Gold Leaf is an amazing product and can be found in art supplies, craft stores, and many online sources, and is available in real gold ranging from 14K and up (yes, you’d be adding REAL gold to your items!) OR a lot less. expensive fake versions.
The concept is to apply a gold leaf adhesive that allows the gold leaf to adhere to the desired area. Allow it to dry completely and then gently place the gold foil directly on the dried adhesive.
Gold leaf is paper thin and comes layered in sheets. In many cases, you need to gently lift the gold leaf with an artist brush and gently apply it to the surface. The particular brand I used allowed the sheet to remain on the paper sheets which could then be applied to the surface with ease.
In my search for the perfect décor items, I decided that incorporating gold leaf into my main floor bathroom trim would make its pretty “egg and dart” carving more noticeable and elegant.
I started by painting the gold trim as an undercoat and then a dark stain that was quickly removed to obscure only the gaps. I then applied the gold leaf adhesive lightly to the surface so that it only touched the raised parts of the trim.
Rubbing the back of the paper with my fingers, the gold leaf settled beautifully on the molding. Once I rubbed the area enough, I peeled off the paper to reveal the gold leaf that is now adhering to the trim.
Then an artist brush is used to remove the excess gold leaf and polish it off with the adhesive.
My molding now has a new finish that brings out its detail and beauty and brightens up the decor in the room. It also looks like I must have paid a fortune for my trim!
But the gold leaf with a stencil on the walls is the “end of elegant decoration”! Use a single element template, such as a lei flower design, single flower, or other element. Create a random “all over” pattern on your wall by brushing the stencil openings with gold leaf adhesive instead of paint, moving the stencil to another area of the wall, and repeat. Keep repeating the design randomly until you are satisfied with the placement. Then let the adhesive dry (usually 24 hours).
Apply the gold leaf sheets directly to the dried adhesive and lightly rub with an artist brush to deposit the gold on the adhesive. Dust off loose particles.
The result is an incredible wall design that you will be proud to display that will add class and beauty to your walls with very little effort.
Gold Leaf can also be applied to picture frames, lamp bases, kitchen cabinets and drawers or anywhere you want a shiny (and sometimes REAL) gold design.
© Victoria Larsen 2007