Oil Gilding in London transported to Moscow

This suite of  French Louis X1V old reproduction, style four armchairs and sofa were in a poor state and my client asked for the original surface to be made golden once again. It had previously been oil gilded so I prepared the existing surface with a base coat and re-gilded with 23.75 carat Rose noble gold leaf. My client also liked the "glitz" of the new gold so i left the surface untouched and uncoloured. The new upholstery completed the transformation. This stylish set now languishes in a Moscow salon.

"Gold Shoes" A Gilded sculpture

These sculpture are shoes I made from tissue paper which I gilded using 23.75 carat gold leaf. Life sized they are really delicate but surprisingly robust. Its possible to gild almost any material. I really enjoy experimenting and exploring new gilding projects. I exhibited these in the show "What We Will Know Tomorrow" at The  Shoreditch Town Hall Gallery London. The second image shows a shot of the site installation which pictures the shoes as if abandoned by the wearer and evoking a sense of absence and loss. 

Alchemy turning gold to silver, pewter and other metallic finishes

The latest development in London for gilding involves technological alchemy! Its now possible to change gold frames to silver, pewter, pink metallic and many other colour combinations using the new acrylic paints that are available. Its a much cheaper way to change your interiors than with water or oil gilding and offers some unusual colour combinations. 

Pluses are that the paint is very hardwearing and doesn't tarnish. 

Its possible to create some antique distressing with pigments and washes. All these reproduction frames started off as gold and ended up a different colour! Anything is possible to paint and change into a new metallic colour!

Italian Gilt Carved Chairs, painted and gilded

When I first saw these chairs in the studio in London they were very chipped and had virtually no gilding left. They had been painted in varnish which i had to remove by hand. They looked like rough artisan chairs. They really challenged me to have a really steady hand when i created the edges between the gold and paint. They were finished in a Farrah and Ball's  eggshell  and gilded in 23.75 carat Gold Leaf.

They finally emerged as a pair of ornately carved small thrones. The carvings were almost regal as you can see the top of the chair which looks like it's sporting a small crown! When finished they looked fit for a King and Queen!

Gilded Antique Louis 1VX Style Suite given new life

Six dining Chairs

Two Armchairs

4 Seat sofa with 7 Seat sofa behind

This fabulous suite of French, Louis 1VX Style Furniture, circa 1890 was in a sorry state when I was asked to restore it. The client wanted a creamy white gesso base contrasted with the gold leaf. I matched the original rich water gilding with 23.75 carat gold.  The client chose upholstery in rich burgundy velvet and this opulent suite is now in Russia in a Moscow salon where it now resides.

Copper Leafing on Walls

Contemporary use of Metal leaf and particularly Copper Leaf, proved extremely effective for gilding in this architect designed garden extension in North London. The leaf mirrored the external copper cladding on the support walls to the floating roof. This echoed the design brief of creating a flowing space from interior to the exterior.

1. The copper leaf brings a gorgeous warmth and a beautiful contrast to the green mossy colours in the house and garden.

2. This wall receives sunlight all day long. As the light strikes the copper, the colours change with the passing hours bringing vibrancy and life to the wall.

Decorative painted & gilded surfaces

The three photographs show the original paintwork which was covered in yellowing varnish and the final finish. I gently removed this to reveal the original paint colours and gilding. I replaced some missing gilded lines and repaired and matched to the existing paint colours and gold. The transformation was incredible and i imagine once the upholstery was re-instated,  the chaise once again became a stylish and elegant piece of furniture.

Restoration and renovation of antique chair

I have just finished restoring a variety of antique gilded chairs in London. You can see this finished one and watch the progress through the photographs. It is amazing how much a really good clean can improve the look and appearance of the surface. I used a combination of water and oil gilding with 23.5 carat gold to restore the areas of repair and damage. My client had inherited them from his grandmother and was delighted to have them restored to the golden lustre he remembered as young child and now can put them in pride of  place in his own home.

Repairing damaged surfaces of silver or gold leaf

I had a wonderful day out of London travelling to Sussex to do a gilding repair on site. The silver gilded mantelpiece had sustained some damage and the client needed the area be restored to the existing finish on the fireplace. I also had to match some beautiful paint effects that had been added to give a unique characteristic finish to the silver. Although a challenge i was very pleased with the final finish. I had to take the last photograph at the end of the day so  the colours appear different due to the lighting. 

To complete my day trip I managed to fit in visiting Hastings and a glimpse of the sea!