Project
Gilded Charger Plate
Use gold or silver leaf to gild an exquisite charger plate with this how-to from furniture expert Christophe Pourny.

Photography: Rob Tannenbaum
Source: The Martha Stewart Show, January 2012
Introduction
Note: The same techniques can be used on any wooden object; we used gold leaf to create coordinating napkin rings.
Resources: Wooden plates available from Hofcraft. Leaf and leafing supplies from Gilded Planet and New York Central Art Supply. (Note: Leaf books are also available in palladium, aluminum, copper, and various colors.) Furniture tonics and information on furniture restoration at christophepourny.com.
materials
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Unpainted wooden chargers (large plates)
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Gesso
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Fine sandpaper
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Clay bole
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Linen scrap
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Soft bristle brushes
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Aquasize water-based sizing (glue for gilding)
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Foam brush
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Gold and/or silver leaf ("patent" or mounted on tissue paper)
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Stiff bristle brush
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Brown shoe polish (optional)
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Steel wool (optional)
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Wooden napkin rings (optional)
steps
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Apply gesso to plate surface to prime and smooth any imperfections; sand.
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Apply clay bole to surface with a soft bristle brush. (This will create a neutral color base, which will make the gold or silver leaf more brilliant.) Let dry. Burnish clay surface with a small scrap of linen.
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Apply water-based sizing with a foam brush; let dry until clear. (Sizing will "stay open," or remain sticky, for about 24 hours.)
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Starting in the center, apply gold or silver leaf to sized surface. Remove paper backing and repeat with more leaf, overlapping the edges by about 1/8 inch. Continue until charger is covered. Let dry 24 hours. (Tip: Use talc or baby powder to keep leaf from sticking to fingers.)
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Apply brown shoe polish with steel wool to age piece (optional).
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