tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30554929030862597602024-03-12T19:13:57.603-04:00Iris March CreationsWe build delightful 1:12 inch scale homes for the Little People. Our dollhouses are sometimes custom (aka scratch) -built, but even when we start with a kit-- it is always bashed! The houses are fully furnished and landscaped, and have resident families and friends.Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-85473689920260787922016-05-05T17:13:00.000-04:002016-05-05T17:13:00.012-04:00New YouTube Videos<br />
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Well, next to nothing on any dollhouse, but I did get to make <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">YouTube videos</span></strong> for <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em>Larkspur Lane</em></strong></span> and <strong><span style="color: #351c75;"><em>MacPherson Farm.</em></span></strong>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_3zKVj7Mzho/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_3zKVj7Mzho?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><em>...... MacPherson Farm ......</em></span></h3>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y653dHedjx4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y653dHedjx4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<em><span style="color: #351c75;">...... 22 Larkspur Lane ......</span></em></h3>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">These can also be linked from the <em><strong>Our Videos </strong></em>icon on the Home page.</span></div>
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Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-45359211651699254372016-03-14T14:50:00.001-04:002016-03-14T14:50:12.221-04:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Progress at <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Montclaire House !! (after a 2-year hiatus)</span></em></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Details on <strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/">Iris March Creations-2</a></em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have finally started work on the outside, although the inside has to be finished also.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please join us.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9LUvxrNAqKk/VuLkFBxDJAI/AAAAAAAAEOA/mqJllAjkaIENCmH9PtlvreoiL1UQlQrIwCCo/s400-Ic42/Ext%2Bw%2Bdoors%2Bw%2Bstone%2BDSCN6206%2B3696.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montclaire House, active again!!</td></tr>
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...<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course, we will be doing the finishing touches at <strong><em><span style="color: #0c343d;">22 Larkspur Lane</span></em></strong> also.</span>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-53548823883717333202016-02-27T13:40:00.000-05:002016-02-27T13:40:46.645-05:00Home at last--moved from workbench to permanent place!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Progress at <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">22 Larkspur Lane- A home at last</span></em></strong>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Details on <strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/">Iris March Creations-2</a></em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are moving right along. We have much of the inside and outside near completion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please join us.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off work bench to is permanent location -- not finished, but close.</td></tr>
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Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-1463574065154496262016-02-01T12:28:00.000-05:002016-02-01T12:28:49.494-05:00Larkspur Lane and real, bit slow, progress<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Progress at <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">22 Larkspur Lane</span></em></strong>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Details on <strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/">Iris March Creations-2</a></em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are moving right along. We have much of the inside and outside near completion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please join us. <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ypJcZdaz_CY/Vq1ozoOAmYI/AAAAAAAAEGQ/UdFb-rOOEP0/s400-Ic42/ext%252520left%252520side%252520-Front%252520adj%252520DSCN6167%2525203655.jpg" /></span><br />
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<img /></span>Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-22116837387356578912016-01-08T20:29:00.002-05:002016-01-08T20:29:47.092-05:00Christmas at Larkspur Lane<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Christmas at <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">22 Larkspur Lane</span></em></strong>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Details on <strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/">Iris March Creations-2</a></em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are moving right along and having a great party--Please join us.</span></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-11797601144082053732015-12-13T11:54:00.000-05:002015-12-13T11:54:39.904-05:00Construction on 22 Larkspur Lane has begun! <br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Construction on <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">22 Larkspur Lane</span></em></strong> has begun! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Details on <strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/">Iris March Creations-2</a></em></strong>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Join the excitement of “using” a kit -- but building from
scratch anyway!</span></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-65809345258661081912015-11-24T14:19:00.000-05:002015-11-24T10:41:24.375-05:00"Iris March Creations -2" has arrived!<br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mgBiJ6tyOiM/Vk9mlMluiAI/AAAAAAAAD3k/chGiXZ79grI/s288-Ic42/trumpet_looking%252520left%2525207.jpg" />
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We are no longer adding to the <span style="color: purple;"><strong><em>Iris March Creations</em></strong></span> blog, but not to worry, after a two-year hiatus, we are back to finishing the old and starting new dollhouses.<br />
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This new blog was necessary for our sanity. Unfortunately, <em><strong><span style="color: red;">BlogSpot</span></strong></em> is capricious and does strange things at strange times and we get spooked. Thus we have decided that one of these days, a new post (I hope not <u>this</u> one) will tempt the fates. Thus <span style="color: purple;"><strong><em><a href="http://irismarchcreations-2.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Iris March Creations -2</a></em></strong></span> started November 18, 2015 is the next "chronicle". This will contain posts with the latest scoop on previous houses (yes, some are still not finished!) as well as new builds. <br />
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Please put us in your "<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">Blogs We Follow</span></strong></em>" list and drop in--we only have one post and the blog is still under construction, so it won't take long. And, heavens knows how long til the next post!<br />
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Note, that for some reason, <em><strong><span style="color: red;">BlogSpot</span></strong></em> has changed its "<strong><span style="color: blue;">Followers</span></strong>" icon to "<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Google+ Followers</span></strong>"!!<br />
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Enjoy! And remember that <span style="color: purple;"><em><strong>Iris March Creations</strong></em></span> (this blog) will <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Always be available, too.</strong></span>Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-60863230336247202862013-12-09T17:34:00.000-05:002013-12-09T17:34:23.060-05:00Santa Claus is coming to town ... ho, ho, ho<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></strong><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mY6KJdo4rYc/UqNgQ7LiJPI/AAAAAAAADXE/2UYPTtTbjYk/s1600/GR+look+right+DSCN5981_3411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mY6KJdo4rYc/UqNgQ7LiJPI/AAAAAAAADXE/2UYPTtTbjYk/s400/GR+look+right+DSCN5981_3411.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eat, drink, and be merry!</td></tr>
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I have been doing very little with the Montclaire – real life has a hold on me for the rest of the year—this time of year is very hectic.<br />
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I have been try to figure out what, and then how to do whatever I should do for the Montclaire front exterior. I have some things, such as the bricking, worked out, but the window and the porch designs are a little “iffy” right now. Well, that’s a next year project! No sense doing something today if you can put it off until tomorrow!
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I have managed to get the party underway and everyone seems to be having a good time and the house looks very festive.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">~~</span><span style="color: #38761d;">Pictures of the Montclaire party:</span></strong>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOeJcqEIWns/UqNhJ_uco2I/AAAAAAAADXM/z61svb4ZsyY/s1600/DR+full+look+left+DSCN5970_3400+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOeJcqEIWns/UqNhJ_uco2I/AAAAAAAADXM/z61svb4ZsyY/s400/DR+full+look+left+DSCN5970_3400+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Bt2_iND_Zg/UqNhThtiq_I/AAAAAAAADXY/F160I2WLDKc/s1600/Foy+2+g+DSCN5960_3390+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Bt2_iND_Zg/UqNhThtiq_I/AAAAAAAADXY/F160I2WLDKc/s400/Foy+2+g+DSCN5960_3390+copy.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foyer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqw4k3fNLcE/UqNhU65awAI/AAAAAAAADXg/Ik41fBN7mb4/s1600/LR+full+look+down+DSCN5958_3388+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bqw4k3fNLcE/UqNhU65awAI/AAAAAAAADXg/Ik41fBN7mb4/s400/LR+full+look+down+DSCN5958_3388+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFiuJBivRMs/UqNiOdKBmSI/AAAAAAAADXk/dBmZbI3P6h4/s1600/Kit+DSCN5974_3404+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QFiuJBivRMs/UqNiOdKBmSI/AAAAAAAADXk/dBmZbI3P6h4/s400/Kit+DSCN5974_3404+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fOUVabIGck/UqNiPyk1qDI/AAAAAAAADX0/LKFPFU61Y9g/s1600/LIB+look+right+g+DSCN5966_3396+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fOUVabIGck/UqNiPyk1qDI/AAAAAAAADX0/LKFPFU61Y9g/s400/LIB+look+right+g+DSCN5966_3396+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gJoL72DR6E/UqNiRq_MweI/AAAAAAAADYA/qGUxE45BI98/s1600/MUS+full+DSCN5978_3408+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gJoL72DR6E/UqNiRq_MweI/AAAAAAAADYA/qGUxE45BI98/s400/MUS+full+DSCN5978_3408+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music room</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_zhV-QeB5k/UqNiQ8qAOGI/AAAAAAAADX4/OTBfrMjGVys/s1600/GR+full+2+DSCN5955_3385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_zhV-QeB5k/UqNiQ8qAOGI/AAAAAAAADX4/OTBfrMjGVys/s400/GR+full+2+DSCN5955_3385.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game room</td></tr>
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<strong>~~<span style="color: #45818e;">We have added another dollhouse video to</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #bf9000;">YouTube</span></strong>:
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">… Hawthorne’s Rare Books …</span>
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<strong><span style="color: red;">May your holidays be the merriest of merry for you all, and may Santa make all your dreams come true.</span></strong>
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<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">Many hugs and kisses from my family to yours.</span></strong>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;"><em>Grumble, grumble, grumble …</em></span>
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Well, this year is too rapidly rushing into the holiday season and then it will be New Year’s Eve and there I will come face to face with the resolutions of 2013 that didn’t happen. For example, <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">Montclaire House</span></em></strong> was supposed to be a one-year project! Unfortunately, with my “this way, that way life”, most things don’t make the deadline!
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I did promise the Leaphorns that they could have a Christmas party—and they will—but it will be in a house under construction … oh well …. I will get the kitchen finished and the bar stocked so everyone can party on.
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The other area that I was going to get done was to finish up all the loose ends in the houses that needed them. I did get some things moving along, but only for the Wells House: the <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">Original Rowbottom Manse</span></em></strong> and the Rumford’s <strong><em><span style="color: #351c75;">2004 Oddjob Lane.</span></em></strong> Others still on the list are <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em>Sunnybrook Farm</em></strong></span> (started in spring 2001 no less!), <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em>La Malcontenta</em></strong></span>, <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">MacPherson Farm</span></strong></em>, <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong><em>Abigail’s Teashop & Bakery</em></strong></span>, and <span style="color: #351c75;"><em><strong>Casa Lobo</strong></em></span>. <br />
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Fortunately, due to its size, only <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Sunnybrook</span></strong></em> needs the most things done—if I would just concentrate on doing one house at a time… The problem is that I get all these wonderful ideas for a different house and off I run <strong><span style="color: #990000;"><em>hither</em></span>, <span style="color: #b45f06;"><em>thither</em></span>,</strong> and <strong><em><span style="color: #bf9000;">yon</span></em>!</strong>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><strong>~~At least we had a wedding—</strong></span>
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Max de Winter (<em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Toad Hall)</span></strong></em> finally popped the question and he and his long-time girlfriend Emmeline di Pietro got married this summer. It was a beautiful wedding at <em><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Toad Hall</span></strong></em> amid the flower gardens. I cried and threw rice and had a wonderful time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQtcEeKvlc/UmR9U7c4YoI/AAAAAAAADUw/uaXvl2X15Ok/s1600/Wedding-flowers+-adj+DSCN5801_3205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFQtcEeKvlc/UmR9U7c4YoI/AAAAAAAADUw/uaXvl2X15Ok/s400/Wedding-flowers+-adj+DSCN5801_3205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A summer wedding amid the flowers.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7LFt3oQ0iA/UmR9fhxTCNI/AAAAAAAADU4/scN9F78YkIk/s1600/wedding+portrait-cropped-2-adjDSCN5874_3304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7LFt3oQ0iA/UmR9fhxTCNI/AAAAAAAADU4/scN9F78YkIk/s320/wedding+portrait-cropped-2-adjDSCN5874_3304.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, the happy day!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Montclaire House—</strong></span>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>~~The addition</strong></span>
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The addition is coming along and is much larger than the official <span style="color: #0b5394;">RGT Montclair</span> 2-story-with-attic addition. I finally decided on the roof line–sloping in front only, and a flat roof with a railing. Now that I could plan the attic room, I couldn’t come up with any room that I wanted, but since I had room, I should do something! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdl4dptY6Uw/UmVKNT145cI/AAAAAAAADWI/0S1JVoMqsQc/s1600/Addition-exterior-side-w+attic-DSCN5891_3321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kdl4dptY6Uw/UmVKNT145cI/AAAAAAAADWI/0S1JVoMqsQc/s400/Addition-exterior-side-w+attic-DSCN5891_3321.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, a FINAL decision for the addition attic!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8gQGv1iPMw/UmVKooxuyNI/AAAAAAAADWQ/cRYgReFbZck/s1600/Addition+interior+-DSCN5897_3327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8gQGv1iPMw/UmVKooxuyNI/AAAAAAAADWQ/cRYgReFbZck/s400/Addition+interior+-DSCN5897_3327.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The addition is taking forever and Joe is still trying to get a cup of coffee!</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">~~ Decision: Bathroom and an Office</span></strong>
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The rooms will be simple and I won’t have to buy anything for them since there is still a ton of stuff that I inherited with the house. The back wall of the rooms will have clerestory windows; the bathroom will have a window on the exterior wall. The roof will have a wide front dormer window.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lW9SjvNIQHo/UmVEjD5NWCI/AAAAAAAADV4/cXUnf6MvXZE/s1600/Bathroom+-+Office+-attic+-DSCN5911_3341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lW9SjvNIQHo/UmVEjD5NWCI/AAAAAAAADV4/cXUnf6MvXZE/s320/Bathroom+-+Office+-attic+-DSCN5911_3341.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow rooms, but I think it will work out. (Photo crooked, not house!)</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">~~The kitchen</span></strong>
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The room is 12” x 18” X 9“.
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<br />
The kitchen is finished except for the lights and the endless amount of small items that kitchens need.<br />
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This was my first experience with putting together the DIY cabinets sold by <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>—not my greatest accomplishment. At the end, they looked ok but what a job getting there. I have put together <span style="color: #0b5394;">House of Miniatures</span> furniture and was pleased with those experiences, but not with this brand. Fortunately, I only had to do the stove top with cabinet and the wall oven. The rest of the cabinets, appliances, and table and chairs came “put-together”! I think they are <span style="color: #0b5394;">Concord</span> but the sink looks like a custom-made item.<br />
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The flooring is a vinyl tile sheet from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>. The wallpaper is <em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dutch Tile</span></em> by <span style="color: #0b5394;">Jackson Miniatures</span> (UK). The window is made by the late, much lamented <span style="color: #0b5394;">Timberbrook</span> company. It really is a vertical window but I made it into a faux horizontal sliding window which fit perfectly over the sink. The trim and the “split” door are from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHsipRwuyM/UmVA68HcoJI/AAAAAAAADVY/wDkheDA6jho/s1600/Kit-adj-stove+hood-DSCN5906_3336+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHsipRwuyM/UmVA68HcoJI/AAAAAAAADVY/wDkheDA6jho/s400/Kit-adj-stove+hood-DSCN5906_3336+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen with a window to look out to see the sunshine while doing the dishes!</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #741b47;">~~The Guest Bedroom</span></strong>
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The room is 12” x 18” X 9“.
