diff --git a/Tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/GridLengthTests.cs b/Tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/GridLengthTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f2c81a9e88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/GridLengthTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// <copyright file="GridLengthTests.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// </copyright>
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+namespace Perspex.Controls.UnitTests
+{
+    using System;
+    using System.Linq;
+    using Xunit;
+
+    public class GridLengthTests
+    {
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Parse_Auto()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.Parse("Auto");
+
+            Assert.Equal(GridLength.Auto, result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Parse_Auto_Lowercase()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.Parse("auto");
+
+            Assert.Equal(GridLength.Auto, result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Parse_Star()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.Parse("*");
+
+            Assert.Equal(new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star), result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Parse_Star_Value()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.Parse("2*");
+
+            Assert.Equal(new GridLength(2, GridUnitType.Star), result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Parse_Pixel_Value()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.Parse("2");
+
+            Assert.Equal(new GridLength(2, GridUnitType.Pixel), result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Should_Throw_FormatException_For_Invalid_String()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => GridLength.Parse("2x"));
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void ParseLengths_Accepts_Comma_Separators()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.ParseLengths("*,Auto,2*,4").ToList();
+
+            Assert.Equal(
+                new[]
+                {
+                    new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star),
+                    GridLength.Auto,
+                    new GridLength(2, GridUnitType.Star),
+                    new GridLength(4, GridUnitType.Pixel),
+                },
+                result);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void ParseLengths_Accepts_Space_Separators()
+        {
+            var result = GridLength.ParseLengths("* Auto 2* 4").ToList();
+
+            Assert.Equal(
+                new[]
+                {
+                    new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star),
+                    GridLength.Auto,
+                    new GridLength(2, GridUnitType.Star),
+                    new GridLength(4, GridUnitType.Pixel),
+                },
+                result);
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/BrushTests.cs b/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/BrushTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..19a31aae7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/BrushTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// <copyright file="BrushTests.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// </copyright>
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+namespace Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.Media
+{
+    using System;
+    using Perspex.Media;
+    using Xunit;
+
+    public class BrushTests
+    {
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_RGB_Hash_Brush()
+        {
+            var result = (SolidColorBrush)Brush.Parse("#ff8844");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x88, result.Color.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x44, result.Color.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_ARGB_Hash_Brush()
+        {
+            var result = (SolidColorBrush)Brush.Parse("#40ff8844");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x88, result.Color.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x44, result.Color.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0x40, result.Color.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_Named_Brush_Lowercase()
+        {
+            var result = (SolidColorBrush)Brush.Parse("red");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.Color.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.Color.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_Named_Brush_Uppercase()
+        {
+            var result = (SolidColorBrush)Brush.Parse("RED");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.Color.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.Color.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.Color.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Too_Few_Chars()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Brush.Parse("#ff"));
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Too_Many_Chars()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Brush.Parse("#ff5555555"));
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Invalid_Number()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Brush.Parse("#ff808g80"));
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/ColorTests.cs b/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/ColorTests.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..722fc6e8cd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Media/ColorTests.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// <copyright file="ColorTests.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// </copyright>
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+namespace Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.Media
+{
+    using System;
+    using Perspex.Media;
+    using Xunit;
+
+    public class ColorTests
+    {
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_RGB_Hash_Color()
+        {
+            var result = Color.Parse("#ff8844");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x88, result.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x44, result.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_ARGB_Hash_Color()
+        {
+            var result = Color.Parse("#40ff8844");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x88, result.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x44, result.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0x40, result.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_Named_Color_Lowercase()
+        {
+            var result = Color.Parse("red");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Parses_Named_Color_Uppercase()
+        {
+            var result = Color.Parse("RED");
+
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.R);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.G);
+            Assert.Equal(0x00, result.B);
+            Assert.Equal(0xff, result.A);
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Too_Few_Chars()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Color.Parse("#ff"));
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Too_Many_Chars()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Color.Parse("#ff5555555"));
+        }
+
+        [Fact]
+        public void Parse_Hex_Value_Doesnt_Accept_Invalid_Number()
+        {
+            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => Color.Parse("#ff808g80"));
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/samples/XamlTestApplication/Views/MainWindow.xaml b/samples/XamlTestApplication/Views/MainWindow.xaml
index 3294edb8b0..da27d04242 100644
--- a/samples/XamlTestApplication/Views/MainWindow.xaml
+++ b/samples/XamlTestApplication/Views/MainWindow.xaml
@@ -2,11 +2,7 @@
         xmlns="https://github.com/grokys/Perspex"
         xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml" 
         Title="Perspex Test Application" Height="350" Width="525">
-    <Grid>
-        <Grid.RowDefinitions>
-            <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
-            <RowDefinition />
-        </Grid.RowDefinitions>
+    <Grid RowDefinitions="Auto,*">
         <TabControl Grid.Row="1">
             <TabItem Header="Buttons">
                 <StackPanel HorizontalAlignment="Center" Width="200" VerticalAlignment="Center">
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Context/PerspexWiringContext.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Context/PerspexWiringContext.cs
index f78418f20d..88a67c8287 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Context/PerspexWiringContext.cs
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Context/PerspexWiringContext.cs
@@ -83,10 +83,12 @@ namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Context
             var typeConverterProvider = new TypeConverterProvider();
             var converters = new[]
             {
-                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof (Bitmap), new BitmapConverter()),
-                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof (GridLength), new GridLengthTypeConverter()),
-                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof (Brush), new BrushConverter()),
-                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof (Thickness), new ThicknessConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(Bitmap), new BitmapConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(Brush), new BrushConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(ColumnDefinitions), new ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(GridLength), new GridLengthTypeConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(RowDefinitions), new RowDefinitionsTypeConverter()),
+                new TypeConverterRegistration(typeof(Thickness), new ThicknessConverter()),
             };
 
