For many years now we have teamed up with Lovat Mill, based in the Scottish Border town of Hawick and known as the Home of Tweed; where the artisan craftsmen follow in the footsteps of generations of tweedmakers to create beautiful, contemporary tweeds.

Taking inspiration from the rich colours of the surrounding countryside, Lovat Mill design and weave estate and country tweeds of the highest quality. Incorporating between five and forty individual colours to produce a range of specially selected herringbones and checks that will add subtle reflections of the natural world to your home interior.

THE HOME OF TWEED

It is an iconic brand with a global reputation, rooted in the land that inspired it. Tweed may be one of Scotland’s great gifts to the world, but it has never cut its ties with home. In the Border town of Hawick, which gave this most versatile of cloths its distinctive character and name, its far-reaching success is a source of pride. At Lovat Mill – the home of tweed – it is a daily, ongoing passion.

As the only remaining tweed producers in the town, Lovat Mill’s artisan craftsmen are custodians of a cloth-making tradition that dates from the dawn of the industrial age. They embody the spirit and ingenuity of their Hawick forebears who, in the 18th century, transformed textile production in the town.

HERITAGE ROOTS

Today, Lovat Mill directors Stephen Rendle and Alan Cumming maintain a keen sense of tweed’s rich heritage. Rendle, like Cumming, is keenly aware of the complexities and craft of textile production: “For us, it’s all about following in the footsteps of previous generations of tweed makers.”

NURTURING TRADITION

You know we are passionate about nuturing traditional skills when it comes to manufacturing, so to have the opportunity support another heritage craft is very important to us. Tweed making remains the ultimate craft industry, partly a work of art and partly a feat of precision engineering. At the design stage, things move slowly and precisely.

Colours are chosen with reverence, yarns twisted with care. Each thread entwined is a labour of love, bringing you the beautiful materials that we use to make shades, curtains and blinds here at Jim Lawrence.

BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

We offer a collection of wools and tweed from the Lovat Mill in rich earthy colourways: tones that are pulled from expansive lochs, cairns and the heather of the vast hillsides.  Infusing these colours into our inventory of products was an inevitabilty. An almost mythic beauty lies between the mountainous terrain of the Scottish Highlands, which has always captured our interest and been something we longed to weave into our design.

With each fabric incorporating between five and forty individual colours, the end product is always a unique work, blending all our favourite elements of the landscape into one. We are thrilled to continue working with the mill to produce a range of specially selected herringbones and checks that will add subtle reflections of the natural world to your home interior.

STYLING AT HOME

For a soft grey influenced by the smoky quartz of the Cairngorms, our Limestone Tweed and Stirling Lovat Check are both wonderful for inviting a cool neutral into your scheme.

Pictured here on our Double Gainsborough Wall Light and Small Porter Table Lamp, both fabrics have a gentle modern rustic appeal for adding subtle texture to your lighting.

To conjure the uniquely soft purple tint that sweeps across the moorlands and mountains, the aptly named Herringbone Tweed in Heather can be paired with Talisker or Angus Check – two traditional earthy greens. The Heather Candle Shade is photographed with our Grantham Wall Light. Together with the decorative turnings on the candle arm and its elegant length, the Grantham’s are a noble choice for more traditional settings that need a classical touch: the perfect platform for a heritage tweed.

Featured with our Double Gosford Wall Light, the Candle Shades in Angus Lovat Check paralell the aged patina of the brass, offering a harmonious country style ideal for cosy living spaces or cottage bedrooms.

Our two remiaining Herringbone Tweeds in Blue and Granite mirror the surface of Scotland’s most magnificent lochs: bringing a dusky sky and grey-blue tones into your decor.

Our Reeded Wall Light is a pretty choice for a traditional period home, particularly paired with a powdery blue and an off-white paint or panelling. For a daintier shade that still packs a stylish punch, our Tapered Candle Shades in Granite are a keen choice for smaller wall lights like the Single Rowsley.

