Materials 101: Marble, Stucco, and Gilding in the Palace

Materials drive experience. Marble cools; stucco casts shadows; gilding warms light and prioritizes edges.

Contents

• Marble
• Stucco
• Gilding

Marble

• Polishing level changes reflectivity and perceived depth.
• Color and veining help organize room zones.

Stucco

• Light grazing reveals modelled relief and tool passes.
• Painted finishes shift depth without weight.

Gilding

• Gold frames light and adds a rhythm of highlights.
• Substrate selection matters for long-term adhesion.