October Miniatura

I had a great time at Miniatura, Birmingham this past weekend and came back with, what I think, are some great items.   There were a couple of sellers whom I had hoped to see there, but weren't but that didn't hold me back and there were some new sellers selling lovely things who I would hope to see again.

So, here's what I've got and I've listed the seller where I can -

Skirting boards, J & A Supplies;  fabric, The Silk Route, stripey fabric, Blue Riband Fabrics.

Framed picture and candlestick telephone, Truly Scrumptious;  tap, Sussex Crafts;  wallet, notebook and records, Karon Cunningham;  Accounts Book, Dateman Books;  Tea set, Victoria Fasken;   boots;  footstool;  sandwiches, Country Contrast;  parsley;  china ornament, Ottervale China;  urn;  mirror, Elite Petite Interiors;  and finally, the painting and lamp, The Little Dollhouse Company.

I'm not sure yet whether these fireplaces and chairs will find a home in Netherton or my other property Marsh Hall where they would fit in equally well, so I've posted them on both blogs!    The fireplaces were from Eggers Delight and the chairs from Alison Davies Miniatures.

Finally, what I've decided has to be my best buy, is this little commissioned blue glass eye bath from Phil of Glasscraft.   I've shown it against a 5p piece for scale and I am so pleased with this!   Thank you Phil!

 

Suite success

What do you do when you've purchased your wallpaper and flooring and have hunted high and low for furniture to tone in and at the right price but can't find anything?   You do it yourself!   (Perhaps I should have bought the furniture first as it's much easier to find a paper to match, but I didn't).

I quite fancied a Knole sofa and scoured the internet and it was after seeing a few that I began to think "I could make that".    So, out came the foamboard.

This was a dummy run to check scale but it didn't look right so after chopping bits off the height and depth, it morphed into a Chesterfield.   I liked that so added a chair.

I had a couple of goes at creating the buttoned back but try as I might, the effect kept getting lost when the fabric was taken over the back and arms so I decided to abandon that idea.

My assistant brought along her friend to check for scale and proportion

After fitting the seat pads, I decided to ignore the fact that their feet didn't touch the ground - a foot stool would take care of that little issue, and besides - they wont be staying.   Once they've finished their tea - they're out!

So, here it is - my three piece Chesterfield suite which took ten days out of my life and I doubt I will make another one but it worked and I'm a happy bunny.

I have to say, I didn't do this all on my own.   Whilst not making a standard easy chair, I followed (diligently) the various instructions provided by Kris.   Her very detailed photos and instructions were exceptionally helpful and very clear to follow so "thank you" Kris for that tutorial.

York Fair

Following my recent trip to the York Fair, here is the result of the spree.   I didn't get everything on the list but did get quite a bit that wasn't!   

It was lovely to meet up with mini mates I only get a chance to see at these fairs and I also managed to squeeze in an afternoon of shopping on the Saturday.   All in all, a very good weekend (and I didn't spend all the budget!).

I've added the site of those sellers that I can remember!

The parquet flooring is from Jennifer's of Walsall;  pier mirror, laser cut frame and curtain hold backs;  toilet roll and bathroom accessories Valerie Claire;  wine bottle and silver stand;  ceiling rose, white lace trim Tee Pee Crafts.

This sorry little item was found in a box of bits by a friend who knew I was looking for a "glass" topped display table.   It was marked down in price because as well as looking a bit sad, the items inside were coming off.    This find was very fortuitous as it is my intention to strip it of it's contents in any case and remove the base covering as I have a plan for this little item when I start working on the Library - more to follow!!

The Hall

At last, I can now show you all pictures of the Hall in Netherton.   It's taken quite a while to get to this point and the final items to be added will be some floral decorations.   Hopefully my forthcoming trip to York will sort that out.

On passing through the front door we enter the Vestibule

For this I purchased an identical front door and surround, removed the top decoration and added foamboard sides.   Stained glass was added to the front and side windows.    It has a black and white tiled floor and a mat well.

On either side of the Vestibule sit two upholstered chairs

Chair detail

The first thing you see on entering is the Grand Staircase with it's sumptuous red carpet

The grand staircase has ironwork spindles and two newel posts with lights from Ray Storey.    The flooring is from Susan Bembridge.    The Hall tables and pictures were created by me.    The door to the left leads to the Dining Room and the door to the right, to the Drawing Room.

Upstairs we reach the first floor landing complete with stained glass window and more artwork.

On arriving at first floor level there will be the Morning Room to the left and a Study/Library to the right.   The staircase on the right hand side leads to the Second Floor and bedrooms right and left.    The pediments are from Sue Cook.

Below is the view from the Bathroom to the Second Floor landing and staircase to the Housemaid's Closet and Strong Room.    There are two further rooms on the Third Floor level as yet to be determined.

With lights

Ground and First Floor

This is the "fourth wall" showing the French doors to balcony.   Curtain fabric from Susan Bembridge.

View from balcony

French doors and vestibule (the "fourth wall")

Picture Frames and a Picture Book

Firstly, thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my previous post.    It's really nice to know that you like what I'm doing with this.

Secondly, I'm no further forward with posting pictures of the Hall.   I had to wait on a small delivery then I had to look for paintings and finally I need some floral decorations but these will have to wait until my trip to York Fair next month.

