Gilding

 Gilding Bespoke Furniture

Transforming Design with Timeless Elegance

At Make Bespoke Studio, we understand that every designer or architect seeks to create spaces that exude luxury, elegance, and individuality. When working on high-end residential or hospitality projects, these elements are vital in making a space stand out. One timeless technique we incorporate into our bespoke furniture is gilding. The application of gold leaf and other precious metals to furniture can transform a simple piece into a work of art, adding a layer of sophistication and prestige that few other decorative techniques can match. Our approach to gilding bespoke furniture is one that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities. Whether you are working on a statement piece for a luxury hotel or an intricate furniture item for a private residence, we can offer the expertise, materials, and processes to make your vision a reality.

The Timeless Appeal of Gilded Furniture

The art of gilding dates back centuries, yet its appeal in interior design is as strong as ever. Gilded furniture offers a touch of luxury, adding elegance and refinement to any space. Whether it's gilding with gold leaf or using imitation gold sheets, the result is a brilliant gold finish that commands attention without overpowering the room. Gilding is a decorative technique that allows designers to create a focal point within a space, elevating even the most delicate wood furniture pieces. Whether you are looking for an antique gold leaf finish or a more modern size technique, the possibilities are endless. At Make Bespoke Studio, we specialise in working closely with interior designers and architects to create bespoke pieces that seamlessly integrate into their designs.

Gilding Techniques: A Masterclass in Craftsmanship

Gold Leaf Gilding

One of the most popular and luxurious techniques we offer is gilding furniture with gold leaf. The process begins with a thorough preparation of the gilding surfaces, ensuring that they are perfectly smooth and free from imperfections. This involves using rabbit skin glue to create a base that will allow the genuine gold leaf or imitation gold leaf to adhere properly. Once the surface is ready, we apply books of gold leaf to the furniture item, using either a dry gold leaf technique or a Size technique—depending on the look and durability required. In both methods, the gold leaf sheets are carefully applied with a soft brush, ensuring a smooth and even finish. For more complex surfaces, such as an entire piece with curves or carvings, we use specialised tools to manipulate the gold leaf. Our artisans take pride in creating a gilded surface that highlights the beauty of the design without compromising its structure.

Oil Gilding

While gold leaf gilding is a classic choice, we also specialise in Oil Gilding, an alternative method that uses adhesive sizes such as Modern size or oil size to affix gold foils to the surface. Oil Gilding is often used on solid surfaces like wood or metal and can achieve a similar look to traditional gold leaf gilding, but with added durability and a slightly different sheen. The Oil Gilding technique is ideal for projects where the gilded furniture piece needs to endure more wear and tear, such as in hospitality settings. It provides a more durable finish while still delivering that light gold colour and deepest gold sheen that makes gilded furniture so appealing.

The Materials: Genuine and Imitation Gold Leaf

Genuine Gold Leaf vs Imitation Gold Leaf

At Make Bespoke Studio, we offer both genuine gold leaf and imitation gold leaf for our gilding projects. The choice of material depends largely on the budget, the project requirements, and the desired finish. Genuine gold leaf is made from pure gold and offers the most luxurious finish. Its brilliant gold finish is unparalleled, providing an iridescent shine that simply cannot be replicated with other materials. When working with genuine gold, we apply it delicately, ensuring that every gilded surface achieves the finishes of gold that convey quality and prestige. For clients seeking a more affordable alternative, imitation gold leaf can offer a similar look without the high cost. Imitation gold sheets are often made from brass or other metals and are ideal for large projects or areas where a lighter gold colour is preferred. Despite its lower cost, imitation gold can still provide a stunning finish, especially when used in combination with our expert gilding techniques.

Gold Leaf Sheets and Excess Leaf Removal

Regardless of the material used, a crucial part of the process is removing the excess gold leaf. After the gold leaf sheets are applied, we use a soft brush to carefully remove any excess leaf, leaving behind a perfectly smooth gilded surface. This is a delicate process, especially when working with delicate gold leaf, as it ensures the finish is flawless and the surface remains intact.

Applying Gilding to Different Furniture Designs

Gilding on Wood and Metal

One of the unique aspects of working with gilded furniture is the ability to apply gold leaf to a wide variety of surfaces. While gold on wood is a classic look, we also offer gilding on metal, which can provide a stunning contrast in more contemporary designs. Whether it’s a wooden frame for a mirror or an intricately designed chair, the combination of gilding with metal leaf and gilding with gold can bring depth and texture to the piece. The application of gold is done with precision to ensure that each furniture item receives the attention it deserves, highlighting the design while maintaining the integrity of the original materials.

Flat and Complex Surfaces

When working on bespoke furniture, no two pieces are the same. Some items may feature flat surfaces, which are relatively simple to gild, while others may have complex surfaces with intricate carvings or curves. Our team of artisans is skilled in applying gold leaf to both, ensuring that the gilding purposes are met without compromising the original design. For complex surfaces, we often use a combination of techniques, including tissue paper to apply the gold before painting or additional layers of adhesive sizes for added durability. This allows us to gild even the most intricate designs, ensuring a seamless look across the entire piece.

The Finishing Touch: Protecting and Enhancing Gilded Furniture

Sealing and Protecting Gilded Surfaces

Once the gilding surfaces are complete, it’s essential to protect them to ensure longevity, especially in high-traffic areas like hotels and restaurants. We use a variety of sealing methods, depending on the project. For some pieces, we may apply a coating of gold to enhance the finish and protect the surface from wear and tear. For others, especially those used in high-moisture environments, we may use a more robust sealant to prevent tarnishing or fading over time. This is particularly important when working with imitation of gold leaf, which can be more susceptible to environmental factors than genuine gold leaf.

Adding Depth with Antique Gold Finishes

For designers looking for a more traditional or vintage look, we offer Antique Gold and antique gold leaf finishes. These are perfect for creating that aged, timeless feel in a room. The antique gold leaf process involves adding layers of patina to the surface, giving the piece a rich, textured look that adds character and depth. This finish is often used in gilded frame designs or other statement pieces where a more subdued, historical look is desired. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate the decorative techniques of gilding while maintaining an air of understated luxury.

Why Choose Make Bespoke Studio for Your Gilding Needs?

At Make Bespoke Studio, we take pride in our ability to deliver custom-made, beautifully gilded furniture for both residential and hospitality projects. Our deep understanding of the gilding process, combined with our access to the finest materials—whether it’s genuine gold or imitation gold leaf—allows us to create pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. We understand that each project is unique, and we work closely with interior designers and architects to ensure that the final product not only meets but exceeds expectations. Whether you’re looking to add a brilliant gold finish to a single piece of furniture or create an entire piece that’s gilded from top to bottom, we have the skills and expertise to bring your vision to life. From intricate gilding purposes on delicate wood furniture pieces to robust gilded furniture for high-traffic areas, we offer a range of solutions tailored to your design needs. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and use of the finest materials ensure that each piece we create is not only visually stunning but built to last.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

We invite you to explore the possibilities of gilded furniture and how it can elevate your design projects. Whether you're looking for that perfect gold on wood finish or seeking a gilded surface for a bespoke item, our team is here to collaborate with you every step of the way. Let us help you create spaces that resonate with luxury, elegance, and timeless beauty. Gilding is more than just a decorative technique—it’s a way to transform spaces into something truly extraordinary. Reach out to Make Bespoke Studio today, and let's begin crafting your next gilded masterpiece. By offering a blend of traditional methods and modern techniques, we ensure that the gilded furniture pieces we create will stand the test of time and be a focal point of any design project. Let us bring your designs to life with the unmistakable elegance of gold leaf and precious metals.