Olympian Green in the cottage, photography by Sarah France Kelley Slow down and step inside Strawtop Cottages Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a cluster of storybook cottages stands quietly, their walls softened with a palette of our natural, plant-based paints. Each hue has been thoughtfully chosen to reflect the timeless beauty of the countryside: soft milky whites, vibrant greens, and the muted hues of the local hedgerows and meadows. The cottage aren’t only well decorated, they are cocooned in comfort, blending effortlessly into the surrounding landscape. With every brushstroke, Charlie and Josie Irons have enhanced what’s already there: the sense of peace, warmth, and slow, rural charm that defines life in the English countryside. Book a stay in these beautiful cottages HERE Josie and Charlie Irons, founders of Strawtop cottages Olympian Green in the cottage, photography by Sarah France Kelley Olympian Green in the cottage, photography by Sarah France Kelely Cottage-style interiors have captured so many hearts because they offer something increasingly rare: a sense of calm, comfort, and connection. Rooted in simplicity and natural beauty, this style invites you to slow down and surround yourself with things that feel lived-in, loved, and grounded. It’s more than just an aesthetic, t’s well being and connecting with the past With its soft colour palettes, intricate details, and use of natural materials like wood, linens, and stone flooring, cottage style creates an atmosphere of warmth and nostalgia. It can transform even the most modern space into a sanctuary that feels timeless and personal. But perhaps most importantly, cottage interiors gently draw you back to nature. Whether it’s through wildflower prints, hand-thrown pottery, or paint colours inspired by misty mornings, the style encourages a deeper awareness of the seasons, the land, and the simple joys of rural life. In a fast-paced world, cottage interiors remind us to pause, to find beauty in imperfection and to appreciate life! Bedroom painted in 'Pea Green, photography by Sarah Frances Kelley Olympian Green Order a Sample Drab Green Order a Sample Bedroom painted in 'Pea Green, photography by Sarah Frances Kelley Bedroom painted in 'Pea Green, photography by Sarah Frances Kelley One of the most charming aspects of cottage style interiors is how effortlessly they tell a story, layering colour, antiques and artwork is key to that story. Scouring local car boot fairs, vintage shops, or village markets for treasures allows you to build a space that feels collected over time, not curated overnight. An old wooden stool, a faded painting, or a ceramic jug with chips in all the right places, these pieces bring character, anchoring the softness of the ‘cottagecore’ palette with texture and history. Colour consultancy could also be a helpful tool. Whether you’re working with a blank canvas or refreshing an existing space, professional guidance helps you harmonise tones, maximise natural light, and choose shades that elevate your finds. Our experts are here to help with a suite of options to make decorating enjoyable and effortless. Choose from in-home, in-store or virtual sessions, click here to book and for more information. The result? A home that feels deeply personal, perfectly imperfect, and effortlessly connected to nature. Bedroom painted in 'Drab Green' photography by Sarah Frances Kelley Pea Green Order a Sample Granite Green Order a Sample Milk White Order a Sample Bathroom painted in 'Milk White' and 'Granite Green, photography by Sarah Frances Kelley Bathroom painted in 'Milk White' and 'Granite Green, photography by Sarah Frances Kelley These beautiful holiday cottages in the Cotswolds are available to book online HERE Charlie and Josie have really mastered the art of creating a home from home and they haven’t stopped yet, with some new cottages on the way, keep an eye on what they’re up to and follow along on Instagram. Follow along with Josie (@josieldn) and Charlie (@charlieirons) on Instagram and make sure to also follow @strawtopcottages and @oldhouseourhome a follow too, for more countryside musings, inspiration and colour stories.
Behind The Chatsworth Collection: 24 Exquisite New Paint Colours Learn the story behind The Chatsworth Collection, a range of 24 new paint colours inspired by the interiors, heritage, and landscapes of one of this country’s most significant country houses.
Discover the new ‘Forever Favourites Collection’ Create a scheme from one room to your whole house with soft colours that work together effortlessly ensuring tonal flow and harmony. Our 12 best loved shades together in one pack. Discover the power of natural paint today.
Kitchen colour inspiration for your walls Whether soothing or striking, classic or contemporary, it can be a hard decision knowing which colours to pair with or complement a piece of fabric or furniture – worry not, we have you covered. With the help of our expert colour consultant Fiona de Lys – who you may have already spotted sharing her interior styling and colour knowledge on our Instagram reels – we launch with our essential guide on colour pairings and palettes. Click here to read more..
What being B Corp means to us We are thrilled to have recently achieved B Corp status at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint – but what does that mean? See below for everything you need to know about B Corp: how we achieved it, how it will shape the way we continue to work, how we address the climate crisis and how we make our pioneering plant-based paint.
Sustainable and Plastic-Free Children’s Toys We are delighted that the design curators of PomPom found our natural paints to use on the latest edition to their collection of sustainable and plastic-free toys.
Nature and storytelling: A pop up with Forivor A pop up championing the whimsical and wonderful. Forivor believe that we need as many creative minds as possible to solve the many problems facing the future of our planet. We chat with Alice and Rebecca on their collections and their belief that children who develop a love for nature and expand their creative minds when they are young will be best placed to be part of a responsible generation, who prioritise the protection and regeneration of our planet.