MADE TO MEASURE

Our expert team of seamstresses create beautiful made-to-measure curtains & blinds from our collection of over 60 elegant country style fabrics. From sophisticated elegance to delightful country cottage styling, our range of handmade curtains and blinds are a stunning addition to any home. The first step to measuring for new curtains is to measure the length of pole you will need to hang them. We will then need to know how long you would like your curtains to hang. Please visit our Guide on the website to learn more.

Jim Lawrence has worked hard over the past 20 years to build up an international reputation for producing classic, high quality products. All our shades, curtains, cushions and blinds are hand made by our talented soft furnishings team here at our Suffolk workshops.

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.

SOURCING MORE HOME IDEAS

We feel it only natural to embrace our British heritage when it comes to our products. We knew we had to create a light that celebrated the design-led location of our second showroom, which is where the idea for our elegant Walcot Pendant was born. ⁠

⁠The Georgian detailing that Bath is known for is characterised by a focus on graceful structures, fine lines, and elegant proportions, but sometimes you need a simple accompaniment for more elaborate interiors. The Walcot is made with a hand-blown dome shaped glass shade, a little nod to the bell jars that were originally hung in vestibules and entrance halls of Georgian homes. ⁠

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More pared back and contemporary than old fashioned lanterns, however, this domed pendant is effortlessly stylish when suspended on our braided cable. Clear glass shades bypass the visual imposition that can sometimes happen with weightier lighting and higher ceilings, allowing light to pass through whichever room you choose to place it. This is ideal for Georgian interiors which take pride in architectural symmetry: something the Walcot complements beautifully instead of interrupts. Whether paired with classic brass (widely used on many types of Georgian furniture) or married with our range of other hand-crafted finishes to suit your interior, the Walcot is a wonderful choice fitted in a trio or hung solitarily.⁠

For the larger siblings of the Walcot, view our Chalford and Lansdown pendants. Named after neighbouring locations that are equally beautiful but offer different charms…the same can be said for the lights themselves.

OUR WALCOT STREET SHOWROOM

When we were looking for a location to open our first showroom outside of Suffolk we were always drawn to Bath. Isn’t it such natural fit with our products? You can find us on beautiful Walcot Street, a backdrop perfect for showcasing how to marry the style of our hand crafted designs and the classic honeyed hues of Bath stone.⁠

⁠The shop itself, number 114-116 Walcot Street, is a grade II listed building built in the 1700’s. Famous for its curved frontage, this was designed to allow horse drawn carriages to turn around in the street. Bath has long been a fashionable destination for city folk seeking a more relaxed pace of life, and it has built up a reputation as the second home of interior design outside London. Packed with period charm, the Georgian buildings on our street sweep and stand tall with their limestone fronts, the grey flagstone pavements gently warped with footsteps of curious shoppers over the years. There’s plenty to see and do nearby, so be sure to step out of the November chill and see what we have inside before enjoying what the rest of the city has to offer.⁠

⁠You can view our extensive collection of lighting, homeware and fabrics here, including our brand new wall lighting range and cow parsley fabric. Our lovely team will be on hand to help you with all enquiries and orders.⁠ The showroom is open from 09.30am to 5.30pm weekly but please note we are closed Wednesdays and Sundays.⁠ We do not hold any stock in Bath and all orders will be dispatched from our workshop in Suffolk.⁠

STYLED BY YOU

We would love to see our lampshades and lighting in your homes. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook @JimLawrenceMade and be sure to tag us in your home updates.

The story of Jim Lawrence began in 1994 at his Suffolk farm. Jim was busy rearing pigs and cows but it was clear that stock farming on such a small scale was not going to be profitable and Jim needed to find something else to do. He decided to set up a forge in one of the farm buildings and experimented by making specialist pieces for friends and neighbours.

From this modest beginning, Jim began producing a small range of candlesticks and chandeliers and selling them at fairs and markets. He then moved on to gates, railings and curtain poles and from the reaction of his customers he realised there was a demand for stylish, designer quality fixtures and fittings for the home, made with natural materials.

