Painting-the

Many decorative-painting books concentrate on a limited range of simple wooden surfaces. This one instead chooses innovative destinations for the more experienced paintbrush: salt and pepper shakers, a flour sifter, a table runner, cabinets, a lamp base. By applying decorative-painting techniques to entire scenes rather than isolated motifs, author Catherine Holman endows her work with a delightful folk-art flair. The book's title tells the truth: these scenes really are charming, and the choice of subject matter is pleasantly suited to each object. A quaint brick tea shoppe adorns a little teapot; a snow-filled landscape complete with warmly lit houses beneath a starry sky bestrides the tin shade of an oil lamp; the large four-bin cabinet sports a scene for each season; the umbrella stand features (of course) a rainy countryside topped by a rainbow. Look closely to be rewarded by wonderful details hidden in the scenes--a lacy hammock, a glass of lemonade, a scarecrow, a woman gardening. Full scene patterns, color-keyed charts of paints, and detailed materials lists accompany the superb directions and good color photos, and ordering information is provided for each of the nine items to be decorated. Basic decorative painting skills are a must before attempting these projects, but with such good guidance even the brave novice may produce something to be proud of. --Amy Handy