A colourful new chapter for a Salcombe fisherman’s cottage

A feast for the eyes, this much-loved fisherman’s cottage belongs to Claire Vero, founder of The Collective and her husband Alex. This wonderful cottage showcases the depth and versatility of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. Rich colours and beautiful fabrics come together to create interiors that feel both joyful and entirely at home in their historic and coastal setting. The warmth and depth of the palette is on show as it moves effortlessly from room to room, demonstrating just how beautifully colour can transform a family home.

Near Salcombe Harbour, this four-bedroom house has been in Alex’s family for 40 years and has recently had a refresh.

The redesign has been guided by a simple principle: making the most of the cottage without losing the qualities that make it special. Clever planning and thoughtful detailing have transformed the way the house works, while a considered palette of colour brings warmth and personality throughout.

Downstairs, the original layout consisted of essentially one room, with the front door opening directly into the sitting room. A simple but clever addition of a glass screen has created a colourful separate entrance hall, giving the house a greater sense of arrival without compromising the natural light. It is a small intervention that makes a significant difference to the way the ground floor functions.

Traditional character has been carefully woven back into the house, too. Painted panelling was reintroduced as a nod to the cottage’s history, adding texture and architectural interest. The redesign also introduced an additional bathroom, creating two shower rooms. With no obvious space for a bath, one was eventually incorporated into the main bedroom and painted in Invisible Green — a practical solution that makes the most of the available space without compromising the rest of the house.

Colour with character

Colour is at the heart of the cottage. Rather than opting for a neutral scheme, the house has been given a warm, colourful and layered palette using Edward Bulmer Natural Paint throughout.

In the dining room and snug areas, Clove creates a rich and welcoming backdrop, while Lute brings a soft, earthy quality to the kitchen. Upstairs, Lilac Pink adds gentle warmth to one bedroom, while Invisible Green on the the bunkbed and Trumpington on the ceiling gives the room a playful character.

The staircase moves through Duck Egg and Ethereal Blue, with Ethereal Blue continuing onto the door frame. These cooler shades introduce a subtle coastal feel without resorting to an obvious seaside palette.

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Hall and staircase: Ethereal Blue on panelling and Duck Egg above.

The designer’s approach to colour

For the designer JJ McCarthy, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint was a natural choice for a project where heritage, family life and sustainability needed to work together.

“When working on Claire and Alex’s historic cottage, it felt entirely natural to turn to our trusted Edward Bulmer paints. Their distinctive and authentic colour palette, rooted in historical references, was perfectly suited to the restoration of the cottage, while the use of natural, eco-friendly ingredients was equally important in creating a warm and considered family home.”

The depth of the natural pigments was particularly important in creating the layered quality of the interiors. Rather than each room feeling separate, the colours work together to create a sense of flow and continuity.

“We have always loved working with the team at Edward Bulmer and, in particular, the depth and vibrancy achieved through their natural pigments. The colours have a richness and character that is difficult to replicate, allowing us to build subtle layers of colour throughout the cottage. This approach creates a sense of cohesion and continuity, gently guiding the eye and allowing each room to flow naturally into the next.”

Bedroom: Invisible Green on bunk bed and cupboards. Trumpington on ceiling

Bedroom: Ethereal Blue on door and woodwork, Invisible Green on bed bunk bed.

It is this balance of colour, practicality and history that gives the cottage its particular charm. Traditional panelling and the proportions of the old house are complemented by clever contemporary interventions, from the glass entrance screen to the carefully considered storage.

“For us, it was the perfect combination of heritage, beauty and sustainability — qualities that felt entirely at home within the story of this much-loved family cottage.”

The result is a relaxed and characterful family home that respects its origins while embracing the realities of modern life. After 40 years in the family, this former fisherman’s cottage has been thoughtfully refreshed for the next generation — colourful, practical and full of the warmth and personality that make a house feel like home.

Find Your Colours

Inspired by the beautiful colours used throughout this Salcombe cottage? If you’re considering your own colour scheme, our Colour Consultants are here to help you find the right shades and create a palette that works beautifully in your home.

Or, if you’ve fallen for one of the colours featured here, why not explore them for yourself? Order an Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour card and see the subtle depth and character of our colours in your own space.

From a single room to an entire house, we believe choosing colour should be an enjoyable part of creating a home. Let our natural, richly pigmented paints bring a little more colour into yours.