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 100 60 40 20 Milk White Order a Sample 100 60 40 20 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.
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.
Edward Bulmer Natural Paint wins ‘The Conscious Award’ at The Country and Townhouse Interiors Awards This July our team were thrilled to pick up ‘The Conscious Award’ from Country and Townhouse, celebrating our brand prioritising sustainable business models, responsibility and staying true to our ethos and brand mission.
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence This major exhibition at The Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the extraordinary creative output and internationalist culture of the Golden Age of the Mughal Court. Painted in an array of colours from our natural paint range to complement the art works.
Colour Consultancy With A Difference… Spoilt for choice or don’t know where to start? Our Colour Consultancy services are here to help you…we know that it can feel totally overwhelming to choose from numerous paint brands, 1000’s of different colours, even 100’s of different versions of the same colour!
Choosing colours for a conservatory Bright conservatories with skylights can be awkward spaces to paint in colour. The trick is to find a way to absorb the light without dulling it down or overpowering it with a vivid colour or even illuminating it with something too white. Read more for all the colour tips..
