The Color Palette Primer: A Guide To Choosing Ideal Color Combinations for Your Home    by Joann Eckstut Order:  USA  Can Broadway, 2005 (2005) Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Colorist Joann Eckstut tells us that though 'Color is the backbone of decorating', it is often neglected or misunderstood. She explains color in terms of hue, value and chroma, and categorizes hues as primaries (red, yellow, and blue), secondaries (green, violet and orange) and tertiaries (combinations). How can you decide what color is right for you? Eckstut gives sensible advice on picking 'a palette that's right for your room and you', and choosing combinations that 'play well together'. She discusses topics like the feelings that colors evoke, the effects of color on space, lighting conditions, and the impact of season and location. She suggests using The Color Palette Primer to pick a new color combination or to match an existing color in the home, explaining specific ways to do this. Color testing and painting tips are provided and paint finishes discussed. A cut-out color viewer is included to allow looking at the palettes in the book in isolation from those around them. 750 color palettes take up most of the book, with a dominant color and 3 palettes on each page - each showing the dominant as well as an accent color and a neutral secondary color. Though I appreciated the information on the technicalities of color, and the general tips and advice on choosing color combinations, I found few specific palettes in this reference book that I would like to live with. But that's a matter of personal taste and, if you like the look of the palettes on the cover, I expect that you'll find this book a useful resource. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews