The Gentleman's Bedroom

I'm back!   Thank you followers for sticking with me.    I can't really explain why I didn't have the motivation to update my blogs but here I am with Bedroom progress.    It's taken a wee while to decide what colours I wanted to go with and my instinctive 'go to' colours are on the "beige,cream, gold" theme which can end up looking too "samey" hence the navy blue in this room.

There's still a bit of finishing off to be done, all of which will be slotted in soon once I find the time to get round to it - fitted in between Christmas shopping - and I'll post pics of the completed room then.

In the meantime, I wish all my followers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Her Ladyship's Bedroom

Hello everyone.   No, I haven't gone away or stopped with the minis.    I was actually quite shocked to see I hadn't posted anything here for almost two years!    For a while, I lost the impetus then I got into gardening but did do some work with the above room although I didn't post about it.

I now have pictures to show you which I hope you'll enjoy.    The room is 16 inches square by 9.5 inches high (40.64cms square x 24.13cms high).    To add some interest there is a false wall at the back where I was able to create a small display space.   The door to the left is the entrance to a Dressing Room.

The chimney breast was situated on the right hand wall as there is a corresponding chimney breast and fireplace through the wall in the bathroom - to make it more "real".

The right side of the room shows her very comfy rocking chair and the Bureau with a selection of letters

On the left hand side of the bed  you can see a full length mirror, the dressing table and a modesty screen.   On the little tripod table there is a box of Turkish Delight.

The back wall now has a filled display space

To the left of the bed you will see a collar and bag displayed on the screen.   These items were very kindly made by Jonquil of Latchkey & Jonquil and sent to me as a gift.   This was quite some time ago as I wanted to find the exact place that would do these lovely little items justice.   Thank you Jonquil.  They're perfect!

The little end of bed sofa was a standard purchased mini which had it's original covering removed and replaced with a more co-ordinating fabric.

The photos below show the full room (unlit and lit).   It doesn't really look it but this room took ages.   Although I wasn't posting here, I was working on this space as and when.  

The fourth wall.

Thank you for looking and while I haven't posted on anyone's blog that I follow, I did occasionally dip in to see what you were all up to and now that I'm back in the swing of things, I'll be posting more regularly.    It's the Gentleman's Room next and work has already started on that.

A "wee idea".

Before going into the details of the "wee idea" - I had been doing some online shopping for said idea and sometimes, when you're shopping for something specific you see another something?    Well, I just had to purchase this other something that was totally unrelated to the project but had to have it nonetheless!

Meet Eric and his sidekick!

We've had Eric for a good few years and when I spotted mini Eric, well..............he had to be added to the shopping list, didn't he?

So, the "wee idea".     Quite some time ago I purchased three display boxes for the walls in the downstairs loo, thinking they would make an alternative to pictures.    The displays could be changed when it suited - well, that was the plan.    The problem was, while it was easy enough find bits and bobs for two of the boxes, it was a struggle to find something suitable for the smallest.

This bugged me for quite some time, that was until someone posted an empty house shaped display box on an FB page I am a member of and suddenly the "wee idea" presented itself and the cogs began to turn!

All three boxes are 3.5" deep (8.89cms) and are 4.5/8" (11.63cms);  6.5/8" (16.71cms) and 8.5/8" (21.79cms) square.

Nothing has been glued in - it's all in there with double sided tape and tacky wax.

This is the smallest of the three boxes.   As I couldn't find anything I liked by way of the toilet roll stand and the brush holder, those were created using findings, cocktail sticks and a tiny plant pot painted gold.   The toilet originally had a high cistern but that had been removed for use somewhere else so the replacement cistern is a suitably sized box painted white with the top of a cocktail stick used for the handle.    I also made the toilet rolls and the little sign was taken from the Internet.

All the little boxed accessories were purchased from Shepherd Miniatures and I'm particularly pleased with the little spray bottle of Hand Sanitiser they had, also the disposable gloves underneath!    All very Covid correct.   Again the print was taken from the Internet.

