Get That Look

It is a coating of metal foil applied to a surface to give it a metallic finish.

It is basically a four-layered process.

1. A base coat is applied.
2. After that the surface is given a coat of special chemical.
3. Then the leafing is done with metal foil.
4. A coat of lacquer is given to prevent scratches.

It takes about a week for the leafing to be prepared and applied on the surface.

If you require the leafing to be done on a surface wood, plaster of Paris, glass, fibre, stone, marble, canvas or wax it is done through a chemical process but if you want it done on a metal surface then it involves a mercury process.

It Goes with Everything

Whether you want the antique look or the ultra-modern, you can use leafing to achieve it.

Royalty

Give your walls the leafing effect with gold metal foil and surround yourself with the splendour of a king. You could even coat all your furniture with that same metal foil.

Also Read: A Victorian Bedroom

Rustic

If the countryside look fascinates you, you could have leafing done on parts of your wooden flooring. Simply have leaves engraved into the wood and have the leafing effect done in them. But be sure not to crowd the floor with too many leaves.

Also Read: A Rustic Flavoured Living Room

Antique

Try copper leafing on the carved corners of your dining table or the backrest of chairs or even the handles of sofas to give your home that antique look.

You could also include a large oval mirror in your living room with the leafing effect along its frame.

Also Read: A Collector's Paradise

Modern

Go with a combination of black and silver for that modern look. Try wrought iron furniture with silver leafing on the intricately formed parts of the furniture. You could do it on parts of the wall as well.

(With inputs and images from Pink City International, Specialists in gold, silver and antique leafing)