| Gold-Leaf Tabletop |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-210 |
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Q: Is there a way to make a gold-leaf pattern myself for a tabletop?
A: (Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts Expert) There certainly is a way and it's not nearly so expensive as it might look. You can buy a booklet of 25 gold-leaf sheets for less than $10. Once you have it, here's what else you'll need to create a gold-leaf tabletop design: Materials:
Gold and/or other metallic leaves
Unifinished table
Sandpaper
Light honey stain
Gold-leaf base coat (red) and brush
Gold-leaf adhesive
Wax paper
Soft bristle brush
Antiquing glaze (optional)
Acrylic sealer
- Sand and clean the top of the unfinished table.
- Stain the tabletop with a light honey stain and use a pencil and ruler to draw a grid pattern on the surface, with small squares on the corners, rectangles along the side edges and a large square in the middle (figure A).
- Paint several of the rectangles with red paint specifically designed for use with gold leaf, also known as gold-leaf base coat (figure B). Paint from the edges in using a brush with a flat edge.
- As soon as the base coat dries, apply gold-leaf adhesive size to all the shapes around the edge of the tabletop, whether they're painted or just stained (figure C). The adhesive will allow the gold-leaf sheets to stick to the paint. Let it set until it becomes very sticky, which only takes a little while.
- Work section by section to apply the gold leaf to the painted and unpainted rectangles and squares along the edges of the tabletop. The gold leaf is quite fragile, so pick it up with a piece of wax paper (figure D). Cover the leaf sheet with the wax paper and then press the top of the wax paper with your fingers -- the gold leaf will stick to it.
- Set the leaf down on the painted rectangle and align the edges. Use the edge of your thumb to burnish over the wax paper and the leaf (figure E), which will cause the leaf to stick to the adhesive. Gently remove the wax paper, lifting any excess leaf off with the paper. Continue to apply different leaves to the other shapes along the edges, leaving the center stained wood. Aluminum leaf, which usually looks silver, is a bit less expensive than the gold, and goes well in the corner squares.
- Once all the shapes are covered with leaf, use a soft-bristle paint brush to scrub off the excess leaf crumbs (figure F). If you want to make the tabletop look more aged, top it off with an antiquing glaze.
- Seal the top with an acrylic sealer.
More Questions for Debbie:
Q: Can you give me any ideas for fixing up a headboard for a young boy? I planned to paint it white.
A: You could decoupage action figures from wrapping paper or wallpaper on the headboard. But since young boys change their minds about what they like so quickly, I would suggest leaving the headboard white and concentrating your more design efforts on the comforters or sheets.
Q: What's the difference between using a rubber stamp and a wooden stamp?
A: The stamps mounted on wood tend to have a lot more detail. But the rubber type mounted on foam are more flexible, so they're better for going into corners or onto textured walls.
Q: Please help! Where can I find a double-faced adhesive sheet that is heat sensitive?
A: There is an adhesive for every kind of project imaginable. If it is a fabric project, go to your fabric store. If it's a craft project, go to the craft store. If it's a heavy- duty project involving wood, go to the hardware store. I'm confident you will be able to find what you need. Web Site Resource for Gold Leafing a Table: Gold Leaf from HGTV.com Book: Gold Leaf Application and Antique Restoration
by Ellen Becker
ISBN: 0764306324
Schiffer Publishing
4880 Lower Valley Rd.
Atglen, PA 19310
Phone: 610-593-1777
E-mail: webmaster@schifferbooks.com
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