Decorative Paint Finishes and Gilding

The Challenge

Decorative paint finishes of this calibre require highly specialist skills that sit at the intersection of painting and fine art. The faux marble columns needed to convincingly replicate Carrara marble, while the gilding work demanded steady hands and an understanding of traditional water-gilding techniques. The scale of the rooms meant that consistency of finish across large areas was paramount.

Our Approach

Our specialist decorative artists prepared detailed samples for the client's approval before commencing work. The faux marble was built up over multiple days, with each glaze layer needing to dry completely before the next was applied. Veining was hand-painted using fine sable brushes and then softened with a badger-hair brush. For the gilding, we applied traditional red bole as a base, then laid 23.5-carat gold leaf by hand, burnishing it with an agate tool to achieve a lustrous, reflective finish. The surrounding flat paintwork was completed to an equally exacting standard to complement the decorative elements.

The Result

The reception rooms now possess a richness and depth that photographs cannot fully capture. The faux marble columns are virtually indistinguishable from the real stone, and the gilded ceiling details catch the light from the chandeliers, creating a genuinely opulent atmosphere befitting the scale of the rooms.