Originally an electricity substation, the 12-metre tall stone building located on the moorland of Cornwall, had been abandoned since the 1960’s.

Abi and Morveth decided to take on this colossal challenge to breathe new life back into the building to create a stunning family home, lovingly named ‘Trevolt’.

photo credit @ Amazing Productions

The project

You may have watched the process of this project unfold on Channel 4’s programme George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations (don’t worry if you missed it, it’s available to watch on catch up!)

Located on the moorland of Cornwall, the 12-metre tall stone building had been abandoned since the 1960’s; with years of being battered by the elements, damp had taken its toll and the building had fallen into a state of disrepair.

The couple fell in love with the derelict building and had a great vision for what they wanted it to be – their forever family home. They worked with an architect to help realise their dream, got planning permission in 2019 and after some tough moments with delays and many obstacles, the couple managed to complete their dream home.

The finished masterpiece is a carbon neutral 3-bedroom property that cleverly combines a mixture of the original industrial features of the building with softer carefully considered furniture and soft furnishings.

Breathability

Inside, the walls are lime plastered so it was important that Abi and Morveth used a paint that wouldn’t block the breathability of the render. They chose our Claypaint – a highly breathable emulsion that allows buildings to breathe by releasing moisture into the atmosphere, thus preventing damp and condensation.

Environmentally friendly

Being surrounded by nature inspired many of their decisions on the renovation, the couple used our environmentally friendly and breathable Claypaint throughout the property.

“We wanted to create a paired back and serene interior, with lots of texture and a real eco vibe,” says Abi.

Light neutrals

Throughout the property, the couple used Claypaint in our light neutrals hues Feather Pillow and Tom’s Bakery. The tonal scheme perfectly enhances the natural light that pours into the building through its many large windows. In the kitchen, White Clay complements both the natural rustic aesthetic of the decor and exposed brickwork. The colours create a warm and cosy feeling as they’ve chosen shades with warm undertones, while maintaining a light and airy feel.

We’re sure you’ll agree, it looks stunning!

Want to see more of the project? Head over to the couple’s Instagram page @trevolt_ for more content from the renovation and behind the scenes of filming for George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovation.

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Bold Entrance

When you enter the Art Hostel you are instantly greeted by our brightest yellow Daisy Chain in the reception. Daisy Chain is used on each wall (ceiling included) allowing the afternoon light to bounce around the space. Featuring the original checkered floor tiles, this playful combination makes a statement that is bound to make you smile.

Warm Gathering

Flower Pot is used to create a warm, inviting social space behind the reception area. This colour perfectly complements the wooden accents of the area, such as the repurposed gym flooring and shelving unit partition.

Playful Stripes

Moving into the hallway, the playful colour schemes continue. Alternating stripes of colour that include Bo Peep, Lemony and Muddy Boots work well together due to Earthborn’s natural earthy palette. To keep this bold scheme coherent throughout the building, Earthborn Eggshell No.17 in Polka Dot is used on all skirting, window, and door frames. Polka Dot is the perfect blue shade that really does go with everything!

The Common(ing)

Upstairs on the first floor ‘The Common(ing)’ room was created by artists Sarah Li, Edwin Li and Lady Kit. Designed to be a room dedicated to “togetherness” (you can read more behind the trio’s inspiration here) it features our colour Secret Room. Painted on both walls and ceiling, it’s the perfect green next to the reclaimed wood furniture, creating a calm oasis that envelops you.

The Rainbow Room

The green theme continues into the next room “The Rainbow Lodge” which is an 8-bed dorm designed by VIDA’s nomadic lifestyle. Drawing you into the room a rainbow on the door, spills through on to the wall and ceiling before finishing at a large window. The clean flowing lines perfectly showcase our delicious array of greens including Gregory’s Den, Sunday Stroll, Grassy and Hobgoblin with White Clay as the perfect neutral base. Finished off with reclaimed Tiffany style lamps, wood furniture and lots of happy plants, this room is the ultimate cosy escape.

Snowstorm Collection

Finally, room “Snowstorm Collection” is a smaller private double room designed by artists Nelson & Woodward. The artists wanted to celebrate Sponsors Mick Ward & Gill Crawshaws shared travels together by displaying a collection of snowglobes they had collected from around the world when ‘travel was reasonably accessible and cheap’. The duo used our deep midnight blue Toy Soldier as the backdrop for a large earth headboard to echo the depths of space. In contrast to the blue, pops of burnt orange are scattered around the room for a space that is fun and bold.