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I took the color scheme for the bedroom from the bed linens on the designated guest bedroom bed. The furniture is vintage <span style="color: #0b5394;">Shackman</span> except for the vintage <span style="color: #0b5394;">Sonia Messer</span> chair. <br />
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The carpet is <em><span style="color: #0b5394;">Seafoam Green</span></em> from <span style="color: #0b5394;">Mini Graphics</span>. I love the green wallpaper but the pattern just over-powered the room so I used white-on-white stripe wallpaper for the "wainscot”. I think the wallpapers are <span style="color: #0b5394;">New Creations</span>. The window is made by the late, much lamented <span style="color: #0b5394;">Timberbrook</span> company. The crown mouldings, the chair rail, and the door are from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>.<br />
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Lighting is to be done.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80TvIIKwi6M/UmVBWZSesXI/AAAAAAAADVg/oFK0Dzh4DPg/s1600/GBD-adj+-DSCN5909_3339+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-80TvIIKwi6M/UmVBWZSesXI/AAAAAAAADVg/oFK0Dzh4DPg/s400/GBD-adj+-DSCN5909_3339+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guest bedroom</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13;"></span></strong><strong><span style="color: #274e13;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">We have another dollhouse video on</span></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #7f6000;">YouTube:</span></em></strong>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">....... 2004 Oddjob Lane .....</span></em></strong>
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Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-62608245014586891602013-10-09T11:59:00.000-04:002013-10-09T12:11:18.665-04:00Montclaire House - Library update & other things<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #351c75;">The Library - some new comments and photos</span>
</h3>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Bespaq revolving library table—</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found this wonderful table on <span style="color: #0b5394;">eBay</span>. The only setback was that the room for the books on the shelves required books that were smaller than I had on hand. Thus I had to make a few dozen custom-sized books! I don't mind making books, just not a lot of them at once, but since I wanted to see table AND books, I had no choice.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L86n3lDOSc/UlRtUXcf_NI/AAAAAAAADTs/7lHNWa3CPf4/s1600/LIB-complete+w+table-DSCN5838_3268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1L86n3lDOSc/UlRtUXcf_NI/AAAAAAAADTs/7lHNWa3CPf4/s400/LIB-complete+w+table-DSCN5838_3268.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong><em>A closer look at the "custom" bookcase<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">—</span></em></strong></span><br />
As I mentioned previously, this a combination of the best parts of two commercial bookcases from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>. I turned the not-so-exciting bottom into a nicer piece of furniture by adding some narrow trim to "make" drawers and doors. The handles are just <span style="color: #0b5394;">jewelry findings,</span> the raised panels are <span style="color: #0b5394;">wood wainscot panels</span> #326 from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>.<br />
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To light the books directly, I installed three <span style="color: #0b5394;">wall sconces</span> (#2541) from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>. The room has a <em><span style="color: #0b5394;">3-Arm Inverted Tulip Chandelier</span></em> (#78512) from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>, also.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E57WQYJZAsA/UlRsoKoup8I/AAAAAAAADTQ/co7Rh3LF580/s1600/LIB-Bookcase+w+lights-DSCN5836_3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E57WQYJZAsA/UlRsoKoup8I/AAAAAAAADTQ/co7Rh3LF580/s400/LIB-Bookcase+w+lights-DSCN5836_3266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">Finding chairs to complement the Bespaq sofa— </span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Bespaq</span> did make club chairs to match the sofa, but the material has been discontinued and Bespaq had none, thus no matching chairs. (In retrospect, this was a good thing.) This was a setback because I had wanted that red brocade sofa and that red and gold wallpaper! <br />
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I looked at a lot of chairs and none looked right. I also insisted that the chairs look comfortable—the kind a person could fall into with a good book and read or daydream. Finally, I looked at the <span style="color: #0b5394;">Bespaq Monticello Campeachy chairs</span> (from <span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>) once again and <strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">EUREKA— </span></strong>I don't know why I discarded them in the first place! The black upholstery and walnut wood go perfectly in that very distinctive room.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAmGyPs_9Ac/UlRwqoigcLI/AAAAAAAADUE/8fIAYGsYVnk/s1600/LIB-w.red+sofaDSCN5840_3270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAmGyPs_9Ac/UlRwqoigcLI/AAAAAAAADUE/8fIAYGsYVnk/s400/LIB-w.red+sofaDSCN5840_3270.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #351c75;">The Addition—</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The addition is on the dining room side. It has one room per floor: kitchen, guest bedroom, and an unknown room, perhaps a bathroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The kitchen and guest bedroom are coming along nicely, albeit slowly as I have not been doing to much "mini-ing", but have been caught up in real life stuff.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_2Lsdaj62w/UlR2ASkZ8qI/AAAAAAAADUY/bQtyuIqheu8/s1600/Interior+w+addition+-DSCN5899_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_2Lsdaj62w/UlR2ASkZ8qI/AAAAAAAADUY/bQtyuIqheu8/s400/Interior+w+addition+-DSCN5899_3329.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Main house and addition</em></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neb0xYUD4ZM/UlR2TwgiolI/AAAAAAAADUg/ZnWCTnpIPXc/s1600/Addition+interior+-DSCN5897_3327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neb0xYUD4ZM/UlR2TwgiolI/AAAAAAAADUg/ZnWCTnpIPXc/s320/Addition+interior+-DSCN5897_3327.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Addition</em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">More on this next time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #7f6000; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
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We have added more videos on <span style="color: #660000;"><strong>YOUTUBE</strong></span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">...............................Badger's Hollow...........................</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">.................................. Toad Hall ........................................</span></em></strong></div>
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We hope you like them!<br />
<strong><span style="color: #274e13;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #274e13;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong>Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-19187944376791019412013-09-21T11:18:00.000-04:002013-09-22T22:42:14.235-04:00Montclaire House - Party on dude!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEMy_mSEHcE/Ujx0BesrU-I/AAAAAAAADQk/OvE2LvYi0Fg/s1600/Game+room+cropped-DSCN5862_3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fEMy_mSEHcE/Ujx0BesrU-I/AAAAAAAADQk/OvE2LvYi0Fg/s400/Game+room+cropped-DSCN5862_3292.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Game Room</td></tr>
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I have been working on the attic rooms in the main house (when I have been working on minis). The attic has two rooms: a game room and a music room.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JVfE3hccTU/Ujx0uHsUZvI/AAAAAAAADQs/MNgYWGOYbO4/s1600/Attic+Rooms-cropped-DSCN5866_3296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JVfE3hccTU/Ujx0uHsUZvI/AAAAAAAADQs/MNgYWGOYbO4/s320/Attic+Rooms-cropped-DSCN5866_3296.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main house attic rooms</td></tr>
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The stairs to the attic are boxed in and the doors to the rooms are off the “attic
hallway” (unseen and non-existent). <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">The Game Room</span></em></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">—</span></em></strong> </span><br />
I wasn’t sure how this room was going to develop until I thought of the <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Bespaq
Bar</strong></span> and <strong>two</strong> chairs. After I saw the price, I still wasn’t sure how this room
was going to develop. Then fortune smiled. I found one on <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">eBay</span></strong> with a starting
price of $99.00! I bid $101 and I won it! For some reason, it wasn’t popular
that day. I couldn’t believe my luck.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3R68Z0ZqqE/Ujx5CaXcNII/AAAAAAAADRE/DyBt2A6SlWA/s1600/bar+only-DSCN5861_3291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d3R68Z0ZqqE/Ujx5CaXcNII/AAAAAAAADRE/DyBt2A6SlWA/s320/bar+only-DSCN5861_3291.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bespaq bar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was also a good thing that I had decided to
bash the attic into a large area with 9 inch ceilings since the bar is 6 x 6 x 8
½ inches tall! Actually, I always expand the attic on kits as they are always too small and unrealistic if you want to place any furniture.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w922ZKEhamc/Ujx3rLYIeXI/AAAAAAAADQ4/hb66vFtWwlc/s1600/attic+exterior-side-cropped-DSCN5867_3297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w922ZKEhamc/Ujx3rLYIeXI/AAAAAAAADQ4/hb66vFtWwlc/s200/attic+exterior-side-cropped-DSCN5867_3297.jpg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The expanded attic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I wasn’t sure what to do for the walls until I
remembered a real house exotic wallpaper border remnant that I had. The remnant
wasn’t very long thus it was a good thing that I didn’t need to put any behind
the bar. The “solid” real house wallpaper at the front ends of the room is just
a soft beige-white swirl texture. The rest of the room just fell into place
with the other furnishings that came with the house.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltWTXdi1xic/Ujx7FR6ZeTI/AAAAAAAADRQ/q8frh-TmMAQ/s1600/Game+room+cropped-DSCN5862_3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltWTXdi1xic/Ujx7FR6ZeTI/AAAAAAAADRQ/q8frh-TmMAQ/s400/Game+room+cropped-DSCN5862_3292.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Game Room--just need to install the lights and stock the bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></strong> Palladian double door will have stained
glass windows as will the upper “windows” on the bar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The floor is <em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Random Plank</span></em> from <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>HBS</strong></span> and the “baseboard”
is basswood stripwood.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The floor and the wood trim are stained <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></em></strong>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><em>Puritan Pine</em></span> and varnished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I just have to install the lights and stock the
bar and then the parties can begin!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">The Music Room</span></em></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><em><span style="color: #741b47;">—</span></em></strong> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6bqvm1Qq8A/UjyCctzEOvI/AAAAAAAADR0/O3vHDC97mBY/s1600/music+room-DSCN5864_3294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S6bqvm1Qq8A/UjyCctzEOvI/AAAAAAAADR0/O3vHDC97mBY/s320/music+room-DSCN5864_3294.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music Room, some day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have lots of furnishings and musical instruments,
but need inspiration for placement.</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am thinking of a soft, muted pinkish multi-color wallpaper (don’t know the brand or name). The muted pattern reminds me of music by Debussy—if that makes any sense! </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNPb8wm7AY/UjywSYG33nI/AAAAAAAADSE/5828orV0LzY/s1600/wallpaper-music+room001-adj+shadows-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNPb8wm7AY/UjywSYG33nI/AAAAAAAADSE/5828orV0LzY/s200/wallpaper-music+room001-adj+shadows-cropped.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallpaper "something" like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think I’ll use a soft rose or white carpet on the floor, or maybe just wood flooring … still thinking.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-57444552457103110132013-09-07T11:45:00.001-04:002013-09-28T12:18:17.076-04:00Montclaire House -- Meet the Owners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Who lives at Montclaire
House?</em></span> </span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">It took
quite a while before I had an inkling of the family who lived in this house.
Usually, we build knowing all sorts of details about the “little people”. This
was building in the dark.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 12pt 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Finally, a thought came by way of a friend—“a retired,
elder-statesman couple whose children are grown and off somewhere”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was going through Ellen Scofield’ s
(<span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="http://ellensworld.net/" target="_blank"><strong>Ellensworld</strong></a></span><strong>)</strong> catalog for an elder statesman couple, I
fell in love with her <em><span style="color: #0b5394;">N.A.Chief</span></em> and <span style="color: #0b5394;"><em>New Miss Pitty Pat</em> </span><span style="color: #956839;">porcelain doll kits which I then purchased, put together, and dressed.</span> I knew immediately
that they were my couple, but how did they fit in?</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6z0vKhBLuY/UiOD2lhLzxI/AAAAAAAADOM/IP6uQWF5xxo/s1600/Joe-Louisa+Leaphorn-blog-DSCN5777_3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6z0vKhBLuY/UiOD2lhLzxI/AAAAAAAADOM/IP6uQWF5xxo/s400/Joe-Louisa+Leaphorn-blog-DSCN5777_3157.jpg" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But how do they fit into Montclaire House?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then I remembered how much I loved the late
Tony Hillerman’s mystery novels concerning the <span style="color: #073763;"><strong><em>Navajo</em> </strong></span>in and around the Four
Corners area. Thus the husband became Joe Leaphorn (Navajo Tribal Policeman in
the book)—except that this Joe Leaphorn is the Director of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Museum
of the American Indian</span></i></b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pYPpTOpVzc/UiORXVbIcmI/AAAAAAAADQQ/3-SEhNstrUU/s1600/AmericanIndianMuseumBlog-Domeview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pYPpTOpVzc/UiORXVbIcmI/AAAAAAAADQQ/3-SEhNstrUU/s320/AmericanIndianMuseumBlog-Domeview.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
a</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">t the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and resides in
Georgetown with his wife Louisa Montclaire Leaphorn, director of the Ethnographic Collections. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e42DV4woiXU/UiORXWl1ohI/AAAAAAAADQM/5q2E0lnQAro/s1600/NMAI_Collections-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e42DV4woiXU/UiORXWl1ohI/AAAAAAAADQM/5q2E0lnQAro/s320/NMAI_Collections-blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well,
they are not a “retired” elder-statesman couple but otherwise a good fit for
the house. From experience, I know that keeping a museum running smoothly (and
surviving the process) certainly requires the same elder-statesman-like abilities
that running governments require. Some of Louisa’s family were statesmen, and they
did live in this house, and the furnishings in the “public” rooms have “always”
been there (and have scars to show). Joe’s family have been elder statesmen
also—helping to maintain the well-being of the Navajo “res” internally and
versus US bureaucracy when necessary, and keeping the Navajo culture alive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One
thing nice about houses that are passed down through generations is that one
can furnish “with impunity”. Things don’t all have to match; they just have to
have been loved. I did keep the foyer and the living and dining rooms <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“as they always have been” as befitting this couple
who do a lot of entertaining in the interests of getting resources for the
museum and smoothing ruffled feathers.</span><br />
<div class="MsoHeader" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Louisa
and Joe’s children are grown and have left the nest (thank heavens).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>*************************************************************
</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Louisa Patricia
Montclaire and Joseph Henry Leaphorn: Biographical Information</span>
</strong></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span msoheader="" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</span><span msoheader="" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Louisa--</span></span></i></b></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmQ0oSwq514/UiOHJDsobmI/AAAAAAAADOo/aO2u3zQ3fZc/s1600/Louisa+Leaphorn-w+strokeDSCN5777_3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmQ0oSwq514/UiOHJDsobmI/AAAAAAAADOo/aO2u3zQ3fZc/s1600/Louisa+Leaphorn-w+strokeDSCN5777_3157.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Montclaire
House</span></strong> has been in the Montclaire family since it was built by Benjamin
Montclaire </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwI79N6D-wk/UiOH9vFwRNI/AAAAAAAADO0/gKPMjouzNZo/s1600/BenMontclaire-1.5tall-w+4+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MwI79N6D-wk/UiOH9vFwRNI/AAAAAAAADO0/gKPMjouzNZo/s1600/BenMontclaire-1.5tall-w+4+stroke.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">when he became Woodrow Wilson’s (1912-1920) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Under Secretary of State</i>. It eventually passed on to Louisa’s
father Gilbert. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gilbert, his wife
Evangeline, </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIUpt1iWapU/UiOJKkYkrJI/AAAAAAAADPE/Suazmc-VK80/s1600/Louisa+parents+15tal-w+stroke+4l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIUpt1iWapU/UiOJKkYkrJI/AAAAAAAADPE/Suazmc-VK80/s1600/Louisa+parents+15tal-w+stroke+4l.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
and their daughter Louisa are prominent Wyoming natives who became
Washington-based when Gilbert was elected US Senator and then later when he became
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Secretary of the Interior</i>. They have always
considered Wyoming “home” though.</span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8O58VIAY7Y/UiOFrE9LgXI/AAAAAAAADOU/qVYJlvnhwv0/s1600/old-faithful-geyser-yellowstone-national-park-usaw+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8O58VIAY7Y/UiOFrE9LgXI/AAAAAAAADOU/qVYJlvnhwv0/s320/old-faithful-geyser-yellowstone-national-park-usaw+stroke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Old Faithful Geyser</em>, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, state of many awesome landscapes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Louisa preferred the
“west” and went to the <span style="color: #073763;">University of Wyoming</span> and majored in Geology with a
minor in Anthropology. She loved studying dinosaurs but at some point she
realized that studying indigenous cultures was more interesting—you could talk
to the present-day practitioners! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ever
try talking to a dinosaur?</i> She stayed at Wyoming for her doctorate, but
changed direction and concentrated on anthropology and archaeology. After
graduation, she talked to people at the <span style="color: #073763;"><strong>Smithsonian</strong> (</span>her favorite museums) to see
what help she could be and was delighted when they offered her a grant for
ethnographic studies of southwestern cultures! <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Joe—<o:p></o:p></span></i></b>
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVbmvWf91mk/UiOHp5XMWdI/AAAAAAAADOw/HqiKFLptGcE/s1600/Joe+Leaphorn-w+strokeDSCN5777_3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yVbmvWf91mk/UiOHp5XMWdI/AAAAAAAADOw/HqiKFLptGcE/s1600/Joe+Leaphorn-w+strokeDSCN5777_3157.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joe’s parents are Anna </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY7otFQvYes/UiOJW5XcTYI/AAAAAAAADPY/ShaJvWe_Gtc/s1600/Joe+mother-15Tall-w+4+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pY7otFQvYes/UiOJW5XcTYI/AAAAAAAADPY/ShaJvWe_Gtc/s1600/Joe+mother-15Tall-w+4+stroke.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and
Henry </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoXsyy9Dyck/UiOJW4WRjFI/AAAAAAAADPc/2EZG8qoiXbg/s1600/Joe-father+15+Tall+x+1_w+4+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoXsyy9Dyck/UiOJW4WRjFI/AAAAAAAADPc/2EZG8qoiXbg/s1600/Joe-father+15+Tall+x+1_w+4+stroke.jpg" /></a>.</span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
He was raised on the reservation where his parents still live. His early
education was “modern”, taught in English by Navajo and non-Navajo. Since his
parents speak both Navajo and English, he does too. He thinks of himself as a
realist like his father the “legendary lieutenant” of the Navajo Tribal Police
(his father rolls his eyes when he hears that phrase, but the family just
laughs). He has learned the culture (mostly from his mother), respects it, and
works to preserve it, but he also lives in, what he says is the “real world”: a
combination of Navajo and non-Navajo ideologies.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ66OGR0PJU/UiOGfzet20I/AAAAAAAADOc/PrOfNxebnGc/s1600/NavajoNation+map_w+4+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJ66OGR0PJU/UiOGfzet20I/AAAAAAAADOc/PrOfNxebnGc/s320/NavajoNation+map_w+4+stroke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Navajo Nation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From early on he was
fascinated by the <span style="color: #0b5394;">Anasazi</span> culture and its disappearance. He dreamed of going to
college to become an archaeologist specializing in Southwestern cultures. He
did very well in school and received a scholarship from the <span style="color: #0b5394;">University of
Arizona.</span> There he received a BA in anthropology and then a PhD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was living his dream! His parents were
thrilled for him, but his mother worried a little that he might somehow drift
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this wasn’t so—he still came
back to help out anybody at anytime. Of course, that blue-eyed, non-Indian
ethnographer from the Smithsonian (Louisa <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">somebody?</i>)
who was so enthusiastic about the Navajo, helped seal his fate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p>
</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></strong></span>
</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #741b47;">They meet<em>—<o:p></o:p></em></span></strong> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With her grant from the
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Smithsonian</span>, Louisa went to the <span style="color: #0b5394;">University of Arizona</span> looking for native people
who would like to be part of her ethnographic studies to be exhibited at the
Smithsonian. This led to a meeting with archaeologist Joe Leaphorn whose mother
Anna was a modern “traditionalist” heavily involved in Navajo culture and whose
father was Henry Leaphorn, the “legendary lieutenant” of the Navajo Tribal
Police. Henry considered himself a realist who while not as culturally knowledgeable
as his wife, realized that Navajo tradition permeated everything and had to be
considered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<br />
Joe’s extended family,
capably “directed” by his grandmother Emma Chee </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl2QYhwoyco/UiOJPJo0QyI/AAAAAAAADPM/AxgyYnUzKKY/s1600/Grandma-15+tall+w+4+stroke-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jl2QYhwoyco/UiOJPJo0QyI/AAAAAAAADPM/AxgyYnUzKKY/s1600/Grandma-15+tall+w+4+stroke-copy.jpg" /></a>,</span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">had access to oral and written
histories; and his parents could offer insights into the “past vs. present “ conundrum.
