When Amy Bannerman exchanged London life for a 16th-century cottage in Hastings, she found a home full of possibilities. With its historic features, carefully collected antiques and eclectic mix of pre-loved finds, the house reflects Amy’s distinctive approach to interiors. As eBay’s Pre-Loved Style Director, Amy has a keen eye for pieces with personality and a passion for giving existing objects a new lease of life. But when it came to choosing the right paint colour for one particular room, even she found herself overwhelmed by the possibilities. Following a 30-minute virtual colour consultancy with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, Amy found a palette that complemented her home and brought her ideas together. We caught up with Amy to discover more about her approach to decorating, her love of pre-loved interiors and how expert colour advice helped her make a confident decision. Finding the right colours for a period home Amy wanted to create a more neutral backdrop for one of the rooms in her Hastings cottage, allowing its architectural details and carefully chosen furnishings to stand out. Rather than introducing colour across every surface, she wanted to draw attention to the door and fireplace, creating a balance between the room’s historic character and her own eclectic style. A virtual colour consultation helped her narrow down the possibilities and find a scheme that felt right for the space. Bedroom with walls in Portland, mantel in Clove and door in Invisible Green. Photography: Euan Baker In conversation with Amy Bannerman How would you describe your interiors style? Eclectic, sentimental and affordable. What were you struggling with when choosing colours for your home, and how did the consultancy help? I get overwhelmed with choice and then get a bit lost in all the possibilities. Did you have a particular vision for the room, or were you open to suggestions? Yes, I wanted to make it more neutral and only highlight the door and fireplace. What would you say to someone considering a colour consultancy? I found that it simplified the process so much. It definitely saved me money on sample pots! Describe an Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour consultancy in three words. Fun, productive, straightforward. What is your favourite Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour? Invisible Green, which is by no means invisible! I transformed a room in my last house in London using it, and now it’s the vibrant colour of my bedroom door, which makes the perfect backdrop for my handbags! Your home is full of pre-loved finds. What inspires your approach to decorating? I love the unexpected aspect to pre-loved shopping. Whether you search online or in charity shops, you never know what you’re going to find! Everything I buy is pre-loved. I always think pre-loved first and avoid buying new wherever I can, in all areas of my life. Which parts of your home best reflect your personality? Probably the art. It’s a real mishmash of charity finds, collectible pieces, treasured pieces made by loved ones and even painted pebbles found on the beach. How important is colour in creating a home that feels right for you? Definitely. I’m not keen on very busy or bright interiors, and they would make me feel less calm. I like any colour to come from art or fabrics in the space. Amy Bannerman during her colour consultation A home filled with personal touches Amy describes her interiors style as that of a “minimalist maximalist”, combining a relatively restrained colour palette with an abundance of meaningful objects. From her much-loved Howard Keith sofa, discovered on eBay, to the artwork and treasures collected over the years, her home demonstrates that a personal interior doesn’t need to follow trends. Her preference for neutral walls allows these pieces to take centre stage, while carefully chosen accents, such as the Invisible Green bedroom door, introduce colour in unexpected places. It’s an approach that feels particularly suited to a historic home, where existing architectural details, natural materials and collected furnishings can help guide colour choices. Walls in Portland Walls in Portland with woodwork in Clove Woodwork in Clove Could a colour consultancy help you? Even with a clear sense of personal style, choosing paint colours can be surprisingly difficult. The light, proportions, existing materials and intended use of a room can all influence which shades will work best. Our virtual colour consultancy offers personalised advice from an experienced colour consultant, helping you explore suitable colours and develop a palette for your home. As Amy discovered, having someone to guide the process can make choosing colour feel much more straightforward. Explore our virtual colour consultancy or discover the full range of colour consultancy services. Bedroom painted in Portland. Photography: Euan Baker
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