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The Colour Supplement
Home » Inspiration » The Power of Natural Pigments: Issue 5

The Power of Natural Pigments: Issue 5

Beyond the sea, the literal meaning of Ultramarine, refers to the ancient trade in Lapis Lazuli from quarries in north eastern Afghanistan. Classed as a semi precious stone, this clear blue mineral has been prized by artists for millennia. Its rarity and therefore, cost, gave rise to a government competition in 1820’s France to find an equivalent for it, such was their taste for the colour. A chemist named Jean Baptiste Guimet officially claimed the prize in 1828 for his kaolin, sodium and sulphur based formula, variants of which are the pigment we use today and is known as French Ultramarine.

Hall in Edward Bulmer Natural Paint Garter Blue

It imparts a slightly purplish tone and is useful to impart the ‘true blue’ cast to our Garter Blue, in this beautiful hallway below left. It also elevates Fine Grey to a shade that preserves its cool presence even when metamerism turns other greys a little green in hue.

Some more of our colours this deep jewel like pigment creates; ‘Duck egg’ one of the softest creamiest shades in a beautiful drawing room and ‘French Blue’ styled here by Oka in a cosy coastal retreat. We do now offer ‘Shades’ of a selection of our beautiful colours, marked on our colour card with an *. Giving you more flexibility and allowing you to choose a colour that best suits the room aspect. If you would like to try one of these in a 60%, 40% or 20% lighter versions please do call us for more details and advice.

For more colour inspiration please follow us on Instagram @edwardbulmerpaint and @edward_bulmer and if you love pinning, we are @Edwardbulmerpaint on  Pinterest, we also have an extensive gallery of the colours in real rooms on our website.

Our social network has never been more important. A safe place where we can all support and inspire one another. We will continue to share our colours in your wonderful homes. Watch this space for more design tips from Edward and brilliant creative ideas for your home.

Please keep in touch and keep sharing all your paint projects and rooms #edwardbulmerpaint​

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How to Decorate with Pinks

Pinks have of course been ‘en vogue’ for some years now and these timeless new neutrals are staying at the top of the paint charts for a reason; they work with so many other colours and patterns from flooring to soft furnishings and hardware in a room and look as chic in a bedroom as they do in a lofty hallway. What is not to love?!

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!

What are you painting?

Estimated
Painted Wall/Ceiling Area

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

0 litres

0 m2

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

For this area, we suggest would be adequate.

Estimated
Woodwork Area

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

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0 m2

This estimate is based on skirting and the doors/windows you tell 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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