A SEAT FIT FOR A QUEEN

Today we are excited to share a DIY that really packs a visual punch!

We bought an Eames replica fiberglass chair for $10 at a resale shop because we loved the silhouette. We weren’t, however, so wild about the dingy, worn-in look of its shell. We decided to gild it because, well, who doesn’t love gold? We chose to use gold leaf sheets over spray painting it gold because of the more authentic textured look that gold leafing offers.

Whoa! We can’t get over how awesomely glam it looks! We think this chair would make the perfect seat for any guest of honor. Think Birthday girl, a couple at an anniversary party or Mom on Mother’s Day. Below are instructions on how we made it.

You’ll need:
a tarp or drop cloth
one fiberglass or plastic shell chair
2- packets of gold leafing sheets (we used about 40 sheets total)
gold leafing adhesive
gold leafing sealant
sponge brush
soft bristle paint brush

1. Coat the entire surface surface of the shell of the chair with the adhesive and let dry until tacky (not wet). The surface will stay tacky for 24 hours so you don’t have to rush.

2. Take a sheet of the leafing and gently apply to the surface with the sponge brush. Apply in sections, keeping it as smooth as possible. Peel off the paper and gently burnish with the soft paint brush.

3. Continue using sheets around the entire surface of the shell until all the large areas are filled in. Burnish gently.

4. Peel off small pieces of the leafing from the paper and fill in any cracks or missing areas until the entire surface of the shell is covered in gold.

5. Brush off any loose pieces of leafing from the chair with the sponge brush. Use a hair dryer on a cool setting to blow off any remaining bits of loose leafing.

6. Brush on a coat of the sealant and allow to dry for a few hours. Apply a second coat a let dry.