Using brass window fittings throughout a period home is an elegant way of complimenting certain features. For our recent Suffolk Barn Renovation, the warmth of our Antiqued Brass compliments the historic oak structure. Being a natural finish (much like the natural texture and tones of wood), the patina will continue to age and deepen over time – the perfect modern rustic finishing touch.

Our fabulous collection of made to measure curtain poles are the ideal companion for your curtains, ensuring they will continue to look good for years, in whichever room you hang them. They are hand forged from high quality brass, and with a choice between Reeded or Plain Antiqued Brass, you can pair each design with a matching finial and brackets for a unified natural look for your period home. If your pole is over 200cm long you will require a centre bracket. Longer poles may be supplied in two halves, complete with joiner. Don’t forget to ensure there is room for your chosen accessories…

Our popular Antiqued Brass Ball Finials are the perfect companion for your brass curtain poles.  All of our finials are designed to slide into the end of our brass curtain poles and have a classic, weighty quality to enhance your authentic décor. Though a practical solution to keep everything in place, finials also frame your window and allow for decorative creativity. We offer traditional and modern styles to complement your home, ensuring each hand-crafted design is the most beautiful it can be.

These Brass Standard Brackets will lift your curtain poles and frame your windows with elegance. Hand finished like the rest of the accessories, these practical supports still look pretty. Because we make all our iron work in our Suffolk forge, we can adapt our brackets if necessary to suit your particular window: you may for instance need a deeper bracket for a deeper window so as not to spoil the hang of your curtains.  Whichever style you choose, we’ve forged these beautifully finished antiqued brass hoops to match. You can calculate the number of rings you need by dividing the length of your pole (in cm) by 7. Simple!

Our expert team of seamstresses create beautiful made-to-measure curtains & blinds from our collection of over 180 elegant country style fabrics. From sophisticated elegance to delightful country cottage styling, our range of handmade curtains and blinds are a stunning addition to any home. To view all of our fabrics, click here.

There are just a few simple steps to creating the perfect curtain or blind at Jim Lawrence: choose your heading, choose your favourite fabric and then select a lining option. Once you have chosen these options you simply measure up you window using our helpful guide below and call us for help, advice or a free quotation today on 01473 826685.

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

Feel like you still have some unanswered questions? We’ve written up a detailed guide to creating your made-to-measure curtain poles here. We are always happy to help, so give us a call or drop us an email and we will do our best to meet your needs.

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

Our heritage outdoor lighting designs work beautifully when paired with rustic exteriors. All of our lights 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.

This is where we like to get industrial. Whether a shed, garage, workshop or barn, we trust our industrial-inspired favourites will suit your needs. Try our Brittania Ship’s light with its beautiful  brass top and cage. A small outdoor lantern that makes a big impact, this lantern is hand cast in solid brass which will enhance your home with its nautical good looks.

Your porch and front door is the first thing yourself and your guests will notice when arriving. The Peacock Lantern is a classic design with a Jim Lawrence twist. The Peacock lantern is all you need to define the entry to your home. Because solid brass does not rust, it will stay a gorgeous entrance for years to come, with subtle ageing for the perfect vintage look.

The shapely arch of the Stable Light adds a subtle countryside charm to your outdoor lighting scheme, which can be flat mounted like this, or corner mounted for hard to reach places. Hand finished in natural solid brass, the Stable Light has a lovely long, vintage-style swan neck that was originally designed to keep out of the way of stable doors and horses heads – now designed to be a stylish and practical statement in your outdoor space.

Something a little different for a central source of light and an authentic rustic feel… Our hand cast iron Fire Bowl creates a stylish focal point for outdoor entertaining, as well as a great source of warmth and light on those cooler evenings. A simple addition to your garden that you can easily move about according to your needs.

