diff --git a/CrossPlatformModules.csproj b/CrossPlatformModules.csproj
index 1f8bb0a24..4f26631e7 100644
--- a/CrossPlatformModules.csproj
+++ b/CrossPlatformModules.csproj
@@ -369,7 +369,9 @@
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\pages\text\text-field.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\pages\text\text-view.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\pages\text\label.ts" />
-    <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\pages\text\button.ts" />
+    <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\pages\text\button.ts">
+      <DependentUpon>button.xml</DependentUpon>
+    </TypeScriptCompile>
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\ui-tests-app\web-view\webview.ts">
       <DependentUpon>webview.xml</DependentUpon>
     </TypeScriptCompile>
@@ -795,7 +797,6 @@
     </TypeScriptCompile>
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\text-view\text-view.d.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\ui.ts" />
-    <TypeScriptCompile Include="utils\android_constants.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="utils\module-merge.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="utils\utils.android.ts">
       <DependentUpon>utils.d.ts</DependentUpon>
@@ -1379,7 +1380,9 @@
       <DependentUpon>styling.d.ts</DependentUpon>
     </TypeScriptCompile>
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\styling\styling.d.ts" />
-    <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\styling\style-property.ts" />
+    <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\styling\style-property.ts">
+      <DependentUpon>style-property.d.ts</DependentUpon>
+    </TypeScriptCompile>
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\styling\converters.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="apps\tests\ui\label\label-tests.ts" />
     <TypeScriptCompile Include="ui\tab-view\tab-view-common.ts">
@@ -1947,7 +1950,7 @@
           <SaveServerSettingsInUserFile>False</SaveServerSettingsInUserFile>
         </WebProjectProperties>
       </FlavorProperties>
-      <UserProperties ui_2scroll-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2editable-text-demo_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2absolute-layout-demo_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2gallery-app_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2content-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2web-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2layouts_2linear-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2layouts_2absolute-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2layouts_2dock-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="" ui_2layouts_2grid-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="" ui_2layouts_2wrap-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" />
+      <UserProperties ui_2layouts_2wrap-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2layouts_2grid-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="" ui_2layouts_2dock-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="" ui_2layouts_2absolute-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2layouts_2linear-layout_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2web-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2content-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2gallery-app_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2absolute-layout-demo_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" apps_2editable-text-demo_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" ui_2scroll-view_2package_1json__JSONSchema="http://json.schemastore.org/package" />
     </VisualStudio>
   </ProjectExtensions>
 </Project>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/tests/pages/fonts-test.ts b/apps/tests/pages/fonts-test.ts
index 7b5b18e8b..14d5ba0ba 100644
--- a/apps/tests/pages/fonts-test.ts
+++ b/apps/tests/pages/fonts-test.ts
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ export function buttonTap(args) {
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontSizeProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontStyleProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontWeightProperty);
-        v.style._resetValue(style.fontProperty);
 
         v.style._resetValue(style.colorProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.textAlignmentProperty);
diff --git a/apps/tests/ui/scroll-view/scroll-view-tests.ts b/apps/tests/ui/scroll-view/scroll-view-tests.ts
index 26ffbf786..fa84a5865 100644
--- a/apps/tests/ui/scroll-view/scroll-view-tests.ts
+++ b/apps/tests/ui/scroll-view/scroll-view-tests.ts
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ export function test_scrollabeHeight_vertical_orientation_when_content_is_big()
     scrollView.content = btn;
 
     waitForLayout();
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.scrollableHeight, 200, "scrollView.scrollableHeight");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.scrollableHeight, 200, 0.4, "scrollView.scrollableHeight");
     TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.scrollableWidth, 0, "scrollView.scrollableWidth");
 
 }
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ export function test_scrollabeWidth_horizontal_orientation_when_content_is_big()
 
     waitForLayout();
     TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.scrollableHeight, 0, "scrollView.scrollableHeight");
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.scrollableWidth, 300, "scrollView.scrollableWidth");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.scrollableWidth, 300, 0.4, "scrollView.scrollableWidth");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollToVerticalOffset_no_animation() {
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ export function test_scrollToVerticalOffset_no_animation() {
 
     TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.verticalOffset, 0, "scrollView.verticalOffset");
     scrollView.scrollToVerticalOffset(100, false);
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, "scrollView.verticalOffset");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.verticalOffset");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollToVerticalOffset_with_animation() {
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ export function test_scrollToVerticalOffset_with_animation() {
     TKUnit.waitUntilReady(() => { return scrollView.verticalOffset === 100 }, ASYNC);
 
     // The scrolling animation should be finished by now
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, "scrollView.verticalOffset");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.verticalOffset");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollToHorizontalOffset_no_animation() {
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ export function test_scrollToHorizontalOffset_no_animation() {
 
     TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 0, "scrollView.horizontalOffset");
     scrollView.scrollToHorizontalOffset(100, false);
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, "scrollView.horizontalOffset");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.horizontalOffset");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollToHorizontalOffset_with_animation() {
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ export function test_scrollToHorizontalOffset_with_animation() {
     TKUnit.waitUntilReady(() => { return scrollView.horizontalOffset === 100 }, ASYNC);
 
     // The scrolling animation should be finished by now
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, "scrollView.horizontalOffset");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.horizontalOffset");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollView_persistsState_vertical() {
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ export function test_scrollView_persistsState_vertical() {
 
     scrollView.scrollToVerticalOffset(100, false);
 
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, "scrollView.verticalOffset before navigation");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.verticalOffset before navigation");
 
     helper.do_PageTest_WithButton((t) => {
         // Just navigate forward and back.
@@ -264,11 +264,11 @@ export function test_scrollView_persistsState_vertical() {
 
     // Wait for the page to reload.
     TKUnit.waitUntilReady(function () {
-        return scrollView.verticalOffset === 100;
+        return Math.abs(scrollView.verticalOffset - 100) < 0.1;
     }, ASYNC);
 
     // Check verticalOffset after navigation
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, "scrollView.verticalOffset after navigation");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.verticalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.verticalOffset after navigation");
 }
 
 export function test_scrollView_persistsState_horizontal() {
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ export function test_scrollView_persistsState_horizontal() {
 
     scrollView.scrollToHorizontalOffset(100, false);
 
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, "scrollView.horizontalOffset before navigation");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.horizontalOffset before navigation");
 
     helper.do_PageTest_WithButton((t) => {
         // Just navigate forward and back.
@@ -293,9 +293,9 @@ export function test_scrollView_persistsState_horizontal() {
 
     // Wait for the page to reload.
     TKUnit.waitUntilReady(function () {
-        return scrollView.horizontalOffset === 100;
+        return Math.abs(scrollView.horizontalOffset - 100) < 0.1;
     }, ASYNC);
 
