#subtlefinish

IDEAS, INSPIRATION and INFLUENCE

Ideas, inspiration and influence are varied and many. The French styles of the 18th and 19th Centuries are the major influence on the Subtle Finish range of mirrors and furniture. A style predominant in our collection is the Louis Philippe and one of our favourites due to its simplicity in form and its versatility. It can be placed in all manners of interiors as it can be finished with different etching which can make it traditional, feminine or contemporary. Antique mirrors were most commonly gilded in gold or silver leaf but they look fabulous in gesso (ivory white), black (ebonised) or parcel gilt (gesso with gold/silver) highlights.

One of our most popular etched mirrors is our frangipani which was inspired by all the lovely fragrant frangipani trees surrounding us here in Byron Bay. The design is hand drawn onto the frame and then etched into it. We use different coloured clays called bole for the pinks, greens and yellows of the flowers, with a beautiful white gold leaf layer so the colours shimmer through.

Shells on the beach that we collect quite a bit, having two small children influences our colour palette and decorative ideas. We created a shell mirror for our beach collection made out of recycled timber and shells which were cast from beach shells and then used as decorative elements, replacing the traditional urn, swags and cartouches.

Subtle Finish is a real mix of antique integrity with its traditional finishes and craftsmanship and modern influences from society and our environment.

MEET THE MAKER....

Gilder, restorer, frame-maker, antique mirror specialist, designer, father of two girls, hubby and enthusiastic veteran football player for the Byron Bay Rams and lifelong committed Fulham Football Club fan – Pete Link.

Born in London, now aged 46, worked in London and France in the antiques trade for 25 years buying, selling, restoring, gilding, specialising in antique mirrors.

A lifestyle change to Australia was an opportunity and an ambition to not just restore broken mirror frames but to design, create and make an entire object, which occurred in an organic self taught process. This led to the Subtle Finish range of mirrors in antique styles made and finished just as the French, English and European craftsman of the 18th / 19th Century did.

The nature of our handmade mirrors is that they can be made to measure in the style and finish that is desired, unlike antique mirrors whereby the size, style and finish can take years to search for.

“ I love creating with my hands and try to keep challenging myself by constantly learning new skills and researching recipes and methods. There is a real art to the finishing and getting the right highlights, lowlights and clay colours coming through, sometimes it takes a while to get it right before I'm happy with it but its so worthwhile when the clients express their appreciation”.

WELCOME TO THE SUBTLE FINISH BLOG

We are Subtle Finish, a creative small business based at Byron Bay, dedicated to making & designing hand finished mirror frames in French Antique Styles as well as restoration of antiques, antiquing of mirror glass and hand finished picture framing.

Via our new Subtle Finish blog we will share, explore and update you on the fascinating process involved in making a mirror from the raw timber to the endless options and detail of the finishing on frames and furniture, often gold or silver leaf.

There will be before and after shots of furniture we've restored or glammed up with a new finish and we'll keep you posted on new products and projects such as antique mirror glass panelled walls, which featured in a beautiful Byron Bay home in the summer 2013 edition of Vogue Australia.

You will have the opportunity to learn about the ancient recipes of water and oil gilding (and the difference) with lots of great images. Being in the business of making antique style mirrors, we love to see antique mirrors and furniture mixed with all types of interiors and will post any inspiring images we find to fuel your creativity (and ours).