The Colourist Bookazine: celebrate the joy of colour with me

I’ve been fortunate in my life that my hard work has paid off, and has opened up amazing opportunities and experiences which I have dreamed about since my youth. From establishing my own business to raising three happy and healthy sons – I’ve made many happy announcements, and I can confirm that it never gets old. As such, I am profoundly excited, delighted and proud to announce that I have ventured into the world of Magazines! My latest project, The Colourist Bookazine, is now available to buy from your local Stockist, but please check with your local Stockist for availability in your area.

The Colourist is a magazine dedicated to my passion for colour. I love all aspects of colour - everything from quiet and subtle whites and neutrals, to brilliant shout-outs of bold and bright. For the past three decades I have been sharing my love for decorative painting and inspiring people to be creative and adventurous with my own brand of decorative paint, Chalk Paint®, brushes, stencils fabrics and more. I have written 26 books but launching a magazine full of colour-filled inspiration has always been a dream of mine!

The Colourist will be available through my network of independent Stockists from August.

Every issue of The Colourist will feature 132 pages of homes that inspire me, people I admire,  beautiful things I love, places I’ve visited, my historical influences and the stories behind some of my wonderfully talented friends around the world. Each issue will also feature a section of Chalk Paint® projects with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. In the first issue you can read all about my exciting collaboration with Charleston, the home of the Bloomsbury Group. I meet Cressida Bell, celebrate the life of design icon, Josef Frank, and explore Lisbon. As well as designer Lucy Tiffney’s home, you can look round stylist Tamsyn Morgans’ dreamy pastel home, explore bold botanical trends and be inspired by two incredible kitchen makeovers. There is also a free tile stencil to create the tile tabletop project in this sampler. Come with me around the world to meet artists and designers who use colour, pattern and paint in their own special way.

For each issue I choose a colour palette from the Chalk Paint® range to set the mood. The first issue I've chosen some of my favourite colour combinations; Antibes Green, Scandinavian Pink and Antoinette.

Putting together these pages has been a treat. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Yours,

Annie.

PS Follow us on social media using #ColouristMag!

My latest Painter in Residence: Jeanie Simpson!

Keeping secrets has never been one of my gifts so I'm delighted that my team have given me the go-ahead to reveal my NEW Painter In Residence.

Ladies and gentleman, please meet the talented Jeanie Simpson!

Jeanie Simpson lives on the opposite side of the world to me, on a hill country sheep farm in a small region of New Zealand. I discovered her work one evening on Instagram when I was browsing the #AnnieSloan #ChalkPaint hashtags. Just goes to show the value of publicising your creations!

With two small children and a little extra spare time, Jeanie picked up a paintbrush and began up-cycling furniture and homeware. She has always had a strong interest in art and design - something that she draws on heavily for inspiration in her pieces. All the work I have seen from her has been meticulously researched, which the History of Art and design nerd in me absolutely loves.

Jeanie is also passionate about re-using tired, unloved furniture from the past because of the better quality workmanship and materials, and the sense of history not seen in modern pieces. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is such an important message and with these projects to inspire you – why wouldn't you?

Above is an example of the work you can expect to see from Jeanie! I challenge you to have a browse and not feel excited for what she comes up with throughout her residency.

Yours,

Annie.

My latest Painter in Residence: Hester van Overbeek!

I am so thrilled to introduce my latest Painter in Residence to you all, the wonderful Hester van Overbeek! Some of you may already know Hester from her blog and YouTube channel, Hester's Handmade Home.

I have been working with Hester for a while now - check out her 'Meet the Maker' interview with me here. Her work is always equal parts accessible and inspirational and her books are jam-packed with projects, hacks and ideas!

Originally from the Netherlands, Hester has been based in the UK for 14 years, 5 of those in the seaside town of Ramsgate. Along with her partner, there's also Kermit the dog and the brand new arrival of gorgeous Kiki, her newborn baby girl!

Hester says: "I have been making things all my life, my mum taught me how to work with fabric and my dad showed me woodwork and power tools. I spend my free time as a child sewing up little felt toys, clothes for my barbies and sawing out little wooden figurines out of leftover timber.

