Advice on color from paint pro Annie Sloan
Annie Sloan, who is famous for her chalk paint, is a British artist, color and paint expert and author of 26 books. Her paint became a worldwide sensation due to its many uses, from furniture to other things in the home. She wanted a paint that could be used to achieve myriad decorative effects — but that could be applied, left to dry, and waxed in one day. Annie lives and works in Oxford, England, with her husband, David, who runs the business.
Sloan joined staff writer Jura Koncius last week for The Washington Post’s Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt. Q: Iwanttospruceupmy home a bit, but I’m scared of too much color. Where do I start?
A: Color is really important in a room because it brings joy. Think of the room and the wall colors as a neutral background, and find one color to introduce into the room, perhaps on a chest of drawers at one end and a chair on the other. Remember, you can paint lamp bases, too, for an extra pop of color. If you decide you don’t like your color choice, don’t worry: You can paint over it.
Q: How should I store partially used cans of paint? What’s their shelf life?
A: If you have leftover paint that you won’t use for a while, put a little bit of water on top (less than an
Annie Sloan is seen in 2016 during a Canadian tour to promote the chalk paint she invented.
inch), and seal the lid extremely well. I would say that it lasts for a year, but I have used paint that’s 15 years old. It’s really down to how it’s stored. Avoid letting the paint get too hot or cold. You can also mix in a little water if it gets too thick over time. Q: How do you achieve a smooth finish with your paint?
A: Use the paint thinly and apply it with one of my flat brushes (anniesloan. com). Add the smallest bit of water to the paint to make it easier to apply if necessary.
Q: I have off-white trim throughout my house. I want to paint my kitchen cabinets and wish I could do white. What do you recommend that won’t clash? A: I would personally go for a light gray instead of trying to match colors.
Q: I’ve recently seen painted floors. I want to do this, but I have no idea where to begin. What should I know before I get started, and how should I choose a color?
A: Painting floors is brilliant, and the sky is the limit. I’ve had floors painted in every color possible. For a room without much light, such as a hallway, you can go for a really strong color. My hallway is Antibes Green from my chalk paint range, and the staircase is Barcelona Orange. In my bedroom, where I want it to be calming, I’ve got Old White on the floors, and the walls are Aubusson Blue and Versailles.
Q: Is there anything you don’t advise painting? I know your paint adheres to pretty much everything, but is there anything to stay away from? A: I’ve had a couple of issues in the past with really oily teak, but other than that, the paint will adhere to pretty much anything, including laminate, glass and most plastics. Cheap plastics, however, are problematic, because they’re too oily and the paint either doesn’t stick at all or chips off easily. I’ve painted many Ikea pieces in my time, and I know lots of others who have, too. It’s a great way to make something that’s mass-produced your own. I do tend to stray away from painting real antiques, unless the piece is damaged beyond repair. Q: What’s your favorite color combination? I love blues, but I never know what to match them with. How do you know which ones will look good combined?
A: Blue works well with most colors, but it really depends on the hue. If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow rule, use a complementary hue. I suggest using complementary colors that sit opposite each other on the color wheel, so blue with orange, green with red and purple with yellow.
Q: What country or region, other than your own, has significantly influenced your color palette? A: I think Swedish colors are a complete knockout. I love the colors used in the interiors there from the 18th century. Everywhere I go, I find inspiration. Earlier this year, I went to India, and that has been very influential on the colors and patterns I’ve been using recently.
Q: I have a late 1800s foyer table with intricately carved areas that vary in design and depth. I want to paint this table in two different, layered Annie Sloan paints and perhaps use a light glaze for wiping off to really bring out details in the carvings. I wish to avoid filling up some of the shallower carvings with too much paint. Would I use the lighter-tint chalk paint first, then come back with the darker-tint paint and wipe off a bit, or vice versa? Should I use a light glaze or just wax when I’m done painting?
A: Use the paint thinly and spread it out. I would use a darker color underneath and the lighter color over it. You could use my white wax, which will help to soften it and highlight the carvings, or my gilding wax to add a little gold or silver.