Wednesday 27 June 2012

The West Wing

As promised a few new pictures of the Georgian Dolls' House. These are the master bedroom, dining room and one of the attic bachelor bedrooms.


Firstly, the dining room. I don't think I have done much at all to this room since last year. The silver STILL needs cleaning!! I need to get myself a miniature butler! I think I am happy with the furniture in this room, I might change some accessories over time, but am in no hurry. I do want to change the handles on the central sideboard drawers, as I have some which match those on the sides somewhere. I need to make some drapes for the windows too, which is no surprise!! I really must just go for it and see what happens! I haven't found a prety pleater anywhere, so will try the knitting needle and pins method. I have got as far as pulling the silk fabric back out of the cupborad, so there is some progress!! ;o)


I do like this master bedroom. There are several things I still need to buy/make for this room, but am happy with the progress. I really want some Birds of Paradise prints for the wall by the bed, something postage stamp size. I tried printing some off the Mac, but they just looks awful, so have been scouring old magazines and gallery leaflets for anything suitable, I have some a little too big in an old Sotheby's catalogue, so might use those, we shall see. There are also bed covers, bed curtains and Austrian blind to make!!!!!!!


I was really pleased with this little inlaid bedside cabinet (McQueenie Miniatures) which looks just right in this room. I also snapped up this little jug with a posy of wild flowers inside (the Flower Lady), looks like the lady of the house has been out for a walk in the near-by meadows.


And here is a shot of the two rooms together.


This is one of the attick rooms, which is finally starting to look like a bedroom! I think of this as the Lord of the Manor's bedroom, as the master bedroom is far too flowery for his tastes! I found the fabric on the bed at a dolls house show a little while back which I thought was perfect as a woolen blanket, just have to make it! I can see I will need to do the sewing for this house before too long, or it will never get finished! (mind you, do dolls' houses EVER really get finished?)

I hope you are all having a good week so far. Bye for now.


28 comments:

  1. Hey, Andy! Your rooms look lovely and I especially like the shot where you see the two rooms together. I noticed you have the lights 'off.' Maybe I will try that as they do give off so much glare when I try to take photos with the lamps turned on! You have some beautiful added touches going on throughout and they make your rooms come to life. Great work! Good luck with your curtains!

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    1. Hi John,

      Thanks for your comments. I did once take some photos with the lights on and they were full of glare, so you might find turning them of helps you, but I've enjoyed all your photos so far so I wouldn't worry too much!

      Ah Curtains, I should be trying them out now, but am feeling uninclined today! we shall see. I'd love to see how yours turned out!

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  2. Hi Andy! I love the flowers by the bed--great idea! I know exactly what you mean about doll houses never being completely finished. I think my husband wishes they were, and that I'd donate the finished houses! ;-) xo Jennifer

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    1. LOL! I always want to change things, I have even contemplated rebuilding the Georgian House to correct all the little mistakes I made with it! But furnishing them is a lot like furnishing a real home, always something needed somewhere!

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  3. Great Post, Andy. The Dining Room looks a different colour? Or is it the lighting? I am getting one of those Birdcage framed mirrors from Lucy Askew on my next list. It's great to see one up in a room. Thanks.
    I agree with John about how cool it is to see the two rooms together.
    Take care
    Simon
    -x-

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    1. Hi Simon, I think it is just a different light in the dining room, the colour hasn't changed. Glad you liek the pictures, your dining room is coming along nicely too!! ;)

      I love Lucy Askew's mirrors, there are several in my house, She has a new range of Regency ones too now. There's a bird theme going on in the bedroom, hence why I want some small bird prints for the room too.

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    2. Yes Isaw those, they look lovely. Bird prints would look great in the bedroom x

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  4. Una casa preciosa, magnífica
    Un abrazo
    GRACIAS por no tener palabra de verificación

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    1. ¡Hola

      Sí, la verificación de palabras me vuelve loco también. Estoy muy contento de que te gusta la casa de mis muñecas. Gracias por sus comentarios

      Abrazos
      Andy

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  5. Ah, the Dreaded Sewing!!! I Love to sew, Andy, and yet I have not made the curtains and bedding for my Lovely Old Dollhouse (as close to a Georgian House as I have....) Sometimes I wonder what I am waiting for...?
    I Love the Elegance of your rooms! They are very crisp and pure feeling... and your choice of accessories is so very appropriate! The little jug with flowers is PERFECT!

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    1. Hello Betsy, I have made curtains for the parlour, but remembering how long they took to do and how fiddly they were has a part to play in my reluctance to make any more of them! I think the Pleater version should be easier, but I haven't got one yet, I have abook that recommends using knitting needles and pins, so might try that method.

      I'm pleased that you like the rooms too!! ;)

      Your tree house is looking lovely, I looked up Wind in the Willows on You-tube and the old puppet show was there, so well worth you taking a look.

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  6. Your rooms looks lovely, Andy. Please, please practice on scrap fabric before you cut into your lovely silk!

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    1. Hi Elga, that is a good idea, I will do that!! Plaesed that you like my rooms!