This was quite a find for Louisa who then decided to concentrate on the Navajo.
And as these things sometimes go, before long Joe and Louisa found time to
concentrate on each other. He fell into her <em>big, blue eyes</em> and was knocked over
by her enthusiasm for her project; she thought he had the most <em>wonderful smile
and easy laughter</em> and was knocked over by his enthusiasm for his project!<o:p></o:p>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Louisa’s parents
retired, they gave Montclaire House to her. This thrilled Louisa since by then
she and Joe were married, and both were working for the Smithsonian--dividing
their time between Washington and the Four Corners area. Louisa’s parents moved
back to their Wyoming ranch. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CP50GttVo0Q/UiOK-NgSfnI/AAAAAAAADPo/hksuJxwAUm4/s1600/Ranch-Teton-Valley-w+4+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CP50GttVo0Q/UiOK-NgSfnI/AAAAAAAADPo/hksuJxwAUm4/s320/Ranch-Teton-Valley-w+4+stroke.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joe’s parents are retired also and still live on
the reservation, </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-NBjrN3zlw/UiOK9jUxqbI/AAAAAAAADPs/powSwrO_ZWk/s1600/Joe+parent+house_w+stroke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-NBjrN3zlw/UiOK9jUxqbI/AAAAAAAADPs/powSwrO_ZWk/s200/Joe+parent+house_w+stroke.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and although they visit Washington, they really do enjoy visiting Wyoming!<o:p></o:p>
<br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">Before long,
all of Joe’s and Louisa’s dedication was rewarded and they became
well-respected members of the <span style="color: #0b5394;">Smithsonian</span> and earning them <em>elder-statesman</em> status!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIjGHtkDIxY/UiORXiN030I/AAAAAAAADQY/CbzB0zKbLr8/s1600/smithsonian+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIjGHtkDIxY/UiORXiN030I/AAAAAAAADQY/CbzB0zKbLr8/s320/smithsonian+building.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Somewhere in their hectic lifestyle, they raised two children: Henry </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzuqnVmWhz8/UiOLWZJ5lhI/AAAAAAAADP4/J1SQ6OK57Dc/s1600/Henry+w+stroke-darker-DSCN5813_3217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bzuqnVmWhz8/UiOLWZJ5lhI/AAAAAAAADP4/J1SQ6OK57Dc/s1600/Henry+w+stroke-darker-DSCN5813_3217.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and
Bernadette (sorry, camera-shy).</span></span></span></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-69464926918942359692013-08-24T15:36:00.000-04:002013-09-28T12:18:49.345-04:00Montclaire House creeps forward ...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIcFAWHH1ig/Uhj97C7XFvI/AAAAAAAADJw/ljKdR9mEIyU/s1600/Library+with+furniture-left-2-DSCN5786_3166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIcFAWHH1ig/Uhj97C7XFvI/AAAAAAAADJw/ljKdR9mEIyU/s400/Library+with+furniture-left-2-DSCN5786_3166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library--almost completed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #0c343d;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know that it has been a dog's age since I posted, but the days have just been tumbling by here and I haven't been getting as much done with the dollhouse as I had planned. I had hoped to finish it by year's end, but I don't think that's going to happen ... Oh well, another missed deadline!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, just when things were calming down and I started again, I came down with a throat infection and a cough, etc. Then as I was taking the antibiotic, I developed a reaction to it! The medicine was changed, but now I had to recover from the infection and now also from the adverse effects of the first antibiotic!
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life is never simple …</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The following rooms did manage to get some things <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">done—not
finished, but at least some progress.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>The Library--</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The room is 13 x 18 with 10" ceiling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fireplace (<strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Concord</span></strong>), the sofa, wallpaper, rug, crown moulding, wood for flooring, and the interior door came with the house, but it still needed quite a bit of furnishings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, I had a dry spell for a while with the Library. It’s funny how I can have ideas in my head but just can’t make them work out. Part of the problem was the wallpaper that was specified to go into the library. It’s gorgeous paper but not wallpaper—it’s printed on glossy magazine stock! I don’t think that wallpaper should be glossy but I was willing to live with that if the paper didn’t have a problem being handled! It creases easily (and the creases don’t come out), it rips, and the color comes off on your hands when you try to smooth out the pasted paper! Yuk!!! The wallpaper is “Gold Peacocks on Red” from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span>—</b>gorgeous in the package, but deadly as wallpaper!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9C0d3Sqkmw/Uhj9vBIZKWI/AAAAAAAADJo/sOd7oP3uUNQ/s1600/Ernie-gold+peacocks+on+red+wallpaper-6-21-2013+10-57-57+AM+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9C0d3Sqkmw/Uhj9vBIZKWI/AAAAAAAADJo/sOd7oP3uUNQ/s200/Ernie-gold+peacocks+on+red+wallpaper-6-21-2013+10-57-57+AM+copy+2.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallpaper and tears...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I bought the triple bookshelf from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b> (#5011) and stained it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Provincial</i>. It looked ok but a little “blah”, so I gave it a coat of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Golden Pecan</i>. This brought it to life. Then it got 2 coats of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satin</i> varnish with sanding between coats. I didn’t want to use up floor space in the room for the bookcase, so I cut a hole in the back wall so I could push the bookcase flush with the interior wall. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZienADOvIfc/Uhj--leqeUI/AAAAAAAADKE/BpmzrB-d1e0/s1600/Lib-old+bookcase-pos-adj-DSCN5751_3102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZienADOvIfc/Uhj--leqeUI/AAAAAAAADKE/BpmzrB-d1e0/s320/Lib-old+bookcase-pos-adj-DSCN5751_3102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original bookcase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now I still wasn’t happy with the back wall, the wallpaper didn’t look “right” and the bookcase looked too short for a room with 10” ceilings. So I adjusted the only thing possible –the bookcase. I bought another bookcase from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b> (#5009), the triple bookcase with the faux cabinet bottom. I cut off the “arched top” of the original and I am using the original one upside down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cut the faux cabinet off the bottom of the second cabinet and finished it to match the original and glued it as the new bottom of the original bookcase. Then I added some trim and knobs to the bottom to complete the look of faux drawers and cabinets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I had to make the rear wall opening larger for the now 9-inch tall bookcase.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K97QZUtadk4/Uhj-r4J_jkI/AAAAAAAADJ8/9RNi4N5AWJs/s1600/Bookcases-both-adj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K97QZUtadk4/Uhj-r4J_jkI/AAAAAAAADJ8/9RNi4N5AWJs/s320/Bookcases-both-adj.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combining these two made the "perfect" bookcase!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rM23jBJ__v4/Uhj_jZ8MCkI/AAAAAAAADKM/UvN4uT2UpFE/s1600/Library-new+bookcase-DSCN5778_3158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rM23jBJ__v4/Uhj_jZ8MCkI/AAAAAAAADKM/UvN4uT2UpFE/s400/Library-new+bookcase-DSCN5778_3158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The next problem was that the flooring decided to “unglue” here and there. So I had to redo the flooring. I sanded the flooring, stained it with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Provincial</i>, sanded it again, and varnished it with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Semi-Gloss</i> varnish. I just love having to do jobs twice! The flooring has an edging row of 1“ square <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Black Walnut</i> parquet from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Handley House</span></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red Oak</i> in the center. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The crown moulding is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">UM</span></b> #UMM4 with a bottom strip of trim #4190 from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b>, both painted <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ivory.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doorway to the addition (which will be a guest bedroom) is cased with trim #4191 from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The trim in the room is painted a red combo to be harmonious with the red background in the wallpaper. I could not duplicate that color, so I came up with a base coat of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Americana</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heritage Brick</i>, and then while still wet, a coat of <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Red Iron Oxide</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In between all the problems, we found happiness in finding lights and the rest of the furnishings for the library. Andrew can’t wait to shelve the books.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIcFAWHH1ig/Uhj97C7XFvI/AAAAAAAADJ0/aYYmDHnPPgY/s1600/Library+with+furniture-left-2-DSCN5786_3166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIcFAWHH1ig/Uhj97C7XFvI/AAAAAAAADJ0/aYYmDHnPPgY/s400/Library+with+furniture-left-2-DSCN5786_3166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The problems this room had could bring a person to tears!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Second Floor Hall—</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now came the careful and time-consuming fudging to make the circular staircase match up with its place in the second floor hall (all of 8 1/2” wide here!). Then it was pretty straight forward (but boring) to make the staircase and railings to the attic. The bullnose for the stairs is just front-rounded 1/8” square basswood. The staircase did not come with the holes drilled into the treads for the spindles, so I drilled my own: 1/8” deep with a 3/16” drill bit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The flooring is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Random Plank</i>, stained with <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walnut</i> varnish (two coats) and varnished with <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">MinWax</b> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satin</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The arched window is an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">eBay</span></b> find.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wallpaper is vinyl, sand-color textured real house wallpaper. The crown molding is small detail trim from <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>Home Depot</strong></span> and stained, yes, you guessed it: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">MinWax</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Provincial</i>!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr88A1uGMDMcY5l1gj5JubZyQ60S2sJ4wDSEyqN7mYlxY4iRJm4M0SnGaOqIUuYV54mZShomKRM0JQtrAIYienlTN9_SI3Dw2DSsb4htnMyxwUtyY6TSpJJ6LriEt98iQkiNxWc0Eao6R/s1600/Hall2+-adj-DSCN5755_3106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr88A1uGMDMcY5l1gj5JubZyQ60S2sJ4wDSEyqN7mYlxY4iRJm4M0SnGaOqIUuYV54mZShomKRM0JQtrAIYienlTN9_SI3Dw2DSsb4htnMyxwUtyY6TSpJJ6LriEt98iQkiNxWc0Eao6R/s400/Hall2+-adj-DSCN5755_3106.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd floor hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">The Master Bedroom—</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The room is 13 x 18 with 10” ceilings.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This room was pretty much set. I just had to glue the wallpaper (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mini-Graphics</span></b> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raffina</i> in pink), glue the crown moulding (painted <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magnolia White</i>), lay down the carpet, and hinge the door. The crown moulding is interesting in that it mitered at the ends. It is sold by <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Dolls House Emporium</span></b>. The loveseat is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Bespaq</span></b> but the rest if the furniture is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Concord</span></b>.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wazCzHPimr8/UhkBCGx5kXI/AAAAAAAADKg/oTcvwHD7tuk/s1600/MBed-DSCN5762_3128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wazCzHPimr8/UhkBCGx5kXI/AAAAAAAADKg/oTcvwHD7tuk/s400/MBed-DSCN5762_3128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn4L7Ae2zNE/UhkB-f9QA4I/AAAAAAAADKs/g23pShzurxQ/s1600/MBed-fireplace-DSCN5763_3129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn4L7Ae2zNE/UhkB-f9QA4I/AAAAAAAADKs/g23pShzurxQ/s320/MBed-fireplace-DSCN5763_3129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Doors on the Second Floor—</span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The doors are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span></b> #6025 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Traditional Block and Trim</i> doors; I wanted to stain them dark walnut but I have not been able to get this wood to stain well so I painted the doors a combo of <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Burnt Umber</i> and <span style="color: #0b5394;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Creamcoat</b></span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walnut</i>. I removed the doors’ pins and then hinged them with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">HBS</span> </b>#1131<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">-</b> H Hinges.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLXUUc2R--U/UhkCM0PrZ4I/AAAAAAAADK0/ukTPUQqGJcQ/s1600/MBed-door+w+hinges-DSCN5764_3130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLXUUc2R--U/UhkCM0PrZ4I/AAAAAAAADK0/ukTPUQqGJcQ/s320/MBed-door+w+hinges-DSCN5764_3130.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">I am trying to get back to normal and I also want to make more YouTube videos ... good intentions ... we shall see ...</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0c343d;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-44405382877349640372013-06-18T15:24:00.001-04:002013-09-28T12:19:30.318-04:00Montclair--Living Room, Foyer, and Dining Room<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's really weird, but:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's odd and a little difficult doing this house because for all the previous dollhouses we had the occupants, their names, their family trees, and a whole background for their lives. This house is still unoccupied and we can't find the "right" people to live in it. I know this sounds like a weird problem, but it's like working in the dark! I know ... we are just strange.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnqA4Fmx5MQ/UcCfAZP6umI/AAAAAAAADG8/6xlElcUnBbM/s1600/1-Foyer-DR-left-2-DSCN5710_3059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hnqA4Fmx5MQ/UcCfAZP6umI/AAAAAAAADG8/6xlElcUnBbM/s400/1-Foyer-DR-left-2-DSCN5710_3059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montclair - Dining room and Foyer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love-Hate Unique Miniatures Architectural Items (UM):</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I use a lot of <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>UM</strong></span> items and I will continue to use them. I just hope that someday they get better quality control, or have someone explain to me why this can't be done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">--Love:</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*They have a wide range of resin crown moulding, medallions, and many other architectural elements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*They have about 30 different styles of crown moulding. Their crown moulding is almost 18" long! For those of us who build large dollhouses, this means less joining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*Their items are relatively inexpensive, made in the USA, and are easy to find--especially when you need some pieces in a hurry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*They can be painted well, curved when heated, sawn (get hot with a power saw), and glue well ( I use <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">DAP</span></strong> Clear household caulking). If a piece breaks, it is easy to glue back together and plaster can be used to fill in spaces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>--Hate:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-What happened to having manufacturing specs?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-What happened to consistency of size of crown moulding in the dimensions away from the wall and down the wall? The dimensions of a piece can vary greatly as it goes form one end to the other. This makes joining pieces difficult and sometimes impossible without a lot of work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Sometimes the pieces have lumpy backs so that they have to be sanded to lie flat against the wall or ceiling, or are curved so that have to be forced to lie straight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enough said ...</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now the Montclair progress:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>--The Foyer:</strong></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I feel like a great magician getting a curved staircase to look like it belongs and no problems in a room only 8" wide! Actually, there were problems and it took considerable time to get it to go against the curved wall up to the second floor and look as if it "connected" as it should into a 2nd floor hall that was all of 8 1/2 " wide!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuO1yQYoG5g/UcCgDRArysI/AAAAAAAADHI/fNTTO9L04CE/s1600/2.Foyer-full-good-DSCN5709_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HuO1yQYoG5g/UcCgDRArysI/AAAAAAAADHI/fNTTO9L04CE/s400/2.Foyer-full-good-DSCN5709_3058.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foyer with a curved staircase in only an 8" wide room!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The curved wall is 1/32" <span style="color: #351c75;">model airplane plywood</span> with <span style="color: #674ea7;">builder's foam</span> behind it to hold it in a curve. The staircase is a <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Classics</span></strong> curved staircase from which I removed the handrail assembly and then only used what I needed when I had it in place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I
