The Complete Color Directory [Spiral-bound]

Alice Westgate (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

An invaluable tool for every kind of home decorating decision, this directory packs comprehensive information about color into one handy, pocket-size format. Arranged in rainbow order with removable, perforated color swatches at the end of each color section, the book gives readers a range of hues to consider. For example, the red section shows pure red swatches alongside hues achieved by adding different percentages of other colors to red, so readers can select the right nuance of red for a particular decorating need.

Each color section covers the same pertinent topics: color in daylight versus artificial light; color texture and its relation to hue; and how to organize given colors into auspicious combinations. Recipes for mixing paints, washes, and varnishes are also provided, and a card “viewer” enables readers to isolate single colors or look at pairs together.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alice Westgate, a freelance writer whose articles appear regularly in fine home furnishings magazines, lives in London.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 224 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823007812
• ISBN-13: 978-0823007813
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.2 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Very Complete After All, April 7, 2002

By 

Joseph Boone (Irvine, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Color Directory (Spiral-bound)

This book is mostly a collection of recipes for mixing your own colored paints. While they offer several recipes for each basic color, it is still an extremely limited color palette to work with. Worse, the blue section is extremely weak as most of the colors have a decidely purple tinge despite the fact that purple gets its own section. There are some nice colors in here, however, and people interested in making their own colors might do well to buy this book.

Perhaps most helpful to me were the brief discussions of each color and their best uses in the home. This includes a feng shui section for those who are interested in that.

Finally, the book also contains examples of which colors go well together which is a nice idea. At the same time, many of the example photos of these supposedly compatible combos are quite garish and ugly from my perspective (unlike some other color books that I've read recently) so its actual usefulness is limited at best.

In summary, this book is probably best for those who want to mix their own paint and perhaps want to learn about the feng shui characteristics of individual colors. Neither topic is explored exhaustively, however, and prospective buyers might do well to look for more comprehensive guides on these topics.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Colorful, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Color Directory (Spiral-bound)

This book is a great reference for anyone interested in color, from beginners to experts alike. The book covers a wide variety of painting techniques, that are easily explained. Each color is explained and also the color is discussed in feng shui terms as wellas color therpy terms. A must for anyone who is interested in pursuing color a little further.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Grade 1 Art Class, January 21, 2002

By 

H. Stephens "calico-latte" (British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Color Directory (Spiral-bound)

This book just tells you about very basic colours. Not helpful to me in learning to apply colour in different lighting situations, in different combinations - no discussion of colour theory.