Mummy

From frankly unpalatable beginnings Mummy became a recognised term (even mentioned by Shakespeare) for an old brown. As you might guess, it described the appearance of mummified remains and indeed was made from them until the late C19th when it became deeply unfashionable. Now that it would be unthinkable to create a colour in this way I feel at liberty to use it for a colour that is rightly fashionable again!

As a Grade II listed timber-frame farmhouse dating back to the late 16th Century materials are important so no harm is done to the fabric or feel of the house. In our recent renovation we therefore have used all natural materials, from timber and lathe through sheep's wool insulation to lime plaster. Your paints were in keeping with this approach and were well used on a wide variety of surfaces - timber and lathe, wood panelling, lime plaster on brick, oak beams, plaster board etc. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint also appealed for their impressive range of colours. For the hall we used Portland, the drawing room Lute and dining room Cerrulian blue on wood pannelling to name a few. Our renovation had involved stripping out harmful and inappropriate materials. Given this I have appreciated the breathability and the green ethics of the range. Plus the ability to be able to use them in the children's bedrooms without concerns of VOC's and other radicals.

Catherine Greene