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  7. Hi Andy,

    it's great to see how your rooms are evolving. You have added some lovely touches, I particularly like the wild flowers, I think they compliment the wallpaper nicely and the little night stand is lovely.
    There are lots of little details that work well together and i think once you get your head around the sewing the bed will look fab. Getting the fabric out of the draw is a huge step......; )

    The dinning room has always been a favourite of mine, especially because of the pineapple, hehe! You have some lovely pieces of furniture in there and i love the colour of the wall.

    Jay has finally finished his folio so i have packed up his mess this week and I am preying for some time to work with my dollies (as Paul Puts it) this weekend!

    Get that needle and thread out Andy! It's the only thing holding you back!

    Fi xx

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    1. Hello Fi,

      It's nice to hear from you again, hope all is well!!

      I just need to get myself started on the curtains, and then there will probably be no stopping me, but don't think it will be happening today.

      I am pleased you like the little changes I have made. I really wat to make my own bedding too, as the commercial stuff is naff, and the artisan stuff expensive! I will see how I get on with the curtains!!! ;)

      Oh I hope that we se some more of your little dollies house soon!! Pleased Jay had finished his folio, sounds like quite the artist!

      I will follow Elga's advice and try a scrap fabric first!

      hugs
      Andy xxxx

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  8. Looking good Andy. I like the yellow wallpaper in the bedroom.
    You have good taste!

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    1. Hi Troy,

      Good to hear from you. Thanks for your comments, I'm flattered!! ;) The paper is a commercial one, from Brodnax I think. It reminds me of the chinese style papers that were popular in the eighteenth century.

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  9. ¡Hola Andy! Las tres habitaciones se ven muy lindas, además atesoras en ellas piezas muy elegantes cómo la mesita de noche por ejemplo o el mueble de afeitar del dormitorio de caballero. Enhorabuena por tu buen gusto. ¡Un abrazo enorme!

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    1. Hola Pedrete,

      Me alegra que te gusten mis habitaciones y los muebles que he elegido. El stand de afeitar fue hecha por David Booth y la mesita de noche es Miniaturas McQueenie, pero no es un juego, que está completamente formado.

      Grandes abrazos de mi amigo

      Andy xx

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  10. Hi Andy,
    Your rooms look so life-like with all the touches you add to them. As usual, I love your choice of mirror--this time the one in the dining room.

    I like the master's bedroom in the attic touch because "he thinks his wife's bedroom is too flowery for his taste"! I love "her taste" in wallpaper.

    Good luck with the curtains.

    Cheers,
    Iris

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    1. Hi Iris, I can't help setting up little stories to explain why things are the way they are in my dolls houses, or why particular things were chosen in particular rooms! I like 'her' taste in wallpaper too, and in mirrors as well!! ;)

      I remember putting the dining room mirror in place after I had first bought it, and before it had much else inside it, and hoped that the rest of the furnishings would live up to it!

      I have reached stage 2 on the curtain front, fabric is now out of the cupboard, and picked the books off the book shelf with instructions to make them as well now! just a few hundred other steps and I might have a pair to show you!! ;)

      cheers
      Andy

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  11. Hi Andy!
    You have created some lovely rooms there! Love your bedside cabinet, McQueenies are great, though I haven't seen this cabinet before, great choice!
    I have noticed that you are very accurate to the period, I like that.
    Houses at that time really looked like you are picturing it. Great job!
    I had been reading your blog before, especially the topics on period styles to refresh my memory and to learn.Thanks for educating me/us.
    You have accomplished some great rooms and I am eager to see more.
    Have a great weekend!
    Hugs,
    Gee

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    1. Hello Gee,

      Thanks for your comments, good to hear from you. I was impressed with your blog!

      The cabinet is fully made up, not a kit, I bought mine online, I think McQueenie's sell them on the web site in pairs usually.

      I have tried to keep the Georgian House accurate to the period, swinging between 1760 and 1810, and I am always looking for just the right things to put into my room-sets.

      I am working on my next post, another period style guide, as we speak! I hope you enjoy it when it's finally posted!

      hugs
      Andy xx

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  12. Although I haven't posted recently, I have been following the blogs but I'm all set to catch up now.

    I love the colours you have chosen for all these rooms and the shaving stand's a lovely piece too.

    I hope your curtains are coming along well!

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  13. Hi Andy,

    It's looking wonderful! I am in the process of making bedding, so I'll pass on any tips that might help - thanks for your tips anbout upholstery!

    I need to make authentic Austrian blinds too, and I know Irene made some lovely ones for the Tenement, so that's a bit zeitgeisty!

    Can't wait to see what you come up with,

    Jonquil

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    1. PS - I find soaking the fabric in diluted fabric stiffener really helps with the knitting needle method!

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  14. Hello again Andy,
    I think it bears repeating, I LOVE your work. Another thing that I commend you for is your choice of furniture and your accessories. The quality is absolutely amazing. Many times miniature rooms look kind of like sets that have been put up for a movie, but your all seem to age in their grace and beauty. Don't be afraid about making drapes. I've used the pretty pