A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

Firstly, a big thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my last post.    I found myself smiling every time I read one.   It really is encouraging to know that you like what I'm doing.

For Daydreamer - I really like your idea of a drying rack for cloths in The Still Room and I intend investigating that and putting one in.    Also, with regard to the Dumb Waiter - it's just a fixed backing and a shelf placed at Basement and Dining Room level.   I can't get a good photo of the one at the end of the Servant's Corridor but here it is outside the Dining Room.   They're identical.

I think I must have been a bit too keen to get the last post up there because I forgot to say anything about my "fourth wall"!

I like to decorate the inside of the doors as it gives more scope to add things I may not have space for in the rooms themselves.

This is the inside of the door at the Still Room

I would love to have had the space for a "Cold Store" but don't so I created the item on the left with the brick piers and stone slab as a "Cold Preparation Area"    The central item is a vegetable bin with a piece of "slate".   (I saw this item in the basement of a stately home we visited some time ago and I took a sneaky photo!   Metalcote paint was used to get the look of "slate").   The cabinet next to that has tins and various stores - still  to be added to - and the meat safe is up there because I couldn't think where else to put it for the time being!

The inside of the Kitchen door -

I think I've shown this before but not with the accessories.   Again, I would love to have squeezed in a lamp room but couldn't so this unit serves the purpose with lamps, candles and bulbs with lots more to be added.

A closer look at the right hand side

I love this sign.   It was "borrowed" from a Stately Home Guide Book.

Another little addition, this time in the Dining Room.   I felt there was too much brown in the original photo so I added a tablecloth.

............and finally.    A decision has been taken regarding the furniture in the Drawing Room.   I'm going with the club sofa and chairs.    I fiddled with this for ages before settling on the layout.  

There's still a fair bit to do (including changing the colour of the table) and lots more accessories to add (to relieve all the brown) but I think I'm happy with this set up.   Thank you all again for your very helpful suggestions.

The Kitchen and Still Room

Quite some time ago I posted pictures of The Kitchen despite the fact that it was quite sparsely furnished.   I was waiting for the time when it would be complete and full of accessories but I managed to get myself distracted with other rooms.  

The Kitchen still isn't fully accessorised but there's enough in there now for me to show you the whole space.

This is the photo you've probably seen previously

The door to the back right gives access to The Wine Cellar

To the front left of the room is an archway leading to a room I don't think I've mentioned previously, The Still Room -

The Still Room, in Medieval times, was where beer and ale were brewed, herbs were prepared for flavouring food, making ointments and also soaps and polishes.   Later on it was where the Lady of the House would teach her daughters the ways of running a household.    It then became the place where delicacies were prepared, jams, pickles, preserves, desserts and cakes. 

This is the space - to the right is the archway through to the Kitchen, the door (back right) leads to The Servant's Hall, stairs leading to the back of The Dining Room and the green baize door and to the left is The Servant's Corridor with the dumb waiter at the far end (which you can just see the edge of).

There is a mirror and brush at the foot of the stairs so that the staff can check their appearance before ascending to the Dining Room and also a better (but not great) picture showing the Dumb Waiter through the internal window.

Items can be passed through the window on the right (from the Kitchen) and taken upstairs when ready.

Looking at the picture below, I think I'll add a cloth.

A little view through to the Servant's Corridor.

There is more to be added to the spaces in and around the sink but I've still to think about what that might be. 

A slightly better view of the Dumb Waiter (sorry, it's the best I could do!)

The Servant's Corridor - complete with bell board, rules and fire buckets.

Going outside, to the Kitchen entrance, there is a small table with a very swanky beer barrel and a pint of ale.    The fruit and veg man would deliver the order to the Kitchen door and while The Cook was checking for quality etc. the man would be given a glass of ale while he waited.    The baskets of fruit and vegetables are from Country Contrast

Finally, thank you all for your helpful comments regarding the "chair debate" I had in my last post.   All suggestions were very helpful but I've still not made up my mind!   The Drawing Room now has curtains so some progress is being made.   It would help if I could get a clear picture in my head of where this room was going but I'm struggling a bit so thought it better to leave things alone in that space for a while until inspiration strikes.