     // Check verticalOffset after navigation
-    TKUnit.assertEqual(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, "scrollView.horizontalOffset after navigation");
+    TKUnit.assertAreClose(scrollView.horizontalOffset, 100, 0.1, "scrollView.horizontalOffset after navigation");
 }
diff --git a/apps/tests/ui/search-bar/search-bar-tests.ts b/apps/tests/ui/search-bar/search-bar-tests.ts
index 7164134f5..b030c20a0 100644
--- a/apps/tests/ui/search-bar/search-bar-tests.ts
+++ b/apps/tests/ui/search-bar/search-bar-tests.ts
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ export var testSearchBarFontSize = function () {
 
         searchBar.style.fontSize = expectedValue;
         actualValue = searchBarTestsNative.getNativeFontSize(searchBar);
-        TKUnit.assert(actualValue === expectedValue, "Actual: " + actualValue + "; Expected: " + expectedValue);
+        TKUnit.assertAreClose(actualValue, expectedValue, 0.2);
     });
 };
 
diff --git a/apps/tests/ui/view/view-tests-common.ts b/apps/tests/ui/view/view-tests-common.ts
index 74134f0b0..c0fdb2e2c 100644
--- a/apps/tests/ui/view/view-tests-common.ts
+++ b/apps/tests/ui/view/view-tests-common.ts
@@ -407,11 +407,11 @@ function property_binding_test(propName: string, firstValue: any, secondValue: a
     view.bind(options, model);
 
     actualResult = view.get(propName);
-    TKUnit.assert(actualResult === firstValue, "Actual result: " + actualResult + "; Expected result: " + firstValue);
+    TKUnit.assertEqual(actualResult, firstValue);
 
     model.set(propName, secondValue);
     actualResult = view.get(propName);
-    TKUnit.assert(actualResult === secondValue, "Actual result: " + actualResult + "; Expected result: " + secondValue);
+    TKUnit.assertEqual(actualResult, secondValue);
 }
 
 function property_binding_style_test(propName: string, firstValue: any, secondValue: any, view?: viewModule.View) {
@@ -431,11 +431,11 @@ function property_binding_style_test(propName: string, firstValue: any, secondVa
     view.bind(options, model);
 
     actualResult = view.style.get(propName);
-    TKUnit.assert(actualResult === firstValue, "Actual result: " + actualResult + "; Expected result: " + firstValue);
+    TKUnit.assertEqual(actualResult, firstValue);
 
     model.set(propName, secondValue);
     actualResult = view.style.get(propName);
-    TKUnit.assert(actualResult === secondValue, "Actual result: " + actualResult + "; Expected result: " + secondValue);
+    TKUnit.assertEqual(actualResult, secondValue);
 }
 
 export var test_binding_width = function () {
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ export var test_binding_style_minHeight = function () {
 }
 
 export var test_binding_style_margin = function () {
-    property_binding_style_test("margin", "1,1,1,1", "2,2,2,2");
+    property_binding_style_test("margin", "1 1 1 1", "2 2 2 2");
 }
 
 export var test_binding_style_marginLeft = function () {
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ export var test_binding_style_marginBottom = function () {
 }
 
 export var test_binding_style_padding = function () {
-    property_binding_style_test("padding", "1,1,1,1", "2,2,2,2");
+    property_binding_style_test("padding", "1 1 1 1", "2 2 2 2");
 }
 
 export var test_binding_style_paddingLeft = function () {
@@ -600,16 +600,16 @@ export var testIsVisible = function () {
     var lbl = new label.Label();
 
     helper.buildUIAndRunTest(lbl, function (views: Array<viewModule.View>) {
-        TKUnit.assert(lbl.visibility === enums.Visibility.visible, "Actual: " + lbl.visibility + "; Expected: " + enums.Visibility.visible);
-        TKUnit.assert(lbl._isVisible, "Actual: " + lbl._isVisible + "; Expected: true;");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl.visibility, enums.Visibility.visible);
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl._isVisible, true);
 
         lbl.visibility = enums.Visibility.collapse;
-        TKUnit.assert(lbl.visibility === enums.Visibility.collapse, "Actual: " + lbl.visibility + "; Expected: " + enums.Visibility.collapse);
-        TKUnit.assert(!lbl._isVisible, "Actual: " + lbl._isVisible + "; Expected: false;");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl.visibility, enums.Visibility.collapse);
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl._isVisible, false);
 
         lbl.visibility = enums.Visibility.collapsed;
-        TKUnit.assert(lbl.visibility === enums.Visibility.collapsed, "Actual: " + lbl.visibility + "; Expected: " + enums.Visibility.collapsed);
-        TKUnit.assert(!lbl._isVisible, "Actual: " + lbl._isVisible + "; Expected: false;");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl.visibility, enums.Visibility.collapsed);
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(lbl._isVisible, false);
     });
 }
 
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ export var testBorderWidth = function () {
         var lbl = <label.Label>views[0];
         var expectedValue = lbl.borderWidth;
         var actualValue = definition.getNativeBorderWidth(lbl);
-        TKUnit.assert(actualValue === expectedValue, "Actual: " + actualValue + "; Expected: " + expectedValue);
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(actualValue, expectedValue);
     });
 }
 
@@ -641,21 +641,21 @@ export var testCornerRadius = function () {
         var lbl = <label.Label>views[0];
         var expectedValue = lbl.borderRadius;
         var actualValue = definition.getNativeCornerRadius(lbl);
-        TKUnit.assert(actualValue === expectedValue, "Actual: " + actualValue + "; Expected: " + expectedValue);
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(actualValue, expectedValue);
     });
 }
 
 export var testBorderColor = function () {
     helper.buildUIAndRunTest(_createLabelWithBorder(), function (views: Array<viewModule.View>) {
         var lbl = <label.Label>views[0];
-        TKUnit.assert(definition.checkNativeBorderColor(lbl), "BorderColor not applied correctly!");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(definition.checkNativeBorderColor(lbl), true, "BorderColor not applied correctly!");
     });
 }
 
 export var testBackgroundColor = function () {
     helper.buildUIAndRunTest(_createLabelWithBorder(), function (views: Array<viewModule.View>) {
         var lbl = <label.Label>views[0];
-        TKUnit.assert(definition.checkNativeBackgroundColor(lbl), "BackgroundColor not applied correctly!");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(definition.checkNativeBackgroundColor(lbl), true, "BackgroundColor not applied correctly!");
     });
 }
 
@@ -665,7 +665,6 @@ export var testBackgroundImage = function () {
     helper.buildUIAndRunTest(lbl, function (views: Array<viewModule.View>) {
         var page = <page.Page>views[1];
         page.css = ".myClass { background-image: url('~/logo.png') }";
-
-        TKUnit.assert(definition.checkNativeBackgroundImage(lbl), "Style background-image not loaded correctly.");
+        TKUnit.assertEqual(definition.checkNativeBackgroundImage(lbl), true, "Style background-image not loaded correctly.");
     });
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.ts b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.ts
index 0c4b3bb79..c9c0d1c17 100644
--- a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.ts
+++ b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.ts
@@ -8,9 +8,15 @@ export function resetStyles(args) {
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontSizeProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontStyleProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontWeightProperty);
-        v.style._resetValue(style.fontProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.colorProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.textAlignmentProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.paddingLeftProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.paddingRightProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.paddingTopProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.paddingBottomProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.borderColorProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.borderWidthProperty);
+        v.style._resetValue(style.borderRadiusProperty);
         return true;
     });
 }
diff --git a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.xml b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.xml
index d15d8ef6d..a056790e1 100644
--- a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.xml
+++ b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/button.xml
@@ -8,17 +8,19 @@
     <WrapLayout>
       <Button text="RESET" tap="resetStyles"/>
       <Button text="normal" />
-      <Button text="color"       style="color: green"/>
-      <Button text="size"        style="font-size: 32" />
-      <Button text="italic"      style="font-style: italic" />
-      <Button text="bold"        style="font-weight: bold"/>
-      <Button text="bold-italic" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic"/>
-      <Button text="serif"       style="font-family: serif"/>
-      <Button text="sans-serif"  style="font-family: sans-serif"/>
-      <Button text="monospace"   style="font-family: monospace"/>
+      <Button text="color"             style="color: green"/>
+      <Button text="size"              style="font-size: 32" />
+      <Button text="italic"            style="font-style: italic" />
+      <Button text="bold"              style="font-weight: bold"/>
+      <Button text="bold-italic"       style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic"/>
+      <Button text="serif"             style="font-family: serif"/>
+      <Button text="sans-serif"        style="font-family: sans-serif"/>
+      <Button text="monospace"         style="font-family: monospace"/>
       <Button text="Times New Roman"   style="font-family: Times New Roman"/>
-      <Button text="invalid"   style="font-family: InvalidFont"/>
-      <Button text="all in one"  style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-size: 32; color: green" />
+      <Button text="invalid"           style="font-family: InvalidFont"/>
+      <Button text="all in one"        style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; font-size: 32; color: green" />      
+      <Button text="padding on next"  style="padding: 0"/>
+      <Button text="padding and borderWidth"  style="padding: 0; border-width: 5; border-color: red; border-radius: 8"/>
     </WrapLayout>
   </StackLayout>
 </Page>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/label.ts b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/label.ts
index 23bdf67b3..a76943977 100644
--- a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/label.ts
+++ b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/label.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ export function resetStyles(args) {
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontSizeProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontStyleProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontWeightProperty);
-        v.style._resetValue(style.fontProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.colorProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.textAlignmentProperty);
         return true;
diff --git a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-field.ts b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-field.ts
index 23bdf67b3..a76943977 100644
--- a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-field.ts
+++ b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-field.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ export function resetStyles(args) {
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontSizeProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontStyleProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontWeightProperty);
-        v.style._resetValue(style.fontProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.colorProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.textAlignmentProperty);
         return true;
diff --git a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-view.ts b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-view.ts
index 23bdf67b3..a76943977 100644
--- a/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-view.ts
+++ b/apps/ui-tests-app/pages/text/text-view.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ export function resetStyles(args) {
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontSizeProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontStyleProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.fontWeightProperty);
-        v.style._resetValue(style.fontProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.colorProperty);
         v.style._resetValue(style.textAlignmentProperty);
         return true;
diff --git a/ui/core/dependency-observable.d.ts b/ui/core/dependency-observable.d.ts
index 5b265bd54..6b9acb536 100644
--- a/ui/core/dependency-observable.d.ts
+++ b/ui/core/dependency-observable.d.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,15 @@
 declare module "ui/core/dependency-observable" {
     import observable = require("data/observable");
 
