Sunday, March 10, 2019

Figuring Out the Layout and the Spiral Stairs

Oh these darn stairs are killing me.  I've been busting my butt on them the whole day and I'm not feeling like I've made a ton of progress.  I need to find something for the railing that won't pull my spindles off.  I have some chain that could work. It'd be flexible enough I think.


So we'll see how I do with it next week.

I also went through my left over pieces from other kits I've bashed and found a window for the opening under the loft area.  I'll have to widen the opening but not by a lot.  Beats having to make one from scratch like I have to do the tall corner window.

As the post title suggests I did some work figuring out the layout of the shop and even got the balcony type second floor cut.

The first floor will have three section bookshelves on two of the walls.  I don't think I'll end up doing the corner shelf.  I think it makes everything look too crowded.



The measuring tape is where I'll put the spiral stairs.  But you see what I mean with the corner shelf?  I love it but it really doesn't help with the space much.  And it doesn't quite match the rest of the shelves.  So I'm thinking of something more like this.
 

That gives me more floor room and makes the stairs feel less crowded against the shelves.

The second floor will be slightly similar.  I want about a two and a half inch to three inch aisle for customers.  The second floor will have a hallway with the back stairs to the third floor behind the rear wall.  I'll add a narrow door at the foot of the stairs.


The circle at the rear is the stairs.  I'm debating if I want to make the shelves painted or stained.  I'll need a wooden floor on all three levels and I'm wondering just how fancy or simple I should make it.

I did work on the front elevation as well.  Got my two separate pieces glued together.




I also needed to figure out a way to make display tables for the shop windows.  So I started going through my House of Miniatures kits.


I know I can use the table, stove and bureau in the living quarters.  If I adjust the two Chippendale Lowboys they'll fit in the window area of the shop on the first floor.

I also spent several hours cutting plexiglass for the shop front since it doesn't come with glass or trim. I'm hopeful that by next weekend I'll have my third floor figured out and with some luck the angles of the mansard roof.

Hope you're all having a good weekend!





28 comments:

  1. It looks like you have it all planned out fabulously, Sheila. Even in the very 'raw' the front elevation is beautiful.
    Look forward to see how you solve that handrail.
    Annax

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    1. Thanks Anna! I'm feeling good about it so far. I'm thinking of painting the front a nice dark teal green with a black wash over it. Then maybe I can do gold lettering for the sign?

      I need to find my ball chain. I know I have some!

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  2. I always admire you, Sheila, because you always have exactly in mind what to build, figure this out and you DO! Your plans are promising, Sheila, the facade (and therefore the whole shop) will be gorgeous.
    I'm looking forward to see more of this shop!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thank you Ilona! I've learned that I need to plan things out if I want the whole build to work together. Jumping right in doesn't help me much in the long run.

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  3. Hello Sheila,
    It kills me to see that corner unit not used, but I think you are right that the space looks better without it. One of the biggest mistakes I've seen miniaturists make is over-filling their rooms. The staircase might be a pain, but it is coming along beautifully.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac! I know what you mean. I love that corner unit. But I can save it for another build. And the trim on it doesn't quite match the rest of the shelves so I'm probably better off without it.

      That staircase is making me crazy but it'll be worth if it I can finish it.
      Hugs,
      Sheila

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  4. I am sending good wishes for that handrail - aligning straight staircase spindles into the railings are hard enough but curved and fragile sound dreadful! But I know if anyone can come up with the perfect solution, it's YOU!

    Your facade is wonderful and makes me want to make a three level building, too! You're a bad influence but in a good way, lol!

    Your bookshelf layout and plans for the window displays look and sound wonderful! Once again you have an intriguing thing going here, and I can't wait to see it happen!

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    1. Thanks Jodi! I'll take whatever help I can get. Curved, fragile and wanting to lean to the left or right is even more annoying. I'm thinking maybe a thin round cord or chain. I'll go through my stash and see what I've got.

      My first three story since the Gothic Victorian kit... this should be interesting.

      I'm excited to make the books for the cases too.

