Firle Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Firle in Your Space

There is a village in East Sussex called Firle — quiet, tucked under the South Downs, the kind of place where the hedgerows are so green in summer they almost glow. That green — saturated, alive, and completely unself-conscious — is what this colour is named for. Not a polite or cautious green. Not a sage or an olive. Something altogether more committed and more joyful than either of those.

What makes Firle so interesting to work with is how completely it transforms depending on your approach. Take it in one direction — distress it back, work Dark Wax into the surface — and it becomes something faded and romantic, the kind of green you find on old painted furniture in a French brocante that has been sitting in the same corner for forty years. Take it in the other direction — pair it with neutrals and Barcelona Orange, keep the finish clean — and it becomes achingly mid-century modern, the kind of palette that belongs in a Palm Springs living room circa 1962. Two completely different worlds from a single tin.

Colour Companions

Cool & Grounding

• Chicago Grey — warm and quietly considered, it tempers the brightness of Firle just enough to create a pairing that feels resolved and full of mid-century confidence
• Graphite — dark and full of conviction, alongside Firle it creates a striking contrast that feels bold, graphic, and completely intentional

Deep & Dramatic

• Burgundy — rich and deeply red, alongside Firle it creates an unexpected but completely resolved contrast that feels lush, maximalist, and full of character
• Aubusson Blue — deep and richly blue, alongside Firle it creates a palette that feels jewel-toned and full of considered depth

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — preserves the full brightness of Firle and lets the colour speak completely for itself
• Dark Wax — the key to Firle's bohemian side — work it over a distressed surface and watch the green shift into something faded, romantic, and full of vintage character

How to Apply

Firle covers beautifully in two coats, each layer building the saturated depth that makes this colour so distinctive. For a distressed finish, apply one coat, let it dry completely, then sand back lightly before applying Dark Wax to deepen the aged quality.

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. Dark Wax settles into mouldings and edges for depth and shadow. 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.