There are many solutions to lighting your outdoor spaces to make the most of the spring evenings as they roll into summer nights. To browse all of our outdoor lighting, click here. Now you’ve got the exterior lighting inspiration, take a look at our lighting guide for period properties for our indoor lighting solutions. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @JimLawrenceMade and tag us in your home updates – we love seeing our products in their new homes!

Handcrafted cupboard and drawer pulls are a simple addition you can make to your home to give a new kitchen a lovely ‘lived in’ feel. This year we are delighted to introduce two new vintage drawer pull designs to our collection, as well as share with you our classic Jim Lawrence favourites.

Inspired by the vintage charm of our ever popular Schoolhouse Drawer Pull, we reimagined the design to create this lovely Larder Drawer Pull. A narrower version that is a little more contemporary and understated in character, but still bringing an authentic feel to the room.

The original Jim Lawrence Schoolhouse Drawer Pull. So called because they are reminiscent of the handles found in Victorian buildings, these pulls are lovingly hand crafted from natural brass using traditional techniques, have a weighty feel that confirms the quality. The understated look  gives them an up to date edge without losing their utilitarian charm.

Our other new addition, these sweet little Cook’s Drawer Pulls are reminiscent of old fashioned jelly moulds. Full of vintage charm, they are the perfect finishing touch to your cupboards and drawers. Forged from solid natural brass that has been pressed and reeded for an additional decorative touch, these lovely handles will look equally at home in a Victorian town house as they would a country cottage.

The Forged Ball Handle has a hammered surface and is made in a choice of forged iron and paint finishes. The textured surface makes for a great rustic look, and looks particularly at home in period cottages or barn conversions.

The Reeded Pull Knob for cupboards and drawers is supplied in natural brass, which is lightly antiqued or overlaid with a choice of paint finishes. The classical beehive style design is practical but also enhances style and sophistication, ensuring a timeless elegance for your kitchen style.

Available in a large or small size, the neat, smooth design of our Napier Cupboard Pulls offer practicality but also enhances a timeless sophistication, complimenting any cupboard or draw. This door knob is made using traditional blacksmithing techniques, the intricate detail in the design highlights the skill of our blacksmiths and their ability to hand craft door pulls that suit both contemporary and period properties. As with all of our pulls, we make a range of door and window furniture using the same finishes, so you can create a uniformed look around your home.

The Gilby Drawer Pull is handmade in solid brass. It is available either lightly antiqued to show off the natural brass or in our beautiful new Heritage Copper finish. The simplistic styling and smooth surface accentuates a feeling of luxury that is not visually overwhelming but will complement any traditional or contemporary home.

This traditional Knotted Drawer Pull is designed to complement period properties. Each knot is hand-tied by one of our blacksmiths enhancing a personalised effect that can only be achieved through hand-made products. Perfect for taller, narrow cupboards for a slimline but impactful feature.

A simple but rustic-look Suffolk Drawer Pull. Hand forged with a lovely textured handle, this pull gives your kitchen style a practical edge with a nod to traditional period homes. This Beeswax finish highlights the contrast in textures, offering a bold yet unique look that can be paired with pastel colours to finish your room off perfectly.

How will you style yours? To see more of our Cupboard and Drawer Pulls and the different finishes available, view them here. If you enjoyed reading about our designs, why not sign up to our newsletter? If you have any beautiful imagery of our Drawer Pulls, why not tag us? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Bulb, bulbs, bulbs. Are they dimmable? Are they the right wattage? Will they fit into this pendant holder? Is it suitable for a bathroom? We receive many queries and conundrums regarding light bulbs, so thought it was high time we put together some information for you to refer to when adding the all important finishing touch to your lighting.

Although there are hundreds of light fittings in existence most homes only have a few different types the most common of which are shown in this blog post. The ‘B’ stands for bayonet and is most commonly used in the UK due to the British Empire. The ‘E’ stands for Edison Screw and is dominant in the USA and Europe due to Thomas Edison.

The vast majority of Jim Lawrence lights will take either a small or standard bayonet bulb. In many cases we can adapt the light fittings to take a screw bulb, but you will need to call us to specify this. Each light will have the bulb information on its product page to give you a helping hand.

