A landmark of London’s Pimlico Road, The Orange has long been a favourite neighbourhood pub. Following an extensive refurbishment by Cubitt House, the historic building has been given a new lease of life, with interiors that celebrate British design, craftsmanship and colour. Led by hotelier and restaurateur Georgie Pearman, the project brought together a collection of designers, makers and specialist interiors brands, many with connections to the surrounding Pimlico Road design district. Edward Bulmer Natural Paint was delighted to contribute to the scheme, with three distinctive colours – Clove, Sang de Boeuf and Trumpington – helping to create a series of inviting spaces throughout the building. Edward Bulmer at The Orange A new chapter for The Orange Originally built in the 19th century, The Orange occupies a prominent position overlooking Orange Square, at the heart of one of London’s best-known interiors districts. The refurbishment set out to honour the building’s history while creating a welcoming destination for dining, drinking and entertaining. Working with British designers and makers including Soane, Nina Campbell, Fermoie, Linwood and The Lacquer Company, Georgie developed a richly layered interior filled with carefully chosen furniture, textiles and decorative details. From the bar to the more intimate dining spaces, the scheme combines traditional craftsmanship with a fresh approach to decorating a historic public house. Edward Bulmer at The Orange The colours behind the design Three Edward Bulmer Natural Paint colours were selected for The Orange, each contributing to the character of a different space. Clove in the bar Clove was chosen for the bar area, bringing an earthy, reddish-brown neutral to one of the pub’s busiest spaces. Made using red oxide pigment, Clove has a distinctive character that sits comfortably alongside timber, aged brass, stone and richly coloured upholstery. It’s a particularly effective choice for hospitality interiors, where a neutral backdrop needs to complement a variety of materials and decorative details. Sang de Boeuf by the fireplace A deeper note comes from Sang de Boeuf, used around the fireplace. This rich red takes its name from the distinctive oxblood glaze associated with Chinese ceramics. At The Orange, it introduces a stronger colour accent, creating a focal point that complements the pub’s traditional architecture and furnishings. Trumpington in the dining room In the dining room, Trumpington provides another distinctive element of the palette. Its earthy character works alongside the surrounding furniture, fabrics and decorative finishes, helping to establish a welcoming setting for dining. Together, the three shades demonstrate how a palette of natural, historically informed colours can bring variety to a building while maintaining a sense of continuity. Clove in the bar Sang de Boeuf by the fireplace Trumpington in the dining room Behind the design with Georgie Pearman We spoke to Georgie about the inspiration behind The Orange’s refurbishment, her approach to colour and the importance of working with British makers. What atmosphere did you want to create at The Orange? “We hope The Orange is a welcoming and fun place for guests to come, meet friends and have some fun. We have spaces where they can have a drink, have a bar snack, have a three-course supper and then maybe go down to The Blood Orange Bar afterwards for cocktails and dancing.” For Georgie, the aim was to make the most of the building’s four floors, creating a destination that could accommodate everything from an informal drink to a celebratory evening. Is decorating a public space different from decorating your own home? “Yes and no. We love entertaining at our home and often have a houseful of friends or our children’s friends. Above all, we love to create spaces that people feel relaxed in, are comfortable and want to stay in.” That same approach informs Georgie’s work with Cubitt House, although she acknowledges that hospitality interiors must also accommodate the practical requirements of service. How do you create atmosphere when entertaining? “It’s all just about inviting your friends, they’ll make sure of the atmosphere. But otherwise I always have a few candles burning, lighting is very important, nothing too bright, and then some great food and drinks of course.” It’s an approach reflected in The Orange’s interiors, where lighting, colour and comfortable furnishings help create spaces suited to different occasions. Georgie Pearman, Co-Chair of Cubitt House Why is working with British makers and craftspeople important to you? “I love supporting our great British tradition of design and crafts and we have so many talented people here.” Georgie values the relationships built with specialist makers and the knowledge that comes from working with established craftspeople. Her longstanding collaborators include Soane, Linwood, Lewis & Wood, Rapture & Wright and Edward Bulmer, alongside many other British interiors businesses. How do you decide which colours will work in a historic pub? “Our pubs have a long history, so we need to be true to that. It’s also about expectation – our guests want to come and have an experience in a London pub but one with a touch of glamour.” “I choose colours that I feel suit the architecture and work well in their environments.” The Orange’s palette reflects this philosophy, combining earthy neutrals with richer accents to complement the building’s architecture and decorative scheme. What do you love most about Edward Bulmer Natural Paint? “I love the strength of the colour of the paints due to the rich mineral and earth pigments that are used.” For Georgie, the richness of natural pigment is an important part of creating interiors that feel distinctive and welcoming. Discover the colours of The Orange The Orange demonstrates how carefully chosen colours can complement the architecture of a historic building while creating spaces suited to contemporary hospitality. From Clove in the bar to Sang de Boeuf around the fireplace and Trumpington in the dining room, each shade contributes to the character of the refurbished pub. Located just across Orange Square from our London showroom at 69 Pimlico Road, The Orange is also a wonderful example of the design and craftsmanship found in this part of London. Explore Clove, Sang de Boeuf and Trumpington, or visit our Pimlico Road showroom to discover the colours in person.
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