Emperor Stories: Protecting Betty’s Cottage from the Outside In

Betty’s Cottage is a traditional Devon longhouse with around 300 years of history. Its original stone and cob walls give the property plenty of character but that also meant Natasha needed to think carefully about the best way to update the exterior.

She wanted to protect the cottage from the weather while choosing a paint that would work with its traditional materials. In this edition of Emperor Stories, we look at how she approached the renovation, from repairing the walls to choosing the right shade of white.

Protecting the Traditional Stone and Cob Walls

Moisture was one of Natasha’s main concerns when planning the exterior renovation. As well as improving the appearance of the cottage, she wanted to help protect the walls from rain without compromising their breathability. Damp was also something she was working to manage inside the property, making the choice of exterior paint particularly important.

“The main thing we wanted to address with the exterior of the house was moisture.”

Emperor Masonry Paint was chosen for its combination of water repellence and breathability. Its super hydrophobic properties help rainwater run off the surface, while its breathable formulation allows water vapour to escape from the walls. This meant Natasha could refresh the exterior while taking the needs of the older building into account.

Finding the Right Shade of White

Choosing a colour was another important part of the project. Natasha wanted to brighten up the cottage without losing the warm, traditional feel that suited the property.

Rather than opting for a bright white, she looked for something a little softer. After speaking with the Emperor Paint team, she settled on ‘Warm White’.

“I wanted a creamy white and we landed on ‘Warm White’. It’s perfect, exactly what we wanted!”

The creamy tone gave the exterior a fresh look while complementing the character of the cottage.

Preparing the Walls for Painting

Before painting could begin, areas of blown render and cracking needed repairing to create a sound surface for the new coating. The damaged sections were patched with Tyrolean render, while Emperor Masonry Cleaner was applied using a sprayer to clean the exterior before priming.

Emperor Paint Exterior Masonry Primer was then applied to the fresh repairs and other previously unpainted areas where needed.

The summer heatwave brought another challenge, with Natasha having to plan around temperatures and avoid painting when conditions were above 25°C to ensure the paint could be applied correctly.

Taking care with the preparation and choosing the right conditions helped get the cottage ready for its fresh coat of Emperor Masonry Paint.

Giving the Cottage a New Lease of Life

Once the repairs were complete and the walls were ready, Natasha could get started with the painting. Even across the cottage’s textured surfaces, she found the paint straightforward to apply.

“We were instantly impressed with Emperor Masonry Paint. The paint went on beautifully and although it has a lovely thick consistency, we found the application really easy, even across the textured walls of our old house.”

The Warm White finish brought the fresh look she had been hoping for. The change was noticeable to others, too, with passers-by stopping to compliment the cottage and ask which paint had been used.

The Finished Result

For Natasha, the project was about more than giving the cottage a new coat of paint. She wanted to improve its appearance while making considered choices for a home with traditional stone and cob walls.

Looking back on the transformation, she was delighted with the difference the work had made.

“I can’t quite believe how much of a difference painting the exterior has made. The house looks so fresh and has a completely new lease of life, while still keeping all the character and charm that made us fall in love with it in the first place.”

The refreshed exterior gives Betty’s Cottage a new look while helping protect its walls from the rain and weathering. It’s another step in the ongoing renovation of a home with plenty of history and character.

Natasha’s Top Tips For Your Exterior Project

1. “Preparation is everything. Take the time to properly prepare your walls before you start painting. Repair any cracks, blown render or damaged areas and make sure you use the right primer where needed. It might feel like the less exciting part of the project but it makes such a difference to the final finish.”
2. “Be patient. Don’t rush the process! From allowing repairs to dry properly to choosing the right weather conditions for painting, taking your time really pays off. We learnt this first-hand during the summer heatwave, when we had to work around the temperatures to get the best results.”
3. “Persistence pays off. Renovating an old house is rarely straightforward and exterior projects can feel like a big undertaking. Just keep going and remember the result will be worth it. Seeing the difference a fresh coat of paint can make to an old property is incredibly rewarding and it can give your home a completely new lease of life!”

Betty’s Cottage shows how much an exterior refresh can change the look of an older home. By addressing the repairs, choosing a suitable colour and considering the needs of its traditional walls, Natasha has given the cottage a fresh finish while keeping its original character.

Thinking about refreshing your own exterior? Order a sample of Emperor Masonry Paint to find the right colour for your home.