The bulb’s shape is not just about how pretty it looks but more importantly, about how it throws its light. Most household lights will require bulbs that direct the light everywhere (omnidirectional) but there are some that are designed to give a focussed light such as reflector bulbs, or Gu10 spot bulbs that often used in recessed ceiling lighting.

Also known as SBC or B15 – has a small twist and push fitting

• Generally lower wattage than larger bulbs. Most are around 5 watts or equivalent to a 40 watt traditional (incandescent) bulb.
• We supply two types of SBC bulbs; our Clear Candle LED Bulb (shown) which has a slightly elongated shape and is the recommended bulb for all wall lights that have fabric shades and our SBC Golf LED Ball bulb which is round.
• Dimmable – all our small bayonet LED bulbs are dimmable if used with a dimmer switch.
• All our small bayonet bulbs have a warm white light.

Also known as BS or B22 – has a larger twist and push fitting

• Generally higher wattage than the small bayonet bulbs, but not always. Our standard bulb is a Classic GLS LED bulb that is 7.5 watts or 806 lumens, which is equivalent to a 60 watt traditional (incandescent bulb)
• We supply five different styles of BC bulbs, all LEDs – our Classic GLS LED (7.5W) is the standard ‘pear’ shape, our small Golf Ball LED (4W), which is round, our handsome Squirrel Cage LED (6.5W) which is a large alternative, our Tube LED (5W) for elongated shades and our oversized Globe LED (6W).
• Dimmable – all our standard bayonet LED bulbs are dimmable if used with a dimmer switch.
• All our BC bulbs have a warm white light.

Also known as ES or E14 – a small screw in fitting that is dominant in Europe and the USA

• Generally lower wattage than larger screw bulbs. Most are around 5 watts or equivalent to a 40 watt traditional (incandescent) bulb.
• We supply one style of ES screw bulb – our 4W ES LED Clear Candle Bulb (shown) which has a slightly elongated shape and can be used as an alternative to the small bayonet bulb for all our wall lights that have fabric shades. Please call us should you need your light fitted to take a screw bulb.
• Dimmable – our Small Edison Screw LED bulb is dimmable if used with a dimmer switch.
• Our Small Edison Screw bulb has a warm white light.

Also known as ES or E27 – similar to the Small Edison Screw but with a larger sized screw fitting that is dominant in Europe and the USA

• 5.5 watts, similar to a traditional 80watt bulb (approx 350 lumen)
• This large edison bulb has a warm white light
• Dimmable if used with a dimmer switch.

Also known as a spotlight or PAR16 bulb – has two pins with small feet on the end that you push and twist into place similarly to a bayonet bulb

• The GU10 is the most common type of spotlight bulb found in most homes today. Often used in places where a bright, directional light is needed, such as kitchens and workspaces.
• It has the classic spotlight shape, with a narrow base that widens into a flat or slightly rounded aperture.
• Halogen GU10 bulbs are commonly made from plastic, not to be confused with an MR16 bulb that looks identical except for the much smaller, needle-like that will not fit a GU10 lamp.
• We stock a 5 watt LED GU10 that is 345lumens, equivalent to a 50watt traditional bulb.
• Dimmable – our GU10 LED is dimmable if used with a dimmer switch.
• Our GU10 LED has a warm white light

• As an LED, it is incredibly energy efficient, only using a fraction of the energy of a regular halogen bulb and lasting, on average, around 6,000 hours
• Kindly note our G9 bulb is not dimmable
• Warm white in colour
• Instantly lighting to full strength, it has an output of 2.5W, similar to an 18W traditional bulb

• Our T5 Cicular Flourescent tube bulb produces a warm white light designed for exceptional light output and great reliability.
• With a 22 watt (1900 lumen output) and an A energy efficiency rating, this bulb is a practical choice for domestic and commercial applications.
• This circular bulb is upplied with our gorgeous Grosvenor flush fitting bathroom lights.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have been in common use for over half a century, mainly in electronic equipment, where they’re used as signals and indicators (standby lights, for example). It is only in recent years that LED light bulbs have been widely available. They are an energy efficient, longer lasting replacement for incandescent light bulbs. They light to full strength straight away, emit the same brightness as traditional bulbs and only use a fraction of the power – around 90% less energy than traditional light bulbs.

