Colorful Living

Annie Sloan is a celebrated decorative painter and the inventor of Chalk Paint®, beloved by avid vintage hunters, recyclers and decorators. In her brand new book, Annie Sloan Colorful Living: 30 Creative Upcycling Paint Projects for Your Home Annie introduces 30 brand-new sustainable upcycling projects to give old furniture a second life. As well as her love for color and paint, Annie has a passion for sustainability and reuse, and the book begins with a chapter that explains the concept of upcycling and why it matters. Every project in this book transforms an unloved secondhand item into something beautiful and unique, and Annie provides expert advice on sourcing the original pieces at flea markets and online.

WHY COLOR MATTERS. I absolutely love color, and for me it’s essential to have a home filled with a wide range of hues. I’m known for using lots of colors in my work, too – some have even called me the Queen of Color, which I’m deeply flattered by of course!  

I often think of color in an interior as if it were music. There is underlying rhythm, then the balance of high and low notes, quiet and loud with the occasional crescendo to add drama. This book will give you the tools to create a harmonious palette for your home.

A house needs a balance of cool tones that recede from the eye and warm tones that project forward. Painted furniture can be the lift a room needs to give it warmth and interest or a cool statement piece that draws the eye in; or it can be something quietly calming. Consider the color of your walls, whether neutral, pale, dark or bright, so that you can provide an interesting backdrop for your painted furniture projects. 

Sometimes I know exactly the colors to use for a project because I have a particular room in mind. Other times I’ve started with a piece of furniture with no idea where it will live – maybe it will be sold, or maybe it’s just something I love and want to paint!

LIVING WITH COLOR. Understanding color theory and how a finished piece will work in a room is part of the skill of painting furniture. This book reveals some essential rules about neutrals and complementary colors and how they can be mixed, blended and combined to make your projects a success.

RECYCLE WITH COLOR. I first saw this idea from New Zealand painter Jeanie Simpson, who was an Annie Sloan Painter in Residence in 2018. Jeanie showcases her work on Instagram (@jeanius_reloved). You will find placemats made of raffia, jute or seagrass everywhere. They last for ages, but after a while they get a bit grubby. Don’t throw them away – turn them into beautiful pieces of art. Try to repeat some of the colors across the placemats so that when they are hung, they work together as a family.

COLOR ME BLUE. This project was inspired by a bathroom painted by Devon-based contemporary artist Emily Powell (@emilypowellstudio on Instagram). Emily used Chalk Paint to transform the tiles in her small cloakroom with charming bird paintings. She says, ‘Birds are that place between reality and dream world. The nearest beings to angels, ghosts and dinosaurs. I’ve painted them all over my tiles because their very beings bring me comfort.’

REIMAGINED IN COLOR. This diamond checkerboard floor was painted at Court House Farm in Portishead, England over a previously painted surface.

The old paintwork had begun to wear away, so we devised this wonderful design using the contrast of flat and even paint with the original texture. It immediately updated the room with minimum fuss. Many people have similarly time-worn painted floors in their homes, so this is a great way to work with what you have. Diamonds or squares are easy to paint and look good in any style of house – modern or old. 

Follow Annie on Instagram. Purchase her book Colorful Living here. Read our past interview with Annie.

PHOTOS Jesse Wild ©CICO Books