Discover the rich, romantic beauty of Rodmell
Looking for a purple that feels sophisticated rather than overly sweet? Our Colour of the Month is Rodmell Chalk Paint™ by Annie Sloan – a beautiful, dusty damson purple with atmospheric blue and indigo undertones.
Deep, elegant and wonderfully versatile, Rodmell is a colour that can completely transform a piece of furniture while still feeling timeless and grown-up.
At Little Gems Interiors, we love the way Annie Sloan colours can bring character to old and tired furniture, and Rodmell is particularly special. It has a wonderful depth that changes beautifully depending on the light and the colours you choose to pair with it.
The story behind Rodmell
Rodmell has a fascinating creative heritage.
Annie Sloan created Rodmell as part of her collaboration with Charleston Farmhouse, the famous Sussex home associated with the Bloomsbury Group and artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
The colour takes its inspiration from the atmospheric, painterly shades found at Charleston. Annie describes Rodmell as being influenced by the indigo-tinted purple-blue colours of twilight that appeared on the walls of the Studio, the creative heart of Charleston for more than 50 years.
The name itself comes from Rodmell, the village where writer Virginia Woolf lived at nearby Monk's House.
It is easy to see why the colour feels so artistic. Rodmell isn't simply purple – it has a smoky, dusky quality that gives it a sophisticated and almost moody character.
What colour is Rodmell Chalk Paint?
Rodmell is a dusty damson purple, sitting somewhere between a traditional purple and a deep blue-violet.
Unlike brighter purples, Rodmell has a muted, atmospheric quality. It can feel wonderfully rich and dramatic in a darker room, while looking softer and more romantic when combined with lighter neutrals.
It is a particularly lovely choice if you want to introduce colour without creating a scheme that feels too bright or overwhelming.
And, as with all paint colours, remember that the appearance of Rodmell can change according to natural light, surrounding colours and the surface you're painting. If you're choosing a colour for a larger project, it's always worth trying a sample first.
Why we love Rodmell for furniture painting
Rodmell is a fantastic colour for giving pre-loved furniture a completely new personality.
Imagine an old wooden chest of drawers transformed in Rodmell, with the original details highlighted with a little Clear Wax. Or a tired bedside table given a rich new finish to create a beautiful statement piece.
It works particularly well on:
- Chests of drawers
- Bedside tables
- Side tables
- Cabinets
- Dining chairs
- Dressing tables
- Consoles
- Wooden cupboards
- Decorative accessories
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ is designed to be easy to use and can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces without the need for sanding or priming in most situations.
That makes it a brilliant option when you're looking at an old piece of furniture and thinking, "I wonder what I could do with that?"
Colours to pair with Rodmell
One of the best things about Rodmell is how beautifully it works with other colours.
🤍 Rodmell & Original
Pair Rodmell with Original for a softer, classic combination. The warm off-white creates a beautiful contrast against the depth of the purple and helps the colour feel lighter and fresher.
💙 Rodmell & Greek Blue
For a more creative and Charleston-inspired look, combine Rodmell with Greek Blue.
This combination has a wonderfully artistic quality and is perfect if you're looking for something more playful and decorative. Annie Sloan's Rodmell Decorative Paint Set also combines Rodmell with Greek Blue and Original.
🩶 Rodmell & Paris Grey
For a calm and sophisticated scheme, try Rodmell alongside Paris Grey.
The cool, understated grey helps to balance the richness of the purple, creating a more restrained look that would work beautifully in a traditional or contemporary home.
🌿 Rodmell & Olive
For something more earthy, consider pairing Rodmell with Olive
The muted green and dusty purple create an interesting, nature-inspired combination that feels particularly at home alongside aged wood, natural fabrics and vintage accessories.
Create a statement piece with Rodmell
You don't necessarily need to paint an entire room to make an impact with Rodmell.
A single piece of painted furniture can become a beautiful focal point.
Try using Rodmell on a:
Small side table
A quick weekend project that adds a sophisticated pop of colour.
Chest of drawers
Perfect for creating a statement piece in a bedroom, hallway or living room.
Dining chair
Paint the frame in Rodmell and pair it with a patterned or natural fabric seat.
Bedside table
A lovely way to introduce deeper colour into a bedroom without making the whole room feel dark.
Cabinet or dresser
Rodmell can make decorative details, mouldings and vintage furniture shapes really stand out.
(Credit: Bureau by Thomas Klotz )
How to finish Rodmell Chalk Paint
Once you've painted your furniture, you can choose the finish depending on the look you want to create.
For everyday indoor furniture, Clear Chalk Paint™ Wax is a popular choice for protecting the painted surface while maintaining the colour and beautiful matt appearance of Chalk Paint™.
You can also use other finishing techniques to create more character. Lightly distressing selected edges can emphasise the shape of an older piece, while a darker finishing treatment can add additional depth and an aged appearance.
Always consider how the furniture will be used when choosing your final finish.
Rodmell for a modern home
Although Rodmell has strong vintage and artistic associations, don't assume it is only suitable for traditional interiors.
Used thoughtfully, this beautiful damson purple can work wonderfully in a modern home.
Try Rodmell alongside:
- Natural wood
- Linen
- Rattan
- Brass
- Aged metals
- Cream and warm neutrals
- Botanical prints
- Contemporary ceramics
The key is to let Rodmell become the feature colour rather than trying to compete with it.
For a particularly sophisticated look, combine painted Rodmell furniture with simple natural textures and plenty of neutral space around it.
Feeling inspired?
Rodmell is one of those colours that can look completely different once you start experimenting with it.
It can be romantic, dramatic, creative, sophisticated or wonderfully quirky – depending on the furniture, light and colours you put alongside it.
And that's one of the reasons we love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ so much. A forgotten piece of furniture can become something completely individual with a tin of paint and a little imagination.
Ready to give Rodmell a try?
Explore Annie Sloan Rodmell Chalk Paint™ at Little Gems Interiors and discover our full range of Annie Sloan paints, brushes, waxes and accessories.
If you're not sure which colour to choose, we'd love to help. You can also visit us at Little Gems Interiors in Long Melford, Suffolk, where you can see the Annie Sloan colours and get advice for your next painting or upcycling project.
💜 What will you paint in Rodmell?
Share your Rodmell projects with us – we'd love to see how you're using this beautiful damson purple in your home. @littlegemscreative
