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There are very few products you can point to and say that single thing changed an entire category. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is one of them. In 1990, artist and colour expert Annie Sloan — frustrated by the lack of decorative furniture paints that could be used quickly, on unprepared surfaces, with genuinely beautiful results — developed her own formula in her kitchen. She called it Chalk Paint because of its distinctive velvety, ultra-matte finish. Within a decade it had spawned hundreds of imitators, launched an entirely new market in furniture upcycling, and built a global following that continues to grow. In 2023, Annie was appointed CBE for services to interior design. The paint came first, the recognition followed — which is the right order for things to happen.
I've spent sixteen years in the art supplies industry, nearly a decade at ARTdiscount, and I now run Discount Art Supplies — a price comparison platform used by over 36,000 artists and crafters across all our channels. The crossover between the art supplies community and the furniture painting world has always been real — brushes, colour theory, surface preparation, finishing techniques. Annie Sloan sits precisely at that intersection, and it's a brand our community returns to consistently.
The Chalk Paint range is the heart of everything Annie Sloan does. Available in over 100 colours across 120ml tester pots, 500ml tins and 1 litre tins, the palette is inspired by 18th and 20th century decor and design — Old White, French Linen, Duck Egg Blue, Provence, Graphite — names that describe the colours more accuratley than any RAL code ever could. The paint requires no sanding or priming on most surfaces and works on wood, metal, glass, laminate, brick, concrete and beyond. It can be thinned with water for a wash effect, thickened by leaving the lid off, and layered for depth and texture. The ability to distress and manipulate the paint after application — creating the authentic aged, worn finishes that define the shabby chic aesthetic — is what separates Chalk Paint from ordinary furniture paint and what makes Annie Sloan the brand that serious upcyclers keep coming back to.
The wax range is the essential companion to Chalk Paint and worth understanding before you buy. Annie Sloan Clear Wax is the standard finishing product — applied over dried Chalk Paint to seal and protect the surface, it deepens the colour slightly and gives a beautiful soft sheen. Dark Wax adds an aged, antique quality when worked into recesses and edges — a small amount goes a long way and the results are immedietly striking. White Wax lightens and softens. The waxes are applied with Annie Sloan Wax Brushes — specifically designed for working wax into the surface rather than just sitting on top — and buffed to finish. The waxing step is what elevates an Annie Sloan piece from painted furniture to something that looks genuinley considered and handcrafted.
Beyond Chalk Paint and wax, the range has expanded significantly. Annie Sloan Satin Paint — a hard-wearing soft-sheen finish for interior wood and metal — covers doors, skirting boards and furniture that needs more durability than wax can provide. Wall Paint, introduced in 2021 after extensive testing, is a premium interior wall paint in 32 colours developed from the same deep knowledge of colour and pigment that underpins the Chalk Paint range. The brushes — Chalk Paint Brushes, Flat Brushes, Detail Brushes, Wax Brushes — are designed specifically for the painting and finishing techniques Annie Sloan teaches, and they make a genuine difference to results compared to generic brushes. Stencils, crackle varnish, gilding sets and lacquers complete a range that covers every technique in the furniture painting repertoire.
Annie Sloan is sold primarily through a network of independent stockists rather than through supermarkets or large DIY chains — the stockist model is deliberate, reflecting Annie's commitment to education and hands-on guidance alongside product. In the UK, stockists include independent interiors shops, craft stores and dedicated paint specialists who can provide advice on colour selection and technique. Free shipping is available on orders over £65 directly from the Annie Sloan website, and sample 120ml tester pots are available for anyone who wants to try a colour before committing to a larger tin.
Getting the best Annie Sloan deals in the UK requires some comparison shopping because pricing varies meaningfully between stockists. Amazon carries selected Annie Sloan lines and is worth checking for competitive pricing on popular colours. Hobbycraft stocks the range and runs periodic promotions. Independent stockists occasionally offer sale pricing on specific colours or run workshop-inclusive deals. Our price comparison below pulls live pricing across UK stockists so you can see the best current deal before you buy — worth checking before every order, particularly on larger tin sizes where the saving can be significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is a decorative furniture paint invented by Annie Sloan in 1990. It requires no sanding or priming on most surfaces, dries quickly, and can be applied to wood, metal, glass, laminate, concrete and more. It is sealed and finished with Annie Sloan Wax or Lacquer after application.
Is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint the same as chalk-effect paint? No. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is the original formula developed by Annie Sloan — "Chalk Paint" is her trademarked product name. Other brands produce chalk-effect or chalky finish paints but they are not the same product. The trademark distinction matters and Annie Sloan is protective of it.
Where can I buy Annie Sloan paint in the UK? Annie Sloan is sold through a network of independent stockists across the UK, through the Annie Sloan website directly, and through selected retailers including Hobbycraft and Amazon. Use our price comparison below to find the best current UK price before you buy.
How do you finish Annie Sloan Chalk Paint? The standard finish is Annie Sloan Wax — Clear Wax for a natural finish, Dark Wax for an aged effect. Lacquer is the alternative for a more durable, wipeable finish, particularly on surfaces that will receive heavy use. Both are available from Annie Sloan stockists.
Does Annie Sloan have a discount code? Annie Sloan don't typically release public discount codes — the brand sells primarily through stockists rather than direct promotions. Free shipping applies on orders over £65 from their website. Our price comparison below surfaces any current sale pricing across UK stockists in real time.

