Gilding Adds Luster, Warmth To Plain Objects

The art of gilding coating an object with a thin layer of gold - is centuries old and remains popular today. It’s easy to see why. Gold leaf transforms a plain object into a brilliant, lustrous work of art, and it lasts for years and years.

All the supplies you need for gilding are available at good artsupply and craft stores. In addition to shopping for gold leaf, look for silver and copper leaf and alloys, also called composition metals.

Here are some gilding guidelines:

The basics

Gold leaf is extremely thin - a stack of as many as 250,000 sheets is just an inch thick. The leaves, which range in size from about 3 inches to 5 inches square, come in books and are separated by sheets of tissue paper.

The leaves are very fragile and can easily crumble in your hands - one fingerprint can tarnish gold or other metal leaf. Always handle it with great care; instead of touching the sheets with your fingers, use the tissue paper or a static brush to pick them up.

Gilders’ adhesive, or size, is used to adhere the metal leaf to your chosen object. Different kinds of size are used for different projects. Make sure you read the label and instructions first.

The size is painted on the surface, then allowed to “come to tack,” or dry just to the point that it will hold the leaf. Professionals test this by brushing the back of their hand over the size. If it just tugs on the hairs, it has come to tack.

Work on one manageable area at a time; if you coat too large a surface with size, it will dry before you finish gilding.

Always prepare a surface properly before gilding. It should be perfectly smooth. Gilding doesn’t mask a rough surface; it emphasizes it.

If you’re working on wood, clay or paint, you must sand and polish it well, then remove all traces of dust and lint.

Gilding is best done in a draft-free room. Even a light breeze can scatter and damage metal leaf.

Understand the materials you’re working with. Gold leaf, for example, will remain lustrous for years; other types may tarnish and discolor. Sealing them with an acrylic spray may help prevent this.

Practice before attempting a big project. Gold leaf is costly, so it makes sense to work with a less expensive metal first. Prices may vary around the country, but gold leaf costs approximately $30 for a book of 25; silver, about $10; composition metals, $4 to $5.

Don’t try to gild something valuable until you have acquired the basic skills. The inside of a lamp shade, a simple wooden box or tray, or paper are all good surfaces for novices.

If you own a gilded antique, such as an intricate mirror frame, that is in need of restoration, consult a professional instead of attempting the project yourself. To find a gilder in your area, contact the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works at (202) 452-9545.

Gilding a lamp shade

Gold leaf on the inside of a simple paper lamp shade gives the light a golden glow. Use silver leaf for a cooler look.

1. Paint the inside of the lamp shade with a thin layer of size. Let it “come to tack,” as described above.

2. Pick up one sheet of metal leaf using a static brush or the tissue paper encasing the leaf - do not touch the metal with your fingers - and transfer it to the base of the shade.

Continue adding sheets one at a time, in concentric circles, from the lower edge to the top of the shade, overlapping them slightly.

3. Once the entire surface is covered, use a soft cloth to rub the leaf gently, removing the skewings - the bits of metal that didn’t adhere.

4. Gold leaf will retain its brilliance without being sealed. Other metals can be sealed with a coating of acrylic spray to keep them from tarnishing.

Gilding on paper

Patent leaf - gold leaf adhered to tissue paper - is easy to work with. Use it to make gilded decorations on paper, such as invitations or a wallpaper border.

1. Choose the pattern, image or border you want to gild. You can use stencils or an embosser (which makes a raised pattern) or work freehand to create your decorations.

2. Coat the area you want to gild with paper size. (It’s a good idea to seal the paper first with an acrylic sealer. If you don’t have sealer, apply an extra coat of paper size.)

Apply the size with a good-quality sable brush, as fine as you need for your decorations. The brush strokes may show through the gold leaf, so make them as smooth and even as possible. If necessary, dip the brush in water as you work. This keeps the size from getting gummy.

3. Lay the patent leaf, gold side down, over the size. Press the leaf into the size, then remove the tissue and brush off any skewings.

Once you’ve mastered the skills, don’t hesitate to experiment. Gilded objects bring a subtle richness into your home, adding a welcoming glow to any room.

MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, care of The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@msl.timeinc.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate