With many of us spending much more time at home since the start of the pandemic, one of the trends to emerge is a new-found interest in personalising our gardens and outdoor space.
Whether it’s building your very own bar, creating a pergola out of palettes or simply taking the time to smarten up a seating area, the appreciation for our little spot in the fresh air is certainly growing.
One of the many and various ways you can make your garden feel like part of your home is by adding a splash of colour. No longer do fences and sheds have to spend their days coated in boring old creosote thanks to Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™!
And why stop there? Although many people don’t realise, Chalk Paint™ can happily be used on lots of different outdoor surfaces, making it easy to co-ordinate your garden space with your interior.
If you can’t find the exact colour you were looking from among the 42 shades, fear not! They can easily be mixed together to create just what you dreamed of for your project.
Our top tip for using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ outside is to keep an eye on the weather. It’s best to wait until there is a dry spell so the surface you are painting isn’t damp. Aim for a couple of dry days before you start and hold fire if it looks like there is a downpour on the horizon.
Chalk Paint™ is a textured paint so it is quite forgiving, but you will need to wash the surface before you begin, or use a stiff broom to brush away any dirt or cobwebs.
If it’s a hot day, once you start you will need to work quickly as the paint will dry fast. However, the bonus here is that it will also help to cure the paint.
If you want a long-lasting finish, you can add a coat of lacquer once your paint is dry. This will help it to wear better and also slow down sun fade as it has UV protection built in.
Feeling inspired? Here are some of our favourite outdoor projects when using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™.
Decking or concrete flooring
Go for one solid colour or create a tiled look using bold stencils. Popular at the moment in helping to make an outside space that feels part of the home is to paint a rug pattern in your seating area - there is plenty of inspiration online if this fires up your creative juices!
Garden furniture
Great results can be achieved, whether your outdoor furniture is made of wood or metal.
Garden pots, plastic planters and raised sleeper beds
Cheer up generic pots or raised sleeper beds with a quick coat of paint. It’s so easy that if you change your colour scheme you can easily recoat.
Bird baths
A painted birdbath can become a real focal point. Make sure you lacquer after painting to ensure your finish lasts.
Trellis and fences
Perhaps the quickest way to transform your outdoor space. If painting trellis, pick the paint colour carefully to coordinate with your climbers.
Sheds
A shed can take up a significant amount of space in your garden, so why not make it stand out for all the right reasons!
Summer houses
As well as painting the outside of your summer house, the beauty of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ is that you can use it in so many ways to create a co-ordinated finish inside. Consider diluting it to create fabric dye for cushions and other soft furnishings, or use it on metal or wooden furniture.
Garden gnomes!
Yes, even your garden ornaments can be spruced up with the help of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™!
At Little Gems Interiors we stock the full range of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™, as well as brushes and lacquer. Take a look on our site or pop into our shop at Assington Barns. We are always happy to offer help and advice before you begin your project.