+    /**
+     * Interface used by Propery 'defaultValueGetter' function to specify if the default value returned by the native instance can be cached or not.
+     * One example is - android.widget.Button background. It is state drawable so it cannot be reused/cached.
+     */
+    export interface NativeValueResult {
+        result: any;
+        cacheable: boolean;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Represents a special Property which supports changed callback, metadata and value validation.
      */
@@ -36,6 +45,12 @@ declare module "ui/core/dependency-observable" {
          * Gets the valueConverter function associated with the property. This is a read-only property.
          */
         valueConverter: (value: string) => any
+
+        /**
+         * Gets or sets the defaultValueGetter function used to get the default value for this property.
+         * If default value is 'undefined' and this property is set this function will be used to extract the default value from the native instance.
+         */
+        defaultValueGetter: (instance: DependencyObservable) => NativeValueResult;
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/ui/core/dependency-observable.ts b/ui/core/dependency-observable.ts
index ef8d13b12..4a635aea1 100644
--- a/ui/core/dependency-observable.ts
+++ b/ui/core/dependency-observable.ts
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ export class Property implements definition.Property {
         this._valueConverter = valueConverter;
     }
 
+    public defaultValueGetter: (instance: definition.DependencyObservable) => definition.NativeValueResult;
+
     public get name(): string {
         return this._name;
     }
@@ -263,6 +265,8 @@ export class PropertyEntry implements definition.PropertyEntry {
     }
 }
 
+var defaultValueForPropertyPerType: Map<string, any> = new Map<string, any>();
+
 export class DependencyObservable extends observable.Observable {
     private _propertyEntries = {};
 
@@ -310,6 +314,21 @@ export class DependencyObservable extends observable.Observable {
         if (entry) {
             return entry.effectiveValue;
         }
+        else if (property.defaultValueGetter) { // we check for cached properties only for these which have 'defaultValueGetter' defined;
+            // When DependencyProperties are removed from Style - fix this check.
+            var view = (<any>this)._view || this;
+            let key = types.getClass(view) + "." + property.id;
+            let defaultValue = defaultValueForPropertyPerType.get(key);
+            if (types.isUndefined(defaultValue) && view._nativeView) {
+                let defaultValueResult = property.defaultValueGetter(this);
+                defaultValue = defaultValueResult.result;
+                if (defaultValueResult.cacheable) {
+                    defaultValueForPropertyPerType.set(key, defaultValue);
+                }
+            }
+
+            return defaultValue;
+        }
 
         return property.metadata.defaultValue;
     }
diff --git a/ui/page/page-common.ts b/ui/page/page-common.ts
index 43934104f..85881751b 100644
--- a/ui/page/page-common.ts
+++ b/ui/page/page-common.ts
@@ -42,12 +42,12 @@ export class Page extends contentView.ContentView implements dts.Page {
     constructor(options?: dts.Options) {
         super(options);
         this.actionBar = new actionBar.ActionBar();
-
-        // The default style of the page should be white background
-        this.style._setValue(styleModule.backgroundColorProperty, "white", dependencyObservable.ValueSource.Inherited);
     }
 
     public onLoaded() {
+        // The default style of the page should be white background
+        this.style._setValue(styleModule.backgroundColorProperty, "white", dependencyObservable.ValueSource.Inherited);
+
         this._applyCss();
 
         if (this.actionBarHidden !== undefined) {
diff --git a/ui/styling/css-selector.ts b/ui/styling/css-selector.ts
index 5c4cdb2d6..3926bd9a2 100644
--- a/ui/styling/css-selector.ts
+++ b/ui/styling/css-selector.ts
@@ -45,17 +45,25 @@ export class CssSelector {
     }
 
     public eachSetter(callback: (property: styleProperty.Property, resolvedValue: any) => void) {
-        var i,
-            property: styleProperty.Property,
-            resolvedValue;
+        for (let i = 0; i < this._declarations.length; i++) {
+            let declaration = this._declarations[i];
+            let name = declaration.property;
+            let resolvedValue = declaration.value;
+            let property = styleProperty.getPropertyByCssName(name);
 
-        for (i = 0; i < this._declarations.length; i++) {
-            property = styleProperty.getPropertyByCssName(this._declarations[i].property);
-            if (property) {
-                resolvedValue = this._declarations[i].value;
+            if (property) {                
                 // The property.valueConverter is now used to convert the value later on in DependencyObservable._setValueInternal.
                 callback(property, resolvedValue);
             }
+            else {
+                var pairs = styleProperty.getShorthandPairs(name, resolvedValue);
+                if (pairs) {
+                    for (let j = 0; j < pairs.length; j++) {
+                        let pair = pairs[j];
+                        callback(pair.property, pair.value);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/ui/styling/style-property.d.ts b/ui/styling/style-property.d.ts
index b2c9a27f2..0169f9173 100644
--- a/ui/styling/style-property.d.ts
+++ b/ui/styling/style-property.d.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
     import definition = require("ui/styling");
     import observable = require("ui/core/dependency-observable");
 
+    export function getShorthandPairs(name: string, value: any): Array<KeyValuePair<Property, any>>;
+
+    export function registerShorthandCallback(name: string, callback: (value: any) => Array<KeyValuePair<Property, any>>): void;
+
     export function getPropertyByName(name: string): Property;
 
     export function getPropertyByCssName(name: string): Property;
@@ -16,4 +20,9 @@
 
         cssName: string;
     }
+
+    export interface KeyValuePair<K, V> {
+        property: K;
+        value: V;
+    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ui/styling/style-property.ts b/ui/styling/style-property.ts
index 85903180c..beb53d88f 100644
--- a/ui/styling/style-property.ts
+++ b/ui/styling/style-property.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
-import definition = require("ui/styling");
+import definition = require("ui/styling/style-property");
 import types = require("utils/types");
 import observable = require("ui/core/dependency-observable"); 
 
 var propertiesByName = {};
 var propertiesByCssName = {};
+var callbackByShorthandName = new Map<string, (value: any) => Array<definition.KeyValuePair<definition.Property, any>>>();
 var inheritableProperties: Array<Property> = [];
 
 function registerProperty(property: Property) {
@@ -19,6 +20,23 @@ function registerProperty(property: Property) {
     }
 }
 
+export function getShorthandPairs(name: string, value: any): Array<definition.KeyValuePair<definition.Property, any>> {
+    var callback = callbackByShorthandName.get(name);
+    if (callback) {
+        return callback(value)
+    }
+
+    return undefined;
+}
+
+export function registerShorthandCallback(name: string, callback: (value: any) => Array<definition.KeyValuePair<definition.Property, any>>): void {
+    if (callbackByShorthandName.has(name)) {
+        throw new Error("Shorthand callback already registered for property: " + name);
+    }
+
+    callbackByShorthandName.set(name, callback);
+}
+
 export function getPropertyByName(name: string): Property {
     return propertiesByName[name];
 }
diff --git a/ui/styling/style.ts b/ui/styling/style.ts
index 79ef18b12..08a4c557d 100644
--- a/ui/styling/style.ts
+++ b/ui/styling/style.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 import styling = require("ui/styling");
-import observable = require("ui/core/dependency-observable");
-import color = require("color");
 import types = require("utils/types");
 import trace = require("trace");
-import dependencyObservable = require("ui/core/dependency-observable");
-import view = require("ui/core/view");
+import {DependencyObservable, PropertyMetadata, PropertyMetadataSettings, PropertyChangeData, Property, ValueSource, NativeValueResult} from "ui/core/dependency-observable";
+import {View} from "ui/core/view";
+import {Color} from "color";
 import stylers = require("ui/styling/stylers");
 import styleProperty = require("ui/styling/style-property");
 import converters = require("ui/styling/converters");
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ var _handlersCache = {};
 var noStylingClasses = {};
 
 // on Android we explicitly set propertySettings to None because android will invalidate its layout (skip unnecessary native call).
-var AffectsLayout = global.android ? dependencyObservable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None : dependencyObservable.PropertyMetadataSettings.AffectsLayout;
+var AffectsLayout = global.android ? PropertyMetadataSettings.None : PropertyMetadataSettings.AffectsLayout;
 
 export interface Thickness {
     left: number;
@@ -70,6 +69,9 @@ function parseThickness(value: any): Thickness {
     } else if (types.isNumber(value)) {
         result.top = result.right = result.bottom = result.left = value;
     }
+    else {
+        result = value;
+    }
 
     return result;
 }
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ function layoutParamsComparer(x: CommonLayoutParams, y: CommonLayoutParams): boo
         && x.verticalAlignment === y.verticalAlignment
 }
 
-function onLayoutParamsChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onLayoutParamsChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var layoutParams: CommonLayoutParams = {
         width: isNaN(style.width) ? -1 : style.width,
@@ -101,7 +103,7 @@ function onLayoutParamsChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     style._setValue(nativeLayoutParamsProperty, layoutParams);
 }
 
-function onPaddingValueChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onPaddingValueChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var thickness: Thickness = {
         top: style.paddingTop,
@@ -113,42 +115,11 @@ function onPaddingValueChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     style._setValue(nativePaddingsProperty, thickness);
 }
 
-function onPaddingChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
-    var thickness = parseThickness(data.newValue);
-    var style = <Style>data.object;
-    var valueSource = style._getValueSource(paddingProperty);
-
-    try {
-        style._beginUpdate();
-        style._setValue(paddingTopProperty, thickness.top, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(paddingRightProperty, thickness.right, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(paddingBottomProperty, thickness.bottom, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(paddingLeftProperty, thickness.left, valueSource);
-    }
-    finally {
-        style._endUpdate();
-    }
-}
-
-function onMarginChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
-    var thickness = parseThickness(data.newValue);
-    var style = <Style>data.object;
-    var valueSource = style._getValueSource(marginProperty);
-
-    try {
-        style._beginUpdate();
-        style._setValue(marginTopProperty, thickness.top, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(marginRightProperty, thickness.right, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(marginBottomProperty, thickness.bottom, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(marginLeftProperty, thickness.left, valueSource);
-    }
-    finally {
-        style._endUpdate();
-    }
-}
-
 function thicknessComparer(x: Thickness, y: Thickness): boolean {
-    return x.left === y.left && x.top === y.top && x.right === y.right && x.bottom === y.bottom;
+    if (x && y) {
+        return x.left === y.left && x.top === y.top && x.right === y.right && x.bottom === y.bottom;
+    }
+    return !x === !y;
 }
 
 function isWidthHeightValid(value: number): boolean {
@@ -159,7 +130,7 @@ function isMinWidthHeightValid(value: number): boolean {
     return !isNaN(value) && value >= 0.0 && isFinite(value);
 }
 
-function onBackgroundImagePropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onBackgroundImagePropertyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var url: string = data.newValue;
     var currentBackground = <background.Background>style._getValue(backgroundInternalProperty);
@@ -200,15 +171,15 @@ function onBackgroundImagePropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onBackgroundColorPropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onBackgroundColorPropertyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var currentBackground = <background.Background>style._getValue(backgroundInternalProperty);
-    if (!color.Color.equals(currentBackground.color, data.newValue)) {
+    if (!Color.equals(currentBackground.color, data.newValue)) {
         style._setValue(backgroundInternalProperty, currentBackground.withColor(data.newValue));
     }
 }
 
-function onBackgroundSizePropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onBackgroundSizePropertyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var currentBackground = <background.Background>style._getValue(backgroundInternalProperty);
     if (data.newValue !== currentBackground.size) {
@@ -216,7 +187,7 @@ function onBackgroundSizePropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onBackgroundRepeatPropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onBackgroundRepeatPropertyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var currentBackground = <background.Background>style._getValue(backgroundInternalProperty);
     if (data.newValue !== currentBackground.repeat) {
@@ -224,7 +195,7 @@ function onBackgroundRepeatPropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData)
     }
 }
 
-function onBackgroundPositionPropertyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onBackgroundPositionPropertyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
     var currentBackground = <background.Background>style._getValue(backgroundInternalProperty);
     if (data.newValue !== currentBackground.position) {
@@ -244,7 +215,7 @@ function getHandlerInternal(propertyId: number, classInfo: types.ClassInfo): sty
 
     var propertyHandlers = _registeredHandlers[propertyId];
     if (noStylingClasses.hasOwnProperty(className) || !propertyHandlers) {
-        // Reached 'no-styling' class or no property handlers are registered for this proeprtyID
+        // Reached 'no-styling' class or no property handlers are registered for this propertyID
         result = null;
     }
     else if (propertyHandlers.hasOwnProperty(className)) {
@@ -267,7 +238,7 @@ function isVisibilityValid(value: string): boolean {
     return value === enums.Visibility.visible || value === enums.Visibility.collapse || value === enums.Visibility.collapsed;
 }
 
-function onVisibilityChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onVisibilityChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     (<any>data.object)._view._isVisibleCache = data.newValue === enums.Visibility.visible;
 }
 
@@ -292,7 +263,7 @@ function isFontStyleValid(value: string): boolean {
     return value === enums.FontStyle.normal || value === enums.FontStyle.italic;
 }
 
