Living with Colour

Colourful Living is Annie Sloan's 27th book about paint, colour, and design. It contains 30 brand-new projects, some of which can be completed in just half a day and others over a full day or weekend. Whether you favour a rustic farmhouse look, retro 1960s flair or classic English country-house style, Annie wrote this book for you, especially if you are decorating your home on a budget.

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COLOUR THEORY

Understanding colour theory and how a finished piece will work in a room is part of the skill of painting furniture. Annie explains, 'I often think of colour 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.'

THE COLOUR TRIANGLE

You may be familiar with the colour wheel, which shows the three primary colours (red, yellow and blue) and three secondary hues (orange, green and purple). You mix any two primary colours to make the secondaries. I have adapted this concept to create a colour triangle based on the shades in my Chalk Paint collection (listed in the key below).

On the triangle, each primary colour has its contrasting shade directly opposite, for example red with green. These are called complementary colours: in each pair, one is warm and the other cool, and one is primary and the other secondary. Together they make the perfect partnership to use in a room. These bowls were inspired by Cathie Wood of MadeByMeXStudio. Cathie's style is so simple but unique, modern and very inspiring. Reminiscent of the repetitive and dreamy nature of Australian Aboriginal art, but instead of hot reds and yellow ochres, she works with cooling meditative monotones, with the occasional pop of colour. Wooden bowls can be found in charity shops/thrift stores in all shapes and forms.

YOU WILL NEED

Chalk Paint in Athenian Black, Country Grey and Barcelona Orange Chalk paint brush MixMat (optional) or containers for mixing Detail brush set Clear Chalk Paint Wax Lint-free cloth

STEPS

1. Paint the bowl, inside and out, with two coats of Chalk Paint in Athenian Black and leave to dry after each coat.

2. Paint the inside of the bowl with two coats of Chalk Paint in Country Grey and leave to dry after each coat.