Want to see more of the rooms at the Art Hostel? Perhaps even a stay? Check out the Art Hostel website. Have you taken any inspiration from the artist’s using Earthborn’s paint? We want to see! Be sure to tag us #Earthbornbyme.

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The new hostel was opened in February 2022 in the ‘cool’ neighbourhood of Magbate. The team at the Art Hostel needed paint for their incredible artists to use in designing 12 truly unique rooms, that was eco friendly and suited the needs of the 19th century building. Hannah who works at the Art Hostel said ‘We approached Earthborn because of their highly recognised eco credentials and their breathable Claypaint. We wanted to collaborate with a paint company that cares about their carbon footprint and would also suit the needs of such an old building’.

We asked Hannah how the artists found using our paint? She advised ‘The artists found Earthborn’s Claypaint to be a refreshing change from normal paints! There was zero smell, the coverage was amazing and Claypaint has a beautiful palette of coolers for our artists to work with’.

Of course, we needed to know whether Hannah and the artists had any favourite colours. ‘I am a sucker for pastel colours, so immediately I loved Peach Baby and Freckle. All our artists absolutely loved the green colours including Secret Room, Sunday Stroll and Gregorys Den’.

Finally, we wanted to know whether Hannah and the artists would use Earthborn again? ‘100% We highly recommend anyone to try Earthborn paint, you won’t be disappointed. I know that Jon, the Director of East Street Arts has already said he will be using Earthborn Claypaint in his basement!’.

Want to see more of the artist’s work using Earthborn paint? Keep an eye out for our blog ‘Step inside the Art Hostel, Leeds or head over to Art Hostel’s website and book a stay to see it for yourself!

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Many people who live in old properties are advised by conservation specialists to use breathable exterior paints. Or perhaps they have realised that non-breathable masonry paint is causing issues for their home, including damp walls or cracked brickwork.

So if you’ve come across our Silicate Masonry Paint but aren’t sure if it’s the right product for your house. Or if you’d just like some more information first, we’ve answered our most commonly asked questions to help you decide:

Is Earthborn’s Silicate Masonry Paint breathable?

Yes, when used with Earthborn Silicate Primer together they have a brethability level similar to that of limewash. Making it ideal for older properties, conservation projects and lime render.

Can I use Earthborn Silicate Masonry Paint over limewash?

Yes, you can use our Silicate Masonry Paint and Silicate Primer over existing limewash provided it is completely sound and stable. However limewash is also prone to flaking off over time. If this is the case for your property, remove as much as possible before applying our Silicate Primer and Silicate Masonry Paint. If the surface isn’t fully bonded to the wall itself, it could risk coming off as the limewash flakes away.

I have cob walls. Is Silicate Masonry paint suitable?

If your cob walls have been coated with lime render, then the Silicate Masonry Paint is an ideal finish due to its high breathability. It isn’t suitable for applying directly to uncoated cob walls though.

Do I have to remove every bit of paint work before applying Silicate Masonry Paint?

Not any more! With the introduction of our Bonding Primer, you can now paint over previously painted sound surfaces with Silicate Masonry Paint. This is ideal for painting exterior masonry surfaces when you’re not concerned with breathability or if there are areas still painted with non-breathable paint your struggling to remove. Use Bonding Primer, then Silicate Prime for the bare non-painted areas of the wall.

Can I apply using an airless paint sprayer?

Silicate Masonry Paint is suitable for spray application, see our datasheet for guidance. Silicate Primer – We do not recommend spraying as this would result in the primer to become airborne and potentially etch into any metal or glass in the vicinity, causing irreversible damage. Bonding Primer – is suitable for spray application, see datasheet for guidance.

Is it suitable for internal brick walls?

Yes it can be used internally or externally. Most people use it on exterior walls because it is very very durable, which makes it ideal for changes in temperature and weather conditions. If you have interior brick walls that require a breathable paint, you might prefer to use our Claypaint. Claypaint is also highly breathable and easy to apply.

I have tried to remove previous paint so the wall can breathe but there are patches that I cannot remove?

