VERREÉGL OM IS É Why this gilded glass is the finish to covet

Now is the time to rediscover this delicate and decadent art of glass

The unapologetic warmth and wow

factor that the colour gold brings to the home was celebrated in our December issue. But now it’s the turn of real gold, hammered into the thinnest of sheets and presented under glass… verre églomisé is in vogue. The process of gilding the back of glass to create a mirror-like effect is one that dates back to antiquity. Recently, it has been seen in shop windows and on pub signs in the form of solid metallic letters surrounded by a block colour, but a more artistic version is trending now. Leading the crusade is Emma Peascod, whose Gloucestershire studio produces exquisite bespoke surfaces ( left) for interior design and architectural projects, as well as the ‘Highlights’ collection, which features verre églomisé applied to lighting, mirrors and tabletops. ‘I was drawn to the variety of designs you can produce with the simple ingredients of glass, gold leaf and colour,’ she says (studiopeascod.com). HOW DO YOU PRODUCE THE VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ EFFECT? We create layers of metal leaf, pigments and powders that are applied to the back of glass in reverse order. First we work the gilded areas into a pattern, then we add numerous additional layers to form a composition of great depth and detail. WHAT TYPE OF PATTERNS DO YOU CREATE? Most of our work is freehand, mixing the colours and blending materials directly on the glass. We also use traditional printing techniques and découpage. WHERE CAN VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ BE USED IN THE HOME? It can be beautiful as artistic decorative panels, mirrors, or splashbacks in kitchens and bathrooms. WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? Moody ink washes and designs inspired by marble and malachite (cuppebord.co.uk).