Paprika Red Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®

Paprika Red in Your Space

Paprika Red is the kind of colour that announces itself with confidence and then settles into a room with surprising ease. It is a terracotta red — spicy and warm, with the earthy depth that comes from pigments that feel genuinely grounded in the natural world. This is not a fire-engine red or a Valentine's red. It is older than that, more considered, with a richness that feels as though it has been worn in over time.

There is a passion to Paprika Red that never tips into aggression. The earthy pigments keep it balanced and comforting — the kind of colour that makes a room feel alive without making it feel restless. Use it on a statement piece and it will hold the room. Use it on a smaller accent and it will draw the eye with quiet authority.

Colour Companions

Warm & Traditional

• Original — Annie Sloan's warm, aged off-white, alongside Paprika Red it creates a pairing that feels deeply traditional and full of old-world European character
• French Linen — warm and gently greyed, it gives Paprika Red room to breathe without competing, a pairing that feels considered and quietly sophisticated
• Old White — softer and cooler than Original, it balances the spice of Paprika Red beautifully and keeps the overall feel light and airy

Deep & Grounding

• Graphite — dark and full of conviction, it grounds Paprika Red completely and stops it feeling too hot, a pairing that feels bold, graphic, and deeply resolved

Bold & Unexpected

• Antibes Green — sitting opposite on the colour wheel, it creates a bold, earthy Mediterranean contrast with Paprika Red that feels vibrant and completely alive

Layering & Folk Art

• Scandinavian Pink — both colours sit in the warm, earthy family; layered together and sanded back they create a beautiful faded folk-art finish with genuine depth and character

Finishing Touches

• Dark Wax — the natural partner for Paprika Red, it deepens the earthy pigments and adds a beautiful aged patina that feels completely authentic and earned
• Clear Wax — keeps the colour clean and true, letting the full warmth of Paprika Red speak for itself

How to Apply

Paprika Red covers beautifully in two coats, each layer building the depth and warmth that makes this colour so distinctive. The earthy pigments give it excellent coverage — one coat will often surprise you with how much ground it covers.

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.