Inside a Colourful Salcombe Fisherman’s Cottage

Near Salcombe Harbour, this much-loved fisherman’s cottage belongs to Claire Vero, founder of The Collective, and her husband Alex. The four-bedroom house has been in Alex’s family for 40 years and has recently been thoughtfully refreshed for its next chapter.

Rich colour, beautiful fabrics and clever interventions have transformed the cottage while retaining the qualities that make it special. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint is used throughout, with a palette that moves from earthy Clove and Lute to Lilac Pink, Invisible Green and Ethereal Blue.

The redesign has been guided by a simple principle: making the most of the cottage without losing its character. Clever planning and thoughtful detailing have transformed the way the house works, while colour brings warmth and personality throughout.

Downstairs, the original layout consisted essentially of one room, with the front door opening directly into the sitting room. The simple addition of a glass screen has created a separate, colourful entrance hall, giving the house a greater sense of arrival without compromising the natural light.

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.

A colourful palette for a coastal cottage

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

In the dining room and snug, Clove creates a rich and welcoming backdrop, while Lute brings an earthy yellow to the kitchen.

Upstairs, Lilac Pink adds gentle warmth to one bedroom, while an Invisible Green bunk bed and Trumpington ceiling give another room a playful combination of colour.

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

Hall and stairway with walls in Duck Egg and panelling in Ethereal Blue.

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Designer JJ McCarthy on decorating the cottage

For 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 natural pigments were 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.”

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 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 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 refreshed for the next generation – colourful, practical and full of personality.

Bedroom: woodwork in Invisible Green, ceiling in Trumpington

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 colours used throughout this Salcombe cottage? Our Colour Consultants can help you find the right shades and create a palette that works beautifully throughout your home.

Or explore the colours for yourself with our painted A5 colour swatches and sample pots, allowing you to see how each shade responds to the light and materials in your own space.