All that glitters is not gold — or is it?

Growing up in New York City, it was a family tradition during the holiday season to visit the store windows of the world-famous department stores that lined a then glamorous and exclusive Fifth Avenue. What a treat it was to pass those remarkable displays of silver and gold replete with familiar animated figures from the Bible and favorite Disney movies. It's no wonder that so many of us would still rather be in New York City during the Christmas season than almost anywhere else.

Recently I was lucky enough to hear from a client in the Big Apple who asked if I might be available to travel and confer with her about some additional work on her apartment. Almost before she could even finish her question, I shouted out an enthusiastic "yes," made my Jet Blue reservation, and faster than a speeding bullet I found myself once again in New York at holiday time. What luck!

And even though there are now far fewer incredible Christmas window displays than during my childhood days, I still took delight in what was there and subconsciously the gaiety and beauty of the scenes must have somehow inspired my choice for at least one of the new pieces I specified for my client's home: a contemporary, three-door buffet finished in one of the most timeless and elegant finishes of all -- gold leaf.

Personally, I've always loved the glitz and glamour of furniture finished in leaf, be it silver or gold, as there's nothing like it for an accent piece in a room whether traditional or contemporary. How I wish designers would have the courage to specify this type of finish more often than they do. It's my belief that few clients, when educated about leaf, gilding and the effects that can be achieved through its use, would ever think of not incorporating some element of it, when appropriate, in their overall design plans.

After all, the craft of gold leaf gilding in which a thin layer of metal is applied to objects for ornamentation has been sought after and much admired for some 4,000 years after first being introduced in Northern Africa. Simply put, it's a process whereby gold or silver foil (whether real or faux) is applied to wood in order to give the appearance of being made completely of these precious metals.

Whether I'm designing furniture or interiors, I'm always assured of an exciting and opulent look when I incorporate gilding. It invariably and quite magically transforms even ordinary furniture into an extraordinary statement of style and quality. While it's used on picture frames, furniture and even walls, my own focus has been first and foremost on furniture pieces such as coffee tables, side tables and chairs. Nothing works better for bringing out carved details on a traditional piece or for bringing depth and allure to a smooth contemporary one.

Currently I'm working on an interesting concept for a lady's dressing table that will feature a combination of two finishes: a rubbed back, aged (faux) silver leaf for the top along with high-gloss black lacquer for the legs. It's a true marriage of the contemporary and the traditional. With a bit of imagination and daring, the leaf finishes are quite remarkable in their adaptability to any number of design possibilities.

By this point you must be thinking that surely such grandeur must come at an exorbitant price. But you're wrong, for the most part. Yes, genuine gold and silver leaf is, of course, expensive (especially at today's inflated prices) and there have been, in my experience, only very rare occasions when a client insisted upon using the real thing.

In its place, however, designers turn to foils or squares that are made up of a composition of metals. Imitation or faux gold leaf is derived from combining copper and zinc to form brass while faux silver is derived from pure aluminum. Both are very, very thin, 4 inches square, and generally sold in a booklet or in a roll of 25 or more sheets. The actual process of gilding itself is time-honored and rather straightforward, though certainly best left to the hands of a qualified craftsman.

Furniture that is to be gilded (whether real or imitation) requires a primer called "bole" which is applied first so that the leaf has something to adhere to. The bole is generally red or clay in color which accounts for the red that can often be seen on gilded furniture as it ages or is "rubbed back" to simulate aging. A sizing or glue is applied a few hours after the bole and once the glue sets a sheet of gold leaf is laid over the wood and brushed into place. A sealer and top-coat is then added to keep the gold or imitation leaf from flaking and falling off.

Add a gold or silver leaf piece to your décor and the glamour of the holiday season, whether in New York City or elsewhere, can be yours all year long. All that glitters is not gold, or is it? I'll never tell.

Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design International; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He has served on the board of directors of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to stephen@soleildesigninterna tional.com.