They also last 10-20 times longer and unlike most energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs, can actually be recycled. When shopping for LED bulbs, remember the wattage doesn’t denote its brightness. A 5W LED bulb is as bright as a 50W incandescent bulb. The lumens (lm) rating of a light bulb is instead the best indicator of its brightness.

Watts (W) – Watts is the measure of energy consumed

Lumens (LM) – Lumens is the measurement of light output

Efficiency – Efficiency is the number of lumens generated for each Watt of energy consumed- Lm/W

Feeling more confident? Take a look at our lighting to decide which gorgeous design you need to pair with our bulbs. If you have any further technical questions regarding your lights, don’t hesitate to call up our knowledgeable customer service team on 01473 826969. Happy shopping!

Our sumptuous new Hunstanton Velvets, available in a choice of four stylish colourways, are just what you need to add a touch of luxury to the home.

Our designs are very much influenced by our Great British heritage. Inspired by the sea and skyscapes of north Norfolk, we wanted this range to evoke the dramatic sunsets and vast, stretched out sands of Hunstanton and the surrounding coastline. Given a softer twist for the home environment, you can choose from Dusky Pink, a mid-tone Mole grey, a punchy Teal or rich Navy to suit any interior style.

Though velvet is a natural nod to historical opulence, the fabric has never been more relevant. According to Living Etc’s 2019 Trend Report, searches for velvet have increased by 400% over past six months as the most searched for fabric. With velvet beds and sofas as some of the most covetable but more costly ways to bring the look home, we know our elegant Hunstanton range will ease seamlessly into your home style, ensuring you have the gorgeous accessories to match…

Cushions are a must-have styling tool for any home, as well as a must-have comfort tool! Colour and texture is crucial to create a relaxing space, but also for personalising the room. Adding a cushion or two is an easy way to freshen up your existing colourway or as an accent in a new scheme. These new oversized cushion covers have a clean, unpiped seam and will catch your eye wherever they sit. All of our cushions are handmade here in our Suffolk workshop by our talented team of cushion makers – ready to be shown off with a plump feather pad.

Create the perfect cosy reading corner in a bedroom, study or living room. Our velvet shades add a softness to the space in the daylight, and help to create a gently atmospheric glow when the sun goes down. The Hunstanton Mole Candle Shade is a delightful companion to the Hanson Wall Light in Antiqued Brass. To pair with other lamps and pendants, we offer Tapered, Half, Cylinder, Empire AND Oval shades in all of our Hunstanton colours, ensuring every one can enjoy them no matter your style.

Velvet…in the bathroom? That’s right. We have made sure that the Hunstanton shades suit every one of our lighting finishes, making these bathroom shades as versatile as the fabrics you might put in any room of the house. Pair our IP rated lights with a Hunstanton shade and make your bathroom feel as it should – as luxurious and lived-in as the rest of the home.

Our velvet fabric that we use for these products is also available to buy separately. You can transform it into anything you like! Curtains and blinds are a natural go-to, but why not upholster some furniture to create your perfect look? The high quality fabric is what you would expect from any Jim Lawrence product, along with exceptional customer service should you have any questions about our cut lengths.

Thanks to the carefully selected collection of tones, you can mix and match any of our velvets to introduce colour in a cohesive way into the home. Shop the full Hunstanton collection here. If you want to share your Hunstanton styling with us, we’d love to see! Follow us @JimLawrenceMade on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to tag us in your photos. We also have a Pinterest bursting with interior inspiration. Happy shopping!

