Inside Kingfisher Cottage: a colourful Herefordshire retreat

Set in the Herefordshire countryside, Kingfisher Cottage is a beautiful example of how natural colour can bring character to a traditional country home. Designed and decorated by Edward and Emma Bulmer, the cottage combines unexpected paint pairings, antique furnishings and carefully chosen natural materials.

Painted throughout in Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, each room has its own distinctive palette, from the striking combination of Sky Blue and Etruscan Brown in the kitchen to the playful greens and blues of the bathroom.

Step inside for a closer look at the colours that bring this charming country cottage to life.

A colourful country kitchen

The kitchen and dining space brings together two colours you might not immediately think to pair: Sky Blue and Etruscan Brown.

The contrast between the fresh blue and rich, earthy brown creates a distinctive scheme that feels both playful and grounded.

Made using carefully selected earth and mineral pigments, our colours are designed to work beautifully together, opening up possibilities for combinations that might initially seem unexpected.

In the adjoining pantry, Sky Blue is paired with Tawny, introducing a softer, more neutral contrast. The patterned crockery by local makers Brixton Pottery adds another layer of colour and character.

Lilac Pink and Tawny in the sitting room

In the sitting room, Emma has chosen Lilac Pink alongside Tawny, creating a beautiful backdrop to the cottage’s antique furnishings and welcoming fireplace.

Hovering between pink and lilac, Lilac Pink is a particularly versatile shade that changes character throughout the day as the natural light shifts.

The combination continues into the hallway and staircase, with Tawny and Lilac Pink bringing a sense of continuity between the rooms.

Using the same colours across adjoining spaces is a lovely way to create a cohesive scheme without painting every room identically.

Three bedrooms, three different colours

Upstairs, each of the three bedrooms has its own colour scheme, demonstrating how different shades can create distinct atmospheres within the same home.

Cuisse de Nymphe Émue is a delicate, softly coloured pink, while Olympian Green introduces a fresher green inspired by the natural world.

The third bedroom features Isabella, a gentle, heather-inspired colour from our Nursery Collection.

Together, the bedrooms show how a varied palette can give each room its own identity while still feeling part of a considered whole.

A playful combination of greens and blues

Perhaps the most unexpected colour scheme in Kingfisher Cottage is found in the bathroom.

Here, Emma has paired vibrant Pea Green on the panelling with Ethereal Blue on the walls and deep Navy Blue on the vanity unit.

Rather than treating the bathroom as a purely practical space, the combination celebrates colour, with three distinct shades bringing interest to the walls, woodwork and cabinetry.

It’s a wonderful example of how even a smaller room can accommodate a confident, colourful scheme.

Decorating with natural colour

Throughout Kingfisher Cottage, Edward and Emma have demonstrated that decorating with natural colours doesn’t mean limiting yourself to a muted palette.

From the stronger contrasts of the kitchen and bathroom to the softer combinations upstairs, each room has been thoughtfully designed around its individual character.

Antique furniture, repurposed pieces and natural materials bring further personality to the interiors, while the carefully chosen paint colours help connect the different spaces.

Our paints are made with a plant-based binder and real earth and mineral pigments, offering a beautiful way to introduce colour into homes both old and new.

Discover Kingfisher Cottage

Kingfisher Cottage offers plenty of inspiration for anyone planning a country-inspired interior, whether you’re drawn to gentle pinks and greens or more unexpected colour combinations.

For help creating your own scheme, our Colour Consultants can advise on colours that complement your home’s architecture, natural light and furnishings.

You can also explore Kingfisher Cottage and find out more about staying at the property.