Electrifying the Tower

This weekend was all about the Tower again.  I wanted to make some progress getting the lights in and the trim on.

I started with wall sconces like these.

I got them from Melody Jane and Minimum World.  I didn't like how the wire showed underneath, or how clean they looked.  So I decided to make them look like actual wax candles.

I used hot glue and off white paint again.

They're drying here after I painted the wire with bronze and then metallic black to age it.

There are several other things that I'm not thrilled with about these sconces.  The backs are hollow so it's hit or miss if they stick to the wall or not.  And they bend easily so if you're not careful they'll break.

I did manage to get them installed.  I used the double sconces in the stair tower.

And then tested.

Then I added them to the third floor.  I used the single sconces there.

I need to fix some of this texture so it looks more to scale.

I didn't test these yet.  Living dangerously.

The trim on the outside is... a little frustrating.  Working with curves takes a ton of tape every time I put a piece on but I'm slowly getting the timbers added.  I've got the windows trimmed out but before I work on a lot more of it I need to determine my pattern for the trim.  I'd like to do something a little out of the ordinary but I'm not sure what yet.  What I have tried to do is make the 'beams' look a bit irregular.

You can see my wire channels and the blue tape holding the inside trim onto the walls while the glue dries.

I did get the inside trim around the oriel window and around the base of the walls.  Once all of this is finished I need to add some satin poly so my stain doesn't come off with the tape.

You can't see the trim near the floor very well here.  But all the blue painters tape is gorgeous don't you think?  (Yes, I speak sarcasm fluidly.)

While I was 'adjusting' my sconces it took time for everything to dry one step at a time so I started work on the curved table I needed for the tower.

I wanted some contrast to the floor and trim so I used Red Oak stain by Minwax.  And since I wanted to make use of the space around the edge of the stair opening I decided to make some shelves.  Walk up the stairs, get a book.

I did my best to make it resemble the other bookcases I have.  I got them from Minimum world during one of their barewood sales.

It's just wide enough to fill that empty space near the staircase opening.

The glue is still drying a bit but you can see how they fit nicely against the curve.  The orrey won't really fit in here, though I might fool around with it on the table tomorrow and see how it works.  We'll see.

I stained a chair as well so the WQ can sit and look out her telescope.

I'll try to make a few more little things for the shelves.  Books and maps of the constellations maybe?  But I'm pleased to say the telescope goes nicely inside the oriel window.

Obviously this was before the trim went up around the windows.

I did get a few more things for the house.  I put in an order to Shapeways and got a bunch of stuff.  None of it cost a ton which I liked.

I liked the idea of the obelisk and little pyramids in the workshop/stillroom or up in the tower.  There's a cute little box and a pitcher and vase.  And a spinning wheel Marion designed that I'm hoping will look more realistic than the one I bought from Minimum world.  And there's a bunch of goblets and pitchers that I can use for various things.

I'm off for a couple of days and back to work on Thursday so I'm hoping to have more progress for you soon!

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Drill & Route out channels for lighting wires.

Finish shutters & interior trim for all windows on main cottage. 

Build Fireplaces & chimneys

Cut bricks and stone for outside of lower walls and tower.

(Test Magic Brik) - in progress

Add brick/stone to fireplaces.

Plaster upper walls and third floor of tower.

Add timber to upper walls and third floor of tower. (testing)

Paint stone.

Add grout to stone and brick.

Ceiling beams on first floor.

Ceiling beams and roof support for lofted ceiling on second floor.

Ceiling beams and roof support for the tower.

Build furniture:

          Make sink

          Make curved table for tower room

          Make loom

          Adjust tables for lab

          Make stool

          Make telescope 1/2 done

          Make orrey 1/4 done

          Make tapestry

          Make rush mats

          Make bedding

          Make books & scrolls

          Make paper pottery

Furniture in place finalize lights.

          Make candelabras

                 Standing Candelabra

                 2 small Candelabras
Add flooring

Plaster inside walls

Inside window trim & shutters

Build base for house.

Create 'slate' roof

Create front garden

          Make tree?

          Make stream?

          Make lake/river to go alongside house

          Make stone wall to go around garden

          Iron front gate.