The bath and a few other bits were already in the stash for this, the largest of the three boxes.    Again, the accessories were purchases from Shepherd Miniatures, another print from the Internet and I made the dressing gown and slippers.

So, do you get it?    A WEE Idea!!

And now for something completely different.......

Something "small" this time for posting under Small & Stately.

While browsing a miniature Facebook group that I'm a member of, a fellow miniaturist recently posted her progress with a very nice jigsaw.    I had completely forgotten about jigsaws and it's years since I'd done one.

The jigsaw in question was a Queen Mary's Dolls House cross section.   I was impressed so hunted around and got one.   I also got a slightly smaller one, 1,000 pieces, called Upstairs Downstairs.   The plan being, given the subject matter of both jigsaws, is to mount and frame them on completion and hang them in my hobby room.

Ta da!    First jigsaw, Upstairs Downstairs is complete.

A couple of coats of Mod Podge on either side and it's now secure enough to frame.

Now it's in it's frame -

There is a slight problem however.   It's huge!    We live in a 1970s built house and while the ceiling heights aren't bad, they're definitely not "Stately"!   Finding a space for it alongside seven mini properties (all on cabinets) is unfortunately not going to happen.    Worringly, the Queen Mary jigsaw will be even bigger once framed.   Despite that, it was a lovely thing to do and most enjoyable.

I've definitely given myself something to think about.    Once I've sorted that out, I'll let you know.

The Study

Well, at last (now that the paint issue has been resolved) I have finally finished The Study.   It's a decent sized space measuring 16" x 16" x 91/2" (40.64 x 40.64 x 24.13 cms).

Here's a wee reminder of what it looked like the last time I posted.

As mentioned previously, the owner of this space has a very keen interest in all things Egyptian hence the two figures on either side of his fireplace.    There is also a small framed camel rug on the chimney breast.

His black suite was made by me as were the cushions

In the corner,  but missing from the above photo, there is a book on architectural paintings by  (Joseph Nash)

In the right hand corner there hangs a print of a recent Egyptian trip and below is his most recent purchase and something he's terribly proud of - his gramophone and some records!

Further down on the right hand wall there is his desk which contains letters, documents, some cash and a sheet of (period correct) stamps.    (There are a further six drawers in this desk that could be filled but three is as far as I got in terms of what to put there!)

I think the pen set warrants a closer look (purchased from Miniatura some time ago) and the stamp collection is a marvellous creation showing (if you look in the magnifying glass) a close up of the stamp beneath.

On the coffee table there is of course the obligatory wine and cigars and a Dateman book on Egypt.

The "fourth wall" of the room holds a drinks cabinet which will have contents once I manage to track down bottles small enough to fit!

Meet the Ancestor

Thank you for all your lovely comments to my previous post and a very warm welcome to anyone who is new to the blog.    It's lovely to have you here and I hope you like what you see.

Quite some time ago I purchased a barewood cabinet but didn't really have anywhere suitable for it.   I just bought it because I liked it.   It lived in the stash for some time until recently and I now have the perfect place for it - the Gentleman's Study in Netherton.

I think it's a EuroMinis piece and offers lots of possibilities.

The first job was to get it varnished.    Unfortunately I was too intent on getting all the accessories into this piece that I didn't take a photo of it empty!    Never mind, onward!

Meet James McCulloch (1841 - 1893)

One of three brothers, Master Flesher (Butcher), Freeman of the City of Glasgow 1884 and spouse's Great Grandfather.

His picture presides over our dining room table and because he's perfect for date, I've added his portrait to The Study in Netherton.    The cabinet for this room had the perfect place for a copy of his portrait.

To help with the accessorising of my properties I like to give the residents a little story.   Nothing major or detailed, just enough to narrow down purchases and help with décor etc.   So, the owner of Netherton is an MP with an interest in all things Egyptian.    He collects stamps, is an avid reader and has recently purchased a very sophisticated item - a Gramaphone!

As an aspiring MP, he has to be in possession of a Government Red Box

Hopefully this post will keep things ticking over while I carry on with the rest of the Study now that I've sorted out the elusive paint colour.