There is nothing like a crackling fire in the hearth – it’s the heart of any country home. Every item in our fireside collection is carefully handcrafted in our Suffolk workshop using traditional ironmongery skills to create simple, elegant fire accessories with timeless appeal. Here’s our easy-to-get-your-head-around guide on choosing those all important fireplace accessories.

The starting point is the size of the fireplace opening. Measure this and make sure that your grate will have good clearance at the back (a minimum of 10cm, ideally more) and at least 5 to 10cm at the sides (again, ideally more).

You don’t want the grate to look undersized in the fireplace, but air flow is important and it’s better to allow plenty of space around the grate. Allowing the air to circulate will encourage warm air into the room where you want it. A grate should suit its surroundings both in style and proportions.

Fires can be messy things! Logs and sparks can and do fall forward. It’s not a good idea to position the grate too close to anything damageable or combustible such as a rug or carpet.

At the most basic level, your firegrate needs to be deep enough to hold the logs you’re planning to use in place. Style is a subjective issue, but as a rule of thumb choose a grate that is sympathetic in style and proportions to your fireplace and room. Whichever grate you choose, it will be quite a dominant feature in your room and it is worth taking time to get the best grate that you can.

A heavy firegrate is designed to last from generation to generation. The grate should be raised from the ground, to allow air to circulate underneath the fire. Unless the grate is more decorative than practical, avoid anything too lightweight as this may not withstand many years of use. We offer two types of firedogs to support your grate, so you can best suit the fireplace to your interior style: the Berwick and the Peyton.

Not every fireplace needs a fireback. However they have a number of advantages:

• They protect vulnerable masonry from the damage inflicted by the intense heat of a fire, especially if you’re planning to burn fires regularly
• They reflect heat back into the room
• They bring a decorative point of interest to your fireside

If you do decide to have a fireback, make sure that it is at least as big as your grate. Whilst a tall fireback maximises the protection to the wall, it shouldn’t be so high that it extends into the flue opening and interferes with the drawing of the fire.

A stylish fire guard is one that doesn’t compete with the fire, but sits comfortably within the room. Your fire guard (like your grate) is one of the basic things to get right, so invest in a classic guard that will stand the test of time. Ring the changes in other ways – your mantelpiece display can reflect the seasons with candles, flowers and interesting objects, but your fire guard needs to work all year round.

We offer three different designs to choose from: the Hereford, the Scrolled and the Oxford. Practically, the deeper and wider the guard, the more protection it will give. Sparks do not always shoot obligingly forward, so allow some overlap either side of your fire, as well as plenty of height above.

A set of tools for your fireplace is indispensable. Browse our selection of tongs, pokers, forks and shovels to complete your fireside. Now all you need is some mulled wine on the go…

Still have questions? Give us a call on 01473 826929 if you need more advice. Take a look on our website for the full range of our beautifully hand crafted fireplace accessories, ready and waiting to warm your home for many years to come.

Create a feeling of serenity and calm within your home with our simple elegant lampshades in a choice of natural colourways.

With over 200 designs, our handmade classic Candle Shades are the perfect way to refresh your room whilst creating soft pools of light. For a slightly different look, our latest French Candle Shades in silk, satin and linen will bring a timeless yet refreshing update to your décor, with buttery and creamy hues taking the spotlight.

It’s easy to invite a relaxing mood into your home by softly washing your walls with ambient lighting. With a clever double bulb fitting design our Lamarsh Wall Light is a neat and stylish way to flood your walls with gentle, atmospheric light. Choose from our selection of specially designed Lamarsh Cylinder Shades in a variety of natural and smoky tones.

Taupe, grey, beige and ivory are subtle but sophisticated, perfect for highlighting more dramatic colours or matching other soft hues in a room. Why not contrast with rich jewel tones for dramatic effect, layer a room with cool blues or play with minky undertones for an overall soothing feel. With neutrals, the choices are endless.

Shop all new products, and take a look at all of our lampshades here. To browse our Timeless Neutrals Pinterest Board, click here. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more updates.