A Week of Colour and Creativity at Watts 1874
The arrival of spring cast a golden glow over the design centre, bringing with it a renewed sense of energy. The season’s vibrancy was palpable as we set about refreshing our showroom, preparing the stage for our latest collaboration with Eastnor Castle.
Image courtesy of London Basin Company
At the heart of this transformation stood our newest triumph, the 'Queen Mary Chinoiserie'. Inspired by the exquisite hand-painted walls of Queen Mary’s bedroom, this design is a masterful reinvention, honouring the intricate detail of the original while embracing a delicate palette of spring. A true meeting of heritage and contemporary vision.
To celebrate London Design Week 2025, we welcomed two titans of the interiors world, each renowned for their mastery of tone and texture, to lead an intimate discussion in our showroom: The Importance of Colour and Tonality in Decorating.
A Conversation on Colour and Tonality with Edward Bulmer & Alidad
We were delighted to host Edward Bulmer, a long-time friend of Watts, esteemed interior designer, colour expert, and founder of Edward Bulmer Natural Paint. While Edward’s expertise lies in pigment rather than wallpaper and fabrics, his approach to colour aligns seamlessly with ours. His carefully balanced palette of muted yet striking hues perfectly complements our new wallpaper collection, Queen Mary & Friends.
Joining Edward was the legendary Alidad. Renowned for his richly layered interiors, Alidad’s understanding of colour is unparalleled. His belief? That even the boldest historic motifs should feel utterly at ease in the modern world. An 18th-century brocade, a contemporary damask - given time, they will begin to speak to each other, their dialogue one of seamless elegance, with colour playing a vital role in the process.
With their shared appreciation for colour and tonality, Edward and Alidad graciously took centre stage, offering their insight into the power of colour to shape atmosphere, mood, and architectural integrity.
An Afternoon of Inspiration
By midday on Monday, anticipation filled the air. As guests gathered, surrounded by swathes of silk and velvet, the conversation unfolded, drawing everyone into a world of masterful insights from the two hosts.
The most revelatory moment? Alidad’s quiet confession that he has never once created a mood board for a client. A murmur of admiration swept through the room—an acknowledgment of the years of instinct, experience, and unparalleled expertise that allow him to work without one.
A fundamental truth emerged from the discussion: paint is the silent foundation of an interior. While textiles, furnishings, and artwork bring character and storytelling, the right paint color sets the stage for all elements to coexist in harmony. When chosen with care, it enhances rather than competes with its surroundings.
Ultimately, both experts—one from the world of pigment, the other from interior design—found common ground in their shared ethos: craftsmanship, historical integrity, and a pursuit of beauty that transcends time. Their conversation reaffirmed that great design isn’t about following trends but about curating spaces that feel both lived-in and enduringly elegant—a philosophy that continues to define Watts 1874’s legacy.
A heartfelt thank you to Edward Bulmer and Alidad for hosting such an inspiring talk, and to everyone who joined us for the afternoon.
The energy carried through the rest of the week, with the Design Centre buzzing with creativity. Engaging talks filled the surrounding showrooms, bringing together the design community in a truly extraordinary way.
View our events page for upcoming gatherings - we look forward to welcoming you soon!