Annie Sloan CBE Critiques Pantone's 'Dull' 2026 Colour Choice
Fearless colour authority Annie Sloan CBE, the revolutionary creator of Chalk Paint™, has openly criticised Pantone's Colour of the Year 2026, describing 'Cloud Dancer' as a rather dull white. In a surprising revelation, Sloan admits this marks her first time selecting a colour of the year, prompted by widespread outrage over Pantone's lacklustre choice.
"Funnily enough, I've never done it before," Sloan explains. "It came about because of Pantone's Colour of the Year being so dull, and everybody was outraged how terrible it was. They'd come up with this colour called Cloud Dancer, which was basically a sort of rather dull white. And everybody went 'That's not really a colour, is it? And that is just what we need now.'"
Sloan's 2026 Colour Palette of the Year
In response, Sloan has unveiled her own Colour Palette of the Year 2026, featuring three vibrant shades paired with inspirational keywords: Tyrian Plum for Creativity, Primer Red for Community, and Napoleonic Blue for Wellbeing. These colours are drawn from her existing range but curated to reflect contemporary sentiments.
"We didn't create new colours for this," Sloan clarifies. "They're colours which are already in my range. But we've put them together to say 'these are the colours of now and what we're wanting to use' – and that's the new thing."
The response has been extraordinary, with Sloan noting, "I was amazed how much I got people saying 'Oh this is exactly how I'm feeling, this is exactly right' and it resonated with them. I've hit a nerve, it's the zeitgeist."
Detailed Insights into Each Palette Colour
Tyrian Plum for Creativity: Sloan describes this shade as more plum than purple, sparking numerous creative ideas. "As soon as I started working with it, I was overcome by the number of ideas that came out of it," she enthuses, highlighting its compatibility with greenery and garden settings.
Primer Red for Community: This terracotta-based colour, found across global cultures from the Frida Kahlo Museum to Italian Renaissance art, symbolises community. Sloan emphasises its versatility, noting it pairs well with practically everything and can transform into beautiful pink with white accents.
Napoleonic Blue for Wellbeing: Sloan uses this calming shade in her own office, describing it as "like an endless sky" that naturally soothes. "It's very calming, it naturally calms you and that's why I chose it," she says, explaining how it helps manage a busy environment.
Looking Ahead to the Ideal Home Show 2026
At 76, Sloan shows no signs of slowing down and is eagerly anticipating her presentation at the Ideal Home Show 2026, now in its 118th year. "I can't wait," she says enthusiastically, praising the event's organisation and uplifting atmosphere during springtime.
Reflecting on age and creativity, Sloan observes, "When I first came into the business, you had to be blonde and 20, or in your mid-20s, and I think that's changed hugely." She cites figures like Mary Berry and Prue Leith as examples of older women thriving in their fields, driven by passion and energy.
Annie Sloan CBE will present 'The joy of decorative painting' and host a 'Create Your Own Beautiful Painted Lampshade' workshop at the Ideal Home Show on April 15. The event returns to Olympia, London from April 10–19 for its 118th year.
