There are many painted finishes and special effects that can be used around the home, on all types of surfaces from walls to biscuit tins and from furniture to floor cloths. These techniques are fun to try and many of them are simple to execute producing striking results. Each technique is presented here in a recipe' format: the ingredients and equipment needed are listed, and then the method is explained. The techniques described include stippling, dragging, bagging, ragging, sponging and clouding; using stencils on walls, fabric and tiles; painting on glass; bambooing; how to achieve certain special effects such as trompe l'oeil painting; and how to imitate the appearance of expensive materials such as marble, tortoise-shell, gold and leather, at a fraction of the cost. The colour photographs of the author's work illustrate the scope of decorate paintwork, from the simple to the sensational.