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

Decorative metallic effects are sleek enough to complement very contemporary interiors, yet luxurious enough for more traditional décor, while distressed or weathered versions work well with the ever-popular shabby chic look. In short, as we learn in Kerry Skinner's elegant guide, The Gilded Room, metallic finishes can add a wonderful accent to many styles of décor on many surfaces. With gold, silver, and copper leaf, metallic paints and powders, artists' oils, copper wire, wire mesh, and recycled metal plates, Skinner adorns walls, floors, desks, columns, screens, sconces, and much more. Although a few of the techniques can be handled by the novice, most are fairly labor- and materials-intensive, requiring a good deal of preparation and a fair amount of practice. Those who have some previous experience with metal-effect projects should achieve success through Skinner's excellent step-by-step photos and directions. In addition to the 20 projects, the author provides nine eye-catching pages of further painted-patina and patterned-metallic effects, as well as a helpful source list of suppliers. --Amy Handy