Gold Leafing A Mirror

You can gold leaf just about anything....it doesn't have to be furniture.  A friend of mine had a large silver mirror that worked in her old home, but not in her new home.  No sense spending money on new things when you can change what you have. She wanted to gold leaf this baby and what a great choice.

To get started, prep your mirror and tape off any area that you don't want the medium to get on.

Brush on the gold leaf medium and allow it to set (about 30 minutes).  Apply gold leaf sheets to the entire mirror.  Gold leaf is very thin and delicate. You also need to apply this in an area where there is little wind and can easily be vacuumed.  Trust me when I say you will have gold leaf pieces and flecks....everywhere.  I did a Gold Leaf Tutorial on a little table that goes into more detail if you want to check it out.  This is how your piece will look until you begin to rub it out.  Don't freak.  :)

With a soft cloth, gently begin to rub the gold leaf into your project.  What comes in contact with the medium will stick and what doesn't will fall away.  You should gently "pat" the areas that are creviced and decorative so the leafing will get into the cracks.  You can pick up little pieces that fall to the floor and place them back onto your piece where the leafing may not have taken.  

Once you are done, seal the piece with a clear polycrylic.

This mirror turned out just beautiful.  The detail really pops with the leafing and you get an old world feel to your piece. You can't get this look with spray paint.

It's not quite as bright as it looks...it's sitting right under a light :)   I wanted you to see all of the creases and detail with the leafing.  The mirror went from cold to warm in an afternoon.

Here is the before and after. I just love it!

How about you?  Do you have an old mirror that needs an update?

Paula



Linking with
Mod Vintage Life
Boogie Board Cottage
The Dedicated House
The Style Sisters
Savy Southern Style
A Stroll Thru Life
Ivy And Elephants