Emmie’s Choice…

Lighting a 14th Century Farmhouse

Down a quiet bridle path, surrounded by arable fields and overlooking a gentle valley, sits Emmie’s Grade II listed farmhouse cottage, a home full of life, texture, and quiet beauty. Every beam, panel, and stone bears witness to her skill, design sensibility, and unwavering tenacity. Having undertaken almost all the renovation herself, Emmie has taught herself countless trades along the way, restoring this historic home with both care and imagination.

When we arrived, we were greeted in the entrance hall by a familiar piece, a Plug-In Petite Giselle Pendant that Emmie had purchased earlier in the year. It hung beneath a canopy of dried hops against an ancient oak panel, its soft light shimmering through the space and setting a tone of enchantment the moment we stepped through the door.

No sooner had we begun to lay out the day’s lighting options than the doorbell rang. A neighbour stood outside with unexpected news, a sheep had caught its neck in a barbed wire fence, and the farmer was away. Without hesitation, wire snips were found and we set out across the fields. Moments later, the ewe was freed and returned to her flock, not the most conventional start to a photoshoot, but somehow perfectly in keeping with the day’s spirit.

Back inside, coffee poured and samples spread across the table, Emmie set about her first challenge, lighting her double-height dining room. She chose the Triple Bronte Multi-Pendant, a striking design that brought a sense of balance and scale to the room. Its three-tiered composition filled the vertical space beautifully: the lowest pendant casting a localised glow at the base of the stairwell, while the two higher tiers created a wider spill of ambient light that enveloped the space. Together they added a quiet rhythm and elegance. We experimented with other options too, the Giselle, Ophelia, and Cottage multi-pendants, each one altering the mood in subtle, distinctive ways.

In the living room, where lime-plastered walls meet exposed beams, Emmie selected the Nayland Keats Wall Light. Its powder-coated black bracket and minimalist lines offered a refined contrast to the period details, evoking the simplicity of traditional wrought iron while introducing a contemporary edge. The Keats shade itself softened the composition, creating a perfect equilibrium between old and new.

On the opposite wall, Emmie faced the challenge of lighting the beautiful exposed stone without disturbing its integrity. She chose the Nayland Plug-In Cottage Wall Light, which not only complemented the Keats on the other side but allowed her to illuminate the wall without channelling an electrical supply. The pairing of Cottage and Keats shades struck a natural harmony.

As Emmie observed:

“One of my favourite things about Lam Lighting is that throughout their entire collection, all the materials are cohesive. You can effortlessly mix and match the lights, their individual forms and personalities enhancing each space, yet together they create a consistent story throughout the home.”