The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer’s first interior design book

Interior designer, architectural historian and founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, Edward Bulmer has spent decades restoring and reimagining some of Britain’s most remarkable historic houses. His first book, The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, brings together the interiors, stories and ideas that have shaped his approach to design.

Published by Rizzoli in October 2022, the book offers a fascinating look inside some of the country’s finest houses, from Althorp and Chequers to Goodwood, Pitshill House and Edward’s own home, Court of Noke in Herefordshire.

Beautifully photographed by Paul Whitbread, The Colourful Past explores the relationship between architecture, decoration and colour, revealing how an understanding of history can inform interiors designed for modern living.

A colourful approach to historic interiors

Edward’s work is rooted in his knowledge of architectural history and traditional decorative techniques. Rather than treating historic houses as museum pieces, he approaches each project with an understanding of its original character and the practical requirements of contemporary life.

Colour is central to this philosophy. Whether restoring an important architectural interior or creating a comfortable family home, Edward uses it to bring together furniture, fabrics, artwork and the building itself.

Throughout The Colourful Past, readers discover how this approach has shaped his work in some of Britain’s most celebrated houses, with natural paint colours playing an important role in many of the interiors featured.

Inside Britain’s historic country houses

The book takes readers through a remarkable collection of houses, each with its own architectural history and decorative character.

Among them are Althorp, the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales; Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country residence; Goodwood; and Pitshill House.

Through these projects, Edward demonstrates how historic interiors can be restored and adapted without losing the details that make them distinctive.

Rather than following a single decorative formula, the rooms reflect the architecture, collections and personalities of the people who live in them.

Court of Noke: Edward Bulmer’s own home

Perhaps the most personal chapter of The Colourful Past is devoted to Court of Noke, Edward’s Queen Anne house in Herefordshire.

Over more than twenty years, Edward and his family have transformed what had become a neglected farmhouse into a comfortable family home, while retaining its connection to the surrounding working organic farm.

The interiors bring together historic furniture, collected objects, artwork and richly coloured walls, reflecting Edward’s belief that a house should evolve with the people who inhabit it.

Court of Noke has also served as a place for experimentation, where Edward has developed and tested ideas that inform both his interior design practice and the Edward Bulmer Natural Paint palette.

Colour, art and the English country house

One of the pleasures of The Colourful Past is seeing how colour can transform the relationship between architecture and artwork.

At Court of Noke, for example, Edward chose Sea Green for a bolection-panelled room, creating a distinctive backdrop for Sophie Coryndon’s tulip paintings and a red lacquer cabinet brought back from Hong Kong.

The combination illustrates Edward’s willingness to work with the character of a historic interior without allowing its architecture to dictate every decorative decision.

Throughout the book, Paul Whitbread’s photography captures these relationships, from the broader composition of the rooms to the smaller details of textiles, decorative finishes and collected objects.

A book for lovers of colour and interiors

The Colourful Past is both a record of Edward’s work and an exploration of the ideas behind it. Bringing together architectural history, personal stories and practical decorative inspiration, it offers a distinctive perspective on the English country house.

As Elfreda Pownall observed in House & Garden, Edward’s own home is particularly relatable, with its combination of family possessions, collected artwork and more formal furnishings.

For anyone interested in historic interiors, traditional decoration or the expressive possibilities of colour, the book offers plenty to discover.

Find out more about Edward Bulmer and explore the natural paint colours that bring his approach to colour into homes today.