This is a practical hands-on guide to painting any area in the home, with over 200 step-by-step pictures. It is an instant guide to basic techniques, including preparing surfaces, filling cracks, and the best way to apply paints and varnishes. It is a useful advice about the various types of paint such as matt, eggshell or gloss, as well as binders, diluents, varnishes, and wood stains, and their specific uses. It helps how to use painting tools and equipment for applying the paint, including brushes, rollers, pads, sponges and aerosols. It helps you to estimate the quantities of paint you will need, using diagrams and charts. It includes special paint effects, such as sponging, dragging, dry brushing, stippling and ragging. Home decorating using paint can be a satisfying experience. With appropriate preparation and the correct application of paint, even an amateur will find it easy to end up with a professional result. This book will guide you every step of the way, from using the right tools and preparing the surfaces, to applying the final coat of paint or varnish.