I gold leafed a plain, inexpensive canvas to add above a cabinet in my dining area. The cabinet is a flat blue and needed some sparkle.
If you're intimidated by the sound of gold leafing you shouldn't be. It's one of the easiest diy projects you can tackle.
SUPPLIES
- Gold leaf found at art supply stores (I found this at Micheal's)
- Gold or Silver Leaf Adhesive Size - found at the same places
- 1 Foam Brush and 1 Soft Bristled Paint Brush
- Tweezers
The brand I used is Mona Lisa
1. Apply an even coat of the adhesive size directly to the canvas. Directions on my bottle told me to wait until a haze has formed before applying the gold leaf. It is impossible to see a haze on a white canvas so wait until the adhesive is no longer wet but tacky. (I'm super impatient and only waited a few minutes).
2. Pick up the gold leaf with tweezers so it doesn't stick to your fingers and become a complete mess. It is so thin it will rip apart into tiny pieces if you try to handle it too much. Lay it down gently on your surface. It will stick upon contact. If you need small pieces, use a sharp knife to cut small pieces before you start.
3. Continue to lay the gold leaf until your entire area is covered.
4. Once the entire surface is covered in leaf, use your soft bristled brush to affix it to the surface and wipe off all the pieces that are excess. Leafing will only stick where there is adhesive size so if there are any overlapping areas you will brush the excess right off.
Tip of the Day- I used a foam brush for this step but wouldn't recommend it. The gold leaf stuck to it and started to pull the leafing from the canvas. Use a soft bristled paint brush instead!
If you're using gold leaf on surfaces that will endure any wear and tear then you should give a coat of sealer. I have used Minwax Polyurethene on furniture that I silver leafed in the past and it protects it well. I won't be touching this at all so I just went without this time.
I love the soft glow that permeates from the area now.

Looks great! Loving the after. I agree, doing a project that has low impact on the wallet but high impact for the aesthetic is the way to go. You nailed it!
ReplyDeletethat looks awesome! i love the drama! i just did a gold leaf project i am sharing tomorrow. i just love it- so glam!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT is one fabulous idea! I love it!
ReplyDeleteStacy
Love this idea and it looks fabulous. I definitely feel more confident trying this method now. Thanks so much for sharing this great DIY.
DeleteIt looks fantastic. And it is perfect with that cabinet. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLove gold/silver leafing - fun stuff to use! Hey is that the brass bird we found at the thrift shop?? Can't wait to see the whole space!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love how it adds some sparkle to that vignette :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh! That is so lovely! Great job!
ReplyDeleteI read your post on Kits.....ah to live their would be devine. I have strolled down the streets and shopped..... oh well. Anyhoo, I am over in Nanaimo just a boat ride away. LOL.
ReplyDeletePurdy!!!! Fabulous job!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Carol! I may have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! so glamorous!
ReplyDeletewww.tatianadoria.blogspot.com
This is such a beautiful idea! I love it as a simple, sparkly, textured backdrop. And I've always been intimidated by gold-leafing so I'm loving the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'm a fan of the gold trend, but cute displays like this one are slowly changing my mind. Very nice! And thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! The perfect non-committal way to embrace the brass & gold trend :-) Plus it just looks plain cool! I think it would be fun to combine silver leaf & gold leaf on one canvas, and maybe some copper leaf too. So many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, love it! It's such a great way to inject a little glam:)
ReplyDeleteI'm usually not a fan of gold, but this looks fab!
ReplyDeleteA great idea beautifully executed!
ReplyDeletewow love it especially with all your accents!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up @ Homesence ...seems we are all in a creative circle!
Thanks for dropping by my Chandelier post!....lots of people looking for the same thing! competition is good!
How clever. Really glams up the area.
ReplyDeleteVery fun! I love the high impact in this project but that you can change it out easily whenever you'd like.
ReplyDeleteIt's so shiny!!
ReplyDeleteGirl that looks gooood!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fantastic! I love how it makes everything around it look glamorous too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and easy way to fill a wall, love that!
ReplyDeleteIf you dont mind my asking but how much did the project cost?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right - the space is glowing now! I think it really brings out the colour of that beautiful bird too! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeletei'm all about saving money these days great idea and it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteooh, beautiful...
ReplyDeleteI love the way it looks! I'm thinking of doing this to some things around my house.
ReplyDeleteKeri
It looks great Carol! I'm going to have to try gold leafing one day soon!!
ReplyDeleteSuper sheek Carol. I have attempted gold leafing and I found it to be quite therapeutic. Nothing like a little therapy and able to stand back with a job well done ..... oh and a fabulous new piece of art.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, the tutorial I've been looking for! I bought the gold leafing stuff before Christmas, but psyched myself out, so there it sits in the unopened package! Thanks for this, Carol! I really appreciate it... and your canvas looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I love that it adds some shine to your wall. I've been wanting to silver leaf my lamp bases to create that shimmery look.
ReplyDeleteIt makes such a statement, I love it!
ReplyDeleteInspired by your projects, I tried silver leafing for the first time recently. I love the way it turned out and now I want to leaf everything :)
that is a very very cool DIY... have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteLooks smashing - very Downton Abbey actually with that peacock feather! You always do so well with the DYI...we just had a gold leafed (silver) frame and it was incredibly expensive, so well done you!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fabulous!! So elegant and chic (and looks easy). I love this. I've seen people silver or gold leaf over a thrift store painting with good results too.
ReplyDeleteBTW... you are now on the blog roll!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I have always wanted to try gold leafing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! Gold leafing is one of those projects I need to try!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful job! I love the soft glow of the gold leafing - what a great way to bring some gold into your decor. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHoly...that is stunningly beautiful, Carol. Love the vignette too, you clever girl!
ReplyDeleteCamille
Great way to incorporate gold into your decor. I can vividly remember going to a jewelry part at least 10 years ago, and my older relatives were buying gold necklaces whereas I scoffed at that and went with silver. It's funny how trends influence our thinking. Gold isn't so bad! And, in fact, I bought a little brassy dish recently. My first attempt at letting the warmer metals back in my home.
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ReplyDeleteThat sure look stunning up front. Love how the light reacts to the golden paint. Nice effect.
ReplyDeleteDiscount Canvas Prints
Designframemaster good site .i feel very happy to visit your site........
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