Kevin McCloud has been acknowledged as one of the most innovative decorators working today. In this exciting book, he breaks new ground on the subject of paint and decorative techniques. From information on essential colors and the use of different paints, to an unequaled step-by-step section on a vast range of decorating techniques, Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques is a definitive guide to the subject, showing how to decorate any home with originality and style.

From the earthy hues of Italian farmhouses to the cool elegance of Scandinavian interiors, color has always played a crucial role in decorative schemes. In the first section of the book a unique cut-out color selector illustrates the eight essential earth colors on the decorator's palette and shows how to create and combine them successfully by clever intermixing of pigments. These essential colors, together with five secondary colors, are then used in the techniques throughout the book, so that all the stunning decorative effects can be easily recreated.

The techniques section that follows contains instructions and step-by-step photographs for more than 35 glorious decorative effects, plus countless variations. They range from more familiar techniques such as colorwashing and antiquing to exciting new effects such as cissing paint, which creates a play of light between a matte and a glossy surface by brushing an emulsion of acrylic paint over a dry coat of gloss. Each technique contains a list of essential ingredients, step-by-step photographs and a close-up of the finished surface or object. All elements of the home are covered, from walls, floors, and woodwork to furnishings and even individual objects such as lamp bases and picture frames. As well as the basic technique, further swatches illustrate a range of alternative colorways. Many of the effects featured in the book can be equally at home in contemporary or historical, sophisticated or informal settings, and to illustrate this versatility further, inspirational photographs show the techniques in different settings.

With more than 400 color photographs, Kevin McCloud's Complete Book of Paint and Decorative Techniques is an unrivaled reference. Whether you want to revamp a dull room, devise a striking color scheme, or restore your home in accurate period detail, this book has the information and inspiration you need.