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Antiquing Gold Leaf

Adding the finishing touches to your gilt surface, whether Genuine Gold Leaf or Composition, imitation gold leaf, requires just the right know-how. And artSparx delivers the expertise to give your project that extra glow.

The northern Italian region of Tuscany offers visitors an overwhelming experience for the senses, with the sounds of its music, the smells of its cooking and the visual richness of its distinctive style.

Painted Marble Finish - Learn how!

In Italy, the word marble is synonymous with Carrara, after the great marble quarrying region in the north of the country. Through centuries marble has enhanced interiors world wide. Creating the impression of real marble in your home can quickly elevate the presence of any furniture or object. It adds interest and charm and transforms everyday objects into heirlooms. I’ve chosen this painted white marble because of its rustic simplicity. Yet it illustrates the foundation for creating a variety of marble types, your imagination being your only limitation.

Mops Brushes

The gilders mop is used to apply the leaf properly onto the surface to be gilded. Mops are most often used to dust skewings from oil gilded surfaces. Soft squirrel hair mops are used for real gold leaf surfaces without danger of scratching the leaf. Black goat hair mops are firm enough to tamp and dust metal leaf and are not recommended for delicate genuine gold leaf. Oval shaped mops are most suited for use on ornate or shaped surfaces and square mops are most effective when used on a flat surface. Pointed mops are designed for applying "gilders liquor" during the Traditional water gilding or Kolner Gilding System process.

Flat Wash Brush. #227

Flat Wash Brush. #367

Flat Wash Brush. #625

Flat Wash Brush. #660

Flat Wash Brush. #664

Flat Wash Brush. #943

Wash Brush, Mixed Squirrel. #954

Varnish Brush, White Bristle. #125

Flat Wash 227

Wash Brush 227 Water Size Brush for Glass Gilding. Rust Proof Ferrule - Raw Wood Handle. Made in France.

In Stock

227/1.1/2 $ 24.50 Water Size Brush for Glass, 1.5". Rust Proof Ferrule - Raw Wood Handle	1.5in
227/2 $ 28.75 Water Size Brush for Glass, 2". Rust Proof Ferrule - Raw Wood Handle	2in

Flat Wash 367

Flat Wash Brush #367 are are made of Pure Goat Hair. Made in Geramn, with a tapered - Raw Wood Handle. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

367/3/4 $ 15.00 Flat Wash Brush. 3/4 inch. Pure Goat Hair	3/4in
367/1 $ 22.00 Flat Wash Brush. 3/4 inch. Pure Goat Hair	1in

Flat Wash 625

Flat Wash Brush #625 are are made of Mixed Squirrel Hair. Made in Geramn. Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Short Raw Wood Handle. Available in various sizes. Great for applying gilder's liquor, clay and gesso. Also excellent 'burnishing' brushes to clean off genuine and metal leaf skewings.

In Stock

625/1/4 $ 12.00 Mixed Squirrel - 1/4" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	1/4in
625/1/2 $ 16.00 Mixed Squirrel - 1/2" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	1/2in
625/3/4 $ 22.00 Mixed Squirrel - 3/4" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	3/4in
625/1 $ 28.00 Mixed Squirrel - 1" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	1in
625/1.5 $ 32.00 Mixed Squirrel - 1.5" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	1.5in
625/2 $ 35.00 Mixed Squirrel - 2" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	2in
625/2.5 $ 48.00 Mixed Squirrel - 2.5" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	2.5in
625/3 $ 58.00 Mixed Squirrel - 3" Tapered - Metal Ferrule - Wood Handle - German	3in

Flat Wash 660 - Dark Ox, Beveled Edge

Flat Wash Brush #660 Dark Ox Brush with beveled edge. Made in Germany. These high quality brushes have a metal ferrule and a vanished wood handle. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

660D/1/4 $ 28.75 Dark Ox Flat Wash Brush. 1/4". Metal ferrule.	1/4in
660D/1/2 $ 34.00 Dark Ox Flat Wash Brush. 1/2". Metal ferrule.	1/2in
660D/3/4 $ 38.00 Dark Ox Flat Wash Brush. 3/4". Metal ferrule.	3/4in
660D/1 $ 43.00 Dark Ox Flat Wash Brush. 1". Metal ferrule.	1in
660D/2 $ 56.00 Dark Ox Flat Wash Brush. 2". Metal ferrule.	2in

