A few questions for color and paint expert 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 Chalk Paint became a worldwide sensation due to its many uses, from furniture to other things in the home. She invented Chalk Paint due to a need for a paint which 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.
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 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: I love blues with greens, browns and terracottas. Blue is an incredibly versatile color; it's perfect right now because it's calming. Blue works well with most colors, but it really depends on the hue. If you're looking for an easyto-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. I know that sounds a little scary, but think of it as a blush pink with an olive, or an aubergine with a cream. I promise it will look great.
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. Early on, I really loved early American colors, such as the reds found on barns. France has of course inspired me greatly. 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.