Ten Years of Fenwick & Tilbrook: A Milestone We Almost Let Pass By Quietly
This summer, Fenwick & Tilbrook turned 10 years old.
We’re almost a little embarrassed to admit it snuck up on us. Between a busy season and simply getting on with the work we love, we didn’t stop to mark the occasion the way it probably deserved. So, as summer draws to a close and we move into September, we wanted to take a moment to look back and say…
Thank you!
We are still relatively unknown compared to the big “designer paint” names that have been around for decades. But we’re being discovered more and more each day by people who care about pigment strength, true quality, and paint that actually performs the way it should, not to mention customer service…Time spent helping and advising a customer has never felt like a hassle to us. It’s the whole point.
If you’ve ever bought anything from us, or simply mentioned our name to a friend or colleague, you are part of our story.
“Small businesses don’t grow on marketing budgets alone; they grow because people believe in what you’re doing enough to tell someone else” Anna
How It Started
Fenwick & Tilbrook began in 2016, when founders Simon and Clare Tilbrook saw untapped potential in a discontinued brand with a paint offering, and set out to revive its manufacture. Recognising the need for a premium paint brand offering exceptional quality, in 2018 they launched the initial colour collection: 120 pigment-rich heritage shades heavily inspired by Norfolk.
Dave and I joined a little later, relocating to Norfolk (from Hertfordshire) in early 2019 to become part of the family business.
From the very beginning, the goal was never to create “just another” paint. We wanted to make something that delivered a genuinely next-level finish, the kind that still looks fantastic years down the line.
Cheap, colour-matched paint that covers poorly and never quite matches the swatch you imagined is a false economy in the end!
What Makes Us, Us
Today, that original ambition has grown into an extensive range of colours across six finishes (including our scrubbable Pure Matt Plus emulsion and our breathable Claypaint, ideal for lime plaster), not-to-mention some beautiful designer collaboration ranges too.
Quality has always been at the heart of what we do, and for us, that goes hand in hand with sustainability. Over 70% of our raw materials are responsibly sourced within the UK – something we’re incredibly proud of.
By creating paint that lasts longer, we help reduce the need for frequent redecorating, which in turn cuts down on waste from tins, rollers, and packaging. It’s an approach that lets us minimise our environmental impact without ever compromising on beauty or performance.
Ten Years, Built on Word of Mouth
We’ve been lucky enough to work with so many loyal homeowners, interior designers, and trade professionals over the years many of whom still fly the Fenwick & Tilbrook flag and continue to spread the word.
Honestly, that word of mouth has meant everything to us.
Small businesses don’t grow on marketing budgets alone; they grow because people believe in what you’re doing enough to tell someone else.
Here’s to the Next Ten
Thank you for choosing us, recommending us, and cheering us on for the last decade. We’re proud of everything the last ten years have taught us, and just as excited for what’s ahead.
If you’re planning a project and would like some colour ideas or advice, please do get in touch we’d love to help. Real advice, from real people, always has been the whole point.
Anna, Co-Owner
Featured Colours
Order sample
247. Red Squirrel
£5.50 sample pots and £2.00 painted sheets come in a ‘Pure Matt Plus’ finish as standard. Due to the limitations of digital displays, and variations in screen resolutions, the images on our website can only be a representation of the paint colour. We would always suggest getting a sample sheet or pot before making your final choice.
Order sample
107. Mudlark
£5.50 sample pots and £2.00 painted sheets come in a ‘Pure Matt Plus’ finish as standard. Due to the limitations of digital displays, and variations in screen resolutions, the images on our website can only be a representation of the paint colour. We would always suggest getting a sample sheet or pot before making your final choice.
