Why pay tons of money for gilded home accents when you can make your own? One of Amy Howard’s favorite projects is painting old books... but she adds an extra “wow” factor with this DIY Gold Gilded Book project. Follow Amy’s simple steps for gilding books and you’ll have beautiful creations that are perfect for your home or office in no time.

Materials Needed

1. One Step Paint™ of your choice
2. One Step Paint™ in Ballet White
3. Stir stick
4. Flat-edged sponge brush
5. Masking or painters tape
6. Gilding Size
7. Gold Leaf
8. Hardcover books

How to Make Beautiful Gilded Books:

1. Turn your One Step Paint™ cans upside down for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Prior to opening, give the can a few good shakes. After opening, stir the chalk-based mixture with a paint stick until the texture is thick and creamy.

2. Wipe the surface of your book covers off with a dry lint-free rag. No cleaner is needed, as any moisture might warp the hardback cover. Simply make sure any dust or dirt is brushed off before painting.

3. Dip your flat sponge brush into one of your paint colors and offload excess before applying to cover. Apply with a cross-hatch motion (in an X-shaped pattern) to keep any grain lines at bay.

4. Allow each coat to completely dry before repeating or moving on to the next step. Two coats may be needed depending on the absorbency and color of your book cover.

5. Fully rinse and dry your sponge brush.

6. Once your paint and sponge brush is entirely dry, it’s time to gild! Tape off the area you envision being gilded with your masking or painters tape. Include all four borders, as the Gilding Size will run down when applied.

7. Using your foam brush, dip just the tip into the Gilding Size and offload excess. Apply in long, even strokes, ensuring there is even coverage for the Gold Leaf.

8. After your Size has come to tack (meaning it is slightly sticky but not wet to the touch), apply one sheet of your Gold Leaf to the Gilding Size. Making sure to apply the Gold Leaf with the wax paper facing you, so you can apply pressure without touching the Gold Leaf surface.

9. After even pressure is applied and the Gold Leaf is attached, pull the paper away to reveal your gilded surface!

10. Using a clean flat brush, dust away excess so that your gilded surface is flat and smooth.

11. Slowly remove the painter's tape to reveal your beautifully completed project!

Follow these quick steps for DIY gilded books and you’ll have beautiful, shiny decor for any space in less than an hour. The white and the gold in this project are both timeless and trendy, making these DIY gilded books perfect for nearly any room.

Ready to show off your DIY skills? Share a picture of DIY gilded books on Facebook. Don’t forget to tag Amy Howard At Home so that we can see it. Share your project on Instagram with #amyhowardathome and tag @amyhowardhome on Instagram for a chance to be featured.