Decorative Finishes by European Artists- Gilding, Faux, Consolidation, Infill Touchups

DECORATIVE FINISHES AND RESTORATION


Olek creates new decorative finishes to match intact finishes, and restores a diverse range of existing finishes, using the appropriate ancient through modern techniques. Our artistic decorative finish repertoire includes:
• Trompe l'oeil, repairing typical water damage or creating new • Faux marbre and faux bois, marble and wood graining • Gilding, water and oil with with 23 or 24 kt. gold leaf • Metal leafing- bronze, silver, aluminum, platinum • Stenciling • Oil paint • Chinese Lacquer- copal varnish • Patination of metals- bronze, brass, steel, iron, nickel. Chemical, heat, and oil patination • Eglomaise painting and infilling of damages • Glazing finishes- sandblast sculpting and acid etching


Trompe L'Oeil-


Our artists infill damages to existing Trompe l'oeil that have occurred from various causes, such as plaster deterioration, water or physical damage. We can repair existing finishes, or replicate finishes new when the damages are too extensive, or substrate irreparable. The technique was especially suited to creating the impression of architectural woodwork, and murals mimicking scenes framed by faux windows and doors. Widely used in Italy and other parts of Europe hundreds of years ago in palazzos to inexpensively make a room look rich, without being overbearing.


Faux marble and faux wood finishes-


We painstakingly restore fine old Faux wood (faux bois) and faux marbre finishes that are damaged, or peeling, or worn. Our artists match each color appearing in the finish brush stroke by brush stroke. At the end a pigmented glaze and clear coat of matching gloss level may be applied, to replicate the patina of the new finish to the original. Unless each color and coat is perfect, the end result can't be. When our work is completed, damaged faux bois finishes will appear to have been well maintained throughout its long life.


Bronze, Iron, and Metal Patination, by Chemicals, Heat, and Oil-


Patination is done with the proper chemicals and sequence to match your patinated metals, whether they have been aging or exposed for two years or two hundred. The sequence of the applications is every bit as important as the chemicals themselves. Patinas develop in phases, certain colors occur first. To successfully replicate an old patina, the metal must go through the same patination phases as it does over years. The use of chemicals, heat, and oil accelerates the process of aging, and replicating an original patina. Statuary bronze finishes are matched precisely. We don't cut corners with pigmented tinting or painting, but use heat, chemicals, oils and wax or other finishes to attain historically and visually accurate patinas.


Stenciling popular in Victorian and Edwardian Periods


A popular and simple technique to do cover large areas of decorative painting inexpensively, stencils are segregated for each color being used. Stencils were often used in Churches and large public spaces, and sometimes in residences.































were missing and replaced.	Faux-painted plaster panels after restoration