Score! My Loot Has Arrived!

I'd like to start by saying that Brae is bad for my wallet.

You see, she makes these great miniatures and does these awesome shows that are ONLINE and thus accessible to someone like me who does not go places.  So when she posted about The March Miniature Show I had to go and look.

Yeah... so I did more than look.  But I got some awesome stuff.  Things that I wouldn't have the first clue about making.

From Taffy and Me Creations I got some really cute modern shelf kits.  And a couple of wall art frame/kits.  I think one of these might end up in the Craftsman Tiny House and a couple may go into the Downtown Loft.

Sorry about the glare. I could not seem to get this to behave.

Wendy's Miniatures was another place with some gorgeous things and I got a couple of cloisonné boxes and two little statues for shelves in some lucky house yet to be determined.

And from Bee Tree Miniatures I got the sweetest little terrariums and a beautiful orchid, plus an adorable bonus daffodil.  Thank you Pim!

I also went on Etsy for some gorgeous turned jars and bowls from The Helmers.  I was having  major trouble showing all the details so I cheated and copied the photos from their site. 

I'm set the fireplace aside for now since I'm waiting on some corbels to support the mantel.  Planning on making more cabinets and I ordered a few more just in case. 

I'm at the point where I need to figure out how I'm going to hinge the back wall anyway.  But I also need to cut in some holes for extra windows on either side of the fireplace and one for the bathroom.  Plus the door I'm using is slightly smaller than the kit door so I need to fill in the gaps as well.

The tricky part was placement.  I had everything all draw out for the windows and realized that the upper openings of the standard kit windows were all on the same horizon.  I want the same for my added windows.  Erasing pencil and redrawing took a bit but I'm nearly good to go.

I figure I'll trace where the walls meet the floor to get a good idea of my floor space and make the window placements with tape or colors.  Then I can take the whole thing apart.

I do all that and I can start working on the outside of the house.

So far my biggest problem is figuring out where I want the stair case.  Maybe on the opposite side of the bathroom's back wall.  My other option is a ladder.  I'm still thinking on that.

Hope everyone else is having fun this weekend!

Ever Have One Of Those Months?

I have this thing... I like to sort of plan things out.  And if I'm real ambitious draw them or bash something into making them happen.  But every now and then something stalls me and I get a bit paralyzed trying to figure out what to do and how to make something happen.  I have so much information I can't decide because I worry about making the wrong choice.

The month of March was kinda like that.

It didn't help that my husband and I are setting a new household record for sinus problems.  An issue which has not abated one darn bit.  (Thank you North Texas, I hate you right back.)  And I spent most of my time on the couch looking at pictures of what I want to do.  I had no energy and when I did start thinking of my build my brain went in so many directions I immediately got overwhelmed and sat back down on the couch to think some more.

March has not been a productive month to say the very least.  I don't think I like March anymore.

But this weekend I finally decided I was going to do something, even if I ended up trashing it and starting over.  I had to do something. 

So I started working on the fireplace.  And I was pleasantly surprised to have it going well.  So I started on the built ins on either side.  One of them has to fit up against the window seat cabinets and the other has to fit against the bathroom wall. 

After a few miscalculations I got something working.  Obviously the fireplace isn't finished yet. I need to add another beam with some detail above the tile and just under the mantle.  I also have to finish the hearth, build and finish the chimney and back of the fireplace but I'm feeling pretty pleased with how it looks so far.

I need to add some grout to my tiles too.  They're a little wonky looking now just glued in and need some grout to even out the top and fill in the holes.

The mantle isn't glued in place either.

Obviously still some work to do, but here's how the window seat built ins will fit up against the side of the fireplace shelves.  I want to find or make some long fireplace matches in a fancy box to go in that tall skinny space.

I'm planning on staining the woodwork a nice oak or a golden cherry. Not sure yet.  But I'll paint the storage containers in complimentary colors rather than leave them stark white.

I still need to glue everything into place and then it'll sit for a bit while I figure out how to hinge the wall.  I'll put in flooring and then glue the bench into place.   

I'm curious as to whether or not I should do a hanging barn style door or a pocket door to the bathroom.  I don't want a standard hinged door because it'll take up a lot of space.

At least I made some progress this weekend.  How are the rest of you doing?

Building Built Ins

Okay...unintentional alliteration there...

