The Magic of Gilding Wax

Some antique altar candlesticks have been on my wishlist for a long time. The mantel in our living room has been longing for them. This week I found some brown wood (definitely not antique) ones in Canton. The size and price were right, but the wood looked kind of dull and flat. The carved details actually show better in this picture than in real life.

I have admired these candlesticks at Wisteria, but they are a bit too gold for the room. (I have seen them in the store and they appear much more shiny and metalic in real life.)

I found these, but the price was prohibitive.

Same problem with these .

My new aquisitions needed something to lighten them and make the carving stand out.  The tiny little jar of  Cirea Dorer Gilding Wax (Classic) to the rescue again.  I had actually intended to live with the candlesticks the way they were for a while. Then, I saw Kelly's candlestick makeover and knew I would be adding gold to them right away.

I also used a smidgen of old white chalk paint.  Using a wadded up a wet paper towel, I applied the tiniest amount of paint from the lid of the can.  For this room, which incorporates both French Country and Tuscan style, I wanted to keep most of the brown in the candlesticks. The contrast works against the color of the mantel. 

Here's how they turned out. 

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