Choosing a paint colour to complement a patterned fabric can be one of the most rewarding parts of decorating a room. Whether you want to pick out a particular shade, create a tonal scheme or introduce a contrasting colour, the right combination can bring the different elements of an interior together. To explore the relationship between paint and fabric, Edward Bulmer selected five designs from the Guy Goodfellow Collection, pairing each with three colours from the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint palette. From rich reds and earthy browns to soft blues and greens, Edward’s recommendations demonstrate how colour can complement pattern without competing with it. Chairs upholstered in Fez Weave with walls painted in Welmish Blew by Todhunter Earle Interiors. Photography: Paul Massey The art of combining paint and fabric Guy Goodfellow is known for his appreciation of traditional craftsmanship, architectural detail and beautifully considered patterns. His collection of printed and woven fabrics brings together historic influences and contemporary colourways. For Edward, the relationship between paint and fabric begins with finding a shared tonality. “In combining all the elements of interior design one needs a unifying tonality and we have found that when it comes to paint colours we are very much singing from the same hymn sheet as Guy and his design team.” Rather than simply matching one colour in a pattern, Edward considers the overall balance of the fabric, its background colour and the strength of its individual tones. The result might be a complementary neutral, a deeper shade that picks up the fabric’s richness or a contrasting colour that brings the pattern into sharper focus. Here are five fabric and paint combinations to inspire your next decorating project. 1. Persian Vine, Garnet: rich reds and earthy neutrals Inspired by an antique hand-painted ceramic tile, Persian Vine in Garnet features a flowing floral design with a distinctive red colourway. Edward recommends three approaches to pairing paint with this richly patterned fabric. London Brown — a rich, grounding backdrop London Brown provides a deep, earthy background that complements the complexity of the print. Its richness helps bring together the different colours within the pattern. Indigo — a deeper, contrasting colour Indigo offers an alternative to brown. Its green undertones help it sit comfortably alongside the red print while introducing a stronger contrast. Tawny — a softer, neutral pairing For a more understated approach, Tawny contains enough red ochre to complement the fabric’s background without appearing too yellow. Together, these options show how the same fabric can work with a deep neutral, a contrasting dark colour or a lighter, earthy shade. Persian Vine by Guy Goodfellow London Brown Order a Sample Indigo Order a Sample Tawny Order a Sample 2. Lotus, Azure: balancing vibrant blue Lotus in Azure is a two-tone geometric jacquard weave inspired by Indian Phulkari embroidery. Its distinctive blue colouring lends itself to several different approaches, depending on how much contrast you want to introduce. Naples Yellow — a bold contrast For a confident colour combination, Edward suggests Naples Yellow. Its strong yellow tone creates a striking contrast with the vibrant blue fabric. Mummy — a sophisticated blue-and-brown scheme Mummy introduces an earthy brown that has the tonal strength to balance the fabric’s blue. Aerial Tint — a lighter blue pairing For a gentler scheme, Aerial Tint provides a pale blue backdrop that complements the deeper tones of the weave. Each pairing creates a different effect, from bold and contrasting to soft and tonal. Lotus, Azure by Guy Goodfellow Naples Yellow Order a Sample Mummy Order a Sample Aerial Tint Order a Sample 3. Cothay Stripe, Lawn: working with green Cothay Stripe in Lawn is a textured vertical stripe, woven with contrasting yarns to create variation across the fabric. Its strong green colouring provides an opportunity to explore both complementary and contrasting paint colours. Nicaragua — an earthy contrast Nicaragua offers a contrasting colour with enough earthy character to balance the strength of the stripe. Quaker — a balanced neutral Quaker provides a more restrained pairing. Its tonal relationship with the fabric allows the green stripe to remain distinctive. Invisible Green — a rich green scheme For those who prefer a tonal approach, Invisible Green creates a deeper green backdrop that complements the fabric’s colour and texture. These combinations demonstrate how a patterned green fabric can work equally well with a contrasting shade, a neutral or another green. Cothay Stripe by Guy Goodfellow Nicaragua Order a Sample Quaker Order a Sample Invisible Green Order a Sample 4. Olive Sacking, Rosewood: pairing paint with red stripes Olive Sacking in Rosewood takes its inspiration from a historic fabric used for collecting olives around the Mediterranean. Handwoven in India, the fabric recreates the loose, open texture of the original material, with a deep red stripe running through the design. Pompadour — a rich tonal pairing Pompadour complements the fabric’s deep red stripe, creating a strong, coordinated scheme. Clove — a warm, earthy neutral Clove contains red ochre pigment, giving it a natural affinity with the fabric’s colourway. It’s a particularly useful option when you want the fabric to remain the focus. Drab Green — a contrasting choice Drab Green offers a contrasting green with the tonal weight needed to balance the red stripe. The three combinations provide different ways to work with red, from a closely related shade to a complementary earthy neutral or contrasting green. Olive Sacking, Rosewood Pompadour Order a Sample Clove Order a Sample Drab Green Order a Sample 5. Fez Weave, Sea Foam: soft blues and greens Fez Weave in Sea Foam draws on the intricate geometry of traditional Moroccan embroidery. The design features a large central medallion bordered by textured stripes, with a colourway that combines blue and green tones. Cinnamon — an earthy accompaniment Cinnamon provides a warm, earthy contrast to the cooler tones of Sea Foam, without competing with the pattern. Welmish Blew — a delicate blue backdrop For a subtler combination, Welmish Blew offers a very pale blue that allows the fabric’s stronger blue-green tones to stand out. Aquatic — a confident colour pairing Aquatic creates a more colourful scheme, drawing attention to the blue-green undertones of the fabric. From the softness of Welmish Blew to the stronger presence of Aquatic, these pairings show how changing the wall colour can alter the overall impression of a patterned textile. Fez Weave, Sea Foam Cinnamon Order a Sample Welmish Blew Order a Sample Aquatic Order a Sample How to choose paint colours for patterned fabrics Edward’s selections highlight three useful approaches when bringing paint and fabric together. Choose a complementary neutral A neutral doesn’t have to mean white or beige. Colours such as Tawny, Quaker and Clove have their own distinct undertones, allowing them to complement the colours in a patterned fabric without competing for attention. Pick out a colour within the pattern Choosing a wall colour that relates to one of the shades in a fabric can help create a coordinated scheme. The colours don’t need to match exactly; a lighter or deeper interpretation can often be more effective. Introduce a contrasting colour A contrasting shade can give a patterned fabric greater definition. Pairings such as Naples Yellow with Lotus Azure or Drab Green with Olive Sacking Rosewood demonstrate how different colours can work together when their tonal strength is carefully balanced. The most important consideration is how the colours look together in the room itself. Natural light, the scale of the pattern and the other materials in the space will all influence the finished result. Walls painted in Clove with Olive Sacking curtains by Sarah Brown Interiors Discover your own paint and fabric combinations As Guy Goodfellow explains: “We use Edward Bulmer Paint time and time again as they have the most sophisticated colour palette that provides a wonderful backdrop to many of our schemes!” Whether you’re decorating around a favourite fabric or selecting textiles to complement an existing wall colour, experimenting with different combinations is an important part of the process. Explore the Guy Goodfellow Collection and discover the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colours featured in this guide. We recommend ordering sample pots and A5 colour cards to see how different shades work alongside your chosen fabrics and in the changing light of your room.
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