Cult Colours & How to Style Them – Wicklewood X Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Colour Guide: Edition 1

We have teamed up with the doyennes of bright & colourful artisan homewares, Wicklewood, to bring you a series of inspirational and informative colour guides. A celebration of colour and timeless, beautiful interiors. Each guide will be packed full of really useful hints and tips on how to create your dream interior, along with beautiful room ideas to inspire you.

In this first edition we give you ‘Cult Colours & How to Style Them’. The hottest paint colours right now, how to use them in your home and what to add to them to create that dream scheme.. To start, we’ve curated our five cult colours – from the softest pink to a vibrant green – and rounded up our expert tips on how to style them in your home.

Choosing a colour

Confronted with a colour card, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed – how to choose the perfect shade for you? Firstly, and most importantly, opt for a colour you love. Open the card and see which shades you’re drawn to – try to avoid being too influenced by passing trends. Then think about your space – the light, the size, the style. We like to think of wall colour as the base of a canvas – over which you layer the other elements of your scheme.

When planning an interior, we all want to achieve that perfect balance – a space that feels fresh, and will stand the test of time. The key? Select colours that fuse cult with classic. Here, we’ve rounded up five Edward Bulmer Natural Paint shades which deliver just that. Discover Azurite’s deep, iconic blue or Jonquil’s serene charm. Fall for Invisible Green’s rich hue, opt for Malahide’s energetic, exotic orange or succumb to dreamy, creamy Rose – the perfect pink.

THE DO’S

ONE – Start with colours you love and remember a light colour will not make a dark room light.

TWO – Think of your wall colour as a canvas on top of which you will layer in prints, textures, details.

THREE – Always paint radiators the same colour as your walls – they should blend in to the background.

THE DON’TS

ONE – Let yourself be spoiled for choice, or pick a colour because it’s ‘on trend’.

TOW – Don’t use bleached whites, especially on ceilings – it will make any colour look cold.

Introducing our five cult colours 

Three things to know

(1) Packed with pigment for depth and strength, without losing warmth.

(2) Iconic since the Middle Ages, this intense pigment was used in classical paintings.

(3) Particularly good for unifying natural materials – wood, fabric, stone.

What to pair it with

Contrast – Try it with soft neutral pinks like Jonquil or Cuisse De Nymphe Emue or, for impact, try a bold tone – Dutch Orange would pop perfectly.

Tonal – With other layers of blue; Welmish Blew, Sky Blue, or a deep neutral like London Brown.

Colour Guide Moods

Cosy – paint everything, including trims, baseboards and doors, for a warm, enveloping feel. Then add dark wood antique furniture.

Airy – trim with fresh neutrals, layer in whites and lights for an uplifting space.

Don’t… think blue is cold, it becomes cold with flat, harsh colouring methods. Natural earth pigments ensure our blues are deep without ever feeling bleak or lacklustre.

Wicklewood Cushion combos

Mixing & matching like a pro! Take inspiration and shop the wonderful cushion combinations. We love…

Ikat Colebrook – Palopo – Osborne

Linwood – Tamahu – Original

Three things to know

(1) Inspired by the 19th century technique of painting exterior railings green to vanish the ironwork  disappear into the greenery.

(2) This soft grass green is the perfect way to bring the outside in.

(3) Soft and calm, though bold it won’t eclipse other design elements – art, furniture.

What to pair it with

Contrast – You can’t go wrong with a crisp off white – we love Milk White or Silver White. Or our old favourite, green and pink with Nicaragua or Lavender.

Tonal – Follow nature’s example and go green on green with soft Tea Green or Pea Green, or pair with blue greens like Verdigris or Aquatic.

Colour Guide Moods

Maximalists – Let your creative instincts run wild and throw colours into the space. Mix large scale prints with small for a flamboyant eclectic look.

Outside In – Take inspiration from nature and bring botanical prints and rich ochres into the room via your soft furnishings, for an instant sunshine hit.

Don’t… worry about it being ‘too bright’, blended with natural pigments it will never look stark – you’ll always want more…

Wicklewood Cushion Combos

Mixing & matching like a pro! Take inspiration and shop the wonderful cushion combinations. We love…

Oakleaves – Palopo – Original

Anoushka – Kemble – Caballo

Three things to know

(1) Named after the daffodil, Narcissus Jonquilla – dutch pinks were made with yellow pigment in the 18th century.

(2) A charming soft plaster pink that perfectly balances timeless with modern.

(3) A soft shade that flutters between warm pink and yellow beige for subtle warmth.

What to pair it with

Contrast – Pink and green are a match made in heaven – try Pomona or Granite Green. Jonquil will also soften darker blues – Indigo or Cerullian Blue.

Tonal – Pair with yellow-based beiges for a neutral scheme. Darker browns and greys ooze sophistication. Or keep things pink with Nicaragua or Pompadour.

Colour Guide Moods

Welcoming – for halls and entryways, Jonquil is deliciously inviting, especially paired with glass details and antique mirrors.

Harmonious – the perfect neutral to use throughout your home.

Don’t… just pair it with white!

Wicklewood Cushion Combos

Get the look! Take inspiration and browse the full range of incredible designs and colourful cushions over at Wicklewood.

Ikat Colebrook – Palopo – Osborne

Linwood – Tamahu – Original

Three things to know

(1) Coloured with rich iron oxide, this energetic tone packs a punch.

(2) Orange tones are having a revival – with distinctly nostalgic notes, Malahide fuses modern with timeless.

(3) Deep, magnetic, exotic all rolled into one colour.

What to pair it with 

Contrast – Pairs beautifully with Drab Green for a chic yet playful country farmhouse look or be bold and brave and team with London Brown to make a real statement.

Tonal – Keep it fresh, light and bright with Fine White or be a little braver and pair with Jonquil pink for a more peachy scheme.

Colour Guide Moods

Enveloping – Envelope with reds and browns for delicious warmth and an enticing, cosy vibe.

Uplifting – Lift it with contrast colours and brighter accents it will lift any space.

Don’t… paint sparingly – if you use it, mean it. You won’t regret it…

Wicklewood Cushion Combos 

See the wonderful full range of cushions and create the same look effortlessly.

Linwood – Halsey – Tamahu

Palopo – Small Medallion – Mali

Three things to know

(1) The Adams brothers popularised pink in 1770 and it hasn’t gone out of style since.

(2) Rose illustrates that natural pigments can give gentle but brilliantly bright colours.

(3) Tis all in the name – think roses, think summer, think beauty

What to pair it with 

Contrast – A good yellow like Ochre or the classic pink and green combination with Light Olive Green, or Verdigris.

Tonal – Perfect with Rose Tinted White for a softer palette, or deeper pinks like Pompadour.

Colour Guide Moods

Feminine – Amp up the pink, pairing it with different tones on fabrics and furnishings

Bold – layer in blues and greens for a vibrant, colourful palette.

Don’t… forget to try this colour downstairs as well….

Wicklewood Cushion Combos

Our favourites with Rose pink:

Linwood – Somerset – Osborne

Circles – Tamahu – Original

Interested in all things pattern, print and paint? Of course you are… click here, and take a look at our next colour guide with Wicklewood, Edition II.

Still need help pairing fabrics and furniture with colours? Or have a colour conundrum? Head over to our colour consultancy, where you can get advice straight from our colour experts. We offer a range of services including in home and virtual consultancy appointments. Book online today!