Olive Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Olive in Your Space

Olive is one of those colours that has been present in fine painted furniture for centuries — the kind of green you find on classically lacquered pieces in old European houses, and equally on rough-hewn country furniture that has been painted and repainted over generations. It sits in that rare space between formal and rustic, equally at home in both worlds, never looking out of place in either.

It is a traditional khaki green — earthy and grounded, with a depth that comes from the way green and brown find each other in the pigment. There is nothing trendy about Olive. It has been the right colour for a very long time and it will continue to be long after more fashionable greens have come and gone. That kind of quiet permanence is its own form of confidence.

Colour Companions

Warm & Earthy

• Old Ochre — faded and gently warm, alongside Olive it creates a palette that feels deeply traditional and full of the kind of quiet, earthy beauty that never dates
• Versailles — soft and warmly greyed, alongside Olive it creates a pairing that feels classically French — the colours of old painted boiserie and faded garden furniture

Deep & Dramatic

• Burgundy — rich and deeply red, alongside Olive it creates a palette that feels richly autumnal and full of a considered, gathered warmth that is both bold and completely resolved

Finishing Touches

• Clear Wax — the natural finish for Olive, it protects while preserving the full earthy depth and traditional quality of the colour
• Dark Wax — worked into details and edges, it deepens the khaki quality of Olive and adds a beautiful aged patina that feels completely authentic

How to Apply

Olive covers beautifully in two coats, each layer building the earthy, traditional depth that makes this colour so enduring. Its warmth deepens 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. 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.