Your main priority is keeping the breathability. The best way to address this is to spot prime the patches where the previous paint cannot be removed with Bonding Primer (please be aware these patches will not be breathable). Then prime the rest of the unpainted area with Silicate Primer. For the second coat apply a mixture of 20% Silicate Primer and 80% Silicate Masonry Paint. Then paint over the whole area including the areas that have been spot primed. Then finish off with a final coat of Silicate Masonry Paint.

Do you match to bespoke colours?

We get lots of requests for colour matching across all our paint ranges. Our Silicate Masonry Paint is formulated differently to other paints, so bespoke colours aren’t always possible.

For example, dark colours including black are difficult to achieve. This is because adding too much pigment can change the chemical make up of the paint. This can stop it from bonding correctly, or inhibit its breathability. However, if you’re looking for a specific colour that isn’t in our range of 48 shades, you can always ask us and we’ll let you know if it’s possible.

If you’d like to know more about our highly breathable, highly durable exterior masonry paint. Why not order your free colour card or purchase a sample pot in your chosen colour. If you already know which shade you want, full size tubs and primer can be ordered here or order through your local stockist.

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Keep it bright and airy

Bright and airy Edwardian style Bathroom with walls painted in colour Lily Lily Rose

As a nod to the trend, Lily Lily Rose in Claypaint would be the perfect way to start. Keep interior woodwork light using our Eggshell No17 in the shade Eyebright. An alternative to pure white, Eyebright has a hint of lilac but appears clean and white in most lights. Using this with Lily Lily Rose will help to emphasize the symmetrical lines of your room, in keeping with Edwardian interiors.

Look after your property

Regent Lodge Edwardian bedroom with walls painted in colour Grassy

For those of you who are lucky enough to own an Edwardian property then you may already know that your home requires more love and attention. Thicker walls with less original damp course tends to leave homes prone to damp and deterioration. Our Claypaint can help you to protect your home by allowing your walls to breathe by allowing airflow and preventing moisture from being trapped. Why not try our pastel shades Grassy or Ballet Shoe in Claypaint which would go a long way towards helping you to restore your Edwardian property to its former glory, whilst protecting it too – you can thank me later!

Mixing the old with the new

@designby_daisy cabinet in colour Daisy Chain Edwardian Colour

Up-cycling old furniture is not only easy on the purse strings but better for the environment. As we grow more eco conscious as a society, we have seen an upwards trend of up-cycling year on year and we predict 2022 will be no different. That’s why coupled with the Edwardian décor trend we can expect to see pastel colours like our Daisy chain in Eco Chic breathing a new lease of life to your furniture. Change out existing hardware for copper knobs and finish off your creation with our Furniture Wax for a long lasting durable finish.

It’s easy to see why Lily Lily Rose is our colour of the year and we look forward to seeing how you incorporate it into your homes. Make sure to tag and share your projects on social media with hashtag #Earthbornbyme

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In case you missed anything we have highlighted some of our favorite projects below:

The Secret Linen Store

We were delighted when Molly & Harriet the founders of The Secret Linen Store approached us. Molly & Harriet were looking to use some of our Claypaint colours in their cosy bedroom theme photoshoot. With a brand ethos closely aligned to our own in terms of sustainability, it was the perfect partnership. Our colours Cat’s Cradle, Paw Print and Yew Maze looked amazing under the spotlight and worked perfectly in showcasing their beautiful 100% linen bedding.

Secret Linen bedding next to Cat’s Cradle and Paw Print

Jane Day @teawithruby

Instagrammer and blogger Jane was redecorating her spare room and wanted a neutral colour palette to tie in with the rest of her home. The colour also needed to compliment the space which was multi functional, being used as a laundry room, dressing room and work room. Choosing our colour Tom’s bakery Jane managed to create this stunning look. Check out her calming and inspirational blog Tea with Ruby here.

@teawithruby Spare bedroom in colour Tom’s Bakery

@Joeykendalbrown

We were thrilled to work with Joey Kendal in helping her decorate two bedrooms in her home. Following the theme of bringing the outside in we were excited to see how our colours would look in two real life bedrooms. Using our colour Secret Room for her sons Knox’s bedroom and Kissing Gate for the second bedroom, we just love this stylish makeover and we know you will too!