had to lengthen the bottom three steps to get them to meet the wall—added a
little wood and perfected it with plaster. (For little things and to get into
little spaces, I use <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">DAP</span></b> “pink”
spackle in the tube.) The curved section for the bottom step is a piece of ¾”
dowel cut in half and glued on. The “bullnose” for the steps was made from <span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elmer’s</b> </span>wood filler, rolled into
spaghetti, let dry a while, and then cut, shaped, and glued onto the steps with
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elmer’s</b> </span>wood glue. The stair treads
were painted to hide all the patches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The spindles are waiting to be glued into holes drilled into the treads
(holes made by the manufacturer); the posts are pinned and glued in place.</span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The curved wall only goes to the second floor and then makes
a ledge. I am hoping to find some interesting, and perhaps lighthearted curios
to go on the ledge.<br />
<br />
The wallpaper is a very pleasant stripe to bridge the living
and dining rooms. It had no manufacturer’s name. The frieze at the ceiling is
an embossed stripe from <strong>real-house</strong> wallpaper and gives a good impression of
plaster-work. The adjoining stripe was used along the ceiling. It was very easy
to glue to the curved wall!<br />
<br />
The flooring is a high-gloss alabaster marble tile sheet. I
toned down the gloss with a coat of semi-gloss acrylic gel medium.<br />
<br />
All the trim in the room was painted <span style="color: #351c75;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Delta</b> </span>Creamcoat <em>Magnolia White</em>.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
The foyer needs baseboards, and perhaps a chair rail, a
medallion and chandelier, maybe some sconces, and a bench or settee, and a
wall-hung console table. We already have <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Bespaq’s</span></b>
Portia curio console for the back wall.</span>
<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">--The Living Room:</span></em></strong><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The living room is 13 ½” x 18” with 10” ceilings.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtCs6rtv_bc/UcCgjoS7UAI/AAAAAAAADHQ/GuotZ0pGfjs/s1600/3-LR+-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gtCs6rtv_bc/UcCgjoS7UAI/AAAAAAAADHQ/GuotZ0pGfjs/s320/3-LR+-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room with gorgeous wallpaper and everything!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flooring wood to be used, chandelier, medallion, fireplace,
wallpaper, mouldings, the <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Bespaq</span></strong> table between the wing chairs, and the
étagères came with the house. </span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From the items designated for this room, it appeared
somewhat toward the Victorian. We tried to keep it this way but added furniture
pieces and a <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">UM </span></strong>trim for the door casing that would give it a light
Victorian-eclectic look. The room still needs a rug.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wjRpejkxIc/UcChgTL7utI/AAAAAAAADHc/ranDdYwDK-w/s1600/4-LR-casing-base-adj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wjRpejkxIc/UcChgTL7utI/AAAAAAAADHc/ranDdYwDK-w/s320/4-LR-casing-base-adj.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base trim for door casing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaXoPp-SmL8/UcChgseHHvI/AAAAAAAADHo/rkM5vyXPt-Y/s1600/5-LR-door-adj+shad-a-good-201306102+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JaXoPp-SmL8/UcChgseHHvI/AAAAAAAADHo/rkM5vyXPt-Y/s320/5-LR-door-adj+shad-a-good-201306102+002.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UM and quarter-round wood moulding for door casing fits in nicely with Lawbre wainscot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgTBuHJW_ig/UcChgtHEo4I/AAAAAAAADHk/yBA4ENIKipQ/s1600/6-LR-fireplace-adj-smlr-DSCN5650_2996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GgTBuHJW_ig/UcChgtHEo4I/AAAAAAAADHk/yBA4ENIKipQ/s320/6-LR-fireplace-adj-smlr-DSCN5650_2996.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victorian fireplace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All the trim in the room was painted <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Delta</span></strong> Creamcoat <em>Magnolia White</em>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FGL9Efb5wg/UcCjClDtpsI/AAAAAAAADJM/oS36gjsBAOE/s1600/7-LR-full-DSCN5686_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FGL9Efb5wg/UcCjClDtpsI/AAAAAAAADJM/oS36gjsBAOE/s400/7-LR-full-DSCN5686_3035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room furniture "somewhat" where it may be finally placed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;">
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>
</span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wainscot was purchased from <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Lawbre</span></strong>. I added the standard wood baseboard from <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">HBS</span></strong> (#7042) and found a great chair rail in the
supplies that came with the house. I love the wallpaper but I thought that it
over–powered the room, thus the wainscot.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The crown moulding is <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">UM</span></strong>
#UMM9, which needed very little correction since I found three pieces that
matched in size! I decided not to do miter joins, but cut the back piece straight
and then coped the adjoining side pieces. It did need a bit of plaster fill-in
at the joins.</span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The door casings for all the rooms on this floor were made
from <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">UM</span></strong> #UMM3 with basswood 1/4” quarter-round
trim from <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">HBS</span></strong>, and all done the same
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted the door casings to be deeper
than the living room wainscot, so I used the following method. I cased the
openings with 1/16” x ½” basswood on three sides as a base, and then glued the
UM trim on the room side and the foyer side. The quarter round was used to hide
the edge along the wall and to add some more interest. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The door casings needed a lot
of <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">UM</span></strong> trim, and needless to say that even with the large supply at hand, it took
quite a while to find similarly sized pieces. After the trim was dry, I looked
for places that needed some plaster fill-in, and then a quick, careful touch-up
with the <em>Magnolia White</em>.</span>
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The wallpaper is very striking but had no manufacturer’s
name. </span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I gave the flooring wood a light coat of <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">MinWax</span></strong> <em>Provincial</em> before using it. I
put the floor together on illustration board: I inch band of <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Houseworks</span></strong> Black Walnut and Pine strips
cut from the flooring sheets, 1” squares of black walnut parquet from <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Handley House</span></strong>, one strip of pine, and
then a central area of black walnut. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I glued the wood down with a glue stick
but it has started to unstick itself—fortunately in just a few places. I have
had good success using <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">UHU</span></strong> glue
stick but didn’t have any on hand so I used a <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Staples</span></strong> glue stick. I don’t think it is as good! I guess I will go
back to standard <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Aileene’s</span></strong> or <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Elmer’s</span></strong> glue. When the glue was dry, I
sanded and put on another coat of Provincial and then sanded again, and then 2
coats of <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">MinWax</span></strong> satin varnish.</span>
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Victorian style fireplace is made by <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Concord</span></strong>. It is a deep fireplace and I decided that it was too deep
for the room. Thus I cut out the shape of the fireplace out of the plywood exterior wall and
pushed the fireplace through to the depth I wanted. The exterior chimney will
cover the "excess". I made the fire (came with fireplace) more realistic by sprinkling red <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Mylar</span></strong> "sprinkles" over glue I painted on the coals.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #741b47;"><em>--<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dining Room:</span></em></span></strong><br />
</span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The dining room is 13 x 18”.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GG6Wskl7a2Y/UcCi7vl54DI/AAAAAAAADH4/TDjG57jFdXU/s1600/10a-DR-adj-2+5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GG6Wskl7a2Y/UcCi7vl54DI/AAAAAAAADH4/TDjG57jFdXU/s320/10a-DR-adj-2+5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room, almost finished.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IgKjoJUeYA/UcCi8L8-pyI/AAAAAAAADH8/aQnNYAfU7QY/s1600/10b-DR-Fireplace-2-A-adj-good-20130610+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8IgKjoJUeYA/UcCi8L8-pyI/AAAAAAAADH8/aQnNYAfU7QY/s320/10b-DR-Fireplace-2-A-adj-good-20130610+012.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace (The blues do match, but do not photograph very well.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB9lcmv7J6M/UcCi9mRVXpI/AAAAAAAADIQ/U2Avpx6FZkU/s1600/11-DR-left-DSCN5700_3049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB9lcmv7J6M/UcCi9mRVXpI/AAAAAAAADIQ/U2Avpx6FZkU/s400/11-DR-left-DSCN5700_3049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room with its furniture, so far</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98ABgHgjyfU/UcCi-gv1hMI/AAAAAAAADIY/cZAyw_6R_as/s1600/12-DR-right-DSCN5701_3050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98ABgHgjyfU/UcCi-gv1hMI/AAAAAAAADIY/cZAyw_6R_as/s400/12-DR-right-DSCN5701_3050.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room with its furniture, so far. This photo has the truest blue colors found in the room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flooring wood to be used, chandelier, medallion, fireplace,
wallpaper, mouldings, and the dining room furniture came with the house.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This room has the same door casings as the foyer and the living room, but painted <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Delta</strong></span>
Creamcoat <em>Icy White</em> (looks more like an “Icy Blue” than “Icy White”, oh well...).</span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The crown moulding, <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>UM</strong></span> #UMM7, was not too hard to line up, but
needed some sanding on the back. It was painted <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Delta</span></strong> Creamcoat <em>Magnolia White</em>, as will the chair rail if I use
one. The baseboards will be painted <em>Icy White.</em> </span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was going to put the same
wainscot in here as the living room, but I so loved the look of the long
flowery stripe pattern that I decided to let it all show. The paper is <strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Mini Graphics</span></strong> <em>Blue Symphony</em>. I have to
admit that I was so panicky that I wouldn’t get the stripes vertical that I
glued the paper to Bristol board first so I could stare long at it before
gluing the board in place, or do another if I messed it up!</span><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The resin fireplace is lovely (<strong><span style="color: #351c75;">Aztec</span></strong>).
I painted it in colors to match the room. The firebox is made from piece of cardboard
painted with red stone textured paint (no longer being made) and when almost
dry, I scribed in the bricks. When dry, I cut it to fit and glued it in place.
The fireplace has its depth because I cut a hole in the plywood wall. The
hearth is <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Model Builder’s Supply (MBS)</strong></span> (styrene) marble squares.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia;">The dining room connects to the kitchen in the addition.</span><br />
<span style="color: #956839; font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-28816359498844456812013-06-06T16:10:00.000-04:002013-09-28T12:20:09.329-04:00OMG! A New Dollhouse! Oh, no ....Sorry I dropped off the grid again for a bit, but real life always is filled with twists and turns, but as long as good is interwoven in them--all's well that ends well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YeL__uN1bQU/UbDiTZ6inkI/AAAAAAAADGU/6FyRTqy5mJg/s1600/LR+-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YeL__uN1bQU/UbDiTZ6inkI/AAAAAAAADGU/6FyRTqy5mJg/s320/LR+-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room in a new house that I didn't know I was going to do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another of my New Year's resolutions bit the dust. I was not going to start anything new until I finished the 100 or so other little, and not so little, things that need to be finished for some of my houses.<br />
<br />
I am doing a house I had not planned to build (although I always liked it): an <strong><span style="color: #073763;">RGT Montclair</span></strong> with two-story addition, but I inherited a partially started house and took it upon myself to see it finished. Unfortunately, some of the plywood is a little warped here and there, but I never met a piece of wood that didn't want to warp at some time or another--dollhouse or real house! I inherited a lot of the furnishings and other interior stuff--some of which has to be used, and some is at my discretion.<br />
<br />
I have done more work on it than will be in this post since I really want to get out into blog-land quickly before real world comes 'round again. Many more details in the next post.<br />
<br />
I am not following all the sketches and instructions that came with the house--it was to be a much grander bash than I am doing, but I am trying to do the "spirit" of it. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763;">RGT Montclair:</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2QdFNW_BMo/UbDWjnFMhaI/AAAAAAAADFM/-eHxYyXcfDg/s1600/MontclairDH+w+1+addition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K2QdFNW_BMo/UbDWjnFMhaI/AAAAAAAADFM/-eHxYyXcfDg/s1600/MontclairDH+w+1+addition.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiKZKgsuaRA/UbDWp93IISI/AAAAAAAADFU/JaDsh6f-pOU/s1600/Montclair-interior+w+1+addition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hiKZKgsuaRA/UbDWp93IISI/AAAAAAAADFU/JaDsh6f-pOU/s1600/Montclair-interior+w+1+addition.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
but I am using this <span style="color: #073763;"><strong>Real House</strong></span> as a model for my exterior:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jQQwGvO2y0/UbDW5C5I_1I/AAAAAAAADFc/4-LjP1Bm3vg/s1600/StoneHouse-Phila-MontclaireDH-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--jQQwGvO2y0/UbDW5C5I_1I/AAAAAAAADFc/4-LjP1Bm3vg/s320/StoneHouse-Phila-MontclaireDH-crop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
and yes, I will be building my own porch (should be fun??) and will make the exterior a sandstone brick probably using Bromley templates and "sandstone". I haven't decided about the 1st floor windows. If I want 6 over 9 working windows, I will have to make them.<br />
<br />
The house will be front opening with a flip-up attic (no, I don't know how I will build a "raise-able" attic roof with a wide gable). The main house is your standard center hall colonial. I have expanded the attic in the rear and have 9" ceilings and two large rooms. The main house is 36" across x 19" deep. The addition is 13" wide x 19" deep and contains one room per floor and each room connects to the main house.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763;">My interior:</span></strong><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmw7UgnQcGk/UbDdLGUFFjI/AAAAAAAADFs/R7PgATm9oR8/s1600/Interior+basic-DSCN5577_2873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmw7UgnQcGk/UbDdLGUFFjI/AAAAAAAADFs/R7PgATm9oR8/s320/Interior+basic-DSCN5577_2873.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humble beginning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
which fortunately has progressed from this humble beginning! You will notice a curved stair in the foyer. The foyer was required to have a curved <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">Classics</span></strong> staircase, but the foyer is only eight (8) inches wide! --Not enough for a curved staircase, but me, myself, and I got the staircase against the left wall and then fudged and faux-ed at the 2nd floor level to make it look like it connects perfectly! Of course, the handrail also needed some help.</div>
<br />
Some "more-advanced" rooms (details in the next post):<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIwUoJ9YAI4/UbDh1ZUKBjI/AAAAAAAADF8/AM4Vdjf7JaQ/s1600/DR-adj-2+5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIwUoJ9YAI4/UbDh1ZUKBjI/AAAAAAAADF8/AM4Vdjf7JaQ/s320/DR-adj-2+5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3ALzQKg9CA/UbDiBfzTaII/AAAAAAAADGE/p9QX1njdDR0/s1600/Foyer-full-good-DSCN5709_3058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g3ALzQKg9CA/UbDiBfzTaII/AAAAAAAADGE/p9QX1njdDR0/s320/Foyer-full-good-DSCN5709_3058.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foyer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5EYWSkpPG8A/UbDiI2stBaI/AAAAAAAADGM/5MjVMhQYHVM/s1600/Doorcase-adj-DSCN5707_3056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5EYWSkpPG8A/UbDiI2stBaI/AAAAAAAADGM/5MjVMhQYHVM/s320/Doorcase-adj-DSCN5707_3056.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door case on all main floor door cases using <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">Unique Miniatures</span></strong> moulding, the moulding with which I have a love-hate relationship!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tvTmt0Cifk/UbDjC1lOteI/AAAAAAAADGg/-ktW34cxbYk/s1600/LR-full-DSCN5686_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tvTmt0Cifk/UbDjC1lOteI/AAAAAAAADGg/-ktW34cxbYk/s320/LR-full-DSCN5686_3035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room with some furniture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAdWyLvm180/UbDjJ_4FmYI/AAAAAAAADGo/6MueqJ3J6lk/s1600/LIb+-adj-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NAdWyLvm180/UbDjJ_4FmYI/AAAAAAAADGo/6MueqJ3J6lk/s320/LIb+-adj-5x3x300-8-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library- I hate, hate, hate, this wallpaper--more next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
I will try to report back soon!!
