Tailor made signs
We manufacture sandblasted signs, carved signs, and gold leaf signs. We offer on-site architectural gilding and glass gilding services for restaurants, specialty shops, and residential buildings in Annapolis and Washington, DC.
What We Do
We make a wide variety of signs and services for local property management companies and real estate companies. We install 4×8 alumalite leasing signs with decorative pvc posts and caps.
Design
We design your customized sign.
Manufacture
We handcraft our products.
Install
We install our products at your place.
Our History
Designs & Signs was founded in 1976 by Brendon J. Brandon. Mr. Brandon has a lifetime of sign make experience, working in Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, and the United States. He is past President of the International Society of Gilders, and for six years he was head editor of it’s magazine, “The Gilders Tip”. He has taught gilding and sign making classes for The Smithsonian Institute, The Society of Gilders, The International Sign Association, and The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
From The Portfolio
Follow us while we work.
Carved Stone Lettering – WWII Memorial
How did we make perfect carved stone lettering at The World War II Memorial in Washington, DC? Kevin handles all of our sandblasting projects. He has more than thirty years of carving experience. Designs & Signs has carved and gilded various monuments and...
Gold Leaf Lettering for Boats – Bessy Never Looked Better!
Hire us today for the best gold leaf lettering for your boat. We can design your boat name and include images too. Some boat owners would like to use the image of a fish or a bird. We can always accommodate your requests. LIkewise, we have thousands of font to review....
Architectural Mural, Painted Lettering on Brick at Bond Street Wharf.
We painted this architectural mural on brick. Another beautiful architectural mural. Thank you, Bond Street Wharf! We love painting murals, and if I'm not mistaken, this is the largest hand-painted mural in North America. We had a few good friends assisting us on this...
Community Entrance Sign Mariners Cover
The community entrance sign for Mariners Cove, a waterfront community, is West Annapolis. The letters are brushed aluminum pin mounted into cedar planks—these treated marine pilings are wrapped with decorative ropes and protected with copper caps. Sturdy Installation...
Gold Leaf Yacht Lettering for Audrey, a Classic Yacht.
We make Beautiful hand-made boat names at Designs & Signs, installing gold leaf yacht lettering with traditional materials and techniques. Unfortunately, this pounce pattern is not in the right place yet. So we'll adjust the pattern first to make sure it's in the...
Teak Boat Nameplates
We carve beautiful teak boat nameplates by hand. All of our gold leaf is 23 karat XX gold. Before varnishing, we clean the boards with a teak cleaner to release the surface oils. We use Awlgip Awlspar OM3131 Varnish. Teak wash exposes some of the surface grain,...
Glass Gilding, Gold Leaf Restaurant Lettering at The Mt. Washington Tavern.
A glass gilding video with photos is below. Here's a great video of our craft applied on-site, Glass Gilding , at Mt. Washington Tavern in North Baltimore. Brendon Brandon applies backup paint with a lettering brush. Glass gilding at The Mt. Washington Tavern, a newly...
Architectural Mural – EJ Codd Co
Historical architectural mural in the Baltimore City neighborhood of Fells Point; we painted this mural by hand. We use a technique called "cutting in." First, we paint the wall with white block filler. After that, we apply the pounce patterns, and then we come back...
Architectural Gilding; Gold Leaf Letters at Navy Stadium
How do you put gold leaf onto a rough surface? Designs & Signs finishes some Architectural Gilding at The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. We applied traditional gold leaf to carved monument letters. Specifically, these photos show both...
5328 – Hand Gilded House Numbers
Hand gilded house numbers you can see in person This framed sample of hand gilded house numbers hangs in our shop in Edgewater, Maryland. It shows exactly how real gold leaf looks on a piece of glass. The gold reflects light like a mirror, and every edge looks crisp....
Tugboat Quarterboards
At Designs & Signs, LLC, our shop crafts custom tugboat quarterboards that honor classic maritime tradition while standing up to tough conditions at sea. We recently completed a set of solid mahogany boat quarterboards for the Robert E. McAllister, operated by...
Handcrafted Teak Boat Plaques: A Touch of Nautical Elegance
Give your vessel a finishing touch with handcrafted teak boat plaques from Designs & Signs, LLC. Our latest plaque, “Reverie,” pairs traditional craftsmanship with modern precision. We made it from premium teak and finished it with elegant gold leaf. Plaques like...
Custom Wooden Yacht Nameplates: Elevate Your Vessel’s Identity
Introduction At Designs & Signs, LLC, we skillfully blend classic craftsmanship with modern precision to craft stunning Custom Wooden Yacht Nameplates that capture attention. Our latest collection features "Land Shark," "The Love Chop," and "Flying B" wooden yacht...
House Number Gilding – 1729
House number gilding is a beautiful and elegant way to add a touch of sophistication to your home. For centuries, artists have used this ancient technique to create stunning works of art, and it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the realm...
Numbers on Residential Transoms – 1221
In Washington, DC, gold leaf numbers on residential transoms are a popular choice. Homeowners use them to enhance the look of their homes. This elegant design choice adds a touch of style and charm to any property. Below, we cover the history, process, and benefits of...
Get in touch to stand out!
Contact us today for a quote and get ready to stand out!
We look forward to working for you!