Practical Style

I’ve got exciting news to share with you all today. I am joining Fresh Style magazine as a Contributing Editor – starting with their current issue!

My regular column is called ‘Practical Style’. This was the name of my first shop in Oxford and represents the essence of what I stand for – not just here on my blog, but also in my books and in my line of products.

In each issue of the magazine, I’ll share with you an exclusive project that you can recreate at home using simple-to-follow instructions and tips. I’ll also give you an insight into how I work and where I find my inspiration. My hope is that these practical projects will give you all the tools you need to find your own creative expression and style.

For my first column, I guide you through the approach and method that I took to create a table inspired by America’s abstract expressionist movement. I’ve called the piece my ‘Jackson Pollock table’ as the techniques I used and resulting effect remind me of the artist’s iconic abstract paintings. Although this project might look complicated at first, it really is very easy to achieve with a little help from my decorative paint, Chalk Paint®, and clear Soft Wax.

            

Here’s a sneak peak of the project and what you’ll find inside the issue:

Fresh Style magazine is available on newsstands across the USA, as well as via participating Annie Sloan Stockists around the world.

Fresh Style have also created a subscription offer, to find out more follow this link: http://bit.ly/1io0hnj

Yours, Annie

Magazine Mayhem

It’s been magazine mayhem this month for me!

A Breath of Fresh Air

First of all we had Fresh Style magazine [‘simple ideas for creative living’] coming over from Alabama, USA, to do a photoshoot with us here in Oxford. Here’s a sneak preview (above and below, love the Paul Klee chest on the cover!).* 

The team of Ande Fanning (editor) and Stephen DeVries (photographer) along with creatives Brian and Faith delved deep below the surface to showcase my style for their May/June issue (Fresh Style is a bi-monthly mag and tablet/online offering). These behind-the-scenes-shots were taken by Rebecca, our intern from Canada.

The Fresh Style team did a day’s recce and then “snapped” around our shop and at Felix and Lizzy’s new home (who have only just moved in to their house with my granddaughter Willow!). The magazine’s approach was less structured than the Annie Sloan book photoshoots I’m so used to. I must say I found it very exciting as they employed a more hand-held, ‘cinema verité’ approach to the styling, set design and photography. The result was less ‘studied’, more spontaneous!

Editor Ande Fanning’s first name has an interesting twist; it’s actually her grandmother’s name backwards (Edna). She was charming and a pleasure to be interviewed by. She caught the essence of everything 'Annie Sloan' in some lovely turns of phrases:

“This [Chalk® Paint] is a powerhouse in the DIYer’s arsenal because of its design-savvy properties. The colour selection alone is exquisite, but in addition to that, it requires little-to-no surface prep, is non-toxic, and can be used with a variety of techniques and styles to create myriad looks.” 

Fresh Style is a very interesting magazine and you should certainly check it out – not just because we’re in it, but because it’s great on ideas and inspiration. I have to say I love their style (!) and admire their passion and commitment too.

Hurry out to get your copy of Fresh Style available on newsstands across the US now!

Love Reloved

Meanwhile in the UK, you may have seen the Annie Sloan Source Book – a 32-page supplement from Reloved magazine. It’s a special ‘pull out’ on some of my techniques.  It was also great to work with the magazine’s editor Sally Fitzgerald. The Reloved team are so passionate about everything to do with upcycling! 

The Annie Sloan Source Book is available as a freebie in the Reloved April issue – as well as my stockists. So hurry while stocks last!

Yours, Annie

* top 2 pictures courtesy of photographer Stephen DeVries ( www.stephendevriesphoto.com/blog). For the full issue go to the Fresh Style website www.freshstylemag.com/annie-sloans-amazing-chalk-paint/

Reloved Magazine's Annie Sloan Source Book is available from Annie Sloan stockists and via www.relovedmag.co.uk/2014/03/reloved-april-2014-is-on-sale-now-with-free-annie-sloan-sourcebook/