The painted illusion of woodgraining can turn an ordinary room into a grand woodpanelled setting or transform a run of cheap malamine cupboards into elegant mahogany. This book explains the techniques necessary to simulate many hardwoods and softwoods, and shows how to create fantasy effects. Advice is given on transforming floors, woodwork, walls, furniture and any artefact with a dry, hard surface. Among the topics covered are understanding wood; woodgraining in halls, living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, conservatories and garden areas; woodgraining on furniture; basic techniques (equipment, oil and water-based glazes, colour, foundation methods); specific simulations, including ash, oak, mahogany, maple, rosewood, satinwood, walnut, yew, pear, bamboo, teak and pine; preparing surfaces; and planning a panelling system.