This guide explores all the benefits of using water-based paints, and demonstrates the techniques for achieving the broadest spectrum of colours and effects. Worldwide, professionals and amateurs alike are moving from solvent-based paints to the healthier and more ecologically-friendly alternative of solvent-free paints. Easy and pleasant to use, water-based paints are capable of giving doors, walls, ceilings and furniture most of the standard decorative finishes, as well as some new and unusual ones. This book discusses each water-based medium in detail, placing it in historical perspective, and shows how distemper, milk paints, emulsion, acrylics and water-based varnishes can all be used to their best advantage. It shows the myriad paint effects that can be achieved on walls and furniture without resorting to solvents, including wood grain, stone and metallic finishes. There is an analysis of commercially-available water-based paints, and the book gives recipes for mixing paint. Practical step-by-step photographs illustrate how to achieve a foolproof finish, from simple techniques, such as colour washing and stippling, to block printing, stamping and stencilling. The book proves that water-based paint is the medium to use now and in the future to create paint effects that cause no damage to the home decorator or the environment. John Sutcliffe is the author of Decorating Magic. Hilary Hockman is the author of Edwardian House Style.