I think I mentioned that I want build ins for my Craftsman Tiny House.  So last weekend and this one I started on building them.

My idea was that instead of having a couch, to build a window seat under the picture window in front.  So I microwaved some hutches I got cheap at Hobby Lobby and took them apart, and built a cabinet for them to sit on.  I'm planning on putting some stereo equipment in them.  Some records underneath them.

But it's been a two week process of gluing and waiting. Glue and wait. 

I'm debating about staining or painting, not sure yet.  But I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out so far.  The cabinet doors still need hardware but that'll wait until after I get it finished.

I've also been slowly putting the kitchen cabinets together. 

It's slow going but I'm making some progress.  And I tested out the bathroom placement again.

I think it'll work.  I'm debating on a pocket door for it.  I think it would be a nice space saver.

So, not a lot of major progress but before I starting working on light placement or gluing things to the walls I want to figure out my interior space.  I'm trying to relax on this one a bit. 

How is everyone else doing?

Adding Height & Getting Boxed In

Well I've spent a good portion of my time researching how to measure and build stairs.  Wow.  Makes me realize there's way too much math in architecture and design. 

And I'm still not entirely sold on stairs vs a ladder so I'm keeping my options open.  This is what I'd like to do if I do stairs.

My drawing isn't the best but I want cubby holes at the bottom for baskets and cabinets above them.

I decided that while I'm working on the layout I might as well go ahead and add my three inches of height to the walls.  So I did that and did another dry fit.  So far so good I think.

That gives me a loft with a six foot ceiling.  Not super tall but better than three feet and not being able to stand up at all.

I also tried out some flooring...not sure about it.  I'm thinking I might want to do some wider planks, maybe use tongue depressor sticks with some stain. 

Here's a few pictures of one possible layout.

I noticed that I keep automatically moving the bathroom to the back corner near the smaller window.  I think because when Fran put the kit together for the pictures that was where she put the bathroom.  In a way it makes sense there.

But if you close it in, you either need removable walls or you just don't see the bathroom.  Neither of which I'm thrilled with.  And that smaller window is really perfect for fitting a kitchen counter under.  So having the kitchen in that back corner would really be a good fit.

Plus, while I was contemplating cutting the back side wall and hinging part of it.  Along this line here:

yeah I drew it crooked. Can't draw a straight line to save my life.

It leads to more problems with hinges, making sure the outer finishes work properly... It just feels like a headache and I'm not sure I want to deal with it or not yet. 

So I'm considering another location for the bathroom.  Like here:

If I extend the loft all the way to the back wall, put the bathroom there, we see it and have access to it.  And it's not so wide that I can't see the kitchen behind it.  Plus if I do removable walls, they're a lot easier to access than under the flat roof.

And this space just looks right to me for a kitchen.  Good expanse of wall, small window in the corner, so you've got space for uppers and lowers.  Sink under the window maybe?

And possibly a little banquet under the larger front window near the door, with a work desk near the second large window next to the small one.  Or make that second window smaller to match and extend the counters all the way around  with a little island?

More stuff to think about and fuss with.  With the bathroom walls there getting camera shots could be difficult unless I take a page from Keli's book and make the picture window removable.

It does leave me with the issue of getting light to the bathroom.  I thought about doing glass brick for an interior wall, but I'm not sure how that would blend with the whole craftsman look I really want.  More research needed.

Still thinking about that one.  But here's a look at the front door.  I think I like it.

I'm thinking the picture window needs some wood detailing, to give it more of a craftsman feel.  I'm also really disliking that flat roof.  The homeowner in me just screams that its water damage waiting to happen.  The only flat roofs I've seen on are apartment buildings and have tar on them.

So not sure what to do there.  More thinking.

What are all of you up to this weekend?

I'm Honorable! Have I Mentioned It?

Wait... that came out wrong.

I meant to say that Nola House earned an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Creatin' Contest!

I'm super excited.  This is literally the first time I've really 'won' anything.  You can check out my house and all the other folks who've gotten an Honorable Mention here.

Congrats to Jodi and Brae as well!

Words fail me.  I can't wait to see who won and how cool their entries are!

And big thanks to Brae who emailed me the news! I've been buried with work and haven't gotten to check the status of the contest in the past few weeks.

Here are a few pictures of the house in question.

 

And one of the Building Inspector being distracted by the talking BB8

Thanks Brae!  It would have taken me another week or two before I noticed!