</div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-20103306061619781302013-04-11T21:25:00.002-04:002013-04-11T21:25:29.795-04:00Still here and STILL re-organizing!!!<br />
First let me say that I am reading everyone's posts, I just have not been responding. This should improve shortly.<br />
<br />
I thought that even though I haven't done much about miniatures lately, I should at least post about how much time and dog-work and money this making a better workshop has become. For a while, I was trying to work on my houses amid the havoc, but that didn't work out too well. So I decided to concentrate on organizing -- besides I couldn't find half my stuff! By tomorrow I should be able to do mini-work in almost finished new surroundings--thank heavens! <br />
<br />
I am happy with the result. I now have new shelving (Home Depot had just the right shelving units) and lots of new plastic bins with covers from Walmart for my things. Both stores have thanked me for improving their cash flow (of course, I am now broke so my little people will have to wait a while for new shoes). Fortunately, some of my existing shelves were ok but just needed some better bins. My bins are even getting Labeled! <br />
<br />
My workarea will always look like a basement since we do not intend to turn it into finished rooms, but it just had to look better and less messy. Sadly, it took more than a month (and more than a few dollars) and it is not entirely finished, but 1000% better!<br />
<br />
I tried to take some pictures of my new work area and "miniature village" but my basement is not a rectangle and the stairs come down somewhat oddly placed so it is hard to get nicely constructed views. It does look good "in person", though.<br />
<br />
Re-organizing has been exhausting--I hope never to have to do it again!<br />
<br />
Some views:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUwUGSTY72A/UWdf0P3hoKI/AAAAAAAADDs/Zgj-0wFxqPA/s1600/1-Workshop-deskDSCN5633_2965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUwUGSTY72A/UWdf0P3hoKI/AAAAAAAADDs/Zgj-0wFxqPA/s400/1-Workshop-deskDSCN5633_2965.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SZBNknutq8/UWdgOPnGayI/AAAAAAAADD0/uFEUU33kpUU/s1600/2-Workshop-+post+office-DSCN5632_2964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SZBNknutq8/UWdgOPnGayI/AAAAAAAADD0/uFEUU33kpUU/s400/2-Workshop-+post+office-DSCN5632_2964.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfbF14I7ISw/UWdgsFmiVfI/AAAAAAAADEM/C1xUuph0vnw/s1600/5-View+down+2004-DSCN5630_2962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nfbF14I7ISw/UWdgsFmiVfI/AAAAAAAADEM/C1xUuph0vnw/s400/5-View+down+2004-DSCN5630_2962.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkBgbQ4f2AQ/UWdg4oOvqzI/AAAAAAAADEU/klEyUQ2jugI/s1600/6-View+down-LaMal-DSCN5629_2961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkBgbQ4f2AQ/UWdg4oOvqzI/AAAAAAAADEU/klEyUQ2jugI/s400/6-View+down-LaMal-DSCN5629_2961.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next time I should have some mini work to show.</div>
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Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-15450344072506101142013-03-24T17:08:00.000-04:002013-03-24T17:08:07.507-04:00Big projects from little projects grow!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDdE0vQk6k4/UU9bgS8l37I/AAAAAAAADCI/c-hzqjOOXjU/s400/2004+Exterior-adj-DSCN5598_2930.jpg" width="345" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2004 Oddjob Lane: It is FINISHED!!!</span></div>
<span cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" center="" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The New Year is starting out with work being done on my
dollhouses! I am actually making some progress on all those “unfinished”
houses—well, at least those with fairly small finishing touches. The problem
always is that even the smallest project becomes larger as it goes, takes longer than expected, takes more money than expected, and something goes
wrong along the way … sigh…</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>2004 Oddjob Lane</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2004 Oddjob Lane was to have a fairly "minor" (but very
attractive) upgrade: a mansard roofed attic with two rooms. Why did it take so
long? I don’t know, but it went on forever. Every time I saw the light at the
end of the tunnel—it was a train coming my way! It is true that due to a rather
strange last year, I didn’t work on it steadily, but even when I put in long
hours, not very much seemed to get accomplished. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One problem was that it took forever to find attic windows
that I liked. Finally I found these on <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">HBS</span></strong>. I think that these have just the
right look, and they are for a Mansard roof!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The chimneys are finally finished and are removable since
the chimneys are quite tall exterior chimneys, and it is better not to add them to the problems of
moving the house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BUT—it is finished, including the landscaping! Now we all
know that a house is never really finished, but this one is at 99.8 % and I
reserve the right to add a picture or two, or move a piece of furniture, but
that is it. Besides, I was getting to the point of gritting my teeth every time
I had to work on it. I am glad I did it and I love the way it looks … time to
move on …</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just as a reminder, this is what it was when I bought it:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJQbWonZxI8/UU9fbuBPJNI/AAAAAAAADCk/wxmESasnsIs/s1600/2004+original+exterior.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fJQbWonZxI8/UU9fbuBPJNI/AAAAAAAADCk/wxmESasnsIs/s320/2004+original+exterior.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Original Look</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span></span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #073763;">MacPherson Farm—</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I finished the chimneys and their pots, finally. Bricking the chimneys took
longer than planned since the first go-round did not produce good results. The
problem was that I was using <span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>MBS</strong></span> brick vinyl sheets to cover the chimney forms,
and bending the sheets to make the front and sides from one piece (regardless
of how easy the instructions sounded) was tricky. I will not use this method
again. In some places the brick sheet bent nicely, but most times it just
cracked—which meant I had a lot of repairing to do.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRGoGA7P5j8/UU9h1xJj1GI/AAAAAAAADCs/I1DnuKAKg_o/s1600/MacFarm-Chimneys-DSCN5555_2851.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRGoGA7P5j8/UU9h1xJj1GI/AAAAAAAADCs/I1DnuKAKg_o/s320/MacFarm-Chimneys-DSCN5555_2851.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mac Pherson Farm and its "impossible chimneys"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The landscaping is still waiting to be done. This should be
fairly simple since there is only about 6 inches of land around the house.</span><br />
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</div>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #073763;">Abigail’s Teashop and Bakery,
and adjoining “Petting Zoo”, which is now a Stable for Pony Rides—</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Basically removed all the old landscaping (which I was never
happy with) and started over. I redid the “packed earth”, and replaced the dark
brown lattice fencing (vinyl real house gutter guards) with white ones. I also
added low picket fencing in front. Now that looks perky. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I removed the outdoor eating arbor. Now the tables (need
another) are out in the open and the eating area looks much more inviting. I
changed the flower, shrub, and trees combinations, and I added some benches and
a fish pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a difference!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The pony ride area was also completely redone. This was
another area we were not entirely pleased with, but now!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This all took quite a bit of work and time, but we are so
pleased with the results that we have already forgotten how it used to look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The new "look":</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FGWh1_kq_9k/UU9kANQfqzI/AAAAAAAADC0/XMsqr6vexoE/s1600/Teashop+and+Pony+Rides-DSCN5554_2850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FGWh1_kq_9k/UU9kANQfqzI/AAAAAAAADC0/XMsqr6vexoE/s400/Teashop+and+Pony+Rides-DSCN5554_2850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail's Teashop and Bakery with ajoining Pony Rides Stable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvhU0AQMU0/UU9kbDiM4PI/AAAAAAAADC8/RrA0sExBD2A/s1600/Teashop-looking+left-DSCN5547_2843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvhU0AQMU0/UU9kbDiM4PI/AAAAAAAADC8/RrA0sExBD2A/s400/Teashop-looking+left-DSCN5547_2843.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teashop with outdoor dining area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9YtdlyEmCo/UU9k6UskcRI/AAAAAAAADDE/hQXuOgbq1GM/s1600/PonyRides-full-DSCN5546_2842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h9YtdlyEmCo/UU9k6UskcRI/AAAAAAAADDE/hQXuOgbq1GM/s400/PonyRides-full-DSCN5546_2842.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pony Rides for young and old!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #073763;">My Basement Workshop –</span></strong></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are redoing this area. I need a better organized
basement. Right now, the work area and the dollhouse area are beginning to
merge and everything has gotten messy. It’s time to make, once again, a
workshop and a “town”. This time we are putting a wall between them—good fences
make good neighbors. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some of the mess:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pB3PNj4YG9k/UU9l5R710aI/AAAAAAAADDM/eCurByeIy2U/s1600/Workshop-PO-DSCN5612_2944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pB3PNj4YG9k/UU9l5R710aI/AAAAAAAADDM/eCurByeIy2U/s320/Workshop-PO-DSCN5612_2944.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ucny2HKr5Y/UU9mI0g8VII/AAAAAAAADDY/1i-wA7ruI-Q/s1600/Workshop-midsection-DSCN5614_2946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ucny2HKr5Y/UU9mI0g8VII/AAAAAAAADDY/1i-wA7ruI-Q/s320/Workshop-midsection-DSCN5614_2946.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REr5kkPJhdw/UU9mbKv8voI/AAAAAAAADDc/e0PXCwsV_PA/s1600/Workshop-neigh-DSCN5615_2947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REr5kkPJhdw/UU9mbKv8voI/AAAAAAAADDc/e0PXCwsV_PA/s320/Workshop-neigh-DSCN5615_2947.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and the mess keeps going ... but you get "the picture"! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is tricky to divide one’s time between renovating the area
while one is still working on the dollhouses. We are certainly making lots of
bags of garbage, bags of no-longer used but good stuff to donate,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and doing lots of shifting things to the
attic to make room in the basement—yuk!! It’s a long haul from the basement to
the attic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Of course, organizing uses up an incredible amount of time,
first to figure out what should be thrown away and then to find somewhere to
temporarily move the good stuff so the area can be neatened, and then one has
to move all the good stuff back into its proper place. We have been working on
this since January, and I think it will be late spring or early summer before
we can sit back and enjoy the results.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will try to post more often so you know that I am really
doing something positive, things just got a little overwhelming for a while. I
have been reading posts even though I haven’t been responding but I will remedy
that also. I love reading your posts—it keeps me sane.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year I shall finish anything that has to be finished on
existing houses before starting a new one. I wonder how long that resolution
will last... (hint -- it's broken already)</span>
</div>
</div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-9352581951423992592012-12-17T19:46:00.000-05:002012-12-17T19:46:39.366-05:00'Tis the season to be jolly!<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PonjJIxWLk/UMiltPQVLAI/AAAAAAAAC9I/Sfdm2L7nGs8/s1600/custom-Christmas-Decorating-adj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3PonjJIxWLk/UMiltPQVLAI/AAAAAAAAC9I/Sfdm2L7nGs8/s400/custom-Christmas-Decorating-adj.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">The merriest of the merriest to one and all!</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Toad Hall--</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, with my re-found enthusiasm for miniatures, I went a little crazy making ancestor and other family pictures. The upstairs hall at <span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong><em>Toad Hall</em></strong></span> cried out for family pictures; besides the house is hard to “picture” anywhere else. Thus the upstairs hall became a chronicle of Max’s life: the larger wall with pictures of growing up in Williamsburg with Great-Uncle Jacques, and the smaller wall with pictures of his family and their vineyard in Provence, France. (The wall is removable so that Max’s bedroom can be seen. See <a href="http://irismarchcreations.blogspot.com/2008/08/story-behind-build-of-toad-hall-gl.html" target="_blank">Behind the Build:<em><span style="color: #393f95; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Toad Hall</span></em></a><span style="color: #956839;"> for details.)</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxeVf9yv8Vw/UMjexavsuHI/AAAAAAAAC9g/q08THCAH1Ko/s1600/Hall%2Bphotos-1-DSCN5462_2758%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxeVf9yv8Vw/UMjexavsuHI/AAAAAAAAC9g/q08THCAH1Ko/s320/Hall%2Bphotos-1-DSCN5462_2758%2Bcopy.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toad Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1lBy0ALc3Us/UMjfWaFLGwI/AAAAAAAAC9s/yy6qI4m6gKM/s1600/Hall%2Bphotos-2-DSCN5464_2760%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1lBy0ALc3Us/UMjfWaFLGwI/AAAAAAAAC9s/yy6qI4m6gKM/s320/Hall%2Bphotos-2-DSCN5464_2760%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max, his family and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you would like to read the heart-warming story of orphaned Max growing up in the U.S. with Great-Uncle Jacques (a Botany professor and vintage car and Grand Prix participant), please read the post:</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://irismarchcreations.blogspot.com/2008/08/toad-hall-home-of-max-dewinter.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Toad Hall- the Tudor Revival Home of Max de Winter,Williamsburg, Virginia.</span></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong><em>The Wells’ Home
(the Original Rowbottom Manse)</em></strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I thought it
would be nice to finally put the edge trim on the exposed edges of the walls
and floors. I found very nice 4-foot long small (3/16 x ½ inch) detail trim at
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><strong>Home Depot</strong></span>. This was especially nice for the floor trim since the house is
almost 4-foot long! The outside walls were trimmed with dollhouse corner trim
and the interior walls with 1/8 x 3/8 stripwood, both from <span style="background-color: white; color: #20124d;"><strong>HBS</strong></span>. The exterior
trim was painted to match the exterior and the interior was simply stained
Min-Wax Natural, and both coated with semi-gloss varnish.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td8aYm2Zd7k/UMji9qVpJtI/AAAAAAAAC-E/DJLjvEUIZHk/s1600/interior-full%2Band%2Bnew%2Btrim--DSCN5460_2756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Td8aYm2Zd7k/UMji9qVpJtI/AAAAAAAAC-E/DJLjvEUIZHk/s320/interior-full%2Band%2Bnew%2Btrim--DSCN5460_2756.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edging trim, finally, on the Wells' house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: #cc0000;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">As usual,
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>Christmas</strong></span> parties require a lot of planning and setting up. The most fun is
deciding on guest lists and we always invite too many people! It’s a good thing
they all get along. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do all of our usual intricate
decorating and we didn’t decorate any exteriors this year, but I think that
everyone is having a good time anyway —after all, being with friends and family
is really what this is all is about!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><strong><span style="color: #4c1130;"><em>2004 Oddjob Lane--</em></span></strong></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjzxmuMEwsY/UMjk338G8uI/AAAAAAAAC-M/oldT8H2AFW4/s1600/D-DSCN5487_2783+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjzxmuMEwsY/UMjk338G8uI/AAAAAAAAC-M/oldT8H2AFW4/s320/D-DSCN5487_2783+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Den</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CD3s9bQy7D4/UMjlVLshcXI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/LYt2xtIkLkE/s1600/CB-DSCN5485_2781%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CD3s9bQy7D4/UMjlVLshcXI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/LYt2xtIkLkE/s320/CB-DSCN5485_2781%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUsFZkic3HA/UMjlxUVTxxI/AAAAAAAAC-k/0SeM1CGy_tA/s1600/LR-DSCN5489_2785%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eUsFZkic3HA/UMjlxUVTxxI/AAAAAAAAC-k/0SeM1CGy_tA/s320/LR-DSCN5489_2785%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjc-gib4-oA/UMjmaNebvUI/AAAAAAAAC-8/HZm7s2kolWk/s1600/CL-DSCN5490_2786%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjc-gib4-oA/UMjmaNebvUI/AAAAAAAAC-8/HZm7s2kolWk/s320/CL-DSCN5490_2786%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGuMYrYDA5k/UMjmuTOauuI/AAAAAAAAC_I/NpKdI_Q51JI/s1600/Kitchen-DSCN5522_2818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iGuMYrYDA5k/UMjmuTOauuI/AAAAAAAAC_I/NpKdI_Q51JI/s320/Kitchen-DSCN5522_2818.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_xMvMN0Pt0/UMjnFkiEQ1I/AAAAAAAAC_U/C-WIj1Srs-A/s1600/DR-DSCN5495_2791%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S_xMvMN0Pt0/UMjnFkiEQ1I/AAAAAAAAC_U/C-WIj1Srs-A/s320/DR-DSCN5495_2791%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining Room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="left">
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Casa Lobo--</span></em></strong></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGcRfCbFki8/UMjoxj33RBI/AAAAAAAAC_k/gASpclBGo08/s1600/1-Interior%2Bfull-Xmas2012-DSCN5518_2814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OGcRfCbFki8/UMjoxj33RBI/AAAAAAAAC_k/gASpclBGo08/s320/1-Interior%2Bfull-Xmas2012-DSCN5518_2814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of all</td></tr>
</tbody><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9eEhWj5FEc/UMkdCdlad8I/AAAAAAAADAk/b8bCWehOJvo/s1600/2-DR-DSCN5509_2805%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9eEhWj5FEc/UMkdCdlad8I/AAAAAAAADAk/b8bCWehOJvo/s320/2-DR-DSCN5509_2805%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining-kitchen room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy4EZNsIqj0/UMkdzzNzQGI/AAAAAAAADAw/CgISfQ2lKnc/s1600/4-Porch-roof-DSCN5501_2797%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy4EZNsIqj0/UMkdzzNzQGI/AAAAAAAADAw/CgISfQ2lKnc/s320/4-Porch-roof-DSCN5501_2797%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ssjSR9XLQ/UMkeHGXSKuI/AAAAAAAADA8/1gJ4_tAJmyI/s1600/5-Obs-DSCN5502_2798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6ssjSR9XLQ/UMkeHGXSKuI/AAAAAAAADA8/1gJ4_tAJmyI/s320/5-Obs-DSCN5502_2798.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd floor roof is the "observatory"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Wells (The Original Rowbottom Manse)--</em></strong></span>
<strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0CxdJX_4Y0/UMkgXPrqFjI/AAAAAAAADBU/pk4-kQV9vrc/s1600/3-Interior-left-Xmas-DSCN5525_2821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0CxdJX_4Y0/UMkgXPrqFjI/AAAAAAAADBU/pk4-kQV9vrc/s320/3-Interior-left-Xmas-DSCN5525_2821.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Wells interior - left</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></em></strong><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSBSxJ5mSr4/UMkgyRcXA_I/AAAAAAAADBg/7n_clOIp0nw/s1600/2-Interior-%2Bmiddle%2Brooms-adj-Xmas-DSCN5542_2838%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSBSxJ5mSr4/UMkgyRcXA_I/AAAAAAAADBg/7n_clOIp0nw/s320/2-Interior-%2Bmiddle%2Brooms-adj-Xmas-DSCN5542_2838%2Bcopy.jpg" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle rooms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7foc5JN87jw/UMkhata__GI/AAAAAAAADBs/-JOM_wdW04w/s1600/1-Interior-%2Bright-Xmas-DSCN5526_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7foc5JN87jw/UMkhata__GI/AAAAAAAADBs/-JOM_wdW04w/s320/1-Interior-%2Bright-Xmas-DSCN5526_2822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior - right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span>
<span style="color: #38761d;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;">If I don't get to post again this year, I wish all my friends out there in Blog-Land, the best of everything, and I thank you for all your wonderful posts with all sorts of great ideas, and I want to especially thank you all for remembering me when I wasn't posting very often. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #990000;">To all -- may all your dreams come true in the coming year!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #990000;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #38761d;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></strong></table>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-17820065696076865432012-11-30T20:22:00.004-05:002012-11-30T20:22:48.875-05:00Stop the World - I am getting off<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujoPl0AOb90/ULjS3e9Di6I/AAAAAAAAC7k/PyDuSI5MWHo/s1600/LaM-Kit-wPicture-DSCN5337_2431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ujoPl0AOb90/ULjS3e9Di6I/AAAAAAAAC7k/PyDuSI5MWHo/s400/LaM-Kit-wPicture-DSCN5337_2431.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>La Malcontenta</em> -- a wonderful picture of a woman cooking in a Mexican kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know where the time has gone—I did do a lot of
work in my gardens but not that much—or did I? Anyway, just as I was putting
the garden to sleep and planning to work with the little people, along came
“Sandy”, and then came the cleanup from Sandy (I have never seen so many
uprooted very large trees and downed power lines and in every which direction),
then along came a snow storm, and then some hectic family situations and
illnesses, and now we are into the hectic Christmas-New Year season! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am sorry I have not posted-I think of you all and have
tried to keep up with your posts. I think it will be the New Year before things
here get back to normal—whatever normal is around here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, I am trying to get the many things done for my
dollhouses that I had planned to do way back when...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Things I have, or have not, done:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #073763;">2004 Oddjob Lane:</span></em></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The attic roof front is still not decided upon. I did sketch
out a number of ideas between a center gable and,or dormers windows. So far, I
am not happy with any of them. I did slate the roof sides, though and that
looks good.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #073763;"><em>La Malcontenta:</em></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, a wonderful picture of a woman working in a Mexican
kitchen is hung in the kitchen. I found it on the Internet, printed it, glued
it to illustration board, protected it with acrylic medium semi-gloss gel, and
framed it with white cotton cording to complete its “homey” look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The landscaping is still not started, sad to say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #073763;">MacPherson Farm:</span></em></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I haven’t worked on this house in ages and I
decided that it’s time had come. I had always thought that this would be a
great home for lots of paintings of ancestors, Scottish things, and horses (since
this is a horse farm). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, I have begun buying and making ancestor
paintings, and even have some of them hung! The purchased paintings are from
<em><strong>Miniatures by Amber</strong></em> on eBay. She has a nice selection and she prints on matte
paper, which is my paper of choice. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jzsPQOSXYU/ULjVH5iV-TI/AAAAAAAAC7w/QxhleAIOxxM/s1600/MF-LR-full-5x3-DSCN5416_2696%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0jzsPQOSXYU/ULjVH5iV-TI/AAAAAAAAC7w/QxhleAIOxxM/s400/MF-LR-full-5x3-DSCN5416_2696%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">Picture of back living room wall: the MacPherson extended
family were privateers during the American Revolution and the War of 1812: one
of their ships, the <em>Timberwolf</em>, and two of their captains, James and Charles.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuaAHt4VibE/ULjXREd6exI/AAAAAAAAC78/VvhfyRPjTh8/s1600/MF-LR-ancestors-left%2Bwall-5x3-DSCN5411_2691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DuaAHt4VibE/ULjXREd6exI/AAAAAAAAC78/VvhfyRPjTh8/s400/MF-LR-ancestors-left%2Bwall-5x3-DSCN5411_2691.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The MacPherson progenitors: Jacob and his wife Patience, and their
daughter Faith.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF0G3QsKxgE/ULjYCcTwAzI/AAAAAAAAC8I/KDjThcnZMok/s1600/MF-LR-ancestors-right%2Bwall-5x3-DSCN5413_2693%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XF0G3QsKxgE/ULjYCcTwAzI/AAAAAAAAC8I/KDjThcnZMok/s400/MF-LR-ancestors-right%2Bwall-5x3-DSCN5413_2693%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">More ancestors.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPXSmeecMIA/ULjYvpP4V9I/AAAAAAAAC8U/m_wAWJu-KQQ/s1600/MF-2Hall-ancestor-5x3-DSCN5414_2694%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pPXSmeecMIA/ULjYvpP4V9I/AAAAAAAAC8U/m_wAWJu-KQQ/s200/MF-2Hall-ancestor-5x3-DSCN5414_2694%2Bcopy.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyCJDag8YwU/ULjZJMaZabI/AAAAAAAAC8g/79TkSCRuhuQ/s1600/MF-22Hall-ancestors-5x3-DSCN5415_2695%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyCJDag8YwU/ULjZJMaZabI/AAAAAAAAC8g/79TkSCRuhuQ/s320/MF-22Hall-ancestors-5x3-DSCN5415_2695%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been a lot of fun making “ancestors” and I now have
more ancestors than wall space—I guess it’s time to move to another endeavor at
<em><strong><span style="color: #073763;">Mac Farm</span></strong></em>, such as finishing the chimneys!</span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: #073763;">Casa Lobo:<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally finished the kitchen lighting. These are “swag”
lamps from <strong>HBS</strong> and fit in well with the kitchen-dining room. The lamps are
electric but the chandelier is battery operated. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svIeyHvvCto/ULjaBTrhSxI/AAAAAAAAC8s/zcY_KKI0XwE/s1600/CL-Din-kit-full%2Bw%2Blights-DSCN5249_2342%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svIeyHvvCto/ULjaBTrhSxI/AAAAAAAAC8s/zcY_KKI0XwE/s320/CL-Din-kit-full%2Bw%2Blights-DSCN5249_2342%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I also bought an outdoor fireplace from <strong>HBS</strong> to help warm the astronomers on those cold Santa Fe nights at 7,500 feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-xAkty52E0/ULjaP40-_5I/AAAAAAAAC84/rXUxr2PKdUc/s1600/CL-Obs-fireplace-5x3-DSCN5250_2343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z-xAkty52E0/ULjaP40-_5I/AAAAAAAAC84/rXUxr2PKdUc/s320/CL-Obs-fireplace-5x3-DSCN5250_2343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first, I was not going to decorate any houses for
Christmas, but I decided that since we always do something for Christmas, we
would do <strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">Casa Lobo</span><span style="color: #073763;">,</span></em></strong> <strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">2004 Oddjob Lane</span></em></strong>, and the <strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">Wells</span></em></strong> home (the <strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">Original
Rowbottom Manse</span></em></strong>). </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pictures in the next post.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will try to do better with my miniatures. I am on a very
serpentine yellow brick road of life, but I guess I will get somewhere at some
time!</span>Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-76380898434356846392012-09-09T17:05:00.002-04:002012-09-09T18:31:02.217-04:00Down the garden path, tra-la!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLqcQQ4hJQA/UEkhH1D7f7I/AAAAAAAAC3k/N_KRcAvVb4k/s1600/Asclepias_tuberosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLqcQQ4hJQA/UEkhH1D7f7I/AAAAAAAAC3k/N_KRcAvVb4k/s200/Asclepias_tuberosa.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
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</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Ascelpias tuberosa</strong></em> - Butterfly weed, my favorite perennial</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have noticed that I have not posted for quite a while—the
weather has been pretty darn good (except for a couple of monsoons), and I have been outside gardening and
sometimes just watching the grass grow. My little people are unhappy but are
trying to bear up. I have been reading your wonderful posts and I would usually
feel guilty about not working on minis and blogging—but not this time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since I have no mini-talk I will tell you something about
what I have been doing in my garden which,I guess, tells you a little about me in my non-mini persona. I used to have a large garden area but some
years ago, I stopped gardening. A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided
that we should bring back the gardens and what a lot of work (and money) that
turned into. But we enjoy it, and that’s important. The pictures in this post are
from various times during the season. I didn’t take all the “in-progress”
pictures that I had planned. I will take pictures before I close down for the season.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g14mbDmtJ3s/UElQpYbCxNI/AAAAAAAAC48/sCsnzCN8i0c/s1600/cardinal-shrub-red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g14mbDmtJ3s/UElQpYbCxNI/AAAAAAAAC48/sCsnzCN8i0c/s400/cardinal-shrub-red.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal Shrub (<em><strong>Weigela</strong></em>), my favorite shrub</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My <span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>Cottage Garden</strong></span> is (and most of my gardens) based on the
<span style="color: #741b47;"><strong>English cottage garden</strong></span> and the <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">traditional perennial garden</span></strong> (some of the best gardens in the world) with a slight difference: I read that a cottage garden
is defined as <u>“controlled chaos”,</u> mine are a <u>“wee bit”</u> uncontrolled in plant selection and placement while my outlines borrow from the traditional perennial garden. I strive for a somewhat romantic, somewhat unexpected, vista. By the way, the "cottage" of the cottage garden is the gazebo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the first things that we had to face was a <u>deer</u> who
decided to lunch in my nascent perennial garden. We decided that we would fence
the main perennial garden (the Cottage Garden) this year to get it
started, and next year we would look into the effectiveness of deer repellents
(I’m thinking …moat with alligators). That is why you see that temporary fence in
the picture. I think of this garden as a <span style="color: #274e13;"><strong>“zoo for flowers”—</strong></span>calling it this
makes the fence seem less tacky!</span></div>
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</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9U2wiAMRjk/UEkiPr6pAiI/AAAAAAAAC3w/6T4Sl-HA9Uw/s1600/BirdsEyeCG-DSCN5390_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9U2wiAMRjk/UEkiPr6pAiI/AAAAAAAAC3w/6T4Sl-HA9Uw/s400/BirdsEyeCG-DSCN5390_2512.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bird's eye view of the Cottage Garden early in the season</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
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</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vid3P9A94So/UEkiqsAnhDI/AAAAAAAAC38/hGyUtbczZU4/s1600/BirdsEyeCPG-DSCN5391_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vid3P9A94So/UEkiqsAnhDI/AAAAAAAAC38/hGyUtbczZU4/s400/BirdsEyeCPG-DSCN5391_2513.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bird's eye view of the Copper Beech Garden</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
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</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SaTyD9BZA3E/UEkjUmjqHOI/AAAAAAAAC4I/_8sPxzBH4Jk/s1600/French%2Bdoors-DSCN5270_2363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SaTyD9BZA3E/UEkjUmjqHOI/AAAAAAAAC4I/_8sPxzBH4Jk/s320/French%2Bdoors-DSCN5270_2363.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Out the French doors and into my special place which needs lots of work in all directions, but we are getting there!</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkzCvzVlxCM/UE0DIWUU9SI/AAAAAAAAC5g/LQbkiX1x9BI/s1600/CottageGarden-best-smlr-DSCN5404_2684%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkzCvzVlxCM/UE0DIWUU9SI/AAAAAAAAC5g/LQbkiX1x9BI/s400/CottageGarden-best-smlr-DSCN5404_2684%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Cottage Garden as "zoo for plants" with its tempoary deer deterrent fence</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LNg0jdY9RU/UEkkQFc1UoI/AAAAAAAAC4k/RlTjDTvb-QY/s1600/Gazebo%2B-LR%2BDSCN5282_2375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8LNg0jdY9RU/UEkkQFc1UoI/AAAAAAAAC4k/RlTjDTvb-QY/s400/Gazebo%2B-LR%2BDSCN5282_2375.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the far end is the gazebo, which for this season became the garden shed-- next year it will be a place for relaxing and sipping ...</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is still <u>tons of work</u> to be done here into next year, but we have made great progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s been a fun time in the garden, but I am starting to get
thoughts on the things that I want to do for the many dollhouses I have “in
progress”, and besides, soon it will be time to clean up the garden for the
year. Of course, now I have to <u>save up money</u> for minis since I spent all my mad
money on plants!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do have a garden blog if anyone is interested, although I have
been negligent with blogging for this one also this year.</span></div>
<a href="http://gardeningwithgertrude.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gardening with Gertrude, Jim, & Grandmother</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> named for my favorite gardeners: Gertrude
Jekyll, Jim Crockett, and my maternal grandmother Giuditta, the best teachers a
person could have -- truly a garden of memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you all enjoy it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: inherit;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-88615833684543478272012-08-04T12:05:00.001-04:002012-08-04T12:59:51.590-04:00A Room for Christopher at 2004 Oddjob Lane <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></strong><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Olh0fpKkqKs/UBxnk3UcjbI/AAAAAAAACxY/VKUSq7RSpuU/s1600/30-attic%2B-%2B3rd%2Bfloor-DSCN5307_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Olh0fpKkqKs/UBxnk3UcjbI/AAAAAAAACxY/VKUSq7RSpuU/s400/30-attic%2B-%2B3rd%2Bfloor-DSCN5307_2400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A room for Christopher--expanding the attic. I built a two-room attic to replace the orginal "non-attic", and stairs to go to it..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">Why, oh, Why?</span></em></strong><br />
A word about this dollhouse, why I bought it, and why I am trying to modify it and still keep it in the “mode” of the original structure.<br />
<br />
This is a commercial dollhouse of a kind I have seen advertised as “Quick Build”. The whole house is finished; one just slips the pieces into groves, screws on the door hinges, and plays with it. I am sure many children were very happy to receive this house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um_otplUHls/UBxoQhx1hhI/AAAAAAAACxk/5o-6htG2lbo/s1600/1-Exterior-DSCN4499_1299%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Um_otplUHls/UBxoQhx1hhI/AAAAAAAACxk/5o-6htG2lbo/s320/1-Exterior-DSCN4499_1299%2Bcopy.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original roof with "non-attic". I stuccoed the exterior of the house over a glossy white enamel paint..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now you ask: “Why did I buy it?” –because<strong><u> <span style="color: #783f04;">I am a child at heart</span></u><span style="color: #783f04;">.</span></strong> I found it in a discount store at Christmastime on 2004. I walked in and there it was, surrounded by other toys and many kinds of Christmas decorations. I was enchanted and taken back to my childhood and the couple of Christmas dollhouses I received. I could not resist it. I called my sister and she wanted one too! My husband just rolled his eyes and got into the Explorer to pick up the dollhouses with no questions asked!<br />
<br />
Well, then, you ask: “Why am I fussing with it?” I am just trying to make a few changes that the home owners, Dorothea and Ned Rumford want. (<u>Always blame someone else!)</u> The idea is to keep the nostalgia I felt about the house when I first saw it, but just add a thing or two. No going off on the deep-end stuff here—keep it simple. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJzxlyik7Qo/UBxpDJ5zrsI/AAAAAAAACxw/CIK3Ho2fufQ/s1600/2-Ned%2B-%2BDorothea-%2Bthings%2Bto%2Bdo-DSCN5325_2418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PJzxlyik7Qo/UBxpDJ5zrsI/AAAAAAAACxw/CIK3Ho2fufQ/s200/2-Ned%2B-%2BDorothea-%2Bthings%2Bto%2Bdo-DSCN5325_2418.jpg" width="167" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ned and Dorothea read off the list of changes to be made to the house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some time ago, I did make a few small upgrades to the house: <br />
<a href="http://irismarchcreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/behind-build-2004-odd-job-lane-store.html" target="_blank">Behind the Build: 2004 Odd Job Lane (Store-bought dollhouse)</a> and <a href="http://irismarchcreations.blogspot.com/2011/11/build-update1-2004-oddjob-lane-exterior.html" target="_blank">Build Update#1 2004 Oddjob Lane exterior upgrade.</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">A project presents itself:</span></em></strong><br />
I always thought the roof on this house was a bit lacking the charm of the rest of the exterior (especially since I gussied it up a bit), but since I had plenty of other things to work on, I just made notes and put it aside.<br />
<br />
In the last months, during a “I am disgusted with a lot of things” moment, I was just looking for something I didn’t have to do, but would be interesting, different, and keep me amused--something I could work on, on and off. Of course, Andrew was "willing" to help me!<br />
<br />