I decided to do something about the paintings and thought I'd have a go at making my own as I will be needing quite a few for this property.

After an online hunt I came across a little video Antique Picture Frames and just followed her instructions.      I didn't take any photos of the basic constructions - it's just four pieces of lolly stick joined at right angles and when dry, lace is attached -

then a bit more trim to bulk it up -

I forgot to take a photo of the above frame painted but here is another I've been working on -

Once dry (I gave them two coats) add the pictures.   

I need quite a few more before I'm ready to hang them and finally take some photos but that should definitely be my next post here!

This morning I went to a local Antique & Collectables Fair with my sister Valerie.    It was quite a successful morning (a small cut glass decanter and six matching liqueur glasses) when on the way out I spotted this little item -

There's nothing on it to say when this particular edition was printed

Most of the photos are black and white

with a few in colour but there's quite a lot to read.   I've already got the other two  more up to date publications of Queen Mary's Dolls House but I thought this would be another nice little addition to my ever growing collection of "books for research".

Finally, my new blog Marsh Hall has gone live.   If you'd like to pop over and have a little look at my new project I'll be really pleased to see you there - thank you!

More bathroom progress and.............something else!

The hobby room has been out of commission recently as I've had some alterations made so work on the Bathroom had to be put on the back burner until recently.   Everything is back to normal now and I have been able to get a bit more done.    We now have a bathroom suite!

The "tiled" walls are sheets from Jennifer's of Walsall, lighting by Ray Storey and the suite was a barewood set that I ordered from the US quite some time ago - way before I purchased Netherton and which I had been holding off using until the right property came along.

The furniture was painted then copies of marquetry panels were resized and fitted on to the panels then a coat of clear varnish was applied.

I still have to add all the little accessories but I'm tempted to leave that until my visit to the York Fair in June.  

..... and now for something completely different........

I have to confess that the reason there were some alterations being made to the hobby room was to add more sockets and move a radiator.   Why?    I've got a new property and this is it from Dolls House Direct. *    It measures 35 inches (88cms) high by  31 1/2 (80cms) inches wide x 22 1/2 inches (57cms) deep.

No blog as yet as there's not much to show, but I'm working on it!

* Thank you Gary for permission to use your stock photo.

Bathroom

I'm sharing this little item with you now because I'm so pleased with the way it turned out I just can't wait until the rest of the Bathroom is done before letting you see it.

A bit of background first.    Spouse and I are great ones for doing the Stately Homes thing and I buy and keep every single guide book from every property we have been to - five box files, in fact.   They're very handy for going through when hunting for inspiration and I did that recently when looking for bathroom ideas for Netherton.

Pouring through the guide book for Erddig, Wrexham, UK I came across a photo of a 19th Century portable shower.   Well, it had to be done and this is my version.

According to the guide book, the process involved in having a shower was as follows -

"It worked by releasing hot water from the cylindrical tank above, supported on pipes painted to imitate bamboo.   The water was then recirculated by use of the hand-pump".*

I used a variety of bits including kebab sticks, plastic pots and a cardboard container.  

The tap was purchased from Sussex Crafts and is just perfect for the job.

The reason it has found a place in an early 20th Century bathroom is because it was discovered, by Netherton's owners, in the attic and was considered far too nice a piece to have hidden away.

There wont be much more bathroom progress for a little while as I've got the furniture to paint but work is almost finished in the Hall so that's what you'll be seeing next - hopefully!

* Erddig guide book - National Trust, with thanks for their permission to use the relevant quote.

The "Other Room"

I deliberately didn't mention the third space in the Upper Hall in my last post - next to the Servant's Corridor/Housemaid's Closet - because I wanted to give this next room a post of it's own.

What could be so different about this room, you may be asking?    Well, I decided (just for fun and to make things a bit more interesting) I decided Netherton should boast it's own Strong Room.

First of all, it had to have a security gate.

It's made from (I think) a laser cut framework and painted with my favourite Metalcote paint.

The walls were shelved and green baize was applied (to protect the silver of course).   

I had been collecting various bits that I thought may be suitable for storage in this space for quite some time but the most impressive item just has to be the silver Monteith given to me at Christmas by my sister, Valerie and made by Stephen J Randall.

Other "valuable" items stored here comprise a variety of plates, dishes, cloches, decanters and candlesticks.

I bought the cutlery box ages ago at one of the Miniaturas and have been holding onto it for this very purpose since then.

Other items of interest - and which will not be seen anywhere else - are the Honours of Scotland.     Yes, you may all think they are at this present time housed in Edinburgh Castle but they're actually here, in Netherton!

The Stone of Destiny, upon which all Kings of Scotland were crowned, and which had originally been kept at Westminster since the 13th Century, was stolen and brought to Scotland in 1950, then sent back to Westminster and has since been returned to Scotland again in 1996 where it is on display in Edinburgh Castle.     Or is it?  

Netherton also has the privilege of housing the Scottish Honours (Crown Jewels).

The chest of drawers will eventually hold jewellery and important documents.

And finally, the completed Upper Hall (by day and by night) -

* You can read more about the Honours in an earlier blog post here Honours