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.

The Great Chair Debate

It's been a wee while since I last posted here but I'm afraid I got caught up with my other property Marsh Hall.   The ideas were coming thick and fast so of course I just had to get on with it!

I did, however, managed to do some work on Netherton but it's been slow as I had to remove my Scottish Baronial head and replace it with the Edwardian one in order to "get into the zone" - as they say!

The walls have been papered, doors/skirtings and cornices fitted and the lighting is in place.   The next job to tackle will be the curtains.

I am however having the great "chair debate".    As you may remember I couldn't find furniture I liked so created my own - a sofa and two chairs.    Then I bought two chairs.    Now I'm trying to make a decision on which chairs to use.    It just goes on and on!

Here is a photo of the sofa with two matching chairs -

Or two co-ordinating chairs -

I'm after a more homely atmosphere than that of a stately home and I've had all those chairs in and out so often, they should be on elastic!

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!