Gilded and Dry-Brushed Wood Sofa

Sometimes the eye is in the detail and the painted carving on this vintage French sofa truly deserves a closer look.

This vintage French sofa was reupholstered with Linen Union in Emile + Graphite fabric. The beautiful carved frame needed updating too.

First, Annie gilded the ornate carvings with Gold Size and Brass Loose Leaf. She applied the Gold Size, a glue, to the areas that would be gilded. The Size applies milky, and when it has dried translucent it is ready for metal leaf to be applied. Annie laid Brass Loose Leaf over the glued areas and brushed any excess away using a dry paint brush.

A standard gilded finish would have been too brash against the softness of the fabric, so Annie dry-brushed the gilded wood with Chalk Paint® in French Linen. The whole frame was sealed with Clear Wax to protect.

Cushions made from the Linen Union Fabric Collection.