons begin to turn, we find ourselves re As the seasons begin to turn, we find ourselves reaching more often for simple, natural additions at home, a few stems gathered on a walk, dried grasses, or the first flowers brought in from the garden.⁠
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We’ve always loved how our customers style our lights in this way, softening the look with flowers and foliage. It’s an easy, thoughtful approach that adds colour and texture without ever feeling overdone.⁠
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With summer just around the corner, it’s a timely reminder that styling doesn’t need to be complicated. ⁠
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With thanks to:⁠
@sascalstudio⁠
@rosie__maybe⁠
@jessica.forbes.interiors⁠
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Photography by @elliottwhitephotgraphy⁠
Most of the time when people think of us, they thi Most of the time when people think of us, they think of lights, and they’re right. From pendants and wall lights to chandeliers and table lamps, every piece is designed and handcrafted here in Suffolk, in our UK workshop.⁠
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However, we also make a wide range of window furniture, curtains blinds and poles. Pairing our fabrics and finishes, to ensure you can coordinate your soft furnishings with the rest of your home in a way that feels considered, well‑made, and built to stand the test of time.⁠
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All handmade in Suffolk. ⁠
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Discover more via the link in bio.
Good lighting can tie a space together, especially Good lighting can tie a space together, especially in spaces that mix old with new. Our Ellington wall light is a natural fit here - set against timeworn textures, warm wood and aged brick, our antiqued brass feels right at home.⁠
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It’s this balance we always come back to, mixing modern pieces with vintage textures, creating spaces that feel lived-in, considered, and quietly timeless #jimlawrencemade⁠
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#pendant #glass #lighting #handmade
A glimpse at how our brass is formed. ⁠ ⁠ Each A glimpse at how our brass is formed. ⁠
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Each back box starts as a flat disc, shaped with precision on our spinning machine. It’s a process that relies on steady pressure and careful control, gradually forming the brass into its final shape.⁠
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We’ve always preferred to make things ourselves. It allows us to oversee every stage, checking each piece as it moves through the workshop and ensuring the finish is exactly as it should be.⁠
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The result is pieces with consistent quality and made with genuine care.⁠
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Made this way.
A clever light for every corner. ✨⁠ ⁠ Our Ha A clever light for every corner. ✨⁠
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Our Hanson Library Wall Light tucks neatly by the bed, leaving surfaces clear while bringing a soft glow. With its single swing arm, it follows you from reading to relaxing, guiding quiet evenings.⁠
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Practical, yes - but with a subtle character that transforms a simple corner into a little daily ritual.⁠
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Styled beautifully by @uns.hobbs_interiors
The softness of aged wood, the texture of painted The softness of aged wood, the texture of painted brick, and the quiet glow of well-placed lighting, it’s these small details that come together to create something calm and enduring. Our lights are designed very much with this in mind, to sit comfortably within a room, adding warmth without ever feeling overdone.⁠
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Nothing too polished, just a balance of old and considered pieces that make a space feel settled and lived in.⁠
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Explore more via the link in our bio.⁠
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A customer recently got in touch while downsizing, A customer recently got in touch while downsizing, having come across⁠
one of our very first brochures, carefully tied together with twine. ⁠
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It brought back memories of those early days and of pieces that have clearly⁠
stood the test of time. It is a reminder of how far things have come and how⁠
much those early values still matter to us today.⁠
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Thank you for sharing this with us - we always value hearing from you, and⁠
messages like this feel especially meaningful.⁠
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For more information about ⁠our story, please follow the link in our Bio.⁠
⁠The Rococo Wall Light is a piece that doesn’t ⁠The Rococo Wall Light is a piece that doesn’t try to hide.⁠
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With its flowing lines and decorative detail, it takes its cue from 18th century Rococo design, a style that embraced ornament, softness, and a certain sense of ease. Even the name comes from rocaille, the French word for seashell, a motif you’ll spot in its shape.⁠
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Lately, we’ve seen a move away from very pared-back interiors towards something a little richer and more expressive. Less minimal, more considered. Pieces with presence.⁠
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We make each light as a left or right-handed piece, so they can be used as a pair, framing a fireplace, a favourite picture, or either side of a doorway.⁠
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Discover our Wall Light collection via the link in bio.
A lovely glimpse into a working corner of a rustic A lovely glimpse into a working corner of a rustic office.⁠
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The Peterhouse Desk Light feels right at home here, the dark wood tones of the desk draw out the warmth of the antique brass finish, giving the whole space a comfortable, lived-in feel.⁠
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We’ve always found that antique brass pairs easily with a wide range of materials. Here, it sits beautifully alongside deep wood tones, while also working just as well with the softer, lighter creams in the adjoining bedroom.⁠
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With thanks to @figletlife for sharing this with us, and to @emmajaynelavell for the beautiful photography. ⁠
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Follow along for more inspirational images from our customers and the spaces they’ve made their own. #jimlawrencemade⁠
A fresh palette.⁠ ⁠ Our latest fabric colours A fresh palette.⁠
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Our latest fabric colours draw on softer, familiar shades, reworked for today and designed to sit elegantly alongside one another. Each tone has been carefully paired, making it easy to build a scheme that feels balanced, calm and cohesive.⁠
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Whether layered together or used as a gentle accent, these fabrics are made to bring warmth, and unique of character to the home.⁠
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Discover the full range via the link in the bio.
⁠At Jim Lawrence, we’ve always believed in doi ⁠At Jim Lawrence, we’ve always believed in doing things the proper way, by hand, in-house, and with honest materials. 

What you see here is exactly that. Real footage from our workshop, captured as it happens. No staging, no refinement, just the rhythm of making: loud and industrious.

Our commitment to UK-based production sits at the heart of everything we do. Each material carefully handled, every finish built up with patience, and decades of skill brought quietly into every detail.

Follow along for an honest look behind the process.

Made this way.
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