I love being a Painter in Residence. I love a Nordic look and easy transformations that don’t cost a lot of money to achieve. I hope you will enjoy my projects and that they inspire you to get the paints and fabric out and start making."

I'm so excited to share the projects that Hester has created as part of her residency with you. Keep an eye on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page: @anniesloanhome to see Hester's first project! 

Yours excitedly, 

Annie 

My latest Painter in Residence: Ildiko Horvath!

I am beyond excited to reveal my latest Painter in Residence, the incredible Ildiko Horvath aka Restored4u!

Based in Ontario, Canada, Ildiko has been creating some wonderful work over the past couple of years with my paint and products. I know lots of you are familiar with her work so let's take a look at some of the previous pieces that show just how talented a painter she is! 

I love the way she layers colour together to create a gorgeously rich and sumptuous patina. Often using blue, the way she merges colours is seamless and stunning. 

 

She is a master of the 'ombré' technique, where you gradually blend colours from one to the other. The projects that she has done for me as part of her residency reflect her previous work, so of course, there is a fabulous ombré piece in there too! 

Ildiko says: "I have come to see the pieces I do as works of art and they give me pure joy. It satisfies me to know that although this type of thing may not be for everyone, those who have managed to acquire one of my pieces truly appreciates them as I do."

I couldn't agree more when Ildiko says she sees her pieces as works of art, and as I begin to share the pieces she has painted for me as a Painter in Residence, I'm sure you'll agree that they truly are!

Keep an eye out on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page: @anniesloanhome to keep up to date with my Painters in Residence!

Yours excitedly, 

Annie 

#25Project : Michigan, US!

The space has been inspired by the Bloomsbury Group.

Here is the 25 Project from Michigan! When choosing the space I was really drawn to the ethos of it being used as a community learning centre for young and old alike. I am a firm believer in the idea that you never stop learning and that everyone, adult or child, should be encouraged to be creative. The East End Gallery in Marshall, Michigan, does this perfectly. This not for profit organisation aims to 'encourage, promote, educate and cultivate the arts throughout Marshall and the surrounding area.'

One of their classrooms in this old building needed a little lift so along with the volunteers and my stockist in the area, Janet from Bayberry House Interiors, have been giving it a makeover. This particular project is ongoing due to construction and remodelling, however, I thought I'd share with you some of the pictures I've received as they are too lovely not to share.

The wonderful volunteers! 

Fantastic painted frames here!

Lovely details using my Coloured Linen, Stencil Collection and of course Chalk Paint®!

If you want to keep up with the transformation as it progresses then follow the East End Gallery here! 

Well done to all involved and I hope that this new space, now given the name the 'Bloomsbury Classroom' is a hub of creativity and learning for the whole community. 

Yours, 

Annie

#25Project: Raglan, Wales!

It gives me the greatest pleasure to present you with the latest 25 Project – this time from Wales! As it's 'back to school' for a lot of you this week, I thought it fitting to share this transformation of a gorgeous old school hall with you.

With a population just short of 2,000 and the nearest town of Abergavenny 15 miles away, this Old Church School Hall has always been a focal point for the village of Raglan. A little history first: built in 1857, this hall started as a local community school. In World War II, many of the families in Raglan opened up their homes to evacuee children and so the school had to accommodate an influx of new children.

Over the years, as the old school became a hub for the local community, it understandably started to show wear and tear. Together with some fantastic volunteers – young and old – my Stockist Lucy Hywel, who runs That's Lovely That in Abergavenny, gave the place a much-needed facelift.



Using mainly Old White and Duck Egg Blue, they really made a feature of the wood panelling on the walls. Touches of Aubusson Blue help bring everything together, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

I've been told that, since the completion of the project, two new clubs have been formed and are now using the hall for Yoga and Tai-chi. This, along with the other organisations and clubs that use the space already – that's martial arts, kids clubs, art groups, film nights, and girl scouts. Phew!

Well done to everyone who participated in this gorgeous transformation. May the Raglan Old Church School Hall continue to be used by the community for at least another 160 years!

Yours,

Annie