Sunday, March 22, 2020

Walls, Windows and Doors

So far I'm not quarantined at home.  Texas has shut down a lot of the service industries, hair salons, nail salons, restaurants and bars.  But folks like me who work in an office aren't being told we have to stay at home.  We're prepared to do so if need be, we all brought things home so we could work remotely if we had to.

I hope everyone else is doing well and staying safe and healthy.  Let's just all be sensible and try to stay sane.

I did get the last two books gutted.  And figured out where the windows and doors would go.


The books have been glued together.  And then I had the fun part of cutting through the books and spines to make the openings for the doors and windows.

My wrist hurts now.

Oh, I found a Yorktown door in my stash so I figured I'd use it instead of the kit door.  I think it looks a little better?

But I cut out my walls and added some matboard to the book spines to strengthen them.


My matboard is held in place with my sophisticated clamp method.


I'll use foam-core board for the walls and floor (or ceiling possibly), to keep the build lightweight.  And matboard for the ceiling (or floor depending on how things work out).

But to give the books a more antique look, I painted the tops of the pages with gold.


Believe it or not, all this took me quite some time this weekend.

I need to start building out my fireplace and bookshelves, and get half of the room built at least so my measurements are accurate.

I'm still debating the floors...Something simple or herringbone... I don't know yet. But I do need to make some cornices for the windows.  Something suitably Victorian and ornate but shabby.

This should be fun!

I'm going to have a drink now and think about wallpaper I could use and paneling I can make for the room.  Something suitably gothic and interesting.  Any suggestions?

Please stay safe and healthy.  Self Quarantine if you can.  Take sensible precautions.  Enjoy your mini time.  I hope all of us make us through this.

9 comments:

  1. When I see the shots of the book/room it comes to light all of the work, patience and precision it must have taken to get them there. Great work! This is going to be such a cool project! Deciding on the elements and finishes is always the hardest part for me. Either I see it in my mind right away or I toil forever over them! You always choose charming things and it's always some interesting method or technique!
    Keep on keepin' on and stay safe and well!

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  2. Great job! It's really coming along. I do believe it took you most of the weekend to do all that. Herringbone for the floor. What about this on the wallpaper? https://dollhousesandmore.com/product/vintage-hampshire-damask-in-kohl-wallpaper-by-bradbury-and-bradbury/ Victorian and dark. You can look here for their full line of dollhouse wallpapers: https://www.bradbury.com/dollhouse_wallpaper.html On their main site, their room pictures can be pretty inspiring. Hope this helps. Our new motto is keep calm and stay healthy!

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  3. I like seeing how your project is coming to live, Sheila, you've done lots of work by cutting out all of the pages. Of course your wrist hurts now, but its worth the result. The whole looks promising already, I can't wait to see more.
    Stay safe and healthy.
    Hugs, Ilona

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  4. It is crazy just how hard card and paper can be to cut but the result is just fabulous. I do like your new front door, particularly since the surround matches the windows so perfectly.
    Stay well,
    Anna X

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  5. Un trabajo de paciencia y precisión que va teniendo unos resultados magníficos,ahora que descanse tu muñeca y a seguir ideando!!!
    Ánimo y a cuidarse.
    Besos.

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  6. Lots of great progress Sheila. Getting the main shell done will help with planning and decorating. And it’s such a great idea! Stay safe and well. X

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  7. It looks like an impossible hard work. I can well understand the challenge you faced. What's done already looks great.
    Stay safe!
    Hugs, Drora

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  8. Hi Sheila! This is one of those fascinating projects that could go Any direction and still be great! It is surprising how much labor goes into manufacturing the "shell" of the room! But you are almost to the fun part! :) And the door does look good as do the windows. But given that it is a "Yorktown" door... should that influence the interior decor...? I'm thinking mostly of the floor... as if it is an older building from the federal era, which has been decorated in the Victorian manner...? I am sure you will make the right decision and I look forward to seeing whatever it will be! Keep up the great work!
    And I hope you get to work in a safe way too at your job!

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  9. Yes, I do belive it took a while to make it. :) But it was worthy, it looks very intresting.
    Stay safe and healthy!

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