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The Colour Supplement
Home » Inspiration » Pairing natural colours and whites: tips for timeless British interiors. Part one

Pairing natural colours and whites: tips for timeless British interiors. 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 the creation process.  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

Jonquil and Fair White. Credit: Beauvamp
Explore Jonquil

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.

  • Fair White

  • Whiting

  • Silver White

  • Pearl Colour

GREENS

Fine Green and Spanish White. Credit: Amy Eld
Pomona and Fine White. Nicaragua Bath. Credit: Lisa Kay, Cowshed
Explore Fine Green

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 Fine White or White Lead with deeper colours.

  • Spanish White

  • White Lead

  • Fine White

  • Rose Tinted White

BLUES

Indigo and White Lead
Explore Indigo

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.

  • White Lead

  • Creami Colour

  • Stone White

  • Milk White

Antony Olivier-Duthie, AD of Edinburgh

The Edward Bulmer array of paint hues are our recommended foundation to residential and commercial projects providing an unrivalled depth and backdrop to our interiors commissions. Moreover, the natural qualities allow rooms to ‘breathe’, particularly important to those Clients with period properties. Our go-to colours include ‘Water Glass’ for a cool contemporary feel, together with the likes of Creami Colour and Milk White for more of a traditional atmosphere.

NEW NEUTRALS

Fawn and Fair White. Credit: Beauvamp
Explore Fawn

From Clay to French Grey and Tawny, our natural neutral paint colours pair 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.

  • Plain White

  • Fair White

  • Rose Tinted White

  • Pearl Colour

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.

Related Articles

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.

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.

How to use earthy terracotta paint colours for warm, timeless interiors

Terracotta hues bring warmth, charm, and a touch of Mediterranean flair to any space.

Haines Collection: Reducing Waste in the Interiors Industry

Edward Bulmer and Jules Haines, founder of Haines Collection, talk about reducing waste in the interiors industry on the new Haines Collection YouTube series ‘Sustainable Interiors’.

Our new conscious colours: ‘Palette Blenders’

It is not often Edward Bulmer creates new colours, these seven smart and sophisticated ‘Palette Blenders’ transcend style and architecture and are made with absolute resonance and relevance.. Read more about our new colours and which other colours in our natural collection to pair with.

The Colour Supplement

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How much paint do I need?

We have created this calculator to help you estimate the amount of paint you will need for your project. Please note that this is only an estimate, based on normal surfaces with two coats of paint.

Please check our practical painting advice - if you are painting onto a very absorbent surface, you may need more paint, and for best results, you may need to prime your surfaces.

If you end up with any leftover paint, get inspired with ways to use any excess paint - it's even compostable!

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Painted Wall/Ceiling Area

Our natural matt emulsion is perfect for interior walls and ceilings.

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This estimate is based on two coats of paint and the dimensions of your room, minus the space taken by average doors and windows.

For this area, we suggest would be adequate.

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Our water based eggshell or gloss is ideal for woodwork or metalwork.

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This estimate is based on two coats of paint and the skirting and the doors/windows you told us about. 1 litre should cover 2-3 doors or 20m of skirting.

For this area, we suggest would be adequate.

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