In Conversation With: Edward Bulmer
Edward Bulmer, the founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, has over 30 years of experience designing interiors. Leading a natural paint revolution creating pioneering plant-based paints made entirely from plant-based ingredients instead of petrochemical derived products. This dedication to creating eco and health-conscious products has led to Edward Bulmer Natural Paint becoming one of the most in-demand brands for renovators who are looking for responsible, chemical free materials for the home, being used by interior designers and clients around the globe. His expertise as one of the nation's foremost architectural historians lead him to believe the future lies in the return to natural materials, especially paint.
This spring at Thyme, we host a talk between Country Life's Executive and Interiors Editor Giles Kime and Edward Bulmer. Giles will talk to Edward about his new book, ‘ The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House’ and what he has learnt restoring some of Britain’s most important heritage buildings, bringing his expert knowledge to conservation and his design flair to the creation of new spaces for modern living.
We caught up with Edward ahead of this talk, to learn a little more about the man behind the paint, his inspirations and connection to Thyme.
Edward at his new Pimlico Rd showroom
Paint: ‘Invisible Green’
Photo by: Anna Batchelor.
Where does your story with colour and paint begin?
I trained in a picture restorer’s studio and was charged with grinding pigment into varnish for the retouching of areas where the original paint had been lost.
It was only a dozen pigments and I sensed then that one could not need more for wall paints than great artists needed for easel paintings!
In the early C21st I was working at Goodwood and was asked to ensure that all my materials were environmentally responsible and non toxic. That is when I became a convert to natural paint as it did not require the fossil fuels, plastics or synthetic chemicals of modern premium paints.
Where do you find your inspiration?
My colour inspiration comes from the multifarious ways in which colour was used in the past along with the codes that informed their usage. They present a narrative that is largely lost to the modern eye used to every colour being equal in cost and prevalence. The job of colour today I see as a supporting role, ensuring that the background we provide will enhance spaces and flatter their contents.
My inspiration to start a natural paint company was to address the threat of climate change and the over use of toxic and polluting chemicals. It inspires me every day to tell more and more people about the simple choice we could make to switch away from fossil fuel made acrylic paints, without any compromise in beauty and performance.
Mixing of ‘Olympian Green’
Can you tell us a little bit about the paint production and what makes your paints sustainable?
To be sustainable one basically has to be able to go on repeating the use of the product one is offering. This can only happen if after its use its constituent parts can be returned to the earth or air and become part of the natural cycle once more. This does not happen with acrylics, vinyls or alkyds because they cannot be broken down into ‘food’ by naturally occurring organisms so they persist in the environment, polluting soil, water and air.
Our paints are made with minerals and plant based resin, meaning that at the end of life they can be composted, with the powders and organic matter returning to the earth. The emissions created by the breaking down of the paint releasing carbon is offset by the carbon used by the plants in their growth meaning that the product has a continuous cycle of life death and renewal.
What has been the most wonderful project you have worked on?
As an interior designer I can only respond that one single project, Pitshill House, combined every one of my interests and allowed one to create and restore period details, devise colour schemes, recreate historic patterns, use natural and traditional materials, source antiques and arrange pictures.
In terms of soul food our natural paint project is the greatest we have undertaken because we are genuinely trying to make a difference – a difference for humanity, literally!
Edward’s bedroom with ‘Verdigris’ on the woodwork
If you had to give one piece of advise for colouring your home, what would it be?
Look for your starting points – things you will not change or colour – it might be a stone floor, a work of art a particular fabric. Use this starting point as a guide to set the tonality you need to achieve in whatever colours you then choose. Almost invariably you will find that it is the sort of palette that we employ in our colour range because we use earth pigments to capture the same tonality to be found in naturals, dyes and artworks!
What is the piece of furniture you couldn't live without?
My bed – a good night’s sleep is imperative and best of all it has my wife in it!
Is there a story behind the pea green paint colour choice used in our Meadow spa here at Thyme?
Photosynthesis allows the Pea plant to create a luminous green that, while prevalent in nature, is hard to achieve without mineral pigments in a paint. Our colour is deliberately designed to bring to mind that meadow haze of the summer – light and bright.
order your free colour chart at www.edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk
