How to Gild Furniture with Gold Leaf
, by Ryan Casuga, 2 min reading time
Transforming an ordinary piece of furniture into a stunning, gilded masterpiece is easier than you might think.
With Amy Howard at Home products, you can achieve a luxurious, timeless look using gold leaf.
Whether you want to highlight intricate details or create an opulent finish, this tutorial by Jamie Orsburn will guide you through the entire process.
Why Gold Leaf?
Gold leaf has been used for centuries to add elegance and sophistication to furniture and decor. Its luminous, metallic finish can turn even the simplest pieces into works of art. In this tutorial, Jamie shares her favorite techniques for using gold leaf to create a distressed, vintage-inspired look.
Materials You'll Need:
- Amy Howard at Home Gilding Size: The adhesive that attaches the gold leaf to your surface.
- Gold Leaf Sheets: Delicate and thin, these bring a beautiful metallic finish to your furniture.
- Steel Wool: For distressing and softening the shine.
- Light Antique Wax: Adds a protective layer and rich patina to the finished piece.
- Optional: Dark Wax and Dust of Ages for added depth and antiquing.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
1. Preparing Your Furniture
Start with a painted surface. Jamie’s project used Amy Howard One Step Paint in Chocolate Brown as a base layer, followed by Cracked Gesso and additional layers of Venetian Brown and Strawberg White Milk Paint. The multiple layers provide dimension and character, mimicking the look of vintage pieces.
2. Applying Gilding Size
- Use a small brush to apply the gilding size to the areas you want to gild.
- Wait until the gilding size becomes tacky. Use your ring finger to check – it should feel sticky without being wet.
3. Applying the Gold Leaf
- Carefully place the gold leaf over the tacky areas using the backing paper to avoid fingerprints.
- Press the gold leaf into the surface and gently burnish it with the backing paper or a soft brush.
4. Distressing with Steel Wool
Use fine steel wool to gently dull the shine of the gold leaf and distress the edges, giving the finish a subtle, aged look.
5. Adding the Final Touches
- Apply Light Antique Wax to protect the finish and add a slight patina.
- Add Dark Wax or Dust of Ages for a vintage feel.
Why Amy Howard Products?
Amy Howard’s high-quality products make it easy to achieve professional results at home. The gilding size and gold leaf work seamlessly together, and the antique waxes allow you to customize the finish to suit your style.
See the Transformation
Jamie’s project turned a plain wooden nightstand into a stunning, gilded centerpiece with intricate gold detailing and a perfectly distressed finish.
The layers of paint and gilding give it a rich, old-world charm.
