These two get lumped together because both lean heritage, but they're different beasts.
Little Greene is the all-rounder. With 250 colours it gives you proper range — 48 greens, 44 neutrals, 27 blues, and an LRV span from a near-black 0.4 up to 97.2. The colours have real depth and the brand's Intelligent and Absolute ranges cover everything from kitchens to woodwork to exterior masonry. A blue like Air Force Blue has that confident, slightly inky character Little Greene does so well, and Mister David — a strong mustard yellow — is the pick when you want warmth with real nerve rather than another safe beige. It's widely stocked, easy to colour-match, and you'll rarely be stuck for a finish.
Edward Bulmer is the purist's choice. It's a genuinely natural paint — plant-based binders, earth and mineral pigments, no acrylics or petrochemicals. That gives a soft, chalky, almost breathable depth to the colour that's hard to fake. The palette is smaller at 146 colours, but it's beautifully curated around historic interiors: 31 greens, 16 browns, plenty of muted creams. Silver White is a clean, gentle off-white, and Jonquil is a warm beige-blush with a peachy-pink cast — softer and pinker than the name suggests, and lovely in a candlelit room. LRVs run 3.8 to 98.
The "but what about durability?" question is the real one. Little Greene's modern resins wipe down and wear better in high-traffic spots — hallways, kids' rooms, kitchens. Edward Bulmer is more delicate and you'll want to be realistic about scuffs, though it's the better conscience-clear choice for a period home, a nursery, or anyone sensitive to VOCs.
My honest steer: if you want one brand to do a whole house with minimal fuss, go Little Greene. If you're decorating a Georgian or Victorian room and you care about authentic, low-toxicity finish over scrubbability, Edward Bulmer is worth the extra planning. Order samples of both, paint them large, and judge in your own light before committing.