Napoleonic Blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Napoleonic Blue in Your Space

Napoleonic Blue is a colour of real historical weight and considered, gathered presence — a deep, rich blue that carries within it the particular quality of the finest European porcelain and the painted interiors of grand houses where the colour has been living on the walls for so long that it has become part of the architecture itself. It is a blue of complete conviction, a colour that knows exactly what it is and arrives in a space with absolute authority.

This is a colour that transforms a piece entirely. Applied to furniture, it gives a piece a quality of quiet grandeur and considered, accumulated beauty that feels as though it has always been there — as though the colour and the piece found each other a very long time ago and have been together ever since.

Colour Companions

Soft & Classic

• Old White — warm and softly open, alongside Napoleonic Blue it creates a combination of real classic ease and considered, unhurried contrast
• Paris Grey — cool and quietly sophisticated, it gives Napoleonic Blue a softness and a quality of gathered, open elegance

Warm & Romantic

• Old Ochre — warm and deeply earthy, the contrast with Napoleonic Blue creates a palette of real warmth and considered, gathered richness
• Antoinette — pale and quietly romantic, alongside Napoleonic Blue it creates a pairing of real delicacy and considered, gathered charm

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — preserves the full depth and grandeur of Napoleonic Blue exactly as it is
• Dark Wax — deepens Napoleonic Blue into something richer and more atmospheric, adding a beautiful quality of age and gathered character

How to Apply

Napoleonic Blue covers beautifully in two coats, its deep, considered richness building with each layer into a finish of real presence and quiet grandeur. Its depth intensifies as it dries — always let each coat dry fully before assessing coverage.

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.