Sunday, August 26, 2018

Ceiling, Walls and Furniture


I feel like this was a fairly productive weekend.  I finished putting the 'planks' on the ceiling and thanks to a quick opinion poll got some feedback on a stain color for them.


 I decided to go with the two middle stains, the darker one is chestnut so I put that on  first and then sanded it down and put the oak on top of it.


Here's a good look at it with my method of making sure the wood beams stay flat.  I like how it looks, dark enough to be interesting but not so dark its overwhelming.

Since that had to dry for a while I did some work on the fireplace with the charcoal I ordered.


It doesn't look super dark there but in comparison with the picture below which is from last week, I can see a definite difference.


I also took some of the charcoal (which was on my fingers and a brush) and rubbed it on the walls over the candle sconces.  I've noticed anywhere you use candles you'll get soot marks on the walls so a little more realism I hope.



Then once I got the fireplace glued in place I tested all my lights again.




The next thing was fixing the back wall onto the house.  This involved a lot of cursing.  Why do things that fit when they're dry never fit right again when you have wet glue on them?


Once that was mostly dry I started to fit the upper walls.



Before I add the plaster and beams I want to draw out where the beams will go, something that makes sense with the windows.  I still need to work on the trim for inside the windows.  But I think that'll be a bit easier once the walls are up and glued in place.


When the mail came Saturday I got one of my Etsy purchases for the house.



I think they'll look good with produce in them, or raw wool for the room with the loom.

I also decided that since it would take a while for the walls to dry I should work on the furniture.  I started with the bedside table and drilled some holes so the wires for the candelabra would remain hidden.


The bed was next.


I've got some vintage handkerchiefs to use for sheets and possibly for bed hangings. Definitely for sheets though.


A settle for next to the fireplace.  The glue is still drying on the carvings I added.

The last thing was the chest for at the foot of the bed.  Also still drying.


That's it for me this weekend.  If I get really ambitious I might stain a shelf unit for the kitchen.  But likely that'll wait for next weekend for when I get more time.  I have wooden plates and goblets that'll need some staining too.

How's everyone else doing?

Drill & Route out channels for lighting wires.
Finish shutters & interior trim for all windows on main cottage.
         First Floor
         Second Floor
Build Fireplaces & chimneys
        First Floor
        Second Floor
Cut bricks and stone for outside of lower walls and tower.
(Test Magic Brik) - in progress
Add brick/stone to fireplaces.
        First Floor
        Second Floor
Age fireplaces.
        First Floor
        Second Floor
Bedroom mantle
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.
Stain purchased furniture
          Bedroom
          Kitchen
          Stillroom
          Weaving/workroom
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 sconce
          Make candelabras
                 Standing Candelabra
                 2 small Candelabras
Add flooring
Plaster inside walls
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. 

23 comments:

  1. WOW. It’s looking fantastic. Love the added realism with the soot.

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    1. Thanks! I'm hopeful that next weekend I'll get just as much done. Braces and beams need to be added to the outside and then I'll start working on the timbers and plaster.

      I'm not looking forward to dealing with the electrical for the second floor. But I don't think I can avoid it.

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  2. Definitely the right choice for the ceiling stain. I am sorry I had no opinion on that! But clearly everyone else helped you out. And yeah, agreed on the dry fit/putting together dilemna - been there!

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    1. Thank you! I'm pleased with how it turned out. Now to finish the rest!

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  3. You are doing great. I love all the furniture pieces, they look just right.

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    1. Thank you! The idea was to have them be a different wood than the panels.

