How to paint an Antique Gold Faux Finish

Project Nursery

My clients want to add some frames in an antique gold finish on the wall opposite the cherry blossom tree mural.

You didn’t think I was done with that job, did you?

Nope. I’m headed over this weekend to add some more flowers and ‘magic’. But more on that later. Today’s about creating an antique gold faux finish.

An easy one.

So they show me the above pic and say they’ve been looking everywhere for frames that match. I resisted saying, “Good Luck”, but I think my expression gave it away. Then I opened my big piehole.

I can do that for you.

‘Where are you going to find the frames’, they asked in that perfect I’m-a-shopper-not-a-DIYer tone.

Before I could stop it, the Piehole opened again. Thrift Shops!

Luckily I’d painted the safari mural for these clients before, so they trust me. Even with thrift-store-turned-gorgeous-antique-gold-frames for their baby girl.

Here’s what I started with . . .

Four trips to three different thrift shops, but I scored great frames at rock-bottom prices.

Wood, ceramic, metal, plastic and foam. Yes, foam. One of the scrolled oval frames is actually compressed foam.

I thought I could get away with a basecoat of gold spray paint but the gold was too light and too . . . blah.

Rather than trying to find the right tone of gold in spray paint, I grabbed a little bottle of Plaid’s Liquid Leaf. At Michael’s. With a 50% coupon.

The profit I’m losing in my time I’m making up for with actual hard costs. Or, that’s what I’m telling myself.

For Liquid Leaf, you’ll need old, scruffy brushes. Which I usually have a drawer-full. Or just buy some cheapies. Because - a) you won’t want to clean them – unless you happen to have paint thinner around, and b) you need to scrub the gold into all the scrolls and crevices.

Can you see the difference in tone? I bought Florentine Gold in the Liquid Leaf but it wound up a little to bronze-ish.

Pretty, but I’m trying to match their crib.

So, Step #3 – a richer gold. Over the Florentine Gold. Over the Light Gold.

Glorious Gold is the color I was going for in the first place but didn’t want to spend the time brushing it on.

Next time, just forget Steps 1 & 2 and save some time. And money.

Now, time to make all the scrolls show up. . .

Glob on some burnt umber . . .

And wipe it off. With a paper towel. No fancy rag. Just a regular ol’ paper towel.

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Truth be told, I tried black first.

Uh . . . no.

Then I tried Raw Umber. Not enough warmth.

Just my good ol’ craft paint, full strength, in Burnt Umber.

Then I dabbed on some Floating Medium on the high spots and wiped it off.

This is my favorite frame in the collection. It’s plastic. Ha! Doesn’t look like plastic anymore.

Before the floating medium . . .

. . . and after. Subtle difference, but more gold shows up, which makes the ‘antiquing’ look richer.

I’m happy with how they turned out. I shot them with a couple coats of Clear Coat, which always richens the paint layers.

Is richen a word?

How ‘bout enrichen?

Now both words look weird to me. Just take my word for it and spray a clear coat on the finish and watch it glow.

Not shine – ‘glow’.

I’d love to show you a finished picture of the frames hanging in the room, but I haven’t delivered them to the clients yet.

This is the best I’ve got this morning.

Oh, and I’ll have to share a simple way to hang a collection. Without making a tone of nail holes in the wall.

Hint: spray paint on paper bags or craft paper first.