My eyes fell on <strong><em><span style="color: #4c1130;">2004 Oddjob Lane</span></em></strong> and its roof! OK, that was the project—but what <u>was</u> the project? I decided that since my sister had decided that a young child, Christopher, also lived in the house, he should have a bedroom. Now I had a <u>definite project</u>: remove the old roof, and make a <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mansard</span></strong> roof with two rooms in the attic. Since the roof (attic floor section) is a complete structure and a separate piece from the first three floors, I could remove the attic and roof, and bring it to my workbench to work on. The house is 3/8” MDF exterior and ¼” MDF interior walls and roof.<br />
<br />
The first thing was to investigate the roof composition. I drilled some holes to use to start cutting a small piece out with my jig saw. Once I saw inside, I put <u>my hand and a large hammer</u> in the hole and <u>banged</u> away from the <u>inside</u>. Bingo, the roof top left its base. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sJ8ZP7Mar0/UBxp8ReynyI/AAAAAAAACx8/Oc2TOg_Hmwg/s1600/3-Roof-off-DSCN5309_2402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sJ8ZP7Mar0/UBxp8ReynyI/AAAAAAAACx8/Oc2TOg_Hmwg/s320/3-Roof-off-DSCN5309_2402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original roof is off! Now we can begin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now I had the attic floor which is solid 1/2” MDF as the starting point. This house is not very big (~30” x 13”) and since a <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Mansard</span></strong> roof would give more floor space than a hip roof, it was chosen. I decided on the pitch of the Mansard (15 degrees off vertical), figured out the sizes and shapes of the four pieces I needed, found ¼” MDF in my wood supply and cut the pieces. The front and side walls slope but the back wall is vertical. The attic roof is flat (see first picture). The attic will have two dormer windows in front.<br />
<br />
The next thing to decide was how to cut into the third floor ceiling and in the attic floor for the staircase. We decided a straight run staircase would be best (the other floors have “U” turns). This did not leave any room for an attic landing, but since I could enclose the staircase in the attic, no one would know. I did decide on a bit of <em><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>faux</strong></span></em> in that the working doors to the two rooms would be on the back walls “implying” that the stairs ended in a gracious, unseen rear hallway. <br />
<br />
We tried to make the attic stairs look as much like the existing stairs as possible and this worked out with a minimum of grief (well, sort of...). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bf_-KBGp1A/UBxr-TIaWjI/AAAAAAAACyI/TlzN-4eszZ8/s1600/5-attic%2B-other%2Bstairs-DSCN5178_2173%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bf_-KBGp1A/UBxr-TIaWjI/AAAAAAAACyI/TlzN-4eszZ8/s320/5-attic%2B-other%2Bstairs-DSCN5178_2173%2Bcopy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairs to the attic from the 3rd floor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X11K3Klki5A/UBxs7ly9znI/AAAAAAAACyg/9hcX3FOxdwM/s1600/7-AtticStairs-DSCN5177_2172%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X11K3Klki5A/UBxs7ly9znI/AAAAAAAACyg/9hcX3FOxdwM/s200/7-AtticStairs-DSCN5177_2172%2Bcopy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairs from the 3rd floor poking through the "ceiling".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLxOlkrBmXQ/UBxspU71FnI/AAAAAAAACyU/rre5-07gyvQ/s1600/10-attic%2Brooms%2B-%2Bglued-DSCN5253_2346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLxOlkrBmXQ/UBxspU71FnI/AAAAAAAACyU/rre5-07gyvQ/s400/10-attic%2Brooms%2B-%2Bglued-DSCN5253_2346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooms being glued in place--the bricks and the bulldog binder clips hold the "angle" until the glue dries. The enclosed staircase from the 3rd floor is between the two rooms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><em><span style="color: #073763;">The two rooms:</span></em></strong><br />
First, I thought that Christopher would have a bedroom and a bathroom. But then I thought, “oh no, not another bathroom”! <br />
<br />
So I decided that Christopher would just have a bedroom and it would be the larger room (11” x 13”) and that the other room would be a "den, library, game room" (11” x 11”). As with all my smaller houses, I first looked in my vintage <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shackman</span></strong> stash for furniture. My sister and I loved this stuff and bought (and still buy) it. It tends to be on the “smaller” side of 1:12 scale and fits well into small rooms. Most of ours is well-made, cherry-wood, authentic copies of colonial/Early American furniture. <br />
<br />
Putting a den in the attic allowed me to re-work the original den in the main house to make it more like a casual “second” living room.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npgbRhezjbc/UBxuNwAe36I/AAAAAAAACys/ZgRKJC-ot8I/s1600/LR%2Bcasual%2Bwith%2Bnew%2Brug-DSCN5313_2406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npgbRhezjbc/UBxuNwAe36I/AAAAAAAACys/ZgRKJC-ot8I/s320/LR%2Bcasual%2Bwith%2Bnew%2Brug-DSCN5313_2406.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not quite finished redecorating the casual living room. The lovely rug is from<strong> Minibeesknees'</strong> shop on <strong>Etsy</strong>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Both attic rooms have 3” high knee-walls on their side walls so that furniture can be placed nicely. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69fGwd52Y98/UBxvFwF1_BI/AAAAAAAACy4/s_5jykI-8RI/s1600/20-Full%2Bhouse-interior-DSCN5302_2395%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-69fGwd52Y98/UBxvFwF1_BI/AAAAAAAACy4/s_5jykI-8RI/s400/20-Full%2Bhouse-interior-DSCN5302_2395%2Bcopy.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of the whole house. (Sorry, the picture is crooked, not the house.)</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Doors:</span></strong><br />
We bought working, pinned doors from the <a href="http://www.thewonhamcollection.co.uk/" target="_blank">Wonham Collection</a> (UK). They came beautifully finished in walnut.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Wallpaper - Christopher:</span></strong><br />
We chose<span style="color: #4c1130;"> <strong>MiniGraphics</strong> “Brownstone”</span> (I don’t know about this name since the wallpaper has a top border of cats, and cat or dog paws prints below). I decided to use the top border at the top of the wall and just use the “paws” as a wainscoting. I used <span style="color: #4c1130;">YES</span> glue.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Wallpaper - Den:</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>MiniGraphics</strong> “Raffina”</span> in blue gave the nicest Colonial look to this room.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><strong>--Flooring – both rooms:</strong></span><br />
To keep with the casual look of the interior finish of the rest of the house, I created a flooring of pine wood-tone <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Con-tact </span></strong>(vinyl shelving paper). This is something that I have done in other houses: <span style="color: #4c1130;">Con-tact</span> stuck to poster board and then cut into random-width strips. I glued the strips directly to the MDF with <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Elmer’s Glue-All.</span></strong> These strips are also used for the dado and baseboard in Christopher’s bedroom.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Furniture - Christopher:</span></strong><br />
The furnishings are <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shackman</span></strong> cherry wood trundle bed, dresser, and chest; “cat” chairs from a local dollhouse shop, and a rug and round table from our general stash.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a6NrKID7-o/UBxvo4VkFpI/AAAAAAAACzE/p-L_n9ujkDU/s1600/Trundle-%2Bbed-closed-DSCN5322_2415%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5a6NrKID7-o/UBxvo4VkFpI/AAAAAAAACzE/p-L_n9ujkDU/s320/Trundle-%2Bbed-closed-DSCN5322_2415%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trundle bed closed.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dg6PIMALE84/UBxvzGf3G9I/AAAAAAAACzQ/3dT9Ucr-v8o/s1600/Trundle%2Bbed-open-DSCN5323_2416%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dg6PIMALE84/UBxvzGf3G9I/AAAAAAAACzQ/3dT9Ucr-v8o/s320/Trundle%2Bbed-open-DSCN5323_2416%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trundle bed open.</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Furniture - den:</span></strong><br />
The furnishings are <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Shackman</span></strong> sofa, desk, combination chair-table, candlestand round table, bookcase, and piano stool; and a table lamp from our stash<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNrb-sb_H-4/UBxwYk-7ZOI/AAAAAAAACzc/79YpclDNZoU/s1600/Chair-table%2Bas%2Bchair-DSCN5321_2414%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vNrb-sb_H-4/UBxwYk-7ZOI/AAAAAAAACzc/79YpclDNZoU/s320/Chair-table%2Bas%2Bchair-DSCN5321_2414%2Bcopy.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair-table as chair.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVKcEP5ZBVk/UBxwefX1GvI/AAAAAAAACzo/dFIJtjW7Fgk/s1600/Chair-table%2Bas%2Btable-DSCN5320_2413%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVKcEP5ZBVk/UBxwefX1GvI/AAAAAAAACzo/dFIJtjW7Fgk/s320/Chair-table%2Bas%2Btable-DSCN5320_2413%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair-table as table.</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--The Attic and roof:</span></strong><br />
The attic (its roof is still to be finished) has been placed on the house (so I can admire my handiwork). It looks so nice and Christopher is thrilled, and the den has a pleasant, cozy look. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Puef8WnvRk/UBxxWGi_4EI/AAAAAAAACz0/1q26FGi1Zys/s1600/42-Den-full-DSCN5327_2420%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Puef8WnvRk/UBxxWGi_4EI/AAAAAAAACz0/1q26FGi1Zys/s400/42-Den-full-DSCN5327_2420%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The den with an Early American look.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxBv4eLTGgg/UBxx7qkz5WI/AAAAAAAAC0A/hfvk79p_kXA/s1600/52-Christopher-bedrm-friends-adj-DSCN5332_2425%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pxBv4eLTGgg/UBxx7qkz5WI/AAAAAAAAC0A/hfvk79p_kXA/s400/52-Christopher-bedrm-friends-adj-DSCN5332_2425%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher's bedroom with an animal motif.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2OV7EAhKEI/UBxyUnUG0kI/AAAAAAAAC0M/Zm8XqyrShdo/s1600/55-Chris-friends-DSCN5334_2428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2OV7EAhKEI/UBxyUnUG0kI/AAAAAAAAC0M/Zm8XqyrShdo/s400/55-Chris-friends-DSCN5334_2428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher and his friends: Freddy Miller and Juanito Duran, and his wonderful yellow lab, "Mr. Doggie".</td></tr>
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<br />
The Mansard roof will have two (yet to be made) dormers, grey slates, and probably a flip-up front. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I will have to redo the chimneys.</span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBRs3NUPWZA/UBxy3XeQwFI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/v5Leb7eJvSI/s1600/100-House%2Bw%2Bclosed%2BMansard%2Broof-full-DSCN5310_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UBRs3NUPWZA/UBxy3XeQwFI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/v5Leb7eJvSI/s400/100-House%2Bw%2Bclosed%2BMansard%2Broof-full-DSCN5310_2403.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House with unfinished Mansard roof.</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">--Slates:</span></strong><br />
I am making the slates. I found a great vinyl “slate” flooring tile at <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Home Depot</span></strong>. I scanned it into my computer and printed it out on <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">Kodak Premium</span></strong> matte photographic paper. I then glued it onto illustration board with <strong><span style="color: #4c1130;">3M Super 77</span></strong> Multipurpose (spray) adhesive. When dry, I cut it into 1” x ¾” “slates”. I put a sample on the roof and liked the way it looked. Now I just need about five more sheets to do the roof. It’s time-consuming so I guess I will be "slating" for a while...And before I can even slate the front, I will have to decide on the style of the dormers and their placement!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaI0dLb2bC0/UByIGkJBHuI/AAAAAAAAC08/6IMnqUzI9Mo/s1600/scan-5x3-2004-greyslate-sm-photo-041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaI0dLb2bC0/UByIGkJBHuI/AAAAAAAAC08/6IMnqUzI9Mo/s320/scan-5x3-2004-greyslate-sm-photo-041.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scanning the "slate" tile worked out well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In retrospect, while this project is fun it definitely has <span style="color: #660000;"><strong>not</strong> </span>turned out to be the smallish, casual project I was imagining! <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #073763;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<br />Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-89818500905643382612012-07-20T17:23:00.000-04:002012-07-20T17:25:27.878-04:00La Malcontenta is on YouTube!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X8PDhg-L6E/UAGMy-tnZHI/AAAAAAAACww/avDlmLgxVcc/s1600/39-Arabella%2B-Daniel%2BWelcome%2Bwith%2Bframe-%2Btitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8X8PDhg-L6E/UAGMy-tnZHI/AAAAAAAACww/avDlmLgxVcc/s320/39-Arabella%2B-Daniel%2BWelcome%2Bwith%2Bframe-%2Btitle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I finished the video of <span style="color: #20124d;"><strong>La Malcontenta’s </strong></span>interior—the landscaping has not really been started so that will go into its own video, whenever…<br />
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I could not find any “public domain” music that was the right length that I liked, so the video is “silent”. <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">YouTube</span></strong> offers some nice “public” music but then they <u>put adverts in the video</u>—pretty <strong><u>Ugly</u></strong> looking—so no thanks—silent it is! I guess I will have to commission my own “dollhouse” music!<br />
<br />
The other thing I don't like is that "YouTube" picks a slide in the slideshow/video to be used to represent the video in the listing. I would like to be able to <u>put up my own choice</u>. They pick three abitrary shots and I have to choose one of them. Once I had to delete a video because the picks were not the best representation, and then upload it again. Fortunately, the second time had a "good" one to use. <br />
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As usual, you can click on the image (see what I mean about not the most meaningful slide?) here, or click on the "<span style="color: #20124d;"><strong>We are on YouTube</strong></span>" icon in the sidebar, or go to <strong><span style="color: #741b47;">YouTube</span></strong> and put <strong><span style="color: #20124d;">irismarchcreations</span></strong> in the search box.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mindBsLIEKk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
The weather has been fairly nice here (that is, on the days when the temps stay in the low 80s), so I have been in the garden. The flowers are doing well and are a pleasure to look at, except that the weeds are also doing well. We have a garden helper who comes once and week—great to have someone young and strong to move wheel barrows of dirt and bales of peat moss around the yard! And he is always in a good mood and doesn’t mind the heat (as opposed to me on both accounts). <br />
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The only thing good about the hot days, is that I can work on my dollhouses in a nice cool basement. I do miss large windows, <span style="font-family: inherit;">can’t see much out of standard basement windows eight foot up against the ceiling.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</strong></span>Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-33840667083921234872012-06-29T15:32:00.000-04:002012-07-03T13:57:13.452-04:00Swinging from the Chandeliers at La Malcontenta<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Living Room Chandelier:</span></em></strong> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzRXOCOk-fU/T-271fgsOyI/AAAAAAAACs4/TT50ADdIoQE/s1600/LR-full-DSCN5246_2318%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzRXOCOk-fU/T-271fgsOyI/AAAAAAAACs4/TT50ADdIoQE/s400/LR-full-DSCN5246_2318%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living room with new <strong>Clare-Bell</strong> chandelier! Hallelujah!! The former owner of the house, Elsa Martinelli MacPherson, is on the left and talking to her friend Madeleine Duvall.</td></tr>
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What a mess with the original chandelier. The sticky pad with it did not hold. This did not surprise me as I had not have success with these on chandeliers. What did surprise me was the extent of the problems with the chandelier when I investigated to find a way to glue it to the ceiling.<br />
<br />
The first thing I discovered when I removed the sticky pad was that the electrical wiring was a “lump” that was higher than the edge of the canopy (disguised by the thickness of the pad)! So now I looked for something to glue to the edge of the canopy to make it higher than the “lump” for a flat surface against the ceiling. <br />
<br />
As I was doing this, I discovered that depending on the view of the chandelier, the “arms” looked uneven – because they were! Well, nothing I could do could change this! As I was pondering, I decided to check that with all my machinations, the light still lit. Hallelujah, I could stop investigating—the light no longer lit! I considered this the best news in a bad situation. Surrender, and look for a different chandelier! <br />
<br />
The disaster of a living room chandelier was replaced by one from <a href="http://www.clarebell.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Clare-Bell</strong></a>. I like their items and through the years I have been slowly acquiring their lights. They do not sell on their website but I have found a vendor <a href="http://www.newenglandminiatures.com/" target="_blank"><strong>New England Miniatures</strong></a> who can get them all.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGOpAq5gBhU/T-3FqTxczpI/AAAAAAAACuw/F-NmhArR04s/s1600/clarebell%2Bglobe%2Bchandelier-LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGOpAq5gBhU/T-3FqTxczpI/AAAAAAAACuw/F-NmhArR04s/s200/clarebell%2Bglobe%2Bchandelier-LR.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the <strong>Clare-Bell</strong> chandelier in the living room.</td></tr>
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So .... the living room that I thought was finished is now <u>really</u> finished! The chandelier is hung and bradded into the electrical system and looks great, and I <u>don’t</u> want to hear about any other problems!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Den Chandelier:</span></em></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwtUZ1nQSdM/T-29NrbIX_I/AAAAAAAACtE/wlF-tWnwCic/s1600/Den-full-adj-DSCN5226_2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IwtUZ1nQSdM/T-29NrbIX_I/AAAAAAAACtE/wlF-tWnwCic/s400/Den-full-adj-DSCN5226_2279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished den with the new <strong>Clare-bell</strong> chandelier. Cecelia Randolph is talking with her brother Tom.</td></tr>
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The den has its official chandelier and a brass floor “bridge lamp”, both from <strong>Clare-Bell</strong> and two <strong>Miniature House (Aztec</strong>) antique bronze table lamps. One existing table lamp remains—a wonderful Art Deco lamp from <strong>Brooke Tucker</strong>—on the buffet on the right. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NDkvVxhew0/T-2-20HrhFI/AAAAAAAACtQ/xfUItcNsQJc/s1600/All%2Bnew%2Blamps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NDkvVxhew0/T-2-20HrhFI/AAAAAAAACtQ/xfUItcNsQJc/s320/All%2Bnew%2Blamps.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare-Bell chandelier and brass "bridge" lamp, and Aztec antique bronze table lamp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbq3RO1tlCo/T-2_AO813QI/AAAAAAAACtc/h10xF3czQVc/s1600/Den-BTuckerlamp-DSCN5242_2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nbq3RO1tlCo/T-2_AO813QI/AAAAAAAACtc/h10xF3czQVc/s320/Den-BTuckerlamp-DSCN5242_2314.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke Tucker table lamp. Buffet by Bespaq.</td></tr>
