Gilding a fire place

[RBailey]

Hi All,

The royal "we" are looking at gilding a fire place.


This is a leaf sample. The room will be ALL dark blue, the same as the coving which the leaf is resting on. It is hoped that a gilded fireplace will help lighten up the room and add some "bling" to the main entertaining room.


Any hints, tips, abuse or DO NOT DO IT comments regarding gilding will be much appreciated.

I know that I have to sand the fireplace smooth and maybe repaint in white MSP as a base before size but any other tips appreciated.

The intention is to use a water based size (indoors so will hopefully be okay) as the water based sizes seem to dry faster and workable longer.
Once finished I will also put a top sealer / varnish on.

Thanks to DJH for the article about gilding the lead sign and that gives me hope.

Thanks,
Richard B.

 

[Feltwell]

Wooo, that's a bold move..... too bold for me!

Sorry, not helpful at all I know. White fireplace & cream walls look fine to me!

Mr Boring.

 

[CliffordPope]

It's only a simple basic design surround, not ornate enough in my view to justify the treatment.
I'd go for faux marbling.

 

[Feltwell]

Good idea, I can see faux marbling looking very good on that fireplace.

 

[a twig]

DO NOT DO IT, Escape to the Money Pit DIY showcased the perils of pissing about with gold leaf... All too easy to look like a tawdry nightclub.

If added bling is what you want, do it with lighting effects, suitable ornaments etc,

RGB LED strip uplighters allows total mood change on a whim far easier than getting stuck into gold leaf

 

[a twig]

https://www.instyleled.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/old-barn.jpg

shows the "bling" that came be added to a barn, then a switch can turn it off, occasion dependant

 

[paulc]

Gilding the round detail and perhaps a couple of thin pinstripes would look good. Not sure I'd want to gild the whole thing though..

 

[88v8]

For me, the first step in lifting the room would be to put up some Morris wallpaper in place of that Estate Agent Beige paint, and replace the bathwater picture with an old-fashioned oil painting in a gilded frame. Perhaps this pair https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Victorian-oil-paintings-cottage-scenes-warm-colours-gilded-frames-signed/174506906861?hash=item28a16c14ed:g:fcwAAOSwgGJfkXOQ

Gilding... maybe just the roundels at the top.
Be interesting to see how good a job the missus makes of it.

Ivor

 

[RBailey]

Quick update and sorry still went for it with the bold colors.



I didn't gild in the end and went for a good quality liquid gold paint which I think came out okay.

Overall we are really pleased with the room.

No more DIY until the new year

Cheers,
Richard B.

 

[mims&pip]

I think it looks lovely....a vast improvement on how it was previously

Mims x

 

[CliffordPope]

Gilding a lily?