A Glimmer of Gold Leaf Will Make Your Room Shine

Gold-leafing, or gilding, has adorned everything from furniture to picture frames for thousands of years. Now, gold leaf may add a bit of old-world luxury that still feels modern — whether it’s peeking from underneath a pendant lamp or boldly glowing on cabinet doors.

The rich, deep hue of gold leaf is a far cry from the glistening brass of the ’70s, so don’t be afraid to experiment with this earthy metallic. Big, bold statement bits or a couple of shiny accessories will look beautiful.

Jerry Jacobs Design, Inc..

What’s gold leaf? Gold leaf is sometimes mistaken with metal leaf, but they’re different products. Metal foliage generally refers to thin sheets of metal (of any color) which don’t contain real gold. Gold leaf is made from gold. I use gold-colored metallic leaf for most jobs, as it might be prohibitively costly differently.

The outstanding display in this room probably uses genuine gold foliage, and provides an ideal dose of opulence to an otherwise serene and tranquil setting.

Heather Garrett Design

Gold leaf has its own challenges.

Here, a set of seats goes from quite to perfectly extraordinary with gold-leafed backs. The gold provides this sophisticated area a moody and alluring feel that would be missing if the seats were plain white.

But deciding to utilize gold leaf may be a large commitment. Beginning with something first is a safe bet.

I decided that a client’s giant, classic, Ming-style coffee table required to be gold, and it sounded like a very amazing idea when I explained it to her. I pictured this mass of previously unloved teak because a discovered treasure — something casually tossed besides a palace (yes, I really went there). We decided that the table should be gold-leafed, because there’s something incredibly special about the squares of gold which surpasses anything paint can achieve. Then I spent countless evenings applying delicate metallic sheets to a desk which seems to grow bigger with time.

Understand what you are getting yourself into when you decide to use gold leaf. Any surface can be gold-leafed as long as it’s prepared. Channel your inner alchemist and try some home-leafing. Most craft stores sell bundles of gold-toned metallic leaf and adhesives. But as I said, begin little.

Flat 46 for the Home

4 Strategies for Using Gilding in Your Home

Insert carefully selected accents. Gold gives off a heat that both absorbs and reflects light. Nearly every room may use some metallic, while it’s a gold-toned beverage dining table, a gilded mirror or the glint of a classic frame.

This classic Italian mirror is a timeless instance of gilding which works with almost any style. In a modern minimalist area, it would be the set bit. Within an eclectic home, it would complement surrounding treasures.

Denise DeCoster Architect

Play with scale. Today, gold leaf shows up in larger furnishings, like this elegant foyer cabinet. Adorning only the doorways, the gold makes a statement without overpowering the other items. It is the sort of laid-back luxe which makes a room special.

Jane Ellison

Highlight architectural features. Choose an architectural detail in your home to emphasize with gold. The door frame in this photo goes from hidden to front-and-center with gold leaf.

Leslie Hayes Interiors

Change your area’s light. Leafing the beautifully manicured ceiling of this dining room gives it a rich luster that educates the remaining furnishings underneath it.

More: Color Guide: How to Work with Gold

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