Emperor Stories: Bria’s Breathable Cottage Transformation

When Bria moved into her picturesque white cottage in 2024, she knew it would be more than just a place to live – it would be a careful restoration project honouring the past while making space for the future.

Like many older properties, particularly ones exposed to the elements, it faces the challenges of solid walls, exposure to high levels of moisture and the need for materials that protect without compromising its ability to naturally breathe.

After she embarked on the renovation of the exterior walls of the cottage, we spoke to Bria about the process, her approach to protecting her home the right way and her advice to other homeowners carrying out similar projects.

The Start of a New Chapter

Like many homeowners, Bria’s decision to paint the outside of her cottage wasn’t just about aesthetic, but practical too.

‘A combination of things led to the decision to paint the cottage. I’d recently had some work done to a wall and chimney, which meant they had been re-rendered and needed repainting. They were going to be a lot whiter than the rest of the cottage so I thought it was time for a refresh.’

‘Last winter there were some brutal storms which meant the cottage itself and the wall in front of it had gotten pretty filthy and the paint was damaged in places.’

With both improving the weather protection and the need to maintain full breathability equally important, Emperor Masonry Paint was ideal, offering the best of both worlds.

With the right paint for the job, Bria turned her attention to colour – a decision that, for her, came naturally.

‘The colour choice was definitely the easiest part of the process. When I viewed the cottage last year, I fell in love with its white exterior and green windows and front door. As much as I was tempted by a pink cottage, it always had to be a fresh coat of white paint to keep the original look. The cottage is a traditional Welsh cottage and a lot of them in my area are painted white too so it was the right choice.’

Laying The Groundwork

Bria set out to begin the work in early summer, making the most of the longer days, lower levels of rain and warmer (but not too warm) temperatures – perfect for tackling exterior projects.

Like all good projects, Bria started with the prep work, which on a cottage of this age involved first removing all of the flaking paint from years of moisture damage. This is common with solid wall constructions which causes them to absorb and retain moisture, especially if non-breathable paints have been applied over time.

The high levels of moisture, coupled with the nooks and crannies across the old, bumpy walls had also created a haven for organic growth, which Bria set about removing using Emperor Exterior Cleaner, which kills this fungal growth and helps to dislodge ingrained dirt from the surface.

Once the walls were clean and free of any loose and flaking paint, Bria turned her attention to priming the bare, unpainted areas using Emperor Exterior Primer to ensure they were ready to paint.

Crucially, Emperor Exterior Primer has the same breathability as Emperor Masonry Paint and therefore would not compromise the breathability Bria was looking to preserve throughout the project.

Bringing The Walls Back To Life

Following the prep, Bria (with her furry friend Tiny supervising) began the process of applying Emperor Masonry Paint to the walls of the cottage.

Like many traditional cottages and older properties, the uneven surface provided beautiful character, but this can make it slightly harder to paint than smooth bricks and render. Bria had to take extra care to ensure every dip and edge was fully covered, which made a 4″ masonry brush the best option for applying the paint.

‘I definitely recommend for speed and efficiency using a sprayer or roller if you have flat surfaces to work with. My cottage has lumpy bumpy walls so a brush was the best way to get into all the nooks and crannies but it definitely was more time-consuming this way.’

‘The paint was an absolute dream to work with. The texture of the paint is so thick but it’s still easy to spread with a brush. The coverage is unbelievable.’

When taking on a similar project, our technical team always advise taking it on in small, manageable sections. This allows you to give your full love and attention to each part of your home without rushing, helping to maintain consistency. It also means that you can stay in control of drying times and work around the forecast, which is always a bonus with the Great British weather.

As Bria mentions, ‘It’s so worthwhile taking your time with it to get the best results.’ After all, when you are applying a paint that is designed to perform in excess of 25 years, a little bit of extra time and attention now is more than worth it in the long-run.

The following day, Bria could apply the second coat to the walls, which is often much easier than the first coat thanks to the first layer of paint providing a smooth, even base for the second layer to flow over.

When applying your second coat always do this systematically to ensure you are applying an even coat of paint across the surface.

‘Now that the cottage has a fresh coat of paint I feel like it has a new lease of life! It looks so much better than before and I’m very pleased that I managed to do so much of the project myself.’

‘I also think now the project is finished I have a lot more peace of mind that the cottage is protected externally ready for next winter. As amazing as it is for it to look bright, white and beautiful it’s the fact that the stone of the cottage can breathe properly, is protected from penetrating damp and is covered by the Emperor Paint Lifetime Guarantee that really gives me the confidence that this project was worthwhile!’

Bria’s Tops Tips For You

Reflecting on her experience, Bria shared three simple but valuable tips for anyone planning their own project.

1. ‘Don’t skip the prep – this part of the project started out fun but quickly became quite tedious. Using the Emperor Paint Masonry Cleaner was super easy and the algae and dirt just melted off the walls a few hours later. But I think the biggest effort and also the biggest difference came from getting off as much of the flaking old paint as possible for a smooth finish when the new paint was applied. Luckily, I didn’t have any cracks to deal with, but again if you do make sure to prepare them properly before putting the paint on top. Just because you’re doing a DIY job doesn’t mean you can’t get that professional finish if you put the work in!’

2. ‘Do your research – there is so much information both on social media and on the Emperor Paint website on how to use the products and how to prep your walls. This can really help to give you the confidence to do the job on your own and know that you’re doing it correctly. I think starting a new DIY project can always be a bit daunting, especially if it’s something that you’ve never done before. I’ve never painted an exterior of a house so everything was new to me. I definitely recommend using the Emperor paint system to other DIYers, it was very straightforward to use and the final results look professional (even if I do say so myself!)’

3. ‘Do that second coat – with how thick the paint is it literally looked perfect from one coat of paint. Part of me (my aching arms) was tempted to leave the cottage with just one coat. However, the second coat is even more important than the first.’

Bria’s story is a lovely reminder that renovation isn’t just about appearances – it’s about care, patience and doing what’s right for the property. In an age of quick fixes, her approach reflects something more – a commitment to looking after the place she now calls home for her and future generations.

Ready to start your own transformation? Order your sample of our breathable Emperor Masonry Paint and take the first step on your journey in protecting your home for the future.