Decorating a home is a major investment and we all want to be sure that our choice of paints, wallpapers, and fabrics is the right one. This practical, informative illustrated guide to understanding and using color enables you to create a stylish home that reflects your individual taste and is a pleasure to live in. Based on a pioneering color system called "Living with Color," this approach will both simplify and refine all of your decorating and furnishing decisions. The "Living with Color" system divides the color spectrum into six clearly defined palettes - Air, Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, and Mineral - in addition to a range of Naturals. Each palette is then subdivided into warm and cool shades. Inspiring color photographs show how these palettes can be combined beautifully in interior decoration. The book then addresses the entire home, room by room, offering practical, straightforward, and economical advice on using different color palettes to achieve particular styles and effects. A superb selection of color photographs illustrates color schemes for both contemporary and traditional kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, halls, bedrooms, bathrooms, children's rooms, and home offices. Carolyn Warrender demonstrates the practical use of color with step-by-step advice on how to make your own sample board, and with easy-to-follow decorating projects, each showing the use of special paint effects or other color-based techniques. These projects are brought to life by specially commissioned artworks and by the author's own tips for personal finishing touches. Finally, a questionnaire and a series of checklists enable you to create a personalized portfolio of colors. Once you've identified the colors that you most enjoy, you will be able to create a home that is a true reflection of your personal taste and lifestyle.