Barcelona Orange Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Barcelona Orange in Your Space

Barcelona Orange is a colour with genuine history behind it. This vivacious, dark orange didn't exist until the early 20th century — before then, a brilliant orange of this depth and intensity simply wasn't available to painters or decorators. When it arrived, the Impressionists used it copiously, it appeared across early advertising, and by the 1960s it had become one of the defining colours of a decade that understood bold decoration better than almost any other.

There is a confidence to Barcelona Orange that feels completely earned. It is not a cautious colour or a compromising one. It commits fully and rewards you for committing back. Use it on a statement piece and it will hold the room with the kind of authority that only a colour with real historical weight can manage.

And then there is the transformation. Apply Annie Sloan Black Wax over Barcelona Orange and it shifts into something altogether different — a deep, burnt orange that carries the quality of antique Chinese lacquerware. Two completely different looks from a single tin, depending entirely on how you finish it.

Colour Companions

Light & Balancing

• Old White — chalky and quietly classic, it balances the vivacity of Barcelona Orange beautifully and keeps the overall feel grounded and considered
• Paris Grey — cool and poised, alongside Barcelona Orange it creates a pairing that feels bold yet completely resolved — the grey taking the heat out of the orange just enough
• Antoinette — dusty and softly pink, alongside Barcelona Orange it creates an unexpected but completely harmonious pairing that feels warm, joyful, and full of character

Bold & Striking

• Greek Blue — deep and richly Mediterranean, it sits opposite Barcelona Orange on the colour wheel and creates a contrast that feels vibrant, sun-drenched, and completely alive
• Louis Blue — softer and more faded than Greek Blue, alongside Barcelona Orange it creates a retro contrast that feels mid-century and full of relaxed confidence

Playful & Unexpected

• Capri Pink — bright and joyful, alongside Barcelona Orange it creates a palette that feels genuinely Italian — warm, vivid, and completely unapologetic

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — preserves the full vivacity of Barcelona Orange and lets the colour speak completely for itself
• Black Wax — the transformative finish for Barcelona Orange — work it over the surface and watch the colour shift into a deep, burnt orange with the quality of antique Chinese lacquer

How to Apply

Barcelona Orange covers beautifully in two coats, each layer building the depth and intensity that makes this colour so distinctive. Its richness intensifies as it dries — always let each coat dry fully before assessing coverage or applying wax.

The Chalk Paint® Difference

Annie Sloan invented Chalk Paint® in 1990 and it changed furniture painting forever. The formula is water-based, ultra-low VOC (2.2g/l), and virtually odour-free — and it bonds to almost any surface without the stripping, sanding, or priming that traditional paints demand. One tin, one brush, and you're ready to go.

It works on timber, metal, concrete, brick, laminate, and plastic. Indoors or out. Smooth and matte or heavily textured. The finish is entirely yours to decide.

Before You Begin

Give your tin a good stir — no shaking needed. Load your brush and work in smooth, even strokes. One coat often surprises you with how much it covers; a second coat gives you full, solid opacity. Always let each coat dry completely before continuing.

Making It Your Own

• Build up thick layers for a sculptural, impasto effect, then seal with wax
• Sand back lightly once dry to reveal what's underneath and create genuine, earned wear
• Add a little water to thin the paint into a translucent wash that lets the wood grain breathe through
• Blend colours directly on the piece — Chalk Paint® mixes beautifully for completely custom results

Sealing & Protection

Annie Sloan Clear Wax is the classic finish — it protects and adds a subtle, natural sheen. Black Wax transforms Barcelona Orange into a deep burnt lacquer finish. For outdoor pieces or high-traffic surfaces, Annie Sloan Lacquer gives a harder, weather-resistant finish.

A Few Questions We Hear Often

Will it work outside?
Yes — seal it with Annie Sloan Lacquer and it will handle the elements beautifully.

Does it have to be sealed?
Not always. Decorative pieces that won't see daily wear can be left as they are. For anything that gets touched, wiped, or sat on regularly, wax or lacquer will protect your work.

Can I mix my own colours?
Absolutely — it's one of the great joys of Chalk Paint®. Mix directly in the tin or on the piece itself.

Which brush should I use?
Annie Sloan's Flat Brush gives a smooth, even finish. Her Round Brush is ideal for working paint into carved details and creating texture.

How much do I need?
One litre covers approximately 13 square metres. The 120ml size is perfect for smaller pieces, testing colours, and mixing experiments.