             typeConverterProvider.AddAll(converters);
@@ -98,13 +100,13 @@ namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Context
             var contentPropertyProvider = new ContentPropertyProvider();
             var contentProperties = new Collection<ContentPropertyDefinition>
             {
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (ContentControl), "Content"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (Decorator), "Child"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (ItemsControl), "Items"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (Panel), "Children"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (TextBlock), "Text"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (TextBox), "Text"),
-                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof (XamlDataTemplate), "Content"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(ContentControl), "Content"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(Decorator), "Child"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(ItemsControl), "Items"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(Panel), "Children"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(TextBlock), "Text"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(TextBox), "Text"),
+                new ContentPropertyDefinition(typeof(XamlDataTemplate), "Content"),
             };
 
             contentPropertyProvider.AddAll(contentProperties);
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BitmapConverter.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BitmapConverter.cs
index 46acc4a68a..f9b3e96ba4 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BitmapConverter.cs
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BitmapConverter.cs
@@ -15,23 +15,22 @@ namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Converters
     {
         public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
         {
-            return true;
+            return sourceType == typeof(string);
         }
 
         public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
         {
-            return true;
+            return false;
         }
 
         public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
         {
-            var path = (string)value;
-            return new Bitmap(path);
+            return new Bitmap((string)value);
         }
 
         public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
         {
-            return new Bitmap(10, 10);
+            throw new NotImplementedException();
         }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BrushConverter.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BrushConverter.cs
index 63efc9f5c1..6c5466340f 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BrushConverter.cs
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/BrushConverter.cs
@@ -8,75 +8,24 @@ namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Converters
 {
     using System;
     using System.Globalization;
-    using System.Reflection;
-    using System.Text;
     using Media;
-    using Media.Imaging;
     using OmniXaml.TypeConversion;
-    using Platform;
 
     public class BrushConverter : ITypeConverter
     {
         public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
         {
-            return true;
+            return sourceType == typeof(string);
         }
 
         public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
         {
-            return true;
+            return false;
         }
 
