(NAPSA)—There are no hard and fast rules on how to select interior paint colors. Sometimes answers are staring you in the face—maybe not quite as plain as your nose, but as obvious as the shirt on your back! Books, magazines and other expert sources, of course, are the mainstay for practical advice on color selection. A dozen top interior designers provide fascinating color selection ideas, inspiration and advice in a new book, “Inte- rior Style” (Benjamin Moore, $24.99). The 144-page, lavishly illustrated book offers a peek inside some of the homes they’ve created where color plays a vital role. Subtitled “How to Use Color Throughout Your Home,” the book was written by journalist Lesley Riva andis filled with useful perspectives on how to find the perfect personal palette. For those who want the “Cliff Notes” version of “Interior Style,” here are a few basic tips on finding colors you can enjoy. Tear out magazine and cata- log pages showing color and design combinationsyoulike. * Your favorite clothing—yes, even a shirt, scarf or tie—can provide inspiration. The artwork you own, a much loved collectible, or a fur- nishing is likely to have a color you especially love and can match. * Look to home design TV shows, specialty home stores and friends’ homes for colors that intrigue you. Visit online sites and use color selection tools to help you visualize how colors will look in interior settings. Many, such as Benjamin Moore’s Personal Color Viewer, allow you to import your owndigital images. * Use paint chips; or, actually A new book provides ideas, inspiration and expert advice on selecting the right colors for your home. try out a paint color(s) on the wall so that it can be viewed in all types of light—natural daylight andartificial lighting—and with the room’s actual furnishings. Coupling practical advice with inspiration, “Interior Style” takes the guesswork out of using color. Sections explore color’s ability to shape space and influence emotion; its interaction with light; and its incredible power to affect perception. There’s a quick look at the “science” of color and advice on building a personal color palette. For those eager to set to work, there’s a section of step-bystep instructions and tips to make paintingeasier. “Interior Style” makes a thoughtful holiday gift for anyone interested in design or color and is available in bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble and Borders, and also through the nationwide network of paint and decorating retailers who sell Benjamin Moore products. Additionally, it is offered online at www.benjaminmoore.com.
