Shows how to select and apply historically appropriate paint colors that will enhance the beauty and value of an American Victorian house.

Victorian Exterior Decoration provides a foolproof system for choosing the colors that will best suit the particular style of any house.

Plates are generally for exterior painting, but a few plates are for interiors, i.e. fireplace surrounds, hallways, and ceilings.

"It is immodestly hoped that this book will encourage the owners of American homes built in the last century to select colors that are historically proper for the age of the structure and to place those colors to emphasize correctly the rich character and detailing intended by the original builders. If readers seek here technical information on paint chemistry or detailed reports on the microanalysis of specific buildings, they will be disappointed. My intention is to provide a practical; handbook for the old-house owner who asks, 'What colors should I paint my house and how should they be applied?'"--Page 7.

Here is an authoritative look at the way American Victorian houses were decorated in the 19th century, covering all aspects of interior design: floor coverings, woodwork, window treatments and draperies, walls and wallpaper, and ceilings. 225 pictures and drawings; 16-page color insert.

House Colors is the most comprehensive resource ever compiled on choosing exterior house colors. Sorted by architectural style, this format will allow the reader to pinpoint the colors that will best suit their style of home. It is the ultimate resource for those looking to achieve exceptional color combinations, from subtle to bold, that are so difficult to achieve without professional design assistance.

This guide combines historical information with design ideas and advice on how to decorate, renovate and maintain a vintage home.