Pairing our natural colours and whites. Part One

Whites are more complex than they seem. Don’t be deceived, white is definitely not just white. It all depends what ingredients are used in creating  it.  At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint we have 20 different whites to choose from, all lovingly created by hand in our factory barn in Herefordshire by Edward Bulmer.

Let’s take one of our best-selling whites, Spanish White. This is a pale, warm white and is created with a slight yellow ochre tone of natural chalk which responds to light in a way which synthetic paints cannot recreate.  Whereas Pearl Colour uses hints of Prussian blue, black, ochre and even Indian red to create its beautifully radiant tone. For the delicate Rose Tinted White, a little red earth and madder root pigment (Red Oxide and Vermilion) is used to create the very subtle hint of pink.

We are here to help you work out which is the best white to go with the colours you are choosing. To get you started, we’ve created a simple guide to pairing whites and colours.

Pinks can be any tone from soft and calming, like Jonquil, to strong and striking, like our Nicaragua. Whatever the tone the right white will anchor the colour and make all the difference to the feel in the finished room.

Fair White and Whiting are clearer, ‘whiter’ whites, whereas Pearl Colour and Silver White have a little more pigment and tone.

With eighteen greens to choose from, and three of them available in shades, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint loves to bring nature indoors.  Softer greens, such as Eau de Nile or Celadon work well for a serene vibe, while deeper greens, such as Invisible Green or Fine Green add richness and depth.

Pair the softer greens with Rose Tinted White or Spanish White for a warming glow, and White Lead and Fine White or White Lead with deeper colours.

We love to bust the myth that blues make a room cold. It’s all about the ingredients in the paint, and by adding warm earth pigments, such as yellow ochre, warmth and softness will prevail.  The whites we have chosen  to pair with blues are all at the warmer end of the spectrum and will keep that feeling of warmth running through the entire space.

From Clay to French Grey and Tawny, our natural neutral paint pairs beautifully with timber, details and traditional architecture. Our selected colours help take the difficulty out of choosing the right colours. Add a clean and delicate finish to your walls and ceilings with our truly natural neutral shades. Pair them with any of the below whites and your home will be an oasis of peace and tranquility.

Look out for part two of this blog where pairing white with yellows, browns, reds and greys will be explored.

Because our colours are only made from twelve pigments, all combinations will look beautiful, it’s simply a matter of taste.

We love to help our customers with their colour conundrums, so if you need any help, our colour consultants are always on hand to help.