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All the ancestor portraits are hung.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdB4I6WljBo/T-3AUTI1tGI/AAAAAAAACto/TmT3pLr4D4E/s1600/Den-fireplace-DSCN5241_2313%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mdB4I6WljBo/T-3AUTI1tGI/AAAAAAAACto/TmT3pLr4D4E/s400/Den-fireplace-DSCN5241_2313%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancester portraits, fireplace, etc.. David MacPherson, the former owner of <em><strong>La Malcontenta</strong></em>, is on the left, and his son Daniel the current owner is on the right. On the left also, is Pollyanna Whitier a friend of the family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For some reason, I had difficulty getting the den into “shape”. Finally, it is pulled together and I am <strong>exhausted!</strong><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: blue;">The Attic Rooms:</span></strong></em><br />
I know that I have not talked too much about the attic rooms—a <em>pied-a-terre</em> for Arabella’s brother Tom, and the nursery for the MacPherson daughters Francesca and Annabelle, so here are some pictures: <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnB1J1VECck/T-3BxuvHoZI/AAAAAAAACt0/0CtTRtvhtAk/s1600/Attic-full-DSCN5238_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnB1J1VECck/T-3BxuvHoZI/AAAAAAAACt0/0CtTRtvhtAk/s400/Attic-full-DSCN5238_2310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attic with <em>pied-a-terre</em> and nursery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtn_WbHuKBM/T-3CCUvrcsI/AAAAAAAACuA/pZ_9L2-TUoQ/s1600/PAT-adj-DSCN4633_1485%2Bcopyadj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtn_WbHuKBM/T-3CCUvrcsI/AAAAAAAACuA/pZ_9L2-TUoQ/s400/PAT-adj-DSCN4633_1485%2Bcopyadj.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom's <em>pied-a-terre</em>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Z6RtN1c2Vw/T-3CmO93cRI/AAAAAAAACuM/DJgxmpFuZsI/s1600/PAT-viewright-DSCN5231_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Z6RtN1c2Vw/T-3CmO93cRI/AAAAAAAACuM/DJgxmpFuZsI/s400/PAT-viewright-DSCN5231_2303.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom likes to travel and collect things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1C67UnQaK1g/T-3DabfTDXI/AAAAAAAACuY/98czVSmKOPY/s1600/Nur-full-DSCN5199_2194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1C67UnQaK1g/T-3DabfTDXI/AAAAAAAACuY/98czVSmKOPY/s400/Nur-full-DSCN5199_2194.JPG" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nursery playroom with Francesca, Annabelle, and nanny Mildred.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IdAlZ6u3YHA/T-3DiTNGKTI/AAAAAAAACuk/dFTJwawkn1o/s1600/Nur-full-DSCN5232_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IdAlZ6u3YHA/T-3DiTNGKTI/AAAAAAAACuk/dFTJwawkn1o/s400/Nur-full-DSCN5232_2304.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nursery bedroom. Foggy, the family's Old English Sheepdog, wanted his picture taken too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #b45f06;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<br />
Well, my friends, the interior of <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">La Malcontenta</span></em></strong>, is finished, except for the little curios and what-nots that get added to all houses, real and otherwise, through the years. <br />
<br />
I am working on a video for the interior of <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">La Malcontenta</span></em></strong>. I thought I would have it finished by now, but I have finally been spending a lot of time in my garden! The weather has improved and the deluges are down to a minimum and now a big 4th of July week is coming up, so I guess it will have to wait a bit more.<br />
<br />
The details of this dollhouse, as with all my houses, are spread over a couple of years and about a million posts. I decided, now that I am ‘into’ making videos, the best method for viewing the “completed” houses is through individual videos (or slide shows). There won’t be any voice-over, just some background music (I hope) and the highlights of the interior. Since the landscaping at <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">La Malcontenta</span></em></strong> is not finished, that will be in a future separate video.<br />
<br />
Also, if any of you are interested in the biographies (all the scoop) of the MacPherson family, it is in the post:<a href="http://irismarchcreations.blogspot.com/2009/10/la-malcontenta-spanish-eclectic-art.html" target="_blank"> <em>La Malcontenta</em>, the Spanish Eclectic-Art Deco Home of Arabella & Daniel MacPherson. Georgetown, DC</a><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #783f04;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
Well, I guess it is time to get back to “poor Fred’s” workshop at <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Sunnybrook Farm</span></em></strong>! Or maybe I will just garden! Wasn’t there a song many years back about “<em>See you in September</em>”?Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-9345401473381251432012-06-13T12:04:00.001-04:002013-03-24T17:13:09.738-04:00Dining Room Glitzy & Complete!- La Malcontenta <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xpK143BFAM/T9iwwa22HPI/AAAAAAAACrE/VM1gBvsgt30/s1600/1-110-DR-full-adj-adj-DSCN5144_2106%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5xpK143BFAM/T9iwwa22HPI/AAAAAAAACrE/VM1gBvsgt30/s400/1-110-DR-full-adj-adj-DSCN5144_2106%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIning room is finished!</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;"><em>The Dining Room:</em></span></strong><br />
I finally finished the dining room (well, I still have to find/make casement window hardware, but that’s <u>IT</u>). I know it’s hard to believe! (The kitchen is also "finished" and is discussed here also.)<br />
<br />
I am very pleased with the finished room, but as I looked at it, I am not sure which of the house style description, <em>Art-Deco Spanish Eclectic</em>, applies here, hmmm … ! It’s a good thing I added “eclectic” to the style because I think that that is the only one that fits!<br />
<br />
Oh well, what’s in a name? Anyway, come in and dine at <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">La Malcontenta</span></em></strong>.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Ionic Columns—</span></strong><br />
Flanking the archway are "cake columns" from the baking supply section of a craft store and are painted <strong>Delta</strong> Creamcoat Eggshell—cheap and effective!<br />
<br />
I wanted to “frame” the arch itself with moulding and I found a resin moulding by <strong>Unique Miniatures</strong> that looked just right. Unfortunately, I could heat it but I could not bend it properly and it kept breaking. Knowing when to move on, I looked for something I could “bend”. While roaming through a craft store, I came upon just that—a thin cording in just about the right color! I glued two rows around the arch. <em>Et voilà</em>, my version of curved moulding, and just a bit of “glitz”.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Furniture—</span></strong><br />
I didn’t add any new furniture since the previous post about this room, but I did move the table and rug from being diagonal in the room to straight. I don’t even remember why I made it diagonal. The rug is copy of an antique rug. The furniture (except the console tables) is by <strong>Bespaq</strong>.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">--Stone and Glass Demi Console Tables</span></strong><br />
I wanted to flank the archway with two tables but I couldn’t find anything I liked, so I made my own. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Fvmn-TqCA/T9ix06tdRGI/AAAAAAAACrQ/gVijd71zrhw/s1600/2-Stone%2Btables-110-DR-full-adj-adj-DSCN5144_2106%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Fvmn-TqCA/T9ix06tdRGI/AAAAAAAACrQ/gVijd71zrhw/s320/2-Stone%2Btables-110-DR-full-adj-adj-DSCN5144_2106%2Bcopy.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone console tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The “stone” bases are from <strong>Dolls’ House Emporium</strong> and the clear “glass” tops are made from a clear acrylic hexagon I bought at a craft store. I cut the hexagon in half with my band saw and glued the halves to the bases. The paintings above them are from <strong>Velveetasuzee</strong> on <strong>eBay</strong>. Since I had bright red roses on the table and a red chinoiserie cabinet between the windows, I wanted to add some more red touches. The items on the tables are from a dollhouse shop.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Fireplace—</span></strong><br />
The fireplace is from <strong>Unique Miniatures</strong>. I painted and glazed it to look like marble with <strong>Delta</strong> Creamcoat Light Ivory, Antique White, and Gold, and did the same for the hearth. To add depth to the firebox, I cut out a section of the wall and made a larger firebox with sandpaper bricks and textured paint. The fire fender is decorated with two griffins. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">--Fireplace Wall</span></strong><br />
Here, blue and white Chinese-style ceramics are placed upon acanthus leaf brackets from <strong>Unique</strong> <strong>Miniatures</strong>. I had to add a small semi-circular thin wooden platform for the vases since their bases were larger than the “leaf". The brackets are painted <strong>Delta</strong> Creamcoat Ivory.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VweWo_nRyDo/T9iyZ1OIIyI/AAAAAAAACrc/sD-0D8iYRac/s1600/3-117-DR-view%2Bright-fireplace-DSCN5150_2112%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VweWo_nRyDo/T9iyZ1OIIyI/AAAAAAAACrc/sD-0D8iYRac/s400/3-117-DR-view%2Bright-fireplace-DSCN5150_2112%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace and wall treatment with oriental vases and sconces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Flooring—</span></strong> <br />
This used to be a marble made from a vinyl shelf lining. I didn’t like it when I finished it but my sister did, so I left it alone, after all, it was done. But now that I was about to do all the finishing touches, I rethought a number of things about the room. Yup, the flooring had to go! <br />
<br />
I couldn’t find, nor paint up a marble I liked. I did find a nice “stone”- look real house vinyl wall paper in my collection so I decided to go with a stone floor instead. I cut the wallpaper into 1 inch squares and glued them onto a medium weight poster board with <strong>UHU</strong> glue stick (I have become a great fan of <strong>UHU</strong> glue sticks). Then I used spackle as grout. When all was dry and cleaned up, I gave the flooring three coats of satin varnish. I took some photos of the flooring, but it doesn’t really show up well—but take my word for it—this is very nice and about <u>1000% better</u> than the other flooring!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i21JS5Fdrtk/T9izToLpW-I/AAAAAAAACro/De3wOSdLOUk/s1600/4-DR-stone%2Bfloor-good-cropped-DSCN5156_2118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i21JS5Fdrtk/T9izToLpW-I/AAAAAAAACro/De3wOSdLOUk/s320/4-DR-stone%2Bfloor-good-cropped-DSCN5156_2118.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stone" flooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The rug is a copy of an antique real rug.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Artwork—</span></strong><br />
On the front wall, are three wood block prints from a dollhouse shop, and on the “door” wall is a Renoir copy from <strong>Dollhouse_Cottage</strong> on <strong>eBay</strong>. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvRumFlryXA/T9i0S4no3UI/AAAAAAAACr4/GEvPqsQVIkw/s1600/5-DR-ext%2Bdoor%2Bw%2Bpainting-cropped-DSCN5166_2128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvRumFlryXA/T9i0S4no3UI/AAAAAAAACr4/GEvPqsQVIkw/s320/5-DR-ext%2Bdoor%2Bw%2Bpainting-cropped-DSCN5166_2128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renoir-I like the blue and white colors matching the vases.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Other—</span></strong><br />
The ceiling is textured real house wall paper from <strong>Home Depot</strong>. The walls and the very narrow crown molding are painted <strong>Delta</strong> Creamcoat light Ivory. The wall paper is by <strong>Brodnax</strong>. The windows were made by us. I am still looking for the right casement window hardware. The chandelier is by <strong>Cir-Kit Concepts</strong>. <br />
<br />
Any other items not mentioned were found in various dollhouse shops.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Dining Room Inspiration:</span></em></strong><br />
The inspiration for many elements in this room came from <a href="http://whitledgeburgess.com/studio" target="_blank">Ray Whitledge’s</a> <strong><em><span style="color: purple;">Morning Splendor</span></em></strong>. I saved this photo from <em><strong>Miniature Collector</strong></em> magazine many years ago. It just took my breath away when I saw it (and it still does). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4XlIeJ2UMg/T9i09Jh96uI/AAAAAAAACsE/1nLlK3aTzH4/s1600/10-MorningSplendor-DiningRoom2BookDSCN1434%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w4XlIeJ2UMg/T9i09Jh96uI/AAAAAAAACsE/1nLlK3aTzH4/s320/10-MorningSplendor-DiningRoom2BookDSCN1434%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Morning Splendor</em></strong> by Ray Whitledge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the way, Ray is doing a <strong>Chessington Plaza</strong> Conversion (a <strong>Lawbre</strong> dollhouse) and you can follow this exciting blog <a href="http://modernminiatures-whitledge-burgess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">The Kitchen:</span></em></strong><br />
I still can’t believe that we increased the size of the kitchen by such a small amount when we were building the house! Anyway, we now live with it!<br />
<br />
I have tried to give the room a <u>Spanish/Mexican</u> flavor, combined with my favorite kitchen decorations—<u>roosters and chickens</u>.<br />
<br />
The beams on the ceiling were an afterthought when I realized that I needed a way to get the ceiling light electrical wire out the back of the house. (Wiring in this house is bradded into tape wire attached to the back.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcruZWRj45Q/T9i24xHM-II/AAAAAAAACsQ/sK7kjrO0MF4/s1600/k1-Kit-full-with%2Bpeople-DSCN5170_2132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcruZWRj45Q/T9i24xHM-II/AAAAAAAACsQ/sK7kjrO0MF4/s320/k1-Kit-full-with%2Bpeople-DSCN5170_2132.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cook Clara Cousins relaxes and has a chat with her friend Philippa Scott.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Flooring—</span></strong><br />
The flooring is real cork from a craft store. I like it except the front edge refused to stay glued flat no matter what glue I used and how many bricks I used as weights! It is almost flat, but not entirely. I have given up for the moment so I can move on. I have coated it with two coats of satin varnish. <br />
<br />
My sister found the neat fruit rug at her dollhouse shop.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Walls –</span></strong><br />
The walls are painted a quiet yellow from a can of OOPS paint from <strong>Home Depot</strong>. I painted over the “color” name, so I don’t know what it is, but it’s cheerful. The dado is painted <strong>Delta</strong> Creamcoat Calypso Orange. The tiles are the plasticized paper, <strong>Seixas Tile Flooring Sheet</strong>, #23111, sold by <strong>HBS</strong>. I added a shelf with chickens above the dado by the table. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PMPKJbMftM/T9i3jdP0C_I/AAAAAAAACsc/FGGMpVH-4pw/s1600/k2-Kit-wall%2Bwithshelf-chickens-DSCN5172_2134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PMPKJbMftM/T9i3jdP0C_I/AAAAAAAACsc/FGGMpVH-4pw/s320/k2-Kit-wall%2Bwithshelf-chickens-DSCN5172_2134.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chickens on the wall and on the table, and a rooster on the floor. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This wall needs some pictures that I haven’t found yet in miniature. I did see some wonderful full-size paintings in a local Mexican restaurant, but that doesn’t help. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Furnishings—</span></strong><br />
The “wrought iron” table is #77434, the <strong>Monterey Table set</strong> from <strong>HBS</strong>. The appliances are from my endless stash of kitchen appliances. The hood over the stove is poster board covered with some of the tiles. <br />
<br />
The extra kitchen base cabinet is a cut-down hutch from <strong>Michaels</strong> and painted white gloss enamel. Gluing it to the door was the only place left in this tiny kitchen, but it looks good there. (I still haven’t decided on a design for the curved moulding around the arch of the exterior door.) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95uWWOtxanc/T9i4yEEcbAI/AAAAAAAACso/HKSm3d7qoCc/s1600/k3-KIt-with%2Bext%2Bdoor%2Bcabinet-DSCN5165_2127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-95uWWOtxanc/T9i4yEEcbAI/AAAAAAAACso/HKSm3d7qoCc/s320/k3-KIt-with%2Bext%2Bdoor%2Bcabinet-DSCN5165_2127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only place left in the kitchen for more work space!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: blue;">Other items—</span></strong><br />
We find interesting items here and there and often don’t remember where, unfortunately.Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055492903086259760.post-90034626251935871622012-06-07T18:52:00.001-04:002012-06-07T18:52:34.393-04:00A Very UN-Merry Month of May!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lg_Y9HxF6LU/T9EuFs1ATDI/AAAAAAAACq4/vAG4Uyl2lxw/s1600/clarebelglobe%2Bchandelier-cropped-4009-130--5-14-2012%2B7-22-43%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lg_Y9HxF6LU/T9EuFs1ATDI/AAAAAAAACq4/vAG4Uyl2lxw/s320/clarebelglobe%2Bchandelier-cropped-4009-130--5-14-2012%2B7-22-43%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Clare-Bell chandelier for La Malcontenta's living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I just had the most topsy, turvy month in a long time. Things are sort-of getting better and I am coming out of hiding to join the “little people“ again. I didn’t have much time nor the energy to do any miniature work, I didn’t add any posts to my blog, and worst of all, I didn’t get to read any of your posts! I know you were all doing wonderful things and I missed it all—I have a lot of catch-up reading to do. I hope your May was better than mine. Next year, I am removing May from my calendar! <br />
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I have been back to <strong><em>La Malcontenta</em></strong> to finish the interior. Things are going fairly well, except for the disaster with the living room chandelier. I will tell you about that in a future post—but the result is that I am getting a new chandelier for the living room since I just couldn’t cope with the original chandelier’s problems, and some of them were not fixable anyway! I ordered a wonderful chandelier by <strong>Clare-Bell</strong>. I do like their lights. They didn’t have it in stock, so it will be a couple of weeks before I get it<br />
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I don’t have anything more to say, except that I am still here and on the job again! I should have a post for the completed (yes, completed!) <strong><em>La Malcontenta</em></strong> dining room within a week. I am really excited about how it all turned out. Thank you friends for bearing with me! I missed you all--life is really a bummer when there is no time for miniatures nor my blog-friends! -- And just when I was getting into, and enjoying making <strong>You Tube</strong> videos!Iris Marchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00365219260043609509noreply@blogger.com9