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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With winter in full swing, we tend to focus more on the inside of our homes rather than the outside. We spend time lighting scented candles, pulling out blankets, hanging wreaths and cranking up the heating. The days spent gardening whittle down, wooden furniture is hauled into sheds and the days of barbecues are long forgotten. Though Autumn and Winter may bring some challenges (particularly for remote period homes) these can be tackled with clever interior and exterior choices.

We’ve spoken a lot about the importance of your home exterior from a tidy, practical point of view in our conduit blog, but what about when you are simply looking for a stylish visual update? A beautiful and cleverly positioned outdoor light is exactly what you need to prepare your home for the longer, darker nights. We’ve picked 5 key areas in which you can refresh your exterior with a lantern, pendant, flush or wall light to add an instant a wow factor to your property.

Your porch and front door is the first thing yourself and your guests will notice when arriving, particularly if it is well lit and inviting on a dark winter night! A large statement lantern like our Hackney Chain Mounted Lantern is an classic design for defining the entry to your home.

If you are looking for something a little more dainty, why not try our Holborn Outdoor Flush Fitting Light for a pretty indoor-outdoor feel? Individually hand made glass shades will bring a touch of luxury to your entrance whilst the flush is perfect for those who need to save space.

If you do not have a porch, then we suggest brightening either side of your front door with two wall lights. The Matt Black Finsbury Lanterns are a slick, sophisticated way to light up your home. Inviting a touch of modernity with the contemporary design but with a nod to our Great British heritage with retro vintage-look bulbs, the Finsbury is a perfect marrying of eras. We love this 1950’s home refurb from customer Sian.

In addition, downlighters are a stylish solution for darker doorways. Match the finish to your house name or number for the complete collection of picture perfect door furniture.

Whether you need to light up an alley way beside your home or simply want to illuminate the darker corners of your home that face the garden, we have several solutions to suit your needs. Our Corner Mounted Stable Light is a go-to choice. Also available with a flat mounting fitting, its beautifully simplistic design with a long neck and simple glass shade will give a rural, countryside charm to your outdoor space.

The Doncaster LED Light is suited to the smallest of spaces, but with no shortage of design detail. With an overall depth of just 5.4cm it will sit neatly in even the narrowest of spaces that you need to brighten up. Paired with our conduit kit, the Doncaster is ideal for running along outdoor walls and passageways.

We love the Peacock Lantern, and know you do too. You can’t ask for much more in an outdoor lantern. Hand made in solid brass with a decorative peacock emblem and a beautiful mirror in the back, the mirror reflects the light of the bulb when in use and the beauty of the garden when it’s not. Perfect for parties in the summer, and pretty reflecting a snow-capped garden in winter.

Customer Emmy’s home style lends itself to winter, don’t you think? Whether inside or out, beautiful beams and cosy nooks need showing off. The shapely Boathouse lights are dainty enough in size but powerful enough to light up the exit your garden or patio when dusk draws in.

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. The Bulkhead Outdoor Light was designed with Jim’s family farm in mind. He wanted to create a stylish and practical outdoor light that would also conceal ugly exterior wires at the farm. With its robust and vintage-inspired styling, it will be sure to weather any storm.

Taking influence from the nautical lighting of days gone by, the Ships light can be bought either ceiling or wall mounted in its petite size, making either style incredibly versatile for your range of outbuilding locations.

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 home

We are thrilled to bring you our latest and greatest Jim Lawrence brochure. Open the cover and you will find extra large statement pendants, timeless neutral shades, vintage-inspired brass bathroom pieces and a selection of luxurious new velvets.

Though our range of products is constantly developing, the ethos of great British Craftmanship sits proudly at the heart of everything we make – including this brochure! We were lucky to locate gorgeous west country location in which to shoot this project, and our design team have been working tirelessly to produce the pages you see before you. Bursting with brand new ideas for every room and interior style, we can’t wait to see our ideas translated into your homes.

A lucky selection of you will have already received a copy in the post – we just couldn’t wait to show you. If you haven’t already received one, and want to sign up, click here to request one and we will pop it in the post for you shortly. Do let us know what you think, and don’t hesitate to call up our knowledgeable customer service team on 01473 826929 if you have any queries about our products and services.

The Ufford Crown epitomises what it is to be a successful country pub. What more do you need in an interior than sumptuous blue hues, antiqued brass accessories to reflect the period building and dark wood for a cosy feel? Well, delicious food is another thing, and they’ve got that covered too. Located in nearby Ufford in Suffolk and designed by the excellent Jojo Humes Brown, we knew we had to delve a little deeper.

Max and Polly Durrant reopened the doors of the Ufford Crown in April 2011 with accomplished chefs Will Hardiman and James Wilding. With a focus on seasonal produce from local suppliers it has quickly become a go-to gem in the community. The Ufford Crown offers a spacious restaurant full to the brim with all your favourite Jim Lawrence lights, a snug bar area and a stylish lounge which is perfect for private parties.