         public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
         {
-            var colorString = (string)value;
-
-            var color = DecodeColor(colorString);
-
-            if (color != null)
-            {
-                return new SolidColorBrush(color.Value);
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                var member = typeof(Brushes).GetTypeInfo().GetDeclaredProperty(colorString);
-
-                if (member != null)
-                {
-                    return (Brush)member.GetValue(null);
-                }
-            }
-
-            throw new InvalidOperationException("Invalid color string.");
-        }
-
-        private static Color? DecodeColor(string colorString)
-        {
-            if (colorString[0] == '#')
-            {
-                var restOfValue = colorString.Remove(0, 1);
-
-                if (restOfValue.Length == 8)
-                {
-                    var a = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(0, 2), 16);
-                    var r = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(2, 2), 16);
-                    var g = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(6, 2), 16);
-                    var b = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(8, 2), 16);
-                    return Color.FromArgb(a, r, g, b);
-                }
-
-                if (restOfValue.Length == 6)
-                {
-                    var r = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(0, 2), 16);
-                    var g = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(2, 2), 16);
-                    var b = Convert.ToByte(restOfValue.Substring(4, 2), 16);
-                    return Color.FromRgb(r, g, b);
-                }
-
-                throw new InvalidOperationException("The color code format cannot be parsed");
-            }
-
-            return null;
+            return Brush.Parse((string)value);
         }
 
         public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..14893cd1db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// <copyright file="ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// </copyright>
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Converters
+{
+    using System;
+    using System.Globalization;
+    using Controls;
+    using OmniXaml.TypeConversion;
+
+    public class ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter : ITypeConverter
+    {
+        public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
+        {
+            return sourceType == typeof(string);
+        }
+
+        public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
+        {
+            return new ColumnDefinitions((string)value);
+        }
+
+        public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
+        {
+            throw new NotImplementedException();
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/GridLengthTypeConverter.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/GridLengthTypeConverter.cs
index 5609597369..1eea9e90d0 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/GridLengthTypeConverter.cs
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/GridLengthTypeConverter.cs
@@ -13,39 +13,24 @@ namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Converters
 
     public class GridLengthTypeConverter : ITypeConverter
     {
-        public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
+        public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
         {
-            var str = value as string;
-
-            if (str != null)
-            {
-                if (string.Equals(str, "Auto"))
-                {
-                    return new GridLength(0, GridUnitType.Auto);
-                }
-            }
-
-            return new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star);
+            return sourceType == typeof(string);
         }
 
-        public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
+        public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
         {
-            if ((string) value == "Auto")
-            {
-                return new GridLength(0, GridUnitType.Auto);
-            }
-
-            return new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star);
+            return false;
         }
 
-        public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
+        public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
         {
-            return true;
+            return GridLength.Parse((string)value);
         }
 
-        public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
+        public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
         {
-            return true;
+            throw new NotImplementedException();
         }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/RowDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/RowDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a432584224
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Converters/RowDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+// <copyright file="RowDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// </copyright>
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+namespace Perspex.Markup.Xaml.Converters
+{
+    using System;
+    using System.Globalization;
+    using Controls;
+    using OmniXaml.TypeConversion;
+
+    public class RowDefinitionsTypeConverter : ITypeConverter
+    {
+        public bool CanConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type sourceType)
+        {
+            return sourceType == typeof(string);
+        }
+
+        public bool CanConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, Type destinationType)
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        public object ConvertFrom(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value)
+        {
+            return new RowDefinitions((string)value);
+        }
+
+        public object ConvertTo(IXamlTypeConverterContext context, CultureInfo culture, object value, Type destinationType)
+        {
+            throw new NotImplementedException();
+        }
+    }
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Perspex.Markup.Xaml.csproj b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Perspex.Markup.Xaml.csproj
index 814427175f..f0965e351f 100644
--- a/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Perspex.Markup.Xaml.csproj
+++ b/src/Markup/Perspex.Markup.Xaml/Perspex.Markup.Xaml.csproj
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@
     <Compile Include="..\..\Shared\SharedAssemblyInfo.cs">
       <Link>Properties\SharedAssemblyInfo.cs</Link>
     </Compile>
+    <Compile Include="Converters\RowDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Converters\ColumnDefinitionsTypeConverter.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Converters\ThicknessConverter.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Context\PerspexWiringContext.cs" />
     <Compile Include="GlobalSuppressions.cs" />
diff --git a/src/Perspex.Controls/ColumnDefinitions.cs b/src/Perspex.Controls/ColumnDefinitions.cs
index ce020377eb..05dac937ed 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.Controls/ColumnDefinitions.cs
+++ b/src/Perspex.Controls/ColumnDefinitions.cs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ namespace Perspex.Controls
 {
     using System.Linq;
     using Perspex.Collections;
-    using Perspex.Controls.Parsers;
 
