NEWSLETTER/ SPRING 2024
We are excited to reveal…. our love letter to the Victorian gilded advertising signage that once made American storefronts sparkle. ✨
Our latest and most elaborate gilded Pub mirror to date!
Reverse-gilded windows and framed mirror pieces were once the height of elegance, and are extremely valuable if you can get your hands on a pristine specimen. We set ourselves the challenge of creating one from scratch using all historical techniques and materials. Artisans of the past used cold forming, hand painting, reverse water gilding, and silver mirroring to achieve their archival effects, and we’re following in their footsteps.
Technique: Glue Chipping
Glue chipping in glass arts is the art of creating a crystalline effect on the interior surface of the glass. First, a tooth is created on the glass using sandblasting. Then, animal hide glue is applied to the glass and then slowly dried out, which causes the glue to literally chip away the surface of the glass in beautiful patterns.
The size and shape of the chips can be modified depending on the glue application. These chipped finish can then be gilded to create the dramatic lettering you can see in our piece above.
The invention of silvered-glass mirror in 1835 made mirrors widely available, and eateries and storefronts were quick to adopt this eye-catching signage. Throughout the Victorian era, decorative mirrors became the height of elegance for businesses.
Glass artisans created sample pieces to showcase their technical skills.
The craft of hand-lettering and gilding was also a highly sought-after trade. Many older buildings in New York and Philadelphia feature 24k gold window signage that is still visible today. Gold is revered for its non-tarnishing quality and ability to last decades without fading. With the rise of vinyl lettering today, we’re always delighted to see the signature brilliance of a genuine gold sign.
Speaking of preserving history… the lobby at the revamped Bellevue Hotel got dressed up with new seating and plants. This necessitated a new photoshoot of our faux marble plaster columns.
It was a delight to have a hand in restoring these beauties for another 100 years of visitors to enjoy. The Bellevue-Stratford was built in 1904 and at that time was the height of architectural beauty. Did you know that Thomas Edison designed the lighting in the lobby? A new on-site restaurant paying homage to this connection is set to open in 2025.
The grand marble staircase and 9 beautiful columns on the Broad Street side stand as a testament to the original builder’s grand vision.
Real marble on left, faux marble by Bird Studio on right,
The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel lobby
Bird Studio’s sample wall in our East Falls workshop
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An often-undervalued part of the process, sampling has become one of our biggest assets. Owner Zack Bird devotes himself to the process of developing a bespoke finish for each project, like the above custom painted marble that required an exacting match.
It’s also important to play! We make sure to set aside time each year for pulling up the “inspiration” folder and working to bring you the most interesting finishes we can dream up. This year we were drawn to a hand-painted pattern on adobe finish, a brushed plaster bold graphic print, and a metallic patterned finish.
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