I Spy DIY- Gilded Drum Lamps

I have never met a glossy black and gold gilded anything that I didn't immediately go goo-goo-ga-ga for. Be it furniture, accents, accessories, or handbags, hell, I'll probably keel over if I spotted an 80's style black velvet prom dress with dangling gold extras at my local thrift store. At this point I'd probably describe my own personal interior style as Shanghai Regency. If it's lacquered up and completely covered in something shiny and metallic, chances are I've got a piece just like it sitting in my studio.

So every occasion that I get to personalize something store bought and mass-produced, my immediate inclination is to gold leaf the *ish outta it. A little flamboyant, yes, I know...uh, have we met?? I don't call it Living Out LOUD for nothin' ya dig.

Here's what we started with: IKEA Kulla Pendant Lamp $69.99

What you'll need:

• (2) packets Gold Leaf Sheets (I recommend "Ready Leaf Gold" sheets with pre-backed wax paper for easy application)

• (1) can Spray Adhesive

• (1) can Spray Sealer

• (1) can 18 kt. Gold Plate Metallic Spray Paint

• Foam Brushes
(all of the above purchased from Michael's Arts and Crafts)

Step 1: Wipe the interior surface of the drum lamp with a clean, dry cloth. Holding the spray adhesive approximately 6-8" away from the surface, spot spray a small area and wait 20 seconds to dry, but still remaining tacky. 

Place a square of gold leaf sheet (gold face down, wax side up) directly onto the surface making sure to press down with your fingers as you go. When you reach the rim, use your fingers to crease the sheet along the edge to minimize gaps.

Step 2: Repeat step one and rotate until the entire interior is gold leafed. Tip: Place squares at random and overlapping on a angle for a truly haphazard effect. Spot spray and stick, spot spray and stick. Your fingers may get a bit sticky from the application, so use the dry foam brush to help flatten gold leaf sheets. You may also use the dry foam brush to wipe gold leaf from the edges of the lamp and to smooth over the entire interior when you're finished with the application.

Step 3: Once all the gold leaves cover the interior shade, you may notice that there are gaps and bubbles where the sheets have been applied. No worries, that's where the gold plated spray paint comes in. Lay your drum lamp on a flat surface and only spray the affected areas. You don't want to completely cover your gold leaves with paint, even if it's 18kt. Let dry for approximately 10 minutes and seal the entire interior with spray sealer (2 coats) and let dry overnight.

{Note:  I gilded 2 lamps for my project.  Double the amount of materials if you're doing the same}

Hang and enjoy! Now your interior space can be bathed in a glowing gold light making food look much tastier and your guests looking totally glitzier. (Is that a word...who cares?!) You just got served hunnies!

Time:  40 minutes prep and application.  24 hours dry time.

Cost:  $69.99 (per lamp) + approx. $50 materials= $120 gilded drum pendant lamp...

Sure beats paying thousands for the designer variety seen HERE and HERE

Hope this helps, Happy DIY'ing Peeps!

Peace. Love. LOL

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