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The Colour Supplement
Home » Inspiration » Should I book a colour consultancy before decorating my home?

Should I book a colour consultancy before decorating my home?

If you’re struggling to choose paint colours, planning multiple rooms, renovating a period property or simply want confidence in your decisions, a colour consultancy can save time, reduce costly mistakes and help create a more cohesive home.

Many homeowners find that professional advice ultimately costs less than repainting rooms after making the wrong choice. At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, our consultants are trained in the principles of colour developed by architectural historian and interior designer Edward Bulmer, whose decades of work with historic buildings have informed a distinctive approach to colour, light and architecture.

How can a virtual colour consultancy transform a coastal cottage?

Fashion journalist and creative consultant Amy Bannerman already had a strong appreciation for colour, having used Edward Bulmer Natural Paint’s Invisible Green in her London home. When she moved to a coastal cottage in Hastings, however, she sought expert guidance to create a scheme that reflected both the property’s character and its seaside setting.

Working with the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour consultancy team via a virtual consultation, Amy explored how colour, light and architecture interacted throughout the cottage. Rather than selecting colours room by room, the focus was on creating a cohesive scheme that flowed naturally through the house.

The final palette combined Portland on the walls, Invisible Green on the bedroom door and Clove on the remaining woodwork, creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere while highlighting key architectural details.

The project demonstrates how expert colour consultancy can help even visually confident clients achieve greater balance, character and cohesion. It also showcases the value of virtual consultations, using photographs, discussion and professional guidance to give homeowners the confidence to make informed colour decisions without an in-person visit.

The Before

A colour consultation for a bedroom in the home of Amy Bannerman

The After

A bedroom painted in Portland and Invisible Green for a colour consultation project by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
The After. Portland and Invisible Green
A bedroom painted in Portland and Clove for a colour consultation project by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
The After. Portland and Clove
A bedroom painted in Portland for a colour consultation project by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Portland
A bedroom painted in Portland for a colour consultation project by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Portland
  • Portland

  • Clove

  • Invisible Green

Book a Virtual Consultancy

How expert colour advice helped transform a London apartment

Interior stylist and antiques dealer Amy Eld already had a strong understanding of interiors, yet still wanted professional guidance when renovating her Pimlico apartment.

Working alongside our colour consultancy team, she developed a bold and characterful scheme featuring Persian, Mummy, Aquatic, Dutch Orange and Mason Pink.

This project highlights an important point: colour consultancy is not only for those lacking confidence. Many experienced decorators use expert advice to refine ideas, improve cohesion and avoid expensive mistakes.

The before and after images illustrate better than any words how colour can transform a space, with the instant wow factor of the Persian and Mummy painted hallway.

 

The Before

A white bathroom before a colour consultancy with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Before
A white bathroom before a colour consultancy with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Before

The After

A Colour Consultancy project featuring a hallway painted in Persian and Mummy by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Persian & Mummy
A Colour Consultancy project featuring a room painted in Aquatic and Dutch Orange by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Aquatic & Dutch Orange
A Colour Consultancy project featuring a bedroom painted in Mason Pink by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Mason Pink
A Colour Consultancy project featuring a room with woodwork painted in Persian by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Persian. Photo credits: Cathy Pyle
  • Persian

  • Mummy

  • Aquatic

  • Dutch Orange

  • Mason Pink

How colour consultancy created flow throughout a historic Welsh estate

One of our most ambitious consultancy projects involved Llanfendigaid Estate in Snowdonia.

Working closely with owner Lisa Kay, Emma Bulmer developed a palette inspired by the surrounding Welsh landscape. Greens became the dominant colour family, creating a natural connection between the interiors and the scenery beyond the windows.

As Director of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint and an experienced colour consultant, Emma Bulmer combines practical decorating expertise with a deep understanding of Edward Bulmer’s colour philosophy.

The result is a masterclass in tonal harmony, demonstrating how carefully selected colours can create flow throughout a large property while giving each room its own distinctive personality.

