The Colourful Journey of Fenwick & Tilbrook: A Spotlight on Anna

The Colourful Journey of Fenwick & Tilbrook: A Spotlight on Anna

At the heart of Fenwick & Tilbrook lies a deep love for colour, craftsmanship, and family. In this spotlight, we’re delighted to introduce Anna, whose journey from corporate life to running this family-owned paint brand is as inspiring as the pigment-rich colours she helps create. Anna has been a valued collaborator, generously providing sample pots of her stunning palette for our lampshade and candle shade painting workshops. 

We had the pleasure of chatting with Anna, who kindly took the time to share her journey, her love for paint and colour, and what makes Fenwick & Tilbrook so special. Read on to discover her story and gain insight into the passion and craftsmanship behind this family-run brand.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how Fenwick & Tilbrook began.
Founders Simon and Clare Tilbrook started a few years before me (2016) and did all the leg work!!  They first ventured into the paint industry by reviving the manufacturing for a brand that had ceased trading but still held immense potential. Recognising a gap in the market for a premium paint brand offering truly high-quality products, they launched their own paint brand, Fenwick & Tilbrook, in Spring 2018, debuting with a palette of 120 pigment-rich colours.  I joined the family business at the end of 2018, relocating our family from Hertfordshire to Norfolk. In 2020, my husband Dave joined me at work. Together, the two of us now run the company, while my mother, Clare, and stepfather, Simon, take the opportunity to step back and enjoy a well-deserved break from the day-to-day operations of the business.

Fenwick & Tilbrook is proudly family-run - what’s it like working alongside your family?
It’s certainly different -but we wouldn’t change it! Working with family means we’re deeply invested in every aspect of Fenwick & Tilbrook. While it can be challenging to leave work at the door, it also brings us closer together and strengthens our shared passion for what we do.

What inspired your passion for paint and colour?
I’ve loved interior design and paint ever since I was a teenager and looked forward to sitting down and watching Changing Rooms with my siblings.  Re-decorating our bedrooms was definitely the highlight of moving around a fair bit as children!!
In the early days of Fenwick & Tilbrook, still stuck in a more corporate career I did long to get involved, helping out remotely when I could.  When the opportunity to relocate and join the business arose I jumped at the chance!

What sets Fenwick & Tilbrook apart from other paint brands?
We’re really passionate about delivering top-notch quality and excellent service - it’s what makes us stand out. We don’t cut corners on ingredients just to get our paint into big DIY stores where it’s all about margins. That’s just not us.   We’re not the cheapest, and we don’t offer huge trade discounts, but the designers and trade professionals we work with totally get it. They know they’re getting fantastic value for a product that lasts and looks amazing.  We like to be selective about who we work with too. It’s important to us that our brand stays special - not something you see everywhere.

Do you have a favourite colour in your collection? Why does it resonate with you?
There are so many colours I love in the main collection, but my absolute favourite is ‘Aged Copper’, so much so – we painted our hall, stairs and landing in it!  It has a muted, softened quality about it yet still packs quite a punch when used on a large scale.  It’s has a gorgeous heritage feel and works beautifully in our Georgian terrace.

Sustainability is such a key focus in your work. How does Fenwick & Tilbrook approach it?

We believe that the real conversation around sustainability lies in the responsible sourcing of raw materials and the paint’s longevity on your walls (which also comes down to not buying into fleeting ‘trends’)!  Greenwashing is prevalent in our industry, making it challenging for customers to distinguish genuine efforts from marketing claims. That’s why sourcing as much as possible from the UK is a top priority for us.
Over 70% of our raw materials are responsibly sourced within the UK - such as clay from Cornwall and dolomite from Northern England. By prioritising the quality and origin of our ingredients, we achieve true sustainability. This approach results in less frequent decorating, which reduces waste from paint tins, rollers, and packaging, ultimately minimising the overall environmental impact.
Choosing paint is an investment, and as more homeowners question what they are buying and where it comes from, we anticipate a growing emphasis on quality, longevity, and responsible production.

What does a typical day in the life of running a paint business look like for you?
To be honest, it’s not as glamorous as it might sound…being a small business means we all chip in and roll up our sleeves (literally) to ensure we get paint orders made and dispatched in great condition and on time.  On a busy day I might be pouring sample pots or picking painted sheets to post out that night whilst my mum (Clare Tilbrook) or husband (Dave) could be making paint or packing the day’s orders.  Out of all of us, the majority of my workload is desk based now, with social media, banking, forecasting and planning ahead taking up a fair chunk of the day!

Outside of Fenwick & Tilbrook, how do you spend your downtime?
Dave and I are proud parents to two young, lively boys and so downtime doesn’t really exist for us!! But when we’re not working, we like beach or woodland walks with the family (including Margo the dog), drinking coffee and watching family films on the sofa!

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting a creative business, what would it be?
Rejecting the corporate world in favour of a slightly slower, more intentional pace of life - where you’re truly accountable to yourself - can be a game-changer. For us, it’s been a real journey, giving us a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to succeed (with the freedom to spend more time with our family without the same guilt that so many parents feel)! There’s something so rewarding about building your own path and knowing that your efforts directly shape your life, rather than pouring everything into a business that can’t offer the same sense of fulfilment (or balance).  Our advice? Go for it! It’s a leap worth taking.

Anna’s story is one of passion, creativity, and dedication, a true reflection of what makes Fenwick & Tilbrook such a special brand. Her journey from the corporate world to running a family business demonstrates how following your passion can lead to incredible opportunities and meaningful connections. With their commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and timeless design, Fenwick & Tilbrook offer more than just paint - they bring colour, quality, and heart into every home they touch.

We’re so excited to welcome Anna to our next workshop and can’t wait for her to share her expertise with our creative community. Her paints have already added an extra touch of magic to our events, and we know they’ll continue to inspire.

Feeling inspired? Explore Fenwick & Tilbrook’s exquisite range of paints here and bring their vibrant colours into your home. Or why not join us for our next lampshade painting workshop on Wednesday 26th February 2025, led by the talented Alvaro Picardo, with Anna from Fenwick & Tilbrook joining us for the day? It’s the perfect opportunity to get hands-on with their exquisite paints while exploring your creativity. Don’t miss out- reserve your spot today! Only 2 spaces remaining!

Thank you to both Malek @malekbenhamida and Lou @lsouza_photography for these beautiful photographs.

With much love Anna and Annie xx

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