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Over 407 colour photographs
Over 41 illustrations
Over 26 projects

• Over 30 practical projects and hundreds of creative ideas for adding colour and style to your household accessories, fabrics and furniture



• Step-by-step instructions for the paint-decorating techniques you will need, including sponging, combing, colourwashing, ragging, stippling, stencilling and stamping



• Every project is illustrated with full-colour step-by-step photographs showing every stage of the work and a picture of the finished item so that you can see the results you're aiming for



• Inspirational ideas include a crackle-glaze picture frame, a seashore bathroom set, gilded candles, stamped wrapping paper, a Scandinavian table and a folk-art chair



• Features a detailed guide to painting equipment and techniques, and instructions on working with colour and how to mix paint recipes



• Includes over 350 full-colour photographs, artworks and templates to help you to create professional-looking designs

You will be surprised at how quickly you can transform household accessories, fabrics and furniture with some paint and a little imagination. Whether you want to add tiny details to a picture frame or create a beautiful graining effect on a window frame, paint decorating is easy once you have mastered the basic techniques.

This book begins with an illustrated guide to equipment, explaining the difference between primers, acrylic varnishes, crackle glazes, emulsion paints, waxes and other finishes, then features all the tools you will need, such as abrasives, decorator's paintbrushes, natural sponges, paint rollers, stencil and stippling brushes, and rubber combs.

All the major painting techniques are illustrated with swatches showing each effect, including sponging, colourwashing, ragging and crackle glazing, and there is a handy guide to mixing paints and glazes, and producing a range of colour combinations.

The main part of the book consists of over 30 inspirational projects, each focusing on a different household item. There is something for every level of expertise and ability, from simple projects such as a sponged lamp base to more complicated projects such as a harlequin screen.

Over 350 colour photographs illustrate every instruction and technique in step-by-step detail, and templates at the back of the book will help you to create professional-looking designs. With a great choice of designs and ideas, you may find yourself getting carried away with colour!

About the Authors

Maggie Philo - Author

Maggie Philo is a highly successful designer with many years' experience of working with and teaching decorative paint finishes for walls and furniture. Maggie has written hundreds of features and articles and has contributed regularly to Inspirations and other lifestyle magazines. Maggie Philo's published works include The Ultimate Book of Paint Effects (Murdoch); Victorian Decoupage Kit (Longmeadow); The Decoupage Collection (Rizzoli); Traditional Borders (Murdoch); Decorative Painted Furniture (Murdoch); Discover Decoupage (Hamlyn); Paint Effects Projects (Lorenz Books); Antique Style (Aurum Press); and The Stencil Collection – Mediterranean Style (Murdoch Books).

Sacha Cohen - Author

Sacha Cohen started off by studying Fine Art and has used her talents to create a unique and exciting range of paint effects. She is a professional artist and set designer and a regular contributor to BBC Good Homes and other lifestyle magazines, which she combines with her highly successful work as an author. Sacha's many books include: Inspirations: Stencilling (Lorenz Books); Inspirations: Stamping (Lorenz Books); The Practical Encyclopedia of Paint Recipes, Paint Effects and Special Finishes (Lorenz Books); The Decorator’s Problem Solver (Collins & Brown); Paint Effects Projects (Lorenz Books); Stamps and Stencils (MQ Publications); and The Painted Wall: Decorative Paint Effects to Transform Your Home (David & Charles).