Lem Lem Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Lem Lem has a story behind it that makes it unlike almost any other colour in the range. It is named for the allium fields Annie encountered in Ethiopia — fields grown by women farmers supported through Oxfam's Ethiopian Seed Project — and that origin gives it a meaning and a warmth that goes well beyond its appearance on a piece of furniture. It is a soft, herbaceous green with a quality of warmth and openness that is genuinely difficult to manufacture — the kind of colour that feels as though it arrived in the room rather than was applied to it. Quietly joyful without demanding anything, and possessed of a sun-warmed softness that makes everything around it feel a little more alive.

It is a colour with a reason behind it. And knowing that makes it even more beautiful to work with.

How Lem Lem Lives in a Room

Lem Lem has a natural affinity with the warmth and optimism of mid-century design — on vintage pieces, painted cabinetry, and smaller decorative objects it brings a nostalgic cheerfulness that feels completely genuine. It is the kind of colour that makes a piece feel as though it has been somewhere interesting and come back all the better for it.

It is equally at home in spaces that lean into nature and growth — alongside botanical prints, natural materials, and the kind of interiors that feel as though they have been assembled slowly and with great affection, Lem Lem sits with complete ease and adds a quality of freshness that feels completely uncontrived.

On a single accent piece it brings a cheerful, considered note of colour that makes the whole room feel more alive and more intentional. And it rewards layering: worked over or under deeper greens it builds into something with genuine botanical depth and complexity.

Technique & Finishing

Lem Lem's naturally sun-warmed quality means it takes beautifully to a light distress — sanded gently after drying it softens into something that feels genuinely aged and completely lovely. Alongside pinks and blues it creates a palette that feels quietly nostalgic and completely resolved — the kind of combination that looks as though it has always been exactly right. Worked with deeper greens it builds into something with genuine botanical complexity, the layers of colour finding each other and creating a surface full of depth and quiet character.

Beautiful With

Classic & nostalgic:

• Scandinavian Pink — soft and quietly playful alongside it, the two together feel like a room full of good things
• Louis Blue — gentle and completely considered, a pairing that feels as though it has always been exactly right
• Henrietta — warm and full of character, it brings out the herbaceous quality in Lem Lem beautifully

Botanical & fresh:

• Olive — deeper and more grounded, it gives Lem Lem somewhere to settle and adds genuine botanical depth
• Versailles — soft and quietly sophisticated alongside it, the two greens find each other beautifully

Vintage & floral:

• Country Grey — cool and completely settling, it gives Lem Lem room to be itself without competing
• Old Ochre — sun-warmed and earthy, a combination that feels as though it belongs in a beautiful cottage garden

Coverage & Application

Apply two coats for a soft, even finish on most surfaces. Lem Lem adheres beautifully to timber, laminate, and previously painted furniture with minimal preparation. One litre covers approximately 13 square metres, while 120ml is perfect for smaller projects, sample testing, and colour mixing experiments.

Everything You Need to Know About Chalk Paint®

What Makes Chalk Paint® Different

Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan transforms furniture painting with its unique water-based formula that eliminates tedious prep work. This decorative paint bonds to virtually any surface — timber, metal, laminate, even plastic — without stripping, priming, or sanding. With ultra-low VOCs (2.2g/l) and virtually no odour, it's safe for indoor projects and suitable for outdoor applications when properly sealed.

Why Furniture Painters Choose Chalk Paint®:

• Skip the prep — paint directly onto most surfaces
• Covers approximately 13.9m² per litre with exceptional opacity
• Works on timber, concrete, brick, laminate, metal, and plastic
• Safe for interior rooms and exterior pieces
• Create everything from smooth matte finishes to heavily textured effects
• Seal with Annie Sloan Wax (Clear, Dark, Black, or White) for protection and character

How to Paint with Chalk Paint®

Basic Application:

• Stir well before use (no shaking needed)
• Load your brush and apply in smooth, even strokes
• First coat often covers; add a second for solid opacity
• Let each coat dry fully before continuing

Advanced Techniques:

• Apply thick layers for sculptural texture, then finish with wax
• Sand lightly after drying to reveal underlayers and create authentic wear
• Thin with water for translucent washes that showcase wood grain
• Mix colours directly on your piece for custom blended effects

Common Questions About Chalk Paint®

Will it hold up outdoors?
Yes, when sealed with Annie Sloan Lacquer. The lacquer provides weather protection and UV resistance for garden furniture, planters, and exterior pieces.

Do I have to wax it?
Waxing is optional. High-traffic surfaces like dining tables, kitchen cabinets, and drawer fronts benefit from wax or lacquer protection. Decorative pieces can be left unsealed.

Can I create custom colours?
Absolutely. Chalk Paint® blends beautifully, allowing you to mix shades and create something entirely your own.