When decorating our homes, we think carefully about furniture, fabrics and the materials we bring into them. Yet one of the largest surfaces in every room – the paint on our walls – is often chosen on colour alone. But not all paints are made in the same way. At Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, we have championed natural decoration for over 20 years. Our paints were created by architectural colour expert and interior designer Edward Bulmer, whose work with historic buildings led him to question why modern decoration had become so reliant on petrochemicals and plastic. The result is a different approach to paint: one that prioritises plant-based binders, earth and mineral pigments, breathability and ingredient transparency without compromising on colour or performance. So why choose natural paint? 1. To use less plastic in your home Many conventional emulsion paints use acrylic or vinyl polymers as their binder. In simple terms, these are plastics derived from petrochemicals. Our natural paint takes a different approach. We use a plant-based binder made from renewable ingredients rather than relying on a conventional plastic binder. This matters not only because of what you bring into your home, but because paint is used on such a large scale. Walls and ceilings account for an enormous surface area, so choosing paint made differently can significantly reduce your reliance on plastic-based materials. It is also why we believe the conversation around plastic pollution should include paint. 2. To know what is going onto your walls Understanding what a product is made from makes it easier to make an informed choice about the materials you use in your home. We believe paint manufacturers should be transparent about their ingredients, which is why we openly declare the ingredients used in our paint. Our formulations prioritise naturally derived ingredients and avoid unnecessary synthetic additions. They are suitable for use throughout the home, including bedrooms and nurseries, without the strong smell commonly associated with traditional solvent-based paints. For us, ingredient transparency is an essential part of making paint more responsibly. 3. To allow your walls to breathe Breathability is particularly important in older buildings constructed from materials such as lime plaster, brick, timber and stone. These traditional materials are designed to absorb and release moisture. Covering them with an impermeable coating can interfere with that process and may contribute to problems such as trapped moisture and failing finishes. Our Natural Emulsion is highly breathable, allowing water vapour to pass through the painted surface and helping traditional walls continue to manage moisture as intended. This makes breathable paint particularly important when decorating period properties and lime plaster, although its benefits are not limited to old buildings. 4. For colour created from earth and mineral pigments Colour begins with pigment. Rather than relying on a vast spectrum of modern synthetic colourants, we create our palette from a deliberately limited selection of carefully chosen earth and mineral pigments. By combining these pigments in different proportions, Edward creates colours with remarkable depth and complexity. As natural light changes throughout the day, different elements within a colour can become more or less apparent, allowing the character of a room to evolve with the light. It is an approach to colour rooted in the long history of architectural decoration rather than short-lived trends. 5. To reduce the environmental impact of decorating There is more to sustainable paint than a single carbon figure or environmental claim. We believe you have to consider how paint is made, what its ingredients are derived from, its reliance on finite resources and plastics, how much is required to achieve the desired finish and what impact those materials have throughout their lifecycle. Our approach prioritises renewable plant-based ingredients and earth and mineral pigments while reducing reliance on petrochemical-derived plastics. We also believe in being open about where improvements still need to be made. You can explore our approach to sustainability, the impact of the wider paint industry and the work we are doing to reduce our own impact throughout our website. 6. Without compromising on performance Choosing natural paint does not mean accepting an inferior finish. Our paints are formulated for modern homes and everyday life, combining natural ingredients with the coverage, durability and finish you expect from high-quality architectural paint. Our Natural Emulsion typically provides excellent coverage in two coats, while our range of finishes allows you to decorate walls, ceilings, woodwork and other surfaces throughout the home. The difference is not whether natural paint can perform. It is how that performance is achieved. Why choose Edward Bulmer Natural Paint? Natural paint is not an addition to what we do; it is the reason the company exists. Edward developed our paint from his experience working with historic buildings and natural materials, combining an understanding of architectural colour with a belief that modern paint could be made differently. Today, that approach continues to shape everything from our plant-based binder and earth and mineral pigments to our breathable finishes and commitment to ingredient transparency. We believe beautiful decoration should work with both buildings and the natural world rather than against them. Request a free colour chart Is natural paint right for your home? Natural paint may be the right choice if you want to reduce your use of plastic-based materials, understand what is going onto your walls, maintain the breathability of traditional surfaces or simply enjoy colours created from carefully selected earth and mineral pigments. It is equally at home in a contemporary interior as it is in a centuries-old building. Explore our natural paint colours to find your starting point, or order A5 colour swatches and sample pots to see how your chosen colours respond to the light in your own home. Invisible Green living room by Rita Konig
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