     /// <summary>
     /// A collection of <see cref="ColumnDefinition"/>s.
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ namespace Perspex.Controls
         /// <param name="s">A string representation of the column definitions.</param>
         public ColumnDefinitions(string s)
         {
-            this.AddRange(GridLengthsParser.Parse(s).Select(x => new ColumnDefinition(x)));
+            this.AddRange(GridLength.ParseLengths(s).Select(x => new ColumnDefinition(x)));
         }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Perspex.Controls/GridLength.cs b/src/Perspex.Controls/GridLength.cs
index 1e477b3417..9a7e605923 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.Controls/GridLength.cs
+++ b/src/Perspex.Controls/GridLength.cs
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 namespace Perspex.Controls
 {
     using System;
+    using System.Collections.Generic;
+    using System.Linq;
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Defines the valid units for a <see cref="GridLength"/>.
@@ -192,5 +194,41 @@ namespace Perspex.Controls
             string s = this.value.ToString();
             return this.IsStar ? s + "*" : s;
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Parses a string to return a <see cref="GridLength"/>.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="s">The string.</param>
+        /// <returns>The <see cref="GridLength"/>.</returns>
+        public static GridLength Parse(string s)
+        {
+            s = s.ToUpperInvariant();
+
+            if (s == "AUTO")
+            {
+                return GridLength.Auto;
+            }
+            else if (s.EndsWith("*"))
+            {
+                var valueString = s.Substring(0, s.Length - 1).Trim();
+                var value = valueString.Length > 0 ? double.Parse(valueString) : 1;
+                return new GridLength(value, GridUnitType.Star);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                var value = double.Parse(s);
+                return new GridLength(value, GridUnitType.Pixel);
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Parses a string to return a collection of <see cref="GridLength"/>s.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="s">The string.</param>
+        /// <returns>The <see cref="GridLength"/>.</returns>
+        public static IEnumerable<GridLength> ParseLengths(string s)
+        {
+            return s.Split(new[] { ',', ' ' }).Select(x => Parse(x));
+        }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Perspex.Controls/Parsers/GridLengthsParser.cs b/src/Perspex.Controls/Parsers/GridLengthsParser.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 64df91d723..0000000000
--- a/src/Perspex.Controls/Parsers/GridLengthsParser.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-// <copyright file="GridLengthsParser.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
-// Copyright 2014 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
-// </copyright>
-// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-namespace Perspex.Controls.Parsers
-{
-    using System;
-    using System.Collections.Generic;
-    using System.Linq;
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Parses a string of <see cref="GridLength"/>s for <see cref="ColumnDefinitions"/> and
-    /// <see cref="RowDefinitions"/>.
-    /// </summary>
-    public static class GridLengthsParser
-    {
-        /// <summary>
-        /// Parses a string of <see cref="GridLength"/>s.
-        /// </summary>
-        /// <param name="s">The string.</param>
-        /// <returns>A collection of <see cref="GridLength"/>s.</returns>
-        public static IEnumerable<GridLength> Parse(string s)
-        {
-            var parts = s.Split(',').Select(x => x.ToUpperInvariant().Trim());
-
-            foreach (var part in parts)
-            {
-                if (part == "AUTO")
-                {
-                    yield return GridLength.Auto;
-                }
-                else if (part.EndsWith("*"))
-                {
-                    var valueString = part.Substring(0, part.Length - 1).Trim();
-                    var value = valueString.Length > 0 ? double.Parse(valueString) : 1;
-                    yield return new GridLength(value, GridUnitType.Star);
-                }
-                else if (part.EndsWith("PX"))
-                {
-                    var value = double.Parse(part.Substring(0, part.Length - 2));
-                    yield return new GridLength(value, GridUnitType.Pixel);
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    throw new FormatException("Invalid grid length: " + part);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/Perspex.Controls/Perspex.Controls.csproj b/src/Perspex.Controls/Perspex.Controls.csproj
index c095c37e8a..209290d807 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.Controls/Perspex.Controls.csproj
+++ b/src/Perspex.Controls/Perspex.Controls.csproj
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@
     <Compile Include="ISetLogicalParent.cs" />
     <Compile Include="MenuItemAccessKeyHandler.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Mixins\SelectableMixin.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="Parsers\GridLengthsParser.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Presenters\IContentPresenter.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Primitives\AccessText.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Border.cs" />
diff --git a/src/Perspex.Controls/RowDefinitions.cs b/src/Perspex.Controls/RowDefinitions.cs
index 6a975a2297..f9a22b5186 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.Controls/RowDefinitions.cs
+++ b/src/Perspex.Controls/RowDefinitions.cs
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ namespace Perspex.Controls
 {
     using System.Linq;
     using Perspex.Collections;
-    using Perspex.Controls.Parsers;
 
