Gilded Heat: A Radiator Touched by Gold and Memory

Last year, I stood in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, quietly captivated by a wooden bust of a woman from 2,000 years ago. Her carved hair, dark and flowing, was accented with delicate flecks of gold. They shimmered not boldly, but with restraint—just enough to catch the light and stir something deep. I never learned her story, but I’ve thought of her often.

That memory returned to me when a client asked me to transform a blackened Victorian radiator into something more special. A decorative object—something beautiful, not simply functional.

Almost without thinking, I reached for my 24-carat gold leaf.

As I gilded each tiny, scattered speck onto the darkened metal, I realised I was recreating the feeling of that bust—not its symbolism or history, but its mysterious glow. The way gold and black can whisper together. The way a quiet shimmer can elevate even the humblest object into something lasting, something that feels like it remembers.

This gilded radiator is a subtle, timeless detail in the room—practical, yes, but also intimate. It reminds me that beauty doesn’t always arrive in grand gestures. Sometimes it’s a single golden fleck, placed with care, carrying a story.

If you are drawn to refined, poetic details in your home—whether through mural work, gilding, or custom decorative finishes—I’d love to hear from you.

Two moments. Two surfaces. One glimmering memory.

Gilded by hand with 24ct gold — not polished perfection, but quiet sparkle.

Crafted with traditional oil-based size and care — no shortcuts, just intention.

"A memory gilded into warmth."