The Beauty of Gilding
Gilding is a beautiful art form — and one of the most ancient. It is a decorative technique that involves applying very slim sheets of metallic leaf (or, powders) onto a surface, hence why most gilded finishes are recognizable by a traditional square pattern. (Although I once saw a rectangular “brick” placement in a restaurant ceiling. Very, very nice.) You can also hear the term “gold leafing” used to describe the technique as well. The organization, Society of Gilders, has one of the best sites to obtain information, access visuals, understand the different disciplines within the art form and familiarize yourself with the extraordinary artisans who work with these precious materials. I encourage you to review their website with a nice cup of coffee and a bit of leisure time.
We’ve had quite a few leafing commissions (you’ve seen our latest, the silver leafed dome) but one of our favorites was done for the home of a designer we work with. Here is her formal living room ceiling, close-up and full view. The full view showcases the tri-color neutral Venetian plaster on the walls and the glossy black coat we put on all the trim. My brother, Jason Rosales, took the lead on the gilding project. His precision, technique and mathematical mastery are some of the things I admire most about his artistry.
I’ve also found some other images — if you know the artisans, please let me know so I can credit them. On the left, is gilded trimwork and the pic on the right features Common Ground‘s Prince George Neo-Renaissance ballroom. For more pics of the ballroom, click here — it must have been incredible to work on the restoration!
Previously featured in Florida Design, are a gorgeous piece of Henredon furniture (left) and artwork (right)…
On the left is an entryway designed by the ubiquitous Barbara Barry and on the right is an entrance hallway designed by Alfred Karram and featured in Florida Design. He noted on the article that the ceiling “creates a striking sense of arrival”. Mmm-hmmm.
…and finally, Les Trois Domes, the penthouse restaurant in the Hotel Sofitel Bellecour in Lyon, France, has molded plaster that has been silver leafed. Striking! The design is by Studio Norguet, the photography by Renaud Callebaut and the feature is from Interior Design magazine.
Both true gold and other metal alloys are used in the creation of these thin sheets — and some are created to be edible. Although metallic paints are beautiful, they do not come close to lustre of leaf so the choosing of which metallic products to use in a particular technique will depend on your desired final effect. Some of the most popular sources for leafing products are Sepp Leaf, Easy Leaf, The Gilded Planet and The Gold Leaf Company. Two teaching studios I hear good things about are the Lynne Rutter Studio (San Francisco, CA) and Cait Whitson’s Carte Blanche in Scotland. The previously-mentioned Society of Gilders site also has an Education page where you can find workshops listed by state.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief foray into gilding. Did I miss anything? I look forward to your comments…
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Theresa Cheek
722 days ago
Nope, you missed nothing! I do love the gold leaf ceiling you did….the photos of it are amazing. The embossed silver leaf walls must have been a PAIN to leaf! Great look though.
Regina
722 days ago
I agree — it is a great look! Would love to see it in person…and I WISH they had listed the artisans who did it because it must have been pain-staking, for sure. The credit is due!
BTW, thanks for the compliment on the gold leaf ceiling…
Dana Tucker
722 days ago
Beautiful post. Have you ever seen the inside of Donald Trump’s penthouse? Everything in there is gold leafed. It looks like a palace. Thanks for inspiring.
Dana
Cait Whitson
717 days ago
Great article Regina, reading through it I thought how nice and simply and accurately you have described what can seem to be a complex subject …only to arrive at the bottom of the article and see a credit for me…THANK YOU!!!!!
Now I wish I had the website to back all this up but it is still the same old horrible puppy I had 10 years ago….watch this space (maybe don’t hold your breath though LOL).
Thank you anyway
Regina
716 days ago
Cait – thank you! I tried to really break it down nicely for those who were just learning about gilding. You are such a Master of this art that it was a pleasure to mention your studio. I hope I have the chance to visit your lovely country as well as your studio! Dana – I’ll have to look up those shots, thank you!
Lynne Rutter
357 days ago
thanks for the mention regina!
(and hi cait!!)
another great gilded space is the paramount hotel in NYC. the lobby as a huge stairway wall covered in leaf and it’s an amazing thing to walk by, it inspired one of my clients to do such a wall in their stairway.
i love gilding and i love looking at it. and it’s one of those things the more you know, the more you realize how much you have yet to learn: which is what i call inspiration.
ZHAO BIAO
271 days ago
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