     /// <summary>
     /// A collection of <see cref="RowDefinition"/>s.
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ namespace Perspex.Controls
         /// <param name="s">A string representation of the row definitions.</param>
         public RowDefinitions(string s)
         {
-            this.AddRange(GridLengthsParser.Parse(s).Select(x => new RowDefinition(x)));
+            this.AddRange(GridLength.ParseLengths(s).Select(x => new RowDefinition(x)));
         }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Brush.cs b/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Brush.cs
index 26e5953621..e082e26773 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Brush.cs
+++ b/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Brush.cs
@@ -1,23 +1,61 @@
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 // <copyright file="Brush.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
-// Copyright 2014 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
+// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
 // </copyright>
 // -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 namespace Perspex.Media
 {
+    using System;
+    using System.Linq;
+    using System.Reflection;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// Describes how an area is painted.
     /// </summary>
     public abstract class Brush : PerspexObject
     {
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Defines the <see cref="Opacity"/> property.
+        /// </summary>
         public static readonly PerspexProperty<double> OpacityProperty =
-    PerspexProperty.Register<Brush, double>(nameof(Opacity), 1.0);
+            PerspexProperty.Register<Brush, double>(nameof(Opacity), 1.0);
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Gets or sets the opacity of the brush.
+        /// </summary>
         public double Opacity
         {
             get { return this.GetValue(OpacityProperty); }
             set { this.SetValue(OpacityProperty, value); }
         }
+
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Parses a brush string.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="s">The brush string.</param>
+        /// <returns>The <see cref="Color"/>.</returns>
+        public static Brush Parse(string s)
+        {
+            if (s[0] == '#')
+            {
+                return new SolidColorBrush(Color.Parse(s));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                var upper = s.ToUpperInvariant();
+                var member = typeof(Brushes).GetTypeInfo().DeclaredProperties
+                    .FirstOrDefault(x => x.Name.ToUpperInvariant() == upper);
+
+                if (member != null)
+                {
+                    return (Brush)member.GetValue(null);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    throw new FormatException($"Invalid brush string: '{s}'.");
+                }
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Color.cs b/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Color.cs
index c070d3d9a3..2a1281d3ee 100644
--- a/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Color.cs
+++ b/src/Perspex.SceneGraph/Media/Color.cs
@@ -6,6 +6,11 @@
 