Flat Wash Brush 664

Flat Wash Brush #664 Flat Wash Brush, 1/2" Black Ox-Short Hair. Made in Germany. These high quality brushes are square and have a metal ferrule and a raw wood handle. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

664/1/4 $ 10.00 Flat Wash Brush, 1/4" Black Ox-Short Hair	1/4in
664/1/2 $ 12.00 Flat Wash Brush, 1/2" Black Ox-Short Hair	1/2in
664/3/4 $ 14.00 Flat Wash Brush, 3/4" Black Ox-Short Hair	3/4in
664/1 $ 18.00 Flat Wash Brush, 1" Black Ox-Short Hair	1in
664/1.5 $ 23.00 Flat Wash Brush, 1.5" Black Ox-Short Hair	1.5in
664/2 $ 28.00 Flat Wash Brush, 2" Black Ox-Short Hair	2in

Flat Wash brush 943

Flat Wash Brush #943 Flat Brush. Pure Ox Hair with raw wood handle. Made in Germany. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

943/1/4 $ 13.00 Pure Ox Hair. 1/4". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	1/4in
943/1/2 $ 17.00 Pure Ox Hair. 1/2". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	1/2in
943/3/4 $ 20.00 Pure Ox Hair. 3/4". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	3/4in
943/1 $ 25.00 Pure Ox Hair. 1". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	1in
943/1.5 $ 32.00 Pure Ox Hair. 1.5". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	1.5in
943/2 $ 40.00 Pure Ox Hair. 2". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	2in
943/3 $ 55.00 Pure Ox Hair. 3". Metal ferrule and a raw wood handle.	3in

Flat Wash brush 954

Flat Wash Brush #954 Mixed Squirrel Hair with Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle. Made in Germany. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

954/1/2 $ 9.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 1/2". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	1/2in
954/3/4 $ 11.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 3/4". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	3/4in
954/1 $ 15.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 1". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	1in
954/1.5 $ 18.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 1.5". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	1.5in
954/2 $ 22.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 2". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	2in
954/2.5 $ 28.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 2.5". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	2.5in
954/3 $ 36.00 Mixed Squirrel Hair. 3". Metal Square Edge - Raw Wood Handle.	3in

Varnish brush 125

Varnish Brush #125 Varnish Brush. Short White Bristle. Short Raw Wood Handle. Made in Germany. Available in various sizes.

In Stock

125/1 $ 7.25 Varnish Brush. 1" - Short White Bristle.	1in
125/1.5 $ 8.50 Varnish Brush. 1.5" - Short White Bristle.	1.5in

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Early American Style

Colonial Amercians drew inspriation from their European heritage. Curent design styles would filter across the ocean and become reinventedin early America. Proportion and scale took reign over ornementation, A neutral color palette of grey blue, greens and rose pinks is readily apparent.

Stucco Rustico - Aged Plaster

Stucco Rustico is a Traditional interior and exterior textured plaster that epitomizes the rustic old world charm commonly associated with Tuscan environments. I love this treatment for its ease of application and the natural, organic glazed appearance that results when using mineral based plasters and glazes. Whether a rough application or a smooth finish, this treatment holds true to the test of time and, in fact, feels as if time itself stopped to wash the walls personally.

The Rustic Color Palette

The Rustic Style color palette falls within a distinct range of color tones and is essential in creating a successful Rustic interior. By using the appropriate color tones you can create a variety of design styles ranging from Period and Historic, regional or thematic. Color helps define our experiences within an interior and exterior environment. It affects us on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level and can be calming and passive, expressive and vital.

Painted Floral Details

Floral patterns used as accents in fabrics and furniture are common place details in the English Country home. These graceful and organic patterns complement the cozy interior of this style and work particularly well with lace window treatments, an heirloom tea service set and the natural and rustic charm of wooden ceiling beams and slightly irregularly textured walls.