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  4. Good choice, Sheila, the combination of these colors looks fantastic on the beams and 'planks'. Yes, soot marks, of course, these can't be missed in old houses, they give a great touch of realism.
    Yes, warping is an annoying thing in the miniature world and it asks a lot of our patience. And yes, I think that the build of miniature houses will often be accompanied with a big curse now and than, it also happens in real houses I think hehehe ;O.
    Your new baskets are gorgeous treasures, but I love the Christmas cake, it's so beautifully made.
    The bed, the settle and the chest are all fabulous, they are so well done.
    You always spent your weekends so well, I admire your persistence, because you have done lots of work!
    Hug, Ilona

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    1. Thank you! Sometimes I wonder what goes wrong between a dry fit and the glue. I was so excited to get the baskets. The cake was a lovely surprise. I'm hoping the furniture looks good against the panels.

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  5. The soot is indeed dding realism, it looks great! It really is like that in real life :-). The Etsy minis are perfect for the cottage, very pretty! And the bed and chest are beautiful, I look forward to seeing the bedding you will make. I agree with Ilona, you spend your weekends very organized, you can do so much, it's admirable.

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    1. Thank you! Nice to know getting it all over my hands had a helpful side effect. LOL. I'm actually really excited about the bedding.

      I don't know that I'm so much organized as there's always something else to do!

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  6. Hello Sheila,
    Great work. I really like the way the ceiling came out and the furniture is beautiful. The fireplace looks perfect.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you like it. The realism of your build is always such an inspiration. Hugs back to you!

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  7. I just love that ceiling! The contrast does make it more interesting and will keep things from being too dungeon like. The soot is a great detail, too! Are you planning to age the plaster walls?
    The stained furniture with the embellishments look great, too! Now that all the walls are going up, it's easy to see this is going to be such a fun structure!

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    1. Thanks! I really worried about the ceiling being too dark but I think it's just enough.

      The plaster walls...not sure yet. There'll be a lot of furniture covering them, so I might do some strategic bits. I'm hoping to make some little kitchen oddities, a saltbox, rush holder, lantern for near the front door, that sort of thing.

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  8. The ceiling is fantastic. I just love the furniture. They are perfect for the house.
    You are right about the soot marks. Can understand the cursing part which probably help to correct the problem.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you! With a little luck everything will look very realistic once it's in place.

      I've that cursing has that effect. It also makes my husband and cats nervous. Hugs back!

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  9. Wow, Sheila, You got a Lot done and it is looking Fantastic!!! I Love the stains you chose for the ceiling... it really sets off the beams without making the room too dark! The soot over the candles is perfect! The furniture you are making looks just right too! I Love the "carvings" you have added! Now that the walls are going up you can really see the way it will look and I think it is Awesome!!! You have made so many outstanding pieces for this build....it's all just so much fun to see!!! I can't wait to see more!!! :):)

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    1. Thanks! I'm really excited for the three day weekend coming up. I'd like to make a good start on the second floor and the fireplace for it. That's going to be a little tricky!

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  10. Your choice for the ceiling is great. It looks wonderful. And again I'm fascinated by your care with all the details. Like this marks on the walls behind the candles. That's what makes your project perfect.
    I love also how furniture looks after adding all the details.
    This miniature baskets look familiar - like their are work by Kamilla from MiniaturesMad. Am I right? :)

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  11. Thank you. I really want it to be as authentic as possible.

    The baskets are actually from Georg and Sweet at Realistic Miniatures on Etsy.

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    1. And you really doing it just as real. :)

      Still, baskets are very nice. :) They will look very good in your interiors. :)

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  12. Hi Sheila, I really think your stain choice is a perfect compliment. I love how the space still feels light and open despite everything going on. It's so easy to allow a miniature space to get really dark and it's super difficult to compensate with miniature lights. The fireplace looks fabulous, will you be adding a light feature inside? And I'm swooning with the stone around the front door. SWOONING. That lower level is a work of art and I cannot wait to see the second floor come together!

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    1. Thank you! I do have some fire insets but I haven't tested them yet. I need to put some logs in front of them so they look more realistic. I was really happy with how the stone came out, I wanted the door to pop.

      The too dark issue is part of why I'm not sure about aging the plaster walls much more.

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