@joeykendalbrown bedrooms using colours Secret Room and Kissing Gate

The Green Eyed Girl @thegreeneyedgirl

Claire Wainwright Instagram influencer redecorated her living room using our colour Feather Pillow which perfectly complements the newly installed panelling. Whilst redecorating, it was important to create a play area space within the living area. Cleverly this was achieved by adding a fun pop of colour using Humpty Dumpty in the shape of a house. Adding a small table & chairs along with useful storage helped complete this transformation.

@thegreeneyedgirl using colour Feather pillow and Humpty Dumpty

Louise Roe @louiseroehome

After living in LA for over 10 years, Louise Roe lived back to the British Countryside. Wanting to lovingly renovate their period home she chose Crocky Road for the walls and cupboards in her daughter’s bedroom. The inspirational interior transformation is not only elegant but child friendly, including a mix of antiques and sweet children’s accessories.

@louiseroehome using Crocky Road for her daughters bedroom

We hope that you take away some inspiration for your own homes and can’t wait to see your projects in 2022 make sure you share and tag us in your creations #Earthbornbyme

Happy New Year!

The post A round up of our inspirational interior collaborations appeared first on Earthborn Paints.

Lincoln Conservation

Lincoln Conservation specialise in the conservation and restoration of interior and exterior features. They work on listed and historic buildings, historic artefacts and carry out historic paint analysis. Together with the team at Lincoln Conservation, we’ve created a range of colour palettes suitable for different eras of property, including 20^th Century paint colours.

20^th Century design rules

The 20th century saw a boom in the use of ‘colour science’ and ‘colour psychology’ to select interior colours. During the 1950’s in particular, a scientific approach to design was in vogue.

Hallways were ‘the handshake of the house’ and were often painted a warm, inviting colour – try Peach Baby for a gentle blush tone.

Rooms to relax and heal were often painted in a soothing blue; think light blue Bo Peep or Polka Dot, with its easy going vibe. And places to be productive were a colour interesting enough to avoid boredom, but calm enough to avoid distraction.

In schools it was suggested that the blackboard wall was painted a slightly more interesting colour to draw the eye to the front. Wards with new mothers were advocated to be painted a warm and rosy colour to match the occasion of a new arrival.

In an age where creativity was encouraged, colour wheels were advertised to housewives so they could create the most harmonious settings for their homes.

In 1917 Howard Kemp-Prosser painted a ward room in McCaul Hospital for Officers, London. The walls and floors were a bright, warm yellow, the woodwork spring green, and the ceiling firmament blue. This extreme make over was to test the theory that colours had a certain effect on mental health.

Our top 20th century paint colours

Every decade of the 20th century is associated with certain interior colours. From the black and white chequerboard floors of the twenties to Mamie Eisenhower’s 1950s pink bathroom (in fact, the Mamie loved pink so much that the White House became known as the Pink Palace!), to the oranges and browns of the 1970s… This century saw an explosion of individuality expressed through decor. Here’s some of our favourite twentieth century shades:

Some styles might have changed but these 20th century ideas on choosing the right colour for the right space are just as relevant when decorating a home today. Why not order an Earthborn Classic Colour Card here to get your decorating plans started?

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We were delighted when the team at the Secret Linen Store asked for our paint colours for their cosy bedroom photoshoot. Showcasing their beautiful, super-soft sateen and 100% linen bedding, their bed linen sets are designed to be mixed and matched, with a palette of colours that perfectly complement each other… much like our own paint colours!

So for some seriously dreamy bedroom inspiration, here’s three cosy bedroom colour palettes:

Cat’s Cradle with Violet French Blue

Imagine a chateau in France… now that is where you’re headed when you’ve got the lovely 100% linen in Violet French Blue on your bed. This bedding set looks beautiful paired with more blues, and even a little grey mixed in. We love how the warm grey tones of Cat’s Cradle compliment this soothing bedroom colour palette.

Paw Print with Raspberry Sorbet

In this bold colour pairing, the Secret Linen Store’s Raspberry Sorbet has been teamed with rich blues against a backdrop of the warm mushroom colour of our Paw Print. As Paw Print has a warm, mellow undertone, it looks fantastic next to brighter shades like rich pinks and reds… we love it!

Yew Maze with Olive Green

Yew Maze is one of our newer paint colours from our Modern Country Colours palette. In this deep, enveloping colour scheme, the Secret Linen Store have teamed Yew Maze with an equally luxurious super soft sateen bedding set in Olive Green, for an earthy, sophisticated palette.