 namespace Perspex.Media
 {
+    using System;
+    using System.Globalization;
+    using System.Linq;
+    using System.Reflection;
+
     /// <summary>
     /// An ARGB color.
     /// </summary>
@@ -84,6 +89,45 @@ namespace Perspex.Media
             };
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Parses a color string.
+        /// </summary>
+        /// <param name="s">The color string.</param>
+        /// <returns>The <see cref="Color"/>.</returns>
+        public static Color Parse(string s)
+        {
+            if (s[0] == '#')
+            {
+                var or = 0u;
+
+                if (s.Length == 7)
+                {
+                    or = 0xff000000;
+                }
+                else if (s.Length != 9)
+                {
+                    throw new FormatException($"Invalid color string: '{s}'.");
+                }
+
+                return FromUInt32(uint.Parse(s.Substring(1), NumberStyles.HexNumber) | or);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                var upper = s.ToUpperInvariant();
+                var member = typeof(Colors).GetTypeInfo().DeclaredProperties
+                    .FirstOrDefault(x => x.Name.ToUpperInvariant() == upper);
+
+                if (member != null)
+                {
+                    return (Color)member.GetValue(null);
+                }
+                else
+                {
+                    throw new FormatException($"Invalid color string: '{s}'.");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         /// <summary>
         /// Returns the string representation of the color.
         /// </summary>
diff --git a/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Parsers/GridLengthsParserTests.cs b/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Parsers/GridLengthsParserTests.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 340923056b..0000000000
--- a/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Parsers/GridLengthsParserTests.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,54 +0,0 @@
-// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-// <copyright file="GridLengthsParserTests.cs" company="Steven Kirk">
-// Copyright 2015 MIT Licence. See licence.md for more information.
-// </copyright>
-// -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-namespace Perspex.Controls.UnitTests.Parsers
-{
-    using System;
-    using System.Linq;
-    using Perspex.Controls.Parsers;
-    using Xunit;
-
-    public class GridLengthsParserTests
-    {
-        [Fact]
-        public void Parser_Should_Correctly_Parse_Grid_Lengths()
-        {
-            var s = "*,Auto,2*,4px";
-            var result = GridLengthsParser.Parse(s);
-
-            Assert.Equal(
-                new[]
-                {
-                    new GridLength(1, GridUnitType.Star),
-                    GridLength.Auto,
-                    new GridLength(2, GridUnitType.Star),
-                    new GridLength(4, GridUnitType.Pixel),
-                },
-                result);
-        }
-
-        [Fact]
-        public void Parser_Should_Throw_For_Invalid_Star_Value()
-        {
-            var s = "*,Auto,x*,4px";
-            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => GridLengthsParser.Parse(s).ToList());
-        }
-
-        [Fact]
-        public void Parser_Should_Throw_For_Invalid_Unit_Value()
-        {
-            var s = "*,Auto,4ab,4px";
-            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => GridLengthsParser.Parse(s).ToList());
-        }
-
-        [Fact]
-        public void Parser_Should_Throw_For_Empty_Entry()
-        {
-            var s = "*,Auto,,4px";
-            Assert.Throws<FormatException>(() => GridLengthsParser.Parse(s).ToList());
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests.csproj b/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests.csproj
index 0736d59726..610cef7365 100644
--- a/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests.csproj
+++ b/tests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests/Perspex.Controls.UnitTests.csproj
@@ -91,11 +91,11 @@
     <Otherwise />
   </Choose>
   <ItemGroup>
+    <Compile Include="GridLengthTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="ContentPresenterTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="BorderTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="GlobalSuppressions.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Mixins\SelectableMixinTests.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="Parsers\GridLengthsParserTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Primitives\TrackTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Primitives\PopupTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="DropDownTests.cs" />
diff --git a/tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.csproj b/tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.csproj
index 00077dfeea..ff8383a1b0 100644
--- a/tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.csproj
+++ b/tests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests/Perspex.SceneGraph.UnitTests.csproj
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@
   </Choose>
   <ItemGroup>
     <Compile Include="GlobalSuppressions.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Media\BrushTests.cs" />
+    <Compile Include="Media\ColorTests.cs" />
     <Compile Include="TestRoot.cs" />
     <Compile Include="TestVisual.cs" />
     <Compile Include="VisualTests.cs" />