Colour Decorating Guide

How color creates ambiance and atmosphere
Using color to give a small room the illusion of space and depth
How to create the feeling of warmth and light with color
Distinctive color schemes inspired by nature, art, travel and even a favorite possession

Colour-coded bullets correspond to the colour chapter that you are in
Mood-enhancing words to help you imagine the feeling each scheme will evoke
The insperation behind the colour choices. This section tells you about the main colour of the room
This is the theory behind the interior-design style. Find ideas and insperation on materials and finishes, flooring, furniture, pattern and accessories
The main colour in the room, to be used on all, or most of, the wall space. Print and take the desired pages to your local paint store and ask them to match a test spot to this colour. Paint a square of colour on your chosen wall and let it dry, paint always changes colour when it dries. Live with the colour for a day or two to see if you really do love it before committing to a whole room
Along side the main hue, are slightly differing tones of the same colour. If you are entirely happy with the main colour, this is the place to look for an alternative
The accent colours can be used for an adjacent wall, for woodwork or to match to upholstery fabrics. The colours may be darker or lighter tones of the main shade, neutral shades to balance a room or complementary colours that create a contrast in an interior
Each scheme also features two highlight colours. These can take the form of a sharp injection of colour against a pale wall, such as a red glass vase in a pale blue interior, or the final balancing tone in a range of harmonious colours, such as deep chocolate brown in a room of luxurious coffee tones. The highlight colours, althoughonly used in small quantatiies, are often the most important shades of all because they complete the design

This EASY-TO-USE Chart illustrates the main colours in the 200 palettes. At a glance you can select a colour, then click the colour sample which will take you to the correct page and discover how to use it effectively in a particular room scheme