The Gilded Room: Decorating with Metallic Effects, from Metal Leaf to Powders, Pastes and Paints

Book by Skinner, Kerry

Gilding the lily, in Skinner's version, is more than just the application of gold leaf and powders. She expands the ancient Mesopotamian art to include bronze and lacquer, using her talents to create a range of traditional and ultramodern decorative ideas. Not for beginners, instructions for the 20 items showcased involve surfaces, furniture, and smalls--easy-to-tote objects, that is. Every process is documented with color photographs and a few guiding words. Choices will be difficult to make: they include an Oscarlike faux gold entryway or Moroccan-style Casablanca shutters, an incredibly intricate gold leaf etched on glass--also known as verre eglo mise. Barbara Jacobs
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Many decorative techniques books include a project that involves either decoupage or gilding, in these two books the techniques get more comprehensive coverage. Skinner provides well-written instructions to projects that include furniture, walls, floors, and decorative accessories in an eclectic, modern style with photographs to accompany each step. The techniques in Gilded Room include metallic paint effect and gilding, concluding with swatches of the range of finishes and effects that can be achieved. Paper Decorator includes papier mache, decoupage, paper mosaic, and latex resist techniques. The wealth of projects contained in each will give an amateur and more experienced crafter plenty of ideas. Purchase where there is a continued interest in decorative techniques.
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