-function onFontFamilyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onFontFamilyChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
 
     var currentFont = <font.Font>style._getValue(fontInternalProperty);
@@ -301,7 +272,7 @@ function onFontFamilyChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onFontStyleChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onFontStyleChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
 
     var currentFont = <font.Font>style._getValue(fontInternalProperty);
@@ -310,7 +281,7 @@ function onFontStyleChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onFontWeightChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onFontWeightChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
 
     var currentFont = <font.Font>style._getValue(fontInternalProperty);
@@ -319,7 +290,7 @@ function onFontWeightChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onFontSizeChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
+function onFontSizeChanged(data: PropertyChangeData) {
     var style = <Style>data.object;
 
     var currentFont = <font.Font>style._getValue(fontInternalProperty);
@@ -328,260 +299,243 @@ function onFontSizeChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
     }
 }
 
-function onFontChanged(data: observable.PropertyChangeData) {
-    var style = <Style>data.object;
-
-    var newFont = font.Font.parse(data.newValue);
-    var valueSource = style._getValueSource(fontProperty);
-    try {
-        style._beginUpdate();
-        style._setValue(fontFamilyProperty, newFont.fontFamily, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(fontStyleProperty, newFont.fontStyle, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(fontWeightProperty, newFont.fontWeight, valueSource);
-        style._setValue(fontSizeProperty, newFont.fontSize, valueSource);
-    }
-    finally {
-        style._endUpdate();
-    }
-}
-
-export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.Style {
-    private _view: view.View;
+export class Style extends DependencyObservable implements styling.Style {
+    private _view: View;
     private _updateCounter = 0;
-    private _nativeSetters = new Map<dependencyObservable.Property, any>();
+    private _nativeSetters = new Map<Property, any>();
 
-    get color(): color.Color {
+    get color(): Color {
         return this._getValue(colorProperty);
     }
-    set color(value: color.Color) {
-        this._setValue(colorProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+    set color(value: Color) {
+        this._setValue(colorProperty, value);
     }
 
-    get backgroundColor(): color.Color {
+    get backgroundColor(): Color {
         return this._getValue(backgroundColorProperty);
     }
-    set backgroundColor(value: color.Color) {
-        this._setValue(backgroundColorProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+    set backgroundColor(value: Color) {
+        this._setValue(backgroundColorProperty, value);
     }
 
     get backgroundImage(): string {
         return this._getValue(backgroundImageProperty);
     }
     set backgroundImage(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(backgroundImageProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(backgroundImageProperty, value);
     }
 
     get backgroundRepeat(): string {
         return this._getValue(backgroundRepeatProperty);
     }
     set backgroundRepeat(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(backgroundRepeatProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(backgroundRepeatProperty, value);
     }
 
     get backgroundSize(): string {
         return this._getValue(backgroundSizeProperty);
     }
     set backgroundSize(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(backgroundSizeProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(backgroundSizeProperty, value);
     }
 
     get backgroundPosition(): string {
         return this._getValue(backgroundPositionProperty);
     }
     set backgroundPosition(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(backgroundPositionProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(backgroundPositionProperty, value);
     }
 
-    get borderColor(): color.Color {
+    get borderColor(): Color {
         return this._getValue(borderColorProperty);
     }
-    set borderColor(value: color.Color) {
-        this._setValue(borderColorProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+    set borderColor(value: Color) {
+        this._setValue(borderColorProperty, value);
     }
 
     get borderWidth(): number {
         return this._getValue(borderWidthProperty);
     }
     set borderWidth(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(borderWidthProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(borderWidthProperty, value);
     }
 
     get borderRadius(): number {
         return this._getValue(borderRadiusProperty);
     }
     set borderRadius(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(borderRadiusProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(borderRadiusProperty, value);
     }
 
     get fontSize(): number {
         return this._getValue(fontSizeProperty);
     }
     set fontSize(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(fontSizeProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(fontSizeProperty, value);
     }
 
     get fontFamily(): string {
         return this._getValue(fontFamilyProperty);
     }
     set fontFamily(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(fontFamilyProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(fontFamilyProperty, value);
     }
 
     get fontStyle(): string {
         return this._getValue(fontStyleProperty);
     }
     set fontStyle(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(fontStyleProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(fontStyleProperty, value);
     }
 
     get fontWeight(): string {
         return this._getValue(fontWeightProperty);
     }
     set fontWeight(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(fontWeightProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(fontWeightProperty, value);
     }
 
     get font(): string {
-        return this._getValue(fontProperty);
+        return this.fontStyle + " " + this.fontWeight + " " + this.fontSize + " " + this.fontFamily;
     }
-    set font(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(fontProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+    set font(value: string) {        
+        this._setShorthandProperty("font", value);
     }
 
     get textAlignment(): string {
         return this._getValue(textAlignmentProperty);
     }
     set textAlignment(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(textAlignmentProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(textAlignmentProperty, value);
     }
 
     get minWidth(): number {
         return this._getValue(minWidthProperty);
     }
     set minWidth(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(minWidthProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(minWidthProperty, value);
     }
 
     get minHeight(): number {
         return this._getValue(minHeightProperty);
     }
     set minHeight(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(minHeightProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(minHeightProperty, value);
     }
 
     get width(): number {
         return this._getValue(widthProperty);
     }
     set width(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(widthProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(widthProperty, value);
     }
 
     get height(): number {
         return this._getValue(heightProperty);
     }
     set height(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(heightProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(heightProperty, value);
     }
 
     get margin(): string {
-        return this._getValue(marginProperty);
+        return this.marginTop + " " + this.marginRight + " " + this.marginBottom + " " + this.marginLeft;
     }
     set margin(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(marginProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setShorthandProperty("margin", value);
     }
 
     get marginLeft(): number {
         return this._getValue(marginLeftProperty);
     }
     set marginLeft(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(marginLeftProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(marginLeftProperty, value);
     }
 
     get marginTop(): number {
         return this._getValue(marginTopProperty);
     }
     set marginTop(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(marginTopProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(marginTopProperty, value);
     }
 
     get marginRight(): number {
         return this._getValue(marginRightProperty);
     }
     set marginRight(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(marginRightProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(marginRightProperty, value);
     }
 
     get marginBottom(): number {
         return this._getValue(marginBottomProperty);
     }
     set marginBottom(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(marginBottomProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(marginBottomProperty, value);
     }
 
     get padding(): string {
-        return this._getValue(paddingProperty);
+        return this.paddingTop + " " + this.paddingRight + " " + this.paddingBottom + " " + this.paddingLeft;
     }
     set padding(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(paddingProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setShorthandProperty("padding", value);
     }
 
     get paddingLeft(): number {
         return this._getValue(paddingLeftProperty);
     }
     set paddingLeft(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(paddingLeftProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(paddingLeftProperty, value);
     }
 
     get paddingTop(): number {
         return this._getValue(paddingTopProperty);
     }
     set paddingTop(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(paddingTopProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(paddingTopProperty, value);
     }
 
     get paddingRight(): number {
         return this._getValue(paddingRightProperty);
     }
     set paddingRight(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(paddingRightProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(paddingRightProperty, value);
     }
 
     get paddingBottom(): number {
         return this._getValue(paddingBottomProperty);
     }
     set paddingBottom(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(paddingBottomProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(paddingBottomProperty, value);
     }
 
     get horizontalAlignment(): string {
         return this._getValue(horizontalAlignmentProperty);
     }
     set horizontalAlignment(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(horizontalAlignmentProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(horizontalAlignmentProperty, value);
     }
 
     get verticalAlignment(): string {
         return this._getValue(verticalAlignmentProperty);
     }
     set verticalAlignment(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(verticalAlignmentProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(verticalAlignmentProperty, value);
     }
 
     get visibility(): string {
         return this._getValue(visibilityProperty);
     }
     set visibility(value: string) {
-        this._setValue(visibilityProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(visibilityProperty, value);
     }
 
     get opacity(): number {
         return this._getValue(opacityProperty);
     }
     set opacity(value: number) {
-        this._setValue(opacityProperty, value, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._setValue(opacityProperty, value);
     }
 
