Sunday, April 15, 2018

Tower Progress

So I've been having a little trouble figuring out how to make the third floor of the tower.

I wanted to have it extend outward over the main stairway tower, by about an inch on all sides, just like the cottage second floor.  But hinging that part was stumping me.

Then I figured out that I could hinge the third story by itself.  Keep the third floor stationary, which would add stability.  The lower part would hinge on one joint and the third floor on its own.  If that makes sense?  I still need to work on the roof, which I think I might make similar to the floor, just the walls hinged.

So with that in mind I made a mockup of the floor, and figured where I'd need to cut the hole for the stairs.  I had to tape my stairs into place before I could do that.  Styrofoam is slippery and kept moving around on me.  But I finally got it.





The third floor will have a casement window, one of the Houseworks ones.  I'm debating if I want to add a little offset window, like this.




I'm not sure.  I'd like to have one if only because it would be such a nice place to put a telescope.  And it would be very pretty and fairytale like.  Have to think about it.   If I bought two and cut one so joined together they made three quarters of circle it could work.

What do you think?

I also got a couple of light fixtures to go in the tower.  Figured out where to put them today.  I marked the outside of the tower with black dots so I wouldn't forget.


They're pretty looking candle sconces which will give off a decent amount of light inside the tower I think.


Since I got that figured out I decided I was safe putting up some of the finishing for inside the tower.  I got some brick paper a while back that has a good texture to it.  Since we won't be looking too hard at the inside of the tower I thought it would be perfect for the walls.


I got some cardboard cut out for the window and door frames and started making the egg carton stone to cover them.



I'm also covering the Styrofoam stairs with spackle and waiting for it to dry.  Lots of waiting for things to dry.


I'm really glad that stuff turns white when its dry or I'd be messing with it forever.  Mine is old and isn't bright pink anymore but it still works pretty well.

I got the center post for the stairs and my dremel and used a sanding head to rough it up so it would look like a tree had been cut down to use as the center post for the stairs.  It's not easy to see but here it is.


That was as far as I got on the tower.

The other think I did took up a lot of Saturday but it was worth it.



I used the Dark Walnut stain and then went over the knotwork with Ebony to make it show up a bit better.  I have a few pieces that I'll add to give it a half roof while the other half will be covered by the second floor extension.

I also cut down the balsa in the side windows so they would fit the windows properly.




I also got out my jigsaw and made more dust.  Otherwise known as cutting the MDF walls for casement window openings.



They're a bit deeper than the walls so I'll have to add some wood to the sides to level everything out but that's very doable.

The balsa filler isn't glued into place its just wedged in to the old opening while the glue holding its pieces together sets.

The last thing I did was start on the shutters.  I want to get them hinged and on the frames before I put the frames in the house.  I had to order more hinges and pulls for the windows so that they'll have some handles on the inside.


I need to make shutters for the Houseworks Casement windows too but I haven't figured out just how I want them to look yet.

It feels like I got a lot done, despite waiting for things like spackle and glue to dry.  That could just be because I've been working on it constantly the whole weekend and I feel like I've got something to show for it.

How is everyone else doing?


21 comments:

  1. You are cruising right along. I didn't get much done, am still pondering if the kitchen corner should be removable.

    I like the brick paper. I've got hit something similar in stacked stone. Your tower is going to look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm hoping to get some walls for the third floor started next weekend. I just need to figure out if I really want that little round offshoot tower or not.

      Delete
  2. The brick paper was an ideal solution for those interior curved walls and it looks Great Sheila!
    Also LOVE the windows as they add an enormous amount of character and instantly evoke a Storybook feeling to the house :D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad things seem to be going well. I'm waiting for something really awful to happen for some reason.

      Delete
  3. Wow, you've done alot of work, Sheila, love those bricks in the tower too! But those windows: they are really fantastic work, I love how your baywindow looks now. I think your weekend was well spent by making so much progress ;)!
    Have a nice week, Ilona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm glad it's looking good. It feels like I'm getting somewhere, working on a main part of the building rather than parts and pieces.

      Delete
  4. Each new and finish element are so fun! Especially the pop out window - absolutely enchanting!
    I like the hinge for the third floor being separate. Not only does it create stability, as you said, but it gives the viewer another mysterious cubby to open and look inside. Like a 3D pop up book! And I think you have to try the telescope windows - could be on to something magical there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with how that's looking. I think with the third floor being of a wider circumference hinging it separately is the only way it'll work.

      Thank goodness for the 20% off coupons at HBS. Those darn windows are expensive!

      Delete
  5. So much progress! I think a window with a telescope behind it would be really awesome :-). It would be a very interesting element. And, I love everything you've done so far. The windows and the brick wall look so good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm hoping I keep progressing at this pace. I'll have to look into some of the windows and see if they'll work out.

      Delete
  6. This is all looking fantastic Sheila! I LOVE the idea of a fairytale window at the top of the tower! You should definitely attempt it and see if you can make it work. Your windows are really spectacular.. They look so authentic and professionally made. The are a true testament to your artistic talent and creativity. Bravo! I'm trying to spackle styrofoam at the moment too.. not as easy as I thought it would be.. but I'm getting there. Your stairs are going to look great when their done. I like the brick paper too. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I think I'm going to see if I can get a window cheap on Ebay, if not I'll end up ordering from HBS. At least I've got coupons still.

      Funny, putting the brick paper on with the glue actually seems to have strengthened the walls a bit. That was a nice side effect. Now I just need to get the stairs completed.

      Delete
  7. acabo de descubrir tu blog, me quedo por aquí...

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are doing a great job figuring things out as you go, and I see a lot of progress in this post. Well done! I love the way it is coming together, one can really start visualizing what it will look like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It's funny, gluing the paper on stiffened the tower walls but also tried to pull them out of shape. Weird huh?

      Delete
  9. Hi Sheila! I Love how this project is coming along!!! The character you are giving this kit is so interesting and quirky and old .... all things I Love! LOL! The progress on all your pieces looks wonderful! I love the windows and think the trim you are adding ... and the shutters are perfect! The Tower is so much fun and looks great with the brick paper! The solution for hinging the third floor room is a good one! About those Houseworks bay windows... I bought a couple thinking I would use them in my "Oatmeal box Tower" on the Cloud Palace... but they turned out to be larger than I thought they would and didn't end up using them. The windows are about 5 inches tall not including the top and bottom... which over-all make the window 10 inches tall! Do a mock up with cardboard if you can before buying them! I look forward to seeing every new detail you are adding! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks! I keep saying this but I'm cautiously optimistic about how its going.

    I think honestly, ten inches wouldn't be bad, if its a little offshoot type of tower from the third floor? Just big enough for a telescope to stand in? I ordered a couple because I had a 20% off coupon and if I don't use them here I can keep them for another project.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheila! I can't wait to see these develop!!! And so far I am loving every single bit! :)

      Delete
  11. WOW! So much done in one weekend! I love seeing the tower come together. The scone lights are perfect for the build and very fancy (in the best way!) I love the Houseworks window you've mentioned and the telescope idea... having something like that to look into is magical. That knot work on the front casement window is breathtaking, and very original. Overall I can't get over how this is really looking like an experienced artisan build. :D Just wait till the stone is up on the exterior!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I want a bit fancier for the tower and upstairs, while the first floor will be a bit more basic.

      Still working on how to make one of those little offshoot towers from the main one but I got a window to play around with since I had a coupon.

      Delete