We love the dramatic feel of the décor. Hints of a New York Industrial look are filtered throughout in the exposed brick, painted panelling and quilted leather booths. The layered pendant lighting creates intimate pools and pockets of light for diners and drinkers alike. Jojo’s designs always exude a thoughtful but understated glamour, and she’s a dab hand at cleverly lit spaces. Our most popular pendant for its versatility and handy size, the Barbican is a perfect fit for a two person setting. They enhance the space rather than impose on it – a key balance in lighting.

Homely touches like a wool carpet, bookshelves and decorative convex mirrors make the space feel warm despite its size, with the window shutters adding to the soft light for that sought after cosy modern country feel. A delightful spot to tuck into a hot pie or roast on a Sunday, or a lighter lunch of fresh sandwiches including Norfolk cheddar or Ketley steak.

Our low hanging Exeter Pendants light up each booth – celebrating the high ceiling with a longer cable but making the seating feel private with a low glow. The Glass topped Lovell’s line the bar, the outer glass shade mirroring the shape of the Exeter but allowing the antiqued brass inner to breathe without looking clunky in a row or taking over the space. Can you see the detailed tiling underneath the table? The Ufford is full of beautiful visual surprises like this. Fancy a visit to see for yourself? Make a reservation here.

Situated in pretty Woodbridge lies The Turk’s Head. You can find it just tucked back from a residential country lane encased with beautifully sculpted gardens and framed by a woven fence. With an extensive gin and wine collection, a host of local ales and a fine seasonal menu (that we can vouch for) it’s definitely a spot on the Suffolk map that you want to visit.

Owner Jemima ran an interior design practice for ten years, specialising in lighting design, so working on the pub was a joy rather than a job. The original 17th century building had small dark rooms with low ceilings, so her aim was to make them light and bright to emphasise the space.

“All the finishes, fixtures and fittings needed to be very hard wearing as this is a very busy commercial space,” said Jemima. “Lighting was the linchpin to getting this right. Jim Lawrence fittings are design classics and beautifully made as well as doing their job extremely well. They fitted perfectly into our scheme of a traditional but elegant country pub with a fabulous restaurant. Also as we are a pub that focuses on using local produce it was wonderful to use a local lighting company.”

Penned as Leeds Castle’s best kept secret, this privately owned medieval manor house in Kent has been beautifully refurbished by designer Francesca Rowan Plowden. Reimagined with a gently modernised period elegance, Battel Hall features five bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, three reception rooms and a large dining area.

Francesca shared her delicious design updates with us, featuring many Jim Lawrence fittings and accessories. Naturally we were thrilled to see our products in such prestigious company, and jumped at the chance to share the images with you too.

If you’re looking for a luxurious escape to the countryside – look no further. Whether celebrating a wedding, reunion or an anniversary Battel Hall provides the perfect setting, with the added benefits of the castle estate nearby. It’s a step back in time with a romantic, eclectic twist that we are desperate to enjoy first hand. Just look at these beautiful walls and headboard combined with the soft glow of our Hanson wall light. The latest private owner, a 1930’s American Heiress named Lady Baillie, had a love for birds, which is echoed throughout this room in the Lewis & Wood Dove wallpaper. It has an almost fairy tale feel – a perfect escape to dream the night away.

The oak panelled dining room seats up to 14 people, conjuring the images of royal feasts and banquets of times gone by. Our Scalloped Wall Lights are not only a nod to the art deco era of Lady Baillie, but they create a soft and mellow atmosphere: just what you need alongside candle light, an open fire and the gentle clinking of glass and cutlery. Antiqued Brass is a strong and stylish material to sit against the oak – a material which originally came from the castle itself.

Ideal for angling as a bedside reading light, the Single Curtis Spotlights sit beautifully in this colourful space. We love the symmetry combined with loud patterns and colour clashes. Farrow & Ball’s Book Room Red creates a dramatic backdrop for our Antiqued Brass finish, and a perfect palette to pop with peacock blue.

The Wisteria Suite brings a touch of modernity, its namesake the stunning sprawl of purple flowers that climbs all over Battel Hall. Spot our Stratford Towel Ring? A perfect example of how to incorporate nickel into your bathroom with style.

Clockwise from left: Hanson Wall Light in Antiqued Brass, Priory Door Lock in Antiqued Brass, Stratford Towel Ring in Nickel, Bromley Backplate with Reeded Door Handle in Antiqued Brass, Curtis Spotlight in Antiqued Brass, Scallop Wall Light in Antiqued Brass.

A thoughtfully designed interior that is respectful of its heritage – something we truly appreciate! For a closer look and a stay at Battel Hall, visit the Leeds Castle website. You can also follow designer Francesca Rowan Plowden on Instagram to see more of her work.