Annie trained as a fine artist for seven years and turned to decorative work after graduating university in the mid-1970s. Annie’s remit included anything from sympathetic, deliberately undetectable restoration work to painting head-turning murals in houses as commissions; often using her own home-made paint. By 1987, Annie had written the phenomenally successful book The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques, which is considered to be the industry bible on the subject.

In 1990, frustrated and unable to find paints equal to her requirements, Annie partnered with a Belgian factory to produce and sell the paint she had been home-making on a large scale. It was revolutionary. Chalk Paint® became a global phenomenon and still is to this day. In 2000, Annie set up a shop in Oxford to showcase Chalk Paint®, host workshops, and offer interior design services. In October 2021, Annie Sloan Interiors introduced their premium range of 32 Wall Paint colours. Annie now has almost 1,500 Stockists, all independent stores showcasing Chalk Paint® and running Workshops – just as Annie herself once did.

Annie lives and works in Oxford with her husband David who runs the business with her, while her second son of three Felix is the Brand Director. Born in Australia to a Scottish father and a Fijian mother, Annie came to England to a farming life in Kent when she was ten years old. With spells in Southern Africa and connections to France, Cuba and the US, Annie describes herself as a “citizen of the world.” Annie has three sons and has lived in Oxford for the last few decades.