REAL HOMES | Peek inside this Georgian farmhouse for Earthborn colour inspiration

Alnwick Farm House

Sometimes a project really catches our eye, and this beautiful period property in Hertfordshire is certainly one of those. Alnwick Farm House is a stunning Georgian home that’s full of Earthborn colour inspiration, as the owners have shown in every part of their property.

Exterior portico painted in Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint ‘Portland’

Owner Paul Russell recently contacted us to share images of the farmhouse, which has been lovingly restored and painted in Earthborn throughout most of the house, both inside and out. What was once a dairy farm dating back to the 1800s is now a fantastic family home that celebrates its period details whilst being ideally suited to modern life.

As a Georgian property, Alnwick Farm House was built from traditional building materials like solid brick and lime mortar. So when it came to restoring the house, Paul knew it was important to use breathable finishes that were compatible with lime.

Hallway painted in earthborn Claypaint ‘Tuffet’

Breathable paint for Georgian homes

The house was suffering from damp issues when Paul first moved in, and from there a four and a half year refurbishment project started. He said, “The whole house was repointed. The exterior rendered wall painted with Earthborn Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint, and interior lime plaster walls stripped back and painted with Earthborn breathable Claypaint. No damp at all now!”

Master bedroom painted in Earthborn Claypaint ‘Gregory’s Den’

Paul used Earthborn’s Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint in the colour Sandstone on the large outside wall, whilst the portico was painted in Portland, a pale grey colour that beautifully frames the entrance and complements the original red brick.

Alnwick Farm House exterior wall painted in Earthborn Ecopro Silicate masonry Paint ‘Sandstone’

He explained, “We first found Earthborn via our builder Mike Woodford of Ivinghoe Builders based in Fleet Marston, who specialise in the restoration of period properties. He suggested Ecopro Silicate Masonry Paint for the exterior and following some research of Earthborn products we decided to use them internally as well. This was because the house still had a majority of lime based plasterwork on laths or solid brick and as such needed to be able to breathe. The other specialist paint companies we looked at simply did not match Earthborn’s high breathability specification”.

Landing in ‘Tuffet’ as before and Study in ‘Muddy Boots’

Claypaint colours in Alnwick Farm House

Internally, the owners opted for a range of Earthborn’s classic range Claypaint colours to suit the theme of each room, following research on historic colours:

“The colour choices were decided based on both likely historical colours and extensive use of magazines (such as Period Properties) and Pinterest. The colours just felt the right balance between traditional and a contemporary feel.”

Bedrooms painted in ‘Polka Dot’ and ‘Eiderdown’

“The large Georgian windows and abundance of light they let in, also enabled us to use rich dark colours to bring in the warmth you would expect to see in a rural farm house.”

Living and Family Rooms painted in ‘Riding Hood’ and ‘Toy Soldier’

After a long restoration programme, Alnwick Farm House is now on the market with Fine and Country. Click here to find out more about this stunning home!

Snug painted in Earthborn Claypaint colour ‘Secret Room’

And if you have a period property that you’re about to redecorate, check out our series of blog posts on historic paint colours, from Georgian and Victorian to Edwardian era homes.