A Colour Consultancy project featuring a bedroom painted in Pomona, Pearl Colour and Spanish White by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Pomona & Spanish White ceiling
A bedroom with walls painted in Granite Green 40% and ceiling painted in Spanish White by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, following a Colour Consultation.
Granite Green 40% & Spanish White ceiling
Bathroom from an Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colour consultancy project, featuring Fine White walls, a Spanish White ceiling and a bathtub painted in Nicaragua.
Pomona, Fine White & Nicaragua
Kitchen painted in Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint as part of a colour consultancy project.
Invisible Green
Dining room painted in Water Glass by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint as part of a colour consultancy project.
Water Glass
Dining room painted in Evie and Water Glass by Edward Bulmer Natural Paint as part of a colour consultancy project.
Water Glass & Evie
Lisa Kay, Colour Consultancy Client

Having recently taken over Llanfendigaid Estate and having multiple properties including the main house with 9 bedrooms to renovate I wanted to make sure that I got it right. We thought about using an interior designer but it felt too exciting to not do it myself, so a colour consultation was the right balance of getting expert guidance yet still having control of styling.  It’s worked out completely.

  • Pomona

  • Granite Green

  • Fine White

  • Nicaragua

  • Water Glass

  • Spanish White

  • Evie

  • Invisible Green

Should you book an in-home colour consultancy?

For larger projects, an in-home consultation allows a consultant to assess:

  • Light levels throughout the day
  • Architectural details
  • Existing furnishings
  • Room relationships
  • Historic features

This personalised approach often gives homeowners the confidence to make decisions much more quickly and avoid costly repainting later.

The transformation of Severnside Press, a former Georgian printing shop, is an excellent example. After feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities, the owners worked with Emma Bulmer to create a coherent colour scheme that respected the building’s heritage while creating a welcoming environment for guests.

The Before

A guest space before a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Before
A guest suite before a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Before

The After

A guest bedroom painted in Dutch Orange after a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
After: Dutch Orange
A guest bedroom painted in Cerullian Blue after a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
After: Cerullian Blue
A living room painted in Warm Stone after a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Warm Stone
A bedroom painted in Sea Green after a colour consultation with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Sea Green
  • Sea Green

  • Cerullian Blue

  • Dutch Orange

  • Warm Stone

Book an In Home Consultancy

Is a colour consultancy worth It?

Many clients tell us their only regret is not booking a consultation sooner.

A colour consultancy can help you:

  • Save time
  • Avoid expensive decorating mistakes
  • Create a cohesive home
  • Gain confidence in your colour choices
  • Understand how colours respond to light
  • Develop a scheme tailored to your lifestyle and property

Whether you choose a virtual consultation, an in-home visit or an appointment at our London showroom, professional guidance can transform the decorating process from overwhelming to enjoyable.

Visit our colour consultancy page to learn more and find a limited time offer. Read on, click here, to discover more room transformations and how our consultancy works.

Frequently asked questions

What happens during a colour consultancy?

Your consultant will discuss your style preferences, evaluate your space and recommend a bespoke palette designed specifically for your home.

Can colour consultancy work for modern homes?

Yes. Our consultants work with both contemporary and period properties, creating schemes that suit the architecture and lifestyle of each client.

Is a virtual colour consultancy effective?

Absolutely. Many clients achieve excellent results through virtual consultations by sharing photographs, plans and inspiration images.

How do I choose paint colours for a period property?

The best schemes respect the building’s character while supporting modern living. Edward Bulmer’s approach draws on extensive research into historic pigments, traditional decoration and architectural history to create colours that feel both authentic and relevant today.

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If you are redesigning your child’s room and need some inspiration on what colour to go for, look no further. We have put together some of our favourite colourful schemes for Children’s Room’s from soft blues to vibrant yellows.

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Most modern paints contain plastic and harmful chemicals, reducing breathability and indoor air quality. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint offers natural, plastic-free paints that are safe, breathable, and beautiful, bringing colour to your walls without compromise.

The Colour Supplement

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