Book excerpt: All the popular and new decorative paint looks made simple. 50 Ways to Paint a Wall is a straightforward guide to creating the stylish paint effects constantly featured on home shows and in shelter magazines. The paint techniques-four dozen plus two-include special applications, geometric designs, faux finishes, and wall embellishments. The techniques and color choices are always on trend, including the contemporary approaches to perennial favorites like sponging and stencils. With fifty choices, which technique is best for the room? Decorator tips will help make the big decision. For each technique, there is a big color swatch of the finished wall, then the best method is explained and photographed step-by-step. With this bargain-priced guide and a can of paint, anyone can transform a room fifty ways.