-    constructor(parentView: view.View) {
+    constructor(parentView: View) {
         super();
         this._view = parentView;
     }
@@ -595,6 +549,7 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
         if (this._updateCounter < 0) {
             throw new Error("style._endUpdate() called, but no update is in progress.");
         }
+
         if (this._updateCounter === 0) {
             this._nativeSetters.forEach((newValue, property, map) => { this._applyStyleProperty(property, newValue); });
             this._nativeSetters.clear();
@@ -603,21 +558,21 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
 
     public _resetCssValues() {
         var that = this;
-        this._eachSetProperty(function (property: observable.Property) {
-            that._resetValue(property, observable.ValueSource.Css);
+        this._eachSetProperty(function (property: Property) {
+            that._resetValue(property, ValueSource.Css);
             return true;
         });
     }
 
     public _resetLocalValues() {
         var that = this;
-        this._eachSetProperty(function (property: observable.Property) {
-            that._resetValue(property, observable.ValueSource.Local);
+        this._eachSetProperty(function (property: Property) {
+            that._resetValue(property);
             return true;
         });
     }
 
-    public _onPropertyChanged(property: dependencyObservable.Property, oldValue: any, newValue: any) {
+    public _onPropertyChanged(property: Property, oldValue: any, newValue: any) {
         trace.write(
             "Style._onPropertyChanged view:" + this._view +
             ", property: " + property.name +
@@ -643,7 +598,7 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
         });
     }
 
-    private _applyProperty(property: dependencyObservable.Property, newValue: any) {
+    private _applyProperty(property: Property, newValue: any) {
         this._applyStyleProperty(property, newValue);
 
         // The effective value of an inheritable property has changed 
@@ -652,7 +607,7 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
             return;
         }
 
-        var eachChild = function (child: view.View): boolean {
+        var eachChild = function (child: View): boolean {
             child.style._inheritStyleProperty(property);
             return true;
         }
@@ -660,7 +615,12 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
         this._view._eachChildView(eachChild);
     }
 
-    private _applyStyleProperty(property: dependencyObservable.Property, newValue: any) {
+    private _applyStyleProperty(property: Property, newValue: any) {
+
+        if (!this._view._nativeView) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (this._updateCounter > 0) {
             this._nativeSetters.set(property, newValue);
             return;
@@ -695,7 +655,7 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
         }
     }
 
-    public _inheritStyleProperty(property: dependencyObservable.Property) {
+    public _inheritStyleProperty(property: Property) {
         if (!property.metadata.inheritable) {
             throw new Error("An attempt was made to inherit a style property which is not marked as 'inheritable'.");
         }
@@ -705,8 +665,8 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
 
         while (currentParent) {
             valueSource = currentParent.style._getValueSource(property);
-            if (valueSource > dependencyObservable.ValueSource.Default) {
-                this._setValue(property, currentParent.style._getValue(property), dependencyObservable.ValueSource.Inherited);
+            if (valueSource > ValueSource.Default) {
+                this._setValue(property, currentParent.style._getValue(property), ValueSource.Inherited);
                 break;
             }
 
@@ -720,9 +680,25 @@ export class Style extends observable.DependencyObservable implements styling.St
             that._inheritStyleProperty(p);
         });
     }
+
+    get _nativeView(): any {
+        return this._view._nativeView;
+    }
+
+    private _setShorthandProperty(name: string, value: any): void {
+        var pairs = styleProperty.getShorthandPairs(name, value);
+        if (pairs) {
+            this._beginUpdate();
+            for (let j = 0; j < pairs.length; j++) {
+                let pair = pairs[j];
+                this._setValue(pair.property, pair.value, ValueSource.Local);
+            }
+            this._endUpdate();
+        }
+    }
 }
 
-export function registerHandler(property: dependencyObservable.Property, handler: styling.stylers.StylePropertyChangedHandler, className?: string) {
+export function registerHandler(property: Property, handler: styling.stylers.StylePropertyChangedHandler, className?: string) {
     var realClassName = className ? className : "default";
 
     var handlerRecord = _registeredHandlers[property.id];
@@ -738,75 +714,76 @@ export function registerNoStylingClass(className) {
     noStylingClasses[className] = 1;
 }
 
-export function getHandler(property: dependencyObservable.Property, view: view.View): styling.stylers.StylePropertyChangedHandler {
+export function getHandler(property: Property, view: View): styling.stylers.StylePropertyChangedHandler {
     return getHandlerInternal(property.id, types.getClassInfo(view));
 }
 
 // Property registration
 export var colorProperty = new styleProperty.Property("color", "color",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, undefined, color.Color.isValid, color.Color.equals),
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, undefined, Color.isValid, Color.equals),
     converters.colorConverter);
 
 export var backgroundImageProperty = new styleProperty.Property("backgroundImage", "background-image",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundImagePropertyChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundImagePropertyChanged));
 
 export var backgroundColorProperty = new styleProperty.Property("backgroundColor", "background-color",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundColorPropertyChanged, color.Color.isValid, color.Color.equals),
-    converters.colorConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundColorPropertyChanged, Color.isValid, Color.equals), converters.colorConverter);
 
 export var backgroundRepeatProperty = new styleProperty.Property("backgroundRepeat", "background-repeat",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundRepeatPropertyChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundRepeatPropertyChanged));
 
 export var backgroundSizeProperty = new styleProperty.Property("backgroundSize", "background-size",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundSizePropertyChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundSizePropertyChanged));
 
 export var backgroundPositionProperty = new styleProperty.Property("backgroundPosition", "background-position",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundPositionPropertyChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onBackgroundPositionPropertyChanged));
 
 export var borderColorProperty = new styleProperty.Property("borderColor", "border-color",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, color.Color.isValid, color.Color.equals),
-    converters.colorConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, Color.isValid, Color.equals), converters.colorConverter);
 
 export var borderWidthProperty = new styleProperty.Property("borderWidth", "border-width",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var borderRadiusProperty = new styleProperty.Property("borderRadius", "border-radius",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var backgroundInternalProperty = new styleProperty.Property("_backgroundInternal", "_backgroundInternal",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(background.Background.default, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, undefined, background.Background.equals));
-
-export var fontProperty = new styleProperty.Property("font", "font",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, onFontChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(background.Background.default, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, undefined, background.Background.equals));
 
 export var fontSizeProperty = new styleProperty.Property("fontSize", "font-size",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontSizeChanged), converters.fontSizeConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontSizeChanged), converters.fontSizeConverter);
 
 export var fontFamilyProperty = new styleProperty.Property("fontFamily", "font-family",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontFamilyChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontFamilyChanged));
 
 export var fontStyleProperty = new styleProperty.Property("fontStyle", "font-style",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(enums.FontStyle.normal, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontStyleChanged, isFontStyleValid));
+    new PropertyMetadata(enums.FontStyle.normal, PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontStyleChanged, isFontStyleValid));
 
 export var fontWeightProperty = new styleProperty.Property("fontWeight", "font-weight",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(enums.FontWeight.normal, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontWeightChanged, isFontWeightValid));
+    new PropertyMetadata(enums.FontWeight.normal, PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable, onFontWeightChanged, isFontWeightValid));
 
 export var fontInternalProperty = new styleProperty.Property("_fontInternal", "_fontInternal",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(font.Font.default, AffectsLayout, null, null, font.Font.equals), font.Font.parse);
+    new PropertyMetadata(font.Font.default, AffectsLayout, null, null, font.Font.equals), font.Font.parse);
 
 export var textAlignmentProperty = new styleProperty.Property("textAlignment", "text-align",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(undefined, AffectsLayout | observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable), converters.textAlignConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, AffectsLayout | PropertyMetadataSettings.Inheritable), converters.textAlignConverter);
 
 export var minWidthProperty = new styleProperty.Property("minWidth", "min-width",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isMinWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isMinWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var minHeightProperty = new styleProperty.Property("minHeight", "min-height",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isMinWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, null, isMinWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
+
+export var visibilityProperty = new styleProperty.Property("visibility", "visibility",
+    new PropertyMetadata(enums.Visibility.visible, AffectsLayout, onVisibilityChanged, isVisibilityValid), converters.visibilityConverter);
+
+export var opacityProperty = new styleProperty.Property("opacity", "opacity",
+    new PropertyMetadata(1.0, PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, isOpacityValid), converters.opacityConverter);
 
