Good as Gold

When it comes to decorating, gold is still the standard for good taste. Gold accessories add a touch of class to any décor, delivering drama that radiates intensity without overpowering a space. Muted fabrics and warm, neutral tones give gold an understated look. Bold fabrics and deep tones play up the flash and flair. Go for the gold in your own home with these winning looks.
 

• For Old World appeal, frame mirrors and artwork with elaborately carved museum frames. For a fresh take on a classic, brush gold frames with a crackle medium, then apply a thin coat of cream-colored paint. Hang from wide gold satin ribbons. You don’t need fancy art — if the frame is beautiful, hanging it empty looks incredibly chic.
   
• Every room can use a hint of gold. Create fine details that are understated, yet pack a punch. Trim lampshades and curtains in beaded gold fringe. Decorate chandelier shades with gold seed beads. Use gold tassels as drapery tiebacks and to hold fan pulls and armoire keys.
   
• Brushed or frosted golds are more elegant than less expensive metallic golds. To soften brassy gold and give it a delicate vintage look, colorwash with white paint diluted 2:1 with water.
   
• Dress up earthy objects with an unexpected glint of gold. Dry brush terra cotta pots with gilded gold paint — just enough to make them shimmer softly in the light. Spray paint pebbles with gold paint and arrange them around the base of topiary trees to cover the dirt. Pile brushed gold ball ornaments in an elegant urn. Dust pinecones or sand dollars with iridescent gold glitter applied with a makeup brush.
   
• Give a powder room 24-carat style by making an inexpensive vanity top worth its weight in gold. Simply brush on a coat of gold leaf and seal with waterproof acrylic. Use neutral accessories, like linen towels and creamy soaps, to let the gold shine.
   

Remember, a little gold goes a long way. While a few accents make a room look like a million bucks, too much cheapens the look.