(Sponsored post -I am collaborating with the team from Annie Sloan)
Have you caught the craze for upcycling your furniture and your home with Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paint by Annie Sloan? You will know that I was well and truly bitten by the Chalk Paint™ bug nearly 2 years ago and have not stopped painting since! Trained as an artist, Annie Sloan is one of the world’s most respected experts in the field of decorative painting. She has written more than 20 books, printed in 11 languages, including the best-selling Colour Recipes for Painted Furniture and More, Quick and Easy Paint Transformations, Creating the French Look, The Painted Garden and Annie Sloan’s Painted Kitchen, all published by CICO Books. She developed her highly acclaimed range of decorative paint, Chalk Paint™, in 1990 and now sells her ever-expanding range of interiors products via over 950 stockists worldwide. She divides her time between Oxford and France.
Annie is not just the creator of one of the world’s most popular decorative paints, but an artist, decorator, stylist and writer, among other things. Offering new insights and observations into interior design and home décor, her latest book is filled with fresh home decorating inspiration.An Australian by birth and painter by passion, Annie created the Chalk Paint™ range after her own frustrations finding an easy to use range of paints in colours that allowed her creative aesthetic to really come to the fore.
We are having a look at the new book today, and having a quick chat with Annie to learn a little more about the woman behind the paint.
Whether styling and colour are instinctive, or you are looking for inspiration, this new book from Annie Sloan is her first to look at interior style as a whole, whilst working with painting styles and techniques. This is a brilliant concept as you can see how to work painted pieces and styles into your overall decorating scheme.
Painted with Barcelona Orange
Written with her son Felix Sloan – a designer who is Brand Director at Annie Sloan Interiors – this 192-page book offers stunning photography and examples of many current and classic interior design styles, helping you find the right interiors recipe to suit your chosen style. Nine popular styles are examined: Boho Chic, Neoclassical, Vintage Floral, French, Classic Swedish, Coastal, Classic Country, Modern Retro and Warehouse.
Emperors Silk and Coco with fabric by Annie
Burgundy
Annie says she chose interior design as the subject for her latest book because we frequently hear that people just can’t get things to look right in their own interiors. “I believe this is because they need to really think about what their own personal style is, rather than be swayed by the latest trend. This style can range from anything from Bohemian to Modern Retro, but importantly, realise that most taste are a fusion of many styles.”
This is so on the same radar as us! I think it is very important to decorate in a way that makes you happy, not one that reflects the latest trend, unless of course that is your own personal style! Decorating in a sustainable way works far better when you make lasting choices that you will love for a long time.
Annie Sloan continues: “Secondly, it is important understand the style of the property you are working with, an extensive Swedish style renovation might not work in a Victorian house, for example, but taking elements of Swedish style might, if that is your preference. It has been wonderful to work with my son on this book. We have similar tastes, but my approach from a Fine Art background obviously differs from Felix’s background in Graphic Design and this, combined with the synthesis of both our generations, means that we are always learning from one another and inspiring each other.”
Scandinavian Pink
About Chalk Paint ™
Why the name Chalk Paint ™? Annie Sloan’s innovative decorative paint range has little to do with chalkboard paint, and a lot to do to do with the stunning chalk-like matte finish it creates. If you have used it, you will know exactly what we mean. The ease of this paint and its simplicity is what makes it a firm favourite in our Studio! It can be applied straight on to furniture without the need to prime, sand, or even remove old wax, paint or varnish – the paint will adhere to wood, plastic, stone, brick, concrete and metal.
No mixing is required to create a great look, but you can easily personalize your piece by mixing colours, diluting the paint to make a wash to show the wood grain, or by adding Annie Sloan Soft Wax to change the depth of colour, or to add a protective finish. You can read more in our post here on the basics of using Chalk Paint™.
Here is our chat with the queen of paint herself!
1) What started you on developing a paint range and what led you to Chalk Paint ™ in particular?
I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I had three young boys so I needed a paint that was very quick and easy to use and without any preparation required. I met someone who owned a paint factory when I was out at a dinner party and the rest is history!
2) What do you love about the matte finish?
Matte to me has a feeling of elegance, it’s cool and gentle.
3) You have a background in fine arts – do you still paint on canvas as well?
No, all my creativity goes into painting furniture and writing books.
4) What is your favourite kind of project to paint?
Transforming something that has no merit on its own, as simple as a ubiquitous pine chest of drawers.
5) Is there a most popular colour or combination among customers?
Paris Grey is a very popular colour, customers use with Old White as a combination. Duck Egg Blue is also a favourite. Popularity can change suddenly, recently Provence, Paloma and English Yellow have sold extremely well.
6) People may not know that you also offer other products such as decoupage – can you tell us about those and how these techniques can work with Chalk Paint ™?
Painting and decoupage have always been used together in history and it’s so easy to use. Other products I offer in my range are fabrics, fragrance collection, gilding materials and crackle varnish and brushes.
7) I am keen to paint a timber floor- how should people approach this project with Chalk Paint™?
Always do several patch tests on your floor to check that there will be no staining coming through. If the wood is old it should be very easy, modern floors that have been varnished recently sometimes pose problems.Use a roller to apply the paint it should be nice and flat. Apply two coats of paint. Once dry apply lacquer.
8) Being water based and eco-friendly, containing virtually no VOC’s, makes this a number one paint as far as we are concerned at Recycled Interiors- why do you think these things are so important?
Of course it’s important. We only have one planet and its imperative that we look after it.
9) Can you tell us about your new book? And how has it been working with your son?
My new book is called Room Recipes for Style and Colour and we have been thinking about for a long time. It’s about bringing style, colour and techniques together. Working with Felix has been a delight- something that I never thought would happen.
10) You are an Aussie by birth – do you get back here much?
I was last back home in the winter of this year. I still have family there so I try and get back there as often as I can.
11) What is a favourite room or space in your own home?
My favourite room would have to be my garden room, it features on the cover of my new book.
TELL US
So have you tried Chalk Paint™ yet? And what would your colour pick be for your first piece if you have not used it yet?
To find your nearest Annie Sloan retailer, please visit www.anniesloanunfolded.com/retailers.
For more information about Annie Sloan products, please visit www.anniesloanunfolded.com/products or www.chalkpaint.com
For technical help go to the FAQ page, www.anniesloanunfolded.com/faqs
Helen
xx