Each of the three paint colours showcased here are available to buy from our online store. And to see the rest of the Secret Linen Store’s gorgeous bedding range head here.

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It’s important to choose the right paint for damp basements and cellars – Image credit from Google Images

When it comes to choosing paint for damp basements and cellars, we find lots of older properties with damp basements are treated with plastic based, non-breathable plaster and paints, in an effort to waterproof the room. In the short term this might solve the damp issue by keeping water out, (by, for example, using a damp proof paint). But longer term, moisture becomes trapped under the surface and builds up, so the damp basement walls become more and more saturated.

One of the first signs of a damp basement wall is flaking and bubbling paint, where moisture has pushed through, causing it to peel. As the paint comes off the walls, salts, mould and mildew may start to appear (yuk!). Eventually a wet cellar wall can cause the plaster to blow, and can even impact on the fabric of the building itself.

Mould and mildew in damp basements and cellars can be an issue in older properties – Image credit Google Images

A better way to treat damp in a cellar wall (especially in older properties) is to use breathable building materials such as lime plaster and breathable paints. This will allow any moisture trapped within the walls to naturally pass through the surface of the wall and help to regulate the humidity in the space.

The paint we’d recommend as suitable for painting basement and cellar walls with ongoing damp problems is Earthborn Claypaint, a highly breathable interior emulsion with a high clay content. It is suitable for painting over new and old lime plaster, as well as painting walls that have been stripped of previous paint, and is an ideal for painting basements.

Whilst Claypaint can help to prevent mould growth, is not a cure. Being highly breathable, Claypaint works by allowing the moisture to pass through, then releases it as the room ventilates or the walls dries.

Any existing mould or mildew needs treating before repainting. It’s also important to treat the damp problem as a whole, by using a breathable paint in conjunction with other breathable building materials, which will allow moisture and water vapour to flow through the walls and help prevent a build-up of trapped moisture. This is especially important in older properties that may have had a variety of damp proofing works carried out in the past, some of which may not always be suitable for the age of property and original building method. We’d advise contacting a specialist who understands how to treat damp basements and cellars and has experience working with older period properties.

If you have a project that you need help with, contact us and we’d be happy to advise on whether Earthborn’s breathable paints are suitable for the job. Alternatively many of our stockists have lots of technical expertise – head here to find your nearest.

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The term ‘breathability’ can be a bit confusing, especially when it comes to choosing the right paint. When we talk about paint breathability, we’re referring to how much air and water vapour can easily flow through the surface. Using paint with a high level of breathability, coupled with breathable building materials, means that moisture doesn’t become ‘trapped’ beneath the surface of the paint. Trapped moisture, also known as damp, can cause the paint to bubble, peel and eventually blow completely. It can also lead to much bigger problems within the fabric of the building itself.

Whilst one common approach is to use waterproof paints and materials designed to block moisture, this can actually exacerbate the problem. As walls naturally move, tiny cracks appear and let moisture in. Water will often find its way through the smallest of hairline cracks, but with a waterproof paint it remains trapped within the walls, creating damp issues.

How do I know if a paint is breathable?

Many products are marketed as ‘breathable’, and whilst all paints are breathable to a degree, what’s important is how breathable. When looking for a breathable paint, there are two common ways to check how breathable it is.

The first is the SD (Steam Diffusion) value, which is a German method for measuring breathability. It is widely accepted that for a paint to be classed as breathable it should have an SD value of 1 or lower; the lower the value the more breathable the paint. Our Claypaint has an SD value of just 0.02m.

The other method used to measure breathability is the moisture vapour transmission rate (MVTR). It measures the amount of water vapour (in grams) able to pass through the paint surface over a 24 hour period. The higher the figure, the more water vapour that can pass through, and therefore the more breathable the paint. Claypaint has a figure of 1115g/m²/24h, compared with a typical emulsion paint which usually measures between 400-500g/m²/24h.

Externally, our  Silicate Masonry Paint carries a reading of 1264g/m²/24h. Most modern masonry paints typically measure between 200-400g/m²/24h and contain non-breathable plastics that, whilst designed to waterproof the building, will flake off in the long run as damp forms.

If you’re unsure as to whether Earthborn’s paints are right for your project, head to our FAQs here or give our team a call on 01928 734171.

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