We master all kinds of gilding techniques. The most noble one, only used for silver and gold, is spirit gilding (gilding suspended in a varnish), used unchanged for centuries, which requires 15 different steps. Oil gilding and peintre-doreur are other techniques we use.

I’m happy to live and work in Vienna, because this wonderful, historic city provides so many architectural and artisanal treasures, especially of the baroque and Jugendstil era, which not only inspire my work but are also potential restoration projects.

One of my oddest orders was to gild a gallstone of one of my customers. I've also gilded a soother, baby bootees, a favourite Barbie doll and even a piece of a human bone. Together with my wife, I create gilded everyday objects which make daily life glow.

There are some moments I particularly love. Firstly, it’s when I find inspiration and can visualise the finished object. Then, as soon as it's completed, it’s the joy of having conjured something glamorous out of an unsightly item. Lastly, it’s the sparkle in the eyes of the happy client – sparkling like gold.