Freshly painted woodwork can make a remarkable difference to a room. Whether you’re refreshing skirting boards, painting doors and architraves or introducing a contrasting colour to your joinery, a carefully applied finish helps bring the whole scheme together. From preparing existing paintwork to achieving a smooth, even finish, here’s our step-by-step guide to painting interior woodwork with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. What you’ll need Edward Bulmer Water-Based Eggshell or Gloss in your chosen colour A suitable primer, if required A good-quality paintbrush Fine-grit sandpaper Suitable filler, if needed A clean cloth Dust sheets Masking tape A suitable cleaning product Children's room in Milk White with Ethereal Blue woodwork by Westcot House & House of Kit. Photography: Michael Branthwaite Step 1: Prepare the area Before painting, protect your floors and furniture with dust sheets and move any objects that might obstruct your work. Remove handles and other hardware where practical, and carefully mask adjoining walls, floors and surfaces that you don’t intend to paint. If you’re painting doors, consider removing them from their hinges where practical to make preparation and painting easier. Step 2: Clean and prepare the woodwork Good preparation is essential for achieving a smooth, lasting finish. Begin by cleaning the woodwork thoroughly to remove dust, dirt and grease, particularly around doors, handles and frequently touched areas. Inspect the surface for cracks, holes, flaking paint or other imperfections. Remove any loose or unsound paint and repair damaged areas with a suitable filler, allowing it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly sand the surface to smooth imperfections and provide a suitable base for painting. Glossy or previously varnished woodwork may require additional preparation. Remove all sanding dust with a clean cloth before proceeding. Step 3: Prime where necessary Depending on the condition of the woodwork and its existing finish, a primer may be required before painting. Our Water-Based Eggshell Primer is designed to prepare suitable surfaces for our Water-Based Eggshell. Bare timber, previously painted woodwork and specialist surfaces may require different preparation, so always refer to the relevant technical data sheets before starting. Allow the primer to dry as directed before applying your topcoat. Hallway with woodwork painted in Red Ochre by Emma Diaz Bedroom painted in Drab Green with Aquatic woodwork by That Rebel House Living room painted in Hespan with Portland woodwork Step 4: Apply the first coat Stir your chosen paint thoroughly before use to ensure the pigments are evenly distributed. Using a suitable brush, apply the first coat of Water-Based Eggshell evenly across the prepared surface. Where possible, work in the direction of the wood grain, using smooth, controlled brushstrokes. Avoid overloading the brush, as excess paint can lead to drips and visible brush marks. For doors and panelled woodwork, work methodically around mouldings and recessed areas before painting the larger flat sections. Allow the first coat to dry for the recommended period before recoating. Step 5: Lightly sand between coats Once the first coat is ready for recoating, inspect the surface for any dust particles, raised grain or other imperfections. If necessary, lightly sand with a suitable fine-grit abrasive to smooth the finish, taking care not to remove the paint unnecessarily. Remove all sanding dust before applying the second coat. Step 6: Apply the second coat Apply a second coat using the same technique, working carefully to achieve a consistent finish. Two coats will typically provide good coverage on suitably prepared woodwork, although additional coats may be required depending on the surface and chosen colour. Take particular care around edges, corners and decorative details, where paint can collect. Step 7: Allow the paint to cure Although your woodwork may feel dry to the touch relatively quickly, the paint will take longer to reach its full hardness. Avoid heavy handling, cleaning or unnecessary contact with freshly painted surfaces during the curing period. For doors and windows, take care to prevent newly painted surfaces from sticking together while the finish is curing. Always follow the product’s technical guidance for drying and curing times. Bedroom with woodwork painted in Georgiana Choosing a colour for your woodwork Woodwork offers a wonderful opportunity to introduce colour beyond the walls. For a traditional scheme, consider pairing coloured walls with a lighter shade such as Whiting or Spanish White. Alternatively, painting skirting boards, doors and architraves in the same colour as the walls can create a more continuous scheme, drawing attention to the room’s architecture rather than the boundaries between surfaces. For a stronger contrast, deeper shades such as Invisible Green or Georgiana can be particularly effective on doors and joinery. Why choose Water-Based Eggshell? Our Water-Based Eggshell combines a plant-based binder with real earth and mineral pigments, providing a durable finish for suitable interior woodwork. Available in our full palette of colours, it’s an excellent choice for skirting boards, doors, architraves and other painted joinery. Ready to get started? Explore our natural paint colours and order a sample pot or A5 colour card to help you find the right shade for your woodwork. For further advice on surface preparation, primers and application, please refer to our Water-Based Eggshell technical data sheet. Our Colour Consultants are also happy to help you create a colour scheme that works throughout your room. Boot room painted in Evie with Iznik woodwork by Sarah Fortescue Designs Hallway painted in Lilac Pink with Pompadour woodwork Bedroom painted in Fair White with Cerullian Blue woodwork by Beauvamp
Court of Noke: Edward Bulmer’s historic Herefordshire home Step inside Court of Noke, Edward and Emma Bulmer’s Herefordshire home, and discover how more than 30 years of restoration, colour and considered decoration have shaped the house we see today.
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.
5 Glorious Green Interior Colour Ideas How to Decorate with Greens. As much as we love greens we know they are not always everyone’s go-to colour, so we have got a host of glorious green interior inspiration to give you colour confidence and learn the nuances of the hue to make it a statement colour or a subtle addition in your home, from soft earthy greens to bold statement shades.
How to choose and use paint sample pots: a step-by-step guide Learn how to choose and use paint sample pots, from creating a shortlist to testing colours in different light and finding the right shade for your room.
London Craft Week with Molly Mahon Celebrating Nature, Colour and Craft with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and Molly Mahon.
In the Press with Edward Bulmer this week In the Press, see all of our latest press features and articles!
