Chalk paint is perfect for DIY projects ... The color, she says, was inspired by the purple found in 18th-century interiors. It's "pretty yet impactful" and pairs well with whites, as well ...

What's her secret? Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint, a no-prep decorative paint that is making enthusiastic DIYers out of people who thought they had two left hands when it came to upcycling furniture.