It All Starts Here

Sometimes our ideas flow from an existing kit to bash, a house style to scratch (aka custom) build, or from an interesting doll who needs a place to live. Our settings are always modern-day (ca. 2001 when we started this hobby). We try to create things that will make people smile and feel good.

We think that if we had to build the same house twice, we literally could not do it! Fortunately, we have very unique little people who have definite opinions and so far, no one has wanted a house “like so-and-so” has.

We work as a family unit: my wonderful husband, my beautiful sister, and I. We don't always agree as to the direction of the build, but I think that we end up with a better dollhouse because of all our grumblings -- and we do have a lot of fun!

The Purpose of this Blog

We needed a place for all we wanted to say about the background of the build and the nuts and bolts of the design and build process. Thus this blog.

All our dolls' homes have families living in them and a story is built around their personalities and lifestyles. This story is an integral part of our building process. We would like to share these stories -- actually, the little people insist upon it!

Many of our houses are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia because that is my sister's favorite place.

Also, we have started a Rouges' Gallery with photos of our little people and information about the dolls.

If you would like to start with the dollhouse that "started it all", it is the Original Rowbottom Manse; if you would like to see the scratch-built Georgian that our first build gave us the confidence (or fool-hardiness) to do, it is Sunnybrook Farm.

Let the stories begin!

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Thursday, June 6, 2013

OMG! 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.

Living room in a new house that I didn't know I was going to do!
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.

I am doing a house I had not planned to build (although I always liked it): an RGT Montclair 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.

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.

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.

RGT Montclair:
 
but I am using this Real House as a model for my exterior:
 
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.

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.

My interior:

Humble beginning
 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 Classics 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.

Some "more-advanced" rooms (details in the next post):
Dining room
Foyer
Door case on all main floor door cases using Unique Miniatures moulding, the moulding with which I have a love-hate relationship!
Living room with some furniture
Library- I hate, hate, hate, this wallpaper--more next time.

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I will try to report back soon!! 
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5 comments:

  1. AudraJune 6, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    What a great transformation in the foyer!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JohnJune 6, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    YAY! A new house! I'm loving your renovations, Iris. Great job on the staircase, the foyer looks so elegant! Looking forward to see more!

    XOXO,
    John

    ReplyDelete
  3. GiacJune 7, 2013 at 7:29 AM

    Hello Iris,
    Yay! you are back! This new project is wonderful. I love the inspiration for the exterior. It will be absolutely fantastic. This is so exciting. I hear you about the Unique Miniatures love/ hate thing. I cannot wait to see your next posts.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
  4. DaydreamerJune 7, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    Hee Hee, Iris, I hope you will forgive me if I say that I am Secretly Overjoyed to see you failed to keep that resolution...!:):) I know the feeling of wanting to complete one thing first.... but the Creative urges just lead in another direction! This house is looking Marvelous so far... I LOVE the staircase... (It's how I am making one in my Victorian Cupboard House too!) All the trim you are using looks Very Exotic! And the floor of the Dining Room looks Beautiful! I can't wait to see more!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SamJune 9, 2013 at 9:11 PM

    I love your curved staircase! I usually don't like them in dollhouses as they look really fake to me, but yours is fabulous! Great work!

    ReplyDelete

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