Discover Mylands Colours at Mapperton Estate

Mylands has brought a fresh palette of colour to Mapperton House, the Jacobean manor nestled in the heart of Dorset, as part of a bold and beautiful restoration led by Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich. A historic treasure, Mapperton has long been recognised for its unique architectural and cultural significance and its award-winning gardens, and today it's undergoing a modern revival that blends traditional English heritage with contemporary sensibilities.

Today Mapperton is more than a historic house; it's the epicentre of a vibrant revival led by Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich, reimagining the role of custodian with a distinctly 21st-century lens. Julie's fresh approach mirrors the legacy of the family's American heiress, Alberta, 9th Countess of Sandwich; she honours that same spirit, reviving the estate with careful research and public exhibitions, this time with a camera, through her YouTube channel Mapperton Live. Julie opens Mapperton's doors to a global audience, offering virtual tours, candid restoration updates and a compelling look at the realities of maintaining a historic estate today.

Her passion isn't just digital, it's tangible: when it came time to redecorate key rooms, Julie discovered Mylands while researching heritage-quality paints with contemporary flair. "I was instantly drawn to Mylands' story," she recalls. "It's family-run, deeply British and utterly uncompromising in quality, a perfect fit for Mapperton." Incorporating the paints throughout the house and estate with the help of highly acclaimed interior designer Malcolm Winyard, she has chosen timeless hues to bring depth and elegance to a range of spaces, uniting past and present through colour.

MAPPERTON HOUSE: A JACOBEAN HOME

Working on the renovation and preservation of Mapperton House, Julie has selected Mylands colours to highlight key architectural features and historic elements. Both the Library and the Media Room are important spaces, one hosting an exhibition dedicated to Alberta, 9th Countess of Sandwich, and its Gilded Age exhibition, alongside Julie's main office, which holds family portraits and important archival history.

The Library: Alberta's legacy in colour

One of the most meaningful rooms is the Library, now home to an exhibition dedicated to Alberta, 9th Countess of Sandwich, whose story inspired much of Julie's work. For this space, Julie chose John's Pantry BH.24 from the Beata Heuman collection for the walls, a soft, nostalgic tone that brings gentle light and warmth, and for the built-in bookcases Dulwich Red, a deep, velvety hue that perfectly complements the dark leather-bound books lining the shelves. "That deep red really anchors the space, it's rich and sophisticated and fits with the leather and aged book spines." - Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich.

A study of heritage

In the Muniment Room, often called the Archive Room, Julie chose Serpentine™ No.192 for the walls, Brompton Road™ No.205 for the woodwork and a touch of red with Huguenot™ No.49 inside the bookcases. "This is where I delve into the hidden stories of the Sandwich family. I wanted the room to feel warm and enveloping. The cabinetry and bookcases are in Brompton Road, with a dramatic pop of Huguenot red lining the interiors. Every time I walk in, I smile. It's bold and deeply personal." - Julie Montagu.

THE FARMHOUSE

Nestled in 2,000 acres of breathtaking West Dorset countryside, Mapperton is a timeless haven of natural beauty and historic charm. Alongside preserving the Jacobean house, Julie has led the transformation of several farm buildings and old cottages into beautiful luxury houses, the perfect retreat for relaxation in nature and a chance to experience this unique corner of England. For her latest renovation, the farmhouse, Julie created a calming palette with touches of colour and wood finishes.

Mapperton's Farmhouse was a filming location for the film Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and Far from the Madding Crowd. Completely restored with Mylands shades, it now welcomes guests. Julie chose classic, calming off-whites and neutrals such as Cadogan Stone™ No.59 and Egyptian Grey™ No.154 from the Colours of London collection to ground the interiors, a base on which to layer bolder accents.

A project of passion

"Every colour in the farmhouse is from Mylands," she says proudly. "We used pieces I found in antique markets, layered with rich tones to give each room its own personality." The walls and woodwork wear Cadogan Stone™ No.59 and Egyptian Grey™ No.154 for a timeless softness. In the dining room, the fireplace glows in Beata Heuman's Crayfish Party BH.19, while upstairs one of the four master bedrooms features a bold green, Caca d'Oie BH.15, around the fireplace, "a splash of colour that just makes the room sing."

The corridors are in Thunder BH.12 and Overall BH.10 from the Beata Heuman collection, and the bathrooms in Lamb's Ear BH.06 and Uncle Maths BH.05. Even the sitting room coffee table has been lovingly restored with Messel™ No.39, adding unexpected charm to reclaimed furniture. Julie's favourite part? The timber floors, uncovered during renovation, stained in Mylands' Washed Umber. "It brings out the soul of the farmhouse. It looks like it's always been there."

Favourite colour? Cadogan Stone™ No.59

Asked her go-to hue for heritage buildings, Julie doesn't hesitate: "It's classic, neutral, but not boring. It's my baseline for layering colour."

Julie's advice on renovation

For anyone taking on a historic home or even a single room with character, Julie recommends mixing tradition with daring touches. "Try pairing a calming neutral like Cadogan Stone™ No.59 with a bold accent, maybe something unexpected like Huguenot™ No.49 or Soho Pink™ No.266 for that twist." For design inspiration, she loves the Beata Heuman collection. "For me, it's not about preserving the house in amber. It's about breathing life into it, making it a living, welcoming place. Every time I walk in, I smile. It's bold and deeply personal." - Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich.

Today Mapperton is more than a historic treasure; it's a living, evolving home that bridges generations. Through her vision, the Countess has transformed it into a place where past and present meet in colour, character and community, a new kind of custodian who brings heritage into the future with authenticity, digital savvy and an eye for timeless design. And as Mapperton evolves, it does so in colour, subscribe to our newsletter to follow the renovation.

Marble Matt Emulsion: the perfect finish for historic houses

Historic buildings often present renovation challenges, especially with worn or uneven woodwork and aged walls that need breathability. Mylands' Marble Matt Emulsion played a key role; its high breathability makes it especially suitable for historic properties with lime plaster or original walls, letting moisture escape and preventing damage over time. Our Plant-Based Multi-Surface range also provided a convenient solution, offering excellent adhesion and a smooth finish that enhances different surfaces. Highly pigmented, Mylands' paints allow vibrant colour without compromising the natural texture of original features, a perfect fit for heritage properties like Mapperton.

DISCOVER MARBLE MATT EMULSION.

VISIT MAPPERTON ESTATE THIS SUMMER

A perfect weekend getaway, Mapperton Estate welcomes you from 30 March to 30 September 2025, Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm and Sundays 11am to 4pm, with special events and tours available. Address: Mapperton, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR. Mapperton's website: https://mapperton.com/visit/visitor-information/