 // Helper property holding most layout related properties available in CSS.
 // When layout related properties are set in CSS we chache them and send them to the native view in a single call.
 export var nativeLayoutParamsProperty = new styleProperty.Property("nativeLayoutParams", "nativeLayoutParams",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata({
+    new PropertyMetadata({
         width: -1,
         height: -1,
         leftMargin: 0,
@@ -817,55 +794,118 @@ export var nativeLayoutParamsProperty = new styleProperty.Property("nativeLayout
         verticalAlignment: enums.VerticalAlignment.stretch
     }, null, null, null, layoutParamsComparer));
 
-// Helper property holding all paddings. When paddings are set through CSS we cache them and send them to the native view in a single call.
-export var nativePaddingsProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingNative", "paddingNative",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata({ top: 0, right: 0, bottom: 0, left: 0 }, null, null, null, thicknessComparer));
-
 export var widthProperty = new styleProperty.Property("width", "width",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(Number.NaN, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(Number.NaN, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var heightProperty = new styleProperty.Property("height", "height",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(Number.NaN, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(Number.NaN, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isWidthHeightValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var verticalAlignmentProperty = new styleProperty.Property("verticalAlignment", "vertical-align",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(enums.VerticalAlignment.stretch, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(enums.VerticalAlignment.stretch, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged));
 
 export var horizontalAlignmentProperty = new styleProperty.Property("horizontalAlignment", "horizontal-align",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(enums.HorizontalAlignment.stretch, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged));
-
-export var marginProperty = new styleProperty.Property("margin", "margin", new observable.PropertyMetadata(null, null, onMarginChanged));
+    new PropertyMetadata(enums.HorizontalAlignment.stretch, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged));
 
 export var marginLeftProperty = new styleProperty.Property("marginLeft", "margin-left",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var marginRightProperty = new styleProperty.Property("marginRight", "margin-right",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var marginTopProperty = new styleProperty.Property("marginTop", "margin-top",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var marginBottomProperty = new styleProperty.Property("marginBottom", "margin-bottom",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onLayoutParamsChanged, isMarginValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
-export var paddingProperty = new styleProperty.Property("padding", "padding", new observable.PropertyMetadata(null, null, onPaddingChanged));
+function getNativePadding(nativeView: android.view.View, callback: (view: android.view.View) => number): NativeValueResult {
+    return {
+        result: nativeView ? callback(nativeView) / utils.layout.getDisplayDensity() : 0,
+        cacheable: !!nativeView
+    };
+}
+
+function getNativePaddingLeft(instance: DependencyObservable): NativeValueResult {
+    var nativeView: android.view.View = (<any>instance)._nativeView;
+    return getNativePadding(nativeView, (view) => { return view.getPaddingLeft(); });
+}
+
+function getNativePaddingTop(instance: DependencyObservable): NativeValueResult {
+    var nativeView: android.view.View = (<any>instance)._nativeView;
+    return getNativePadding(nativeView, (view) => { return view.getPaddingTop(); });
+}
+
+function getNativePaddingRight(instance: DependencyObservable): NativeValueResult {
+    var nativeView: android.view.View = (<any>instance)._nativeView;
+    return getNativePadding(nativeView, (view) => { return view.getPaddingRight(); });
+}
+
+function getNativePaddingBottom(instance: DependencyObservable): NativeValueResult {
+    var nativeView: android.view.View = (<any>instance)._nativeView;
+    return getNativePadding(nativeView, (view) => { return view.getPaddingBottom(); });
+}
+
+// Helper property holding all paddings. When paddings are set through CSS we cache them and send them to the native view in a single call.
+export var nativePaddingsProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingNative", "paddingNative",
+    new PropertyMetadata(undefined, null, null, null, thicknessComparer));
+
+// TODO: separate into .android/.ios files so that there is no need for such checks
+var defaultPadding = global.android ? undefined : 0;
 
 export var paddingLeftProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingLeft", "padding-left",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(defaultPadding, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var paddingRightProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingRight", "padding-right",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(defaultPadding, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var paddingTopProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingTop", "padding-top",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(defaultPadding, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
 export var paddingBottomProperty = new styleProperty.Property("paddingBottom", "padding-bottom",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(0, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
+    new PropertyMetadata(defaultPadding, AffectsLayout, onPaddingValueChanged, isPaddingValid), converters.numberConverter);
 
-export var visibilityProperty = new styleProperty.Property("visibility", "visibility",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(enums.Visibility.visible, AffectsLayout, onVisibilityChanged, isVisibilityValid), converters.visibilityConverter);
+// TODO: separate into .android/.ios files so that there is no need for such checks
+if (global.android) {
+    paddingTopProperty.defaultValueGetter = getNativePaddingTop;
+    paddingLeftProperty.defaultValueGetter = getNativePaddingLeft;
+    paddingRightProperty.defaultValueGetter = getNativePaddingRight;
+    paddingBottomProperty.defaultValueGetter = getNativePaddingBottom;
+}
 
-export var opacityProperty = new styleProperty.Property("opacity", "opacity",
-    new observable.PropertyMetadata(1.0, observable.PropertyMetadataSettings.None, undefined, isOpacityValid), converters.opacityConverter);
+function onPaddingChanged(value: any): Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>> {
+    var thickness = parseThickness(value);
+    var array = new Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>>();
+    array.push({ property: paddingTopProperty, value: thickness.top });
+    array.push({ property: paddingRightProperty, value: thickness.right });
+    array.push({ property: paddingBottomProperty, value: thickness.bottom });
+    array.push({ property: paddingLeftProperty, value: thickness.left });
+    return array;
+}
+
+function onMarginChanged(value: any): Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>> {
+    var thickness = parseThickness(value);
+    var array = new Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>>();
+    array.push({ property: marginTopProperty, value: thickness.top });
+    array.push({ property: marginRightProperty, value: thickness.right });
+    array.push({ property: marginBottomProperty, value: thickness.bottom });
+    array.push({ property: marginLeftProperty, value: thickness.left });
+    return array;
+}
+
+function onFontChanged(value: any): Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>> {
+    var newFont = font.Font.parse(value);
+    var array = new Array<styleProperty.KeyValuePair<styleProperty.Property, any>>();
+    array.push({ property: fontFamilyProperty, value: newFont.fontFamily });
+    array.push({ property: fontStyleProperty, value: newFont.fontStyle });
+    array.push({ property: fontWeightProperty, value: newFont.fontWeight });
+    array.push({ property: fontSizeProperty, value: newFont.fontSize });
+    return array;
+}
+
+// register default shorthand callbacks.
+styleProperty.registerShorthandCallback("font", onFontChanged);
+styleProperty.registerShorthandCallback("margin", onMarginChanged);
+styleProperty.registerShorthandCallback("padding", onPaddingChanged);
 
 // register default stylers once all properties are defined.
 stylers._registerDefaultStylers();
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ui/styling/stylers.android.ts b/ui/styling/stylers.android.ts
index 7bfccf710..a2c70bd4f 100644
--- a/ui/styling/stylers.android.ts
+++ b/ui/styling/stylers.android.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import types = require("utils/types");
 import view = require("ui/core/view");
-import constants = require("utils/android_constants");
 import style = require("ui/styling/style");
 import definition = require("ui/styling");
 import stylersCommon = require("ui/styling/stylers-common");
@@ -9,39 +8,36 @@ import utils = require("utils/utils");
 import styleModule = require("ui/styling/style");
 import font = require("ui/styling/font");
 import background = require("ui/styling/background");
+var btn;
 
 global.moduleMerge(stylersCommon, exports);
 
 var _defaultBackgrounds = new Map<string, android.graphics.drawable.Drawable>();
+
 function onBackgroundOrBorderPropertyChanged(v: view.View) {
-    if (!v._nativeView) {
+    var nativeView = <android.view.View>v._nativeView;
+    if (!nativeView) {
         return;
     }
 
     var backgroundValue = <background.Background>v.style._getValue(styleModule.backgroundInternalProperty);
-
+    var borderWidth = v.borderWidth;
     if (v.borderWidth !== 0 || v.borderRadius !== 0 || !backgroundValue.isEmpty()) {
-        var nativeView = <android.view.View>v._nativeView;
 
         var bkg = <background.ad.BorderDrawable>nativeView.getBackground();
         if (!(bkg instanceof background.ad.BorderDrawable)) {
             bkg = new background.ad.BorderDrawable();
             let viewClass = types.getClass(v);
-            if (!_defaultBackgrounds.has(viewClass)) {
+            if (!btn) {
+                btn = require("ui/button");
+            }
+            if (!(v instanceof btn.Button) && !_defaultBackgrounds.has(viewClass)) {
                 _defaultBackgrounds.set(viewClass, nativeView.getBackground());
             }
 
             nativeView.setBackground(bkg);
         }
 
-        var density = utils.layout.getDisplayDensity();
-        nativeView.setPadding(
-            (v.borderWidth + v.style.paddingLeft) * density,
-            (v.borderWidth + v.style.paddingTop) * density,
-            (v.borderWidth + v.style.paddingRight) * density,
-            (v.borderWidth + v.style.paddingBottom) * density
-            );
-
         bkg.borderWidth = v.borderWidth;
         bkg.cornerRadius = v.borderRadius;
         bkg.borderColor = v.borderColor ? v.borderColor.android : android.graphics.Color.TRANSPARENT;
@@ -49,11 +45,25 @@ function onBackgroundOrBorderPropertyChanged(v: view.View) {
     }
     else {
         // reset the value with the default native value
-        let viewClass = types.getClass(v);
-        if (_defaultBackgrounds.has(viewClass)) {
-            v._nativeView.setBackgroundDrawable(_defaultBackgrounds.get(viewClass));
+        if (v instanceof btn.Button) {
+            var nativeButton = new android.widget.Button(nativeView.getContext());
+            nativeView.setBackground(nativeButton.getBackground());
+        }
+        else {
+            let viewClass = types.getClass(v);
+            if (_defaultBackgrounds.has(viewClass)) {
+                nativeView.setBackground(_defaultBackgrounds.get(viewClass));
+            }
         }
     }
+
+    var density = utils.layout.getDisplayDensity();
+    nativeView.setPadding(
+        (borderWidth + v.style.paddingLeft) * density,
+        (borderWidth + v.style.paddingTop) * density,
+        (borderWidth + v.style.paddingRight) * density,
+        (borderWidth + v.style.paddingBottom) * density
+        );
 }
 
 export class DefaultStyler implements definition.stylers.Styler {
@@ -206,7 +216,7 @@ export class DefaultStyler implements definition.stylers.Styler {
         nativeView.setLayoutParams(lp);
     }
 
-    private static setPaddingProperty(view: view.View, newValue: any) {
+    private static setPaddingProperty(view: view.View, newValue: style.Thickness) {
         var density = utils.layout.getDisplayDensity();
         var left = (newValue.left + view.borderWidth) * density;
         var top = (newValue.top + view.borderWidth) * density;
@@ -215,12 +225,12 @@ export class DefaultStyler implements definition.stylers.Styler {
         (<android.view.View>view._nativeView).setPadding(left, top, right, bottom);
     }
 
-    private static resetPaddingProperty(view: view.View, nativeValue: any) {
+    private static resetPaddingProperty(view: view.View, nativeValue: style.Thickness) {
         var density = utils.layout.getDisplayDensity();
-        var left = view.borderWidth * density;
-        var top = view.borderWidth * density;
-        var right = view.borderWidth * density;
-        var bottom = view.borderWidth * density;
+        var left = (nativeValue.left + view.borderWidth) * density;
+        var top = (nativeValue.top + view.borderWidth) * density;
+        var right = (nativeValue.right + view.borderWidth) * density;
+        var bottom = (nativeValue.bottom + view.borderWidth) * density;
         (<android.view.View>view._nativeView).setPadding(left, top, right, bottom);
     }
 
@@ -470,20 +480,27 @@ export class SegmentedBarStyler implements definition.stylers.Styler {
         }
     }
 
-    private static resetColorProperty(view: view.View, nativeValue: any) {
+    private static resetColorProperty(view: view.View, nativeValue: number) {
         var tabHost = <android.widget.TabHost>view._nativeView;
 
         for (var tabIndex = 0; tabIndex < tabHost.getTabWidget().getTabCount(); tabIndex++) {
             var tab = <android.view.ViewGroup>tabHost.getTabWidget().getChildTabViewAt(tabIndex);
             var t = <android.widget.TextView>tab.getChildAt(1);
-            t.setTextColor(constants.btn_default);
+            t.setTextColor(nativeValue);
         }
     }
 
+    private static getColorProperty(view: view.View): number {
+        var tabHost = <android.widget.TabHost>view._nativeView;
+        var textView = new android.widget.TextView(tabHost.getContext());
+        return textView.getCurrentTextColor();
+    }
+
     public static registerHandlers() {
         style.registerHandler(style.colorProperty, new stylersCommon.StylePropertyChangedHandler(
             SegmentedBarStyler.setColorProperty,
-            SegmentedBarStyler.resetColorProperty), "SegmentedBar");
+            SegmentedBarStyler.resetColorProperty,
+            SegmentedBarStyler.getColorProperty), "SegmentedBar");
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/utils/android_constants.ts b/utils/android_constants.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 84f532210..000000000
--- a/utils/android_constants.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-export var btn_default = 0x01080004;
-
-export var state_first = 0x010100a4;
-export var state_enabled = 0x0101009e;
-export var state_pressed = 0x010100a7; 
-export var state_selected = 0x010100a1; 
-export var state_single = 0x010100a3; 
-export var state_hovered = 0x01010367;
-export var state_focused = 0x0101009c;
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/utils/types.ts b/utils/types.ts
index f37dbf91a..4270c7209 100644
--- a/utils/types.ts
+++ b/utils/types.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 export function isString(value: any): boolean {
-    return typeof value === "string";
+    return typeof value === "string" || value instanceof String;
 }
 
 export function isNumber(value: any): boolean {
-    return typeof value === "number";
+    return typeof value === "number" || value instanceof Number;
 }
 
 export function isFunction(value: any): boolean {