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  5. That is a gorgeous front elevation! I agree on the corner bookcase. It takes up too much room, and it doesn't quite match the shelving on the other bookcases anyway. I feel for you on the staircase. I hate working with spindles, even on a nice, straight staircase. For the railing, do you have any of those round shoelaces? It would certainly be flexible enough. Don't know whether it would provide sufficient stability. Good luck! I know you'll do a brilliant job of solving it.

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    1. Thank you! I'll have to do something to make the two bookcases look good together in the corner.

      I was thinking of something like that for the railing, a rounded ribbon maybe. With some coats of modgepodge I could get it stiffened up enough.

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  6. The staircase will look stunning when painted and with the railings. The facade already looks good. I'm looking forwards to your next post.
    Hugs
    Drora

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    1. Thank you Drora! I think I know where my ball chain is...I'll have to look.
      Hugs!

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  7. Sheila, I stumbled onto your blog a couple of months before the December contest deadline and have enjoyed watching how you document your work. You inspired me to do the same. I completed a full reno of our family dollhouse a couple of years ago and was looking for a new creative endeavor when I found your blog. It reminded me how much fun I had planning designs and creating miniatures so I decided to enter the contest this year myself. I started my own blog at https://designinminiature.blogspot.com/ to document my progress and I'm inviting you to follow my journey as I will be following yours. I admire that you were willing to tackle a 3 story building again after working so hard to complete the WQRC. Good for you! Dee

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    1. Welcome Dee! I'm so glad you're doing the contest. I had so much fun the year I found other bloggers working on the same kit. I have yet to run into someone in the miniature community who hasn't been kind and supportive!

      I'll have to check out your blog! This will be so much fun!

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  8. It looks like you have it all planned out great already :) I love the front elevation and staircase <3

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    1. Thanks! I'm hopeful. Haven't quite figured out the living quarters but we'll see.

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  9. I'm sad about the corner piece, but I think it will be better in the end to omit it.

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    1. Thanks! I think so too. I'm sad not to use it but maybe I can fit it in the living quarters somewhere.

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  10. How lovely the front of your shop looks Shelia! I love all of the architectural details on the facade and think that your bookshelves are going to provide an amazing retreat for your future patrons.
    I feel your pain regarding the handrail but chain sounds like a very good solution.

    elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth! I'd been wanting an excuse to use that shop front and this was perfect.

      I just need to hunt my ball chain down.

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  11. Hi Sheila! I know I am late again... but I have to tell you that my newest Hobby Builders catalog arrived with the Wicked Queen's Retirement Cottage on the Cover and my first thought was ohhhh, I "know" her! LOL! (I know it is presumptuous of me, but I felt like I did!) Congratulations all over again!!!
    And as for the new projects, I agree that the corner shelf is too bulky. I think they are hard to use even in RL! They fill a corner, but then other furniture can't fit near them and still allow enough room. The double facade of your building is very elegant so far... and I feel your pain with the stairs. Brae Oktober did a marvelous one years ago for her light-house... I am sure you can find it on her blog. The one I built was a kit and even then the hand rail was a very very finicky thing to attach correctly. The geometry of the spiral is just very challenging! Good luck with whatever you decide to use.... just do it one step at a time! :):)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I just got mine this week. Very excited!

      I really like the corner shelf but it just doesn't work. I've read Brae's lighthouse post on the spiral stairs and that's part of what gave me the nerve to try this. I think I've got an idea that will work. And it's cluing me in one the issues I need to resolve for the next one.

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  12. This is going to be great Sheila! You put so much thought into your builds. I look forward to seeing it all take shape! X

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    1. Thanks Shannon! I'm excited. I need to actually take the Downtown Loft apart and work on enlarging a window opening but so far I'm making progress with the stairs.

      And the bookstore is coming along nicely.

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  13. Those shelves look amazing!!!! I can't believe you are getting to fit in so much in that small space. The front is so elegant. Wow.

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    1. Thank you! I'm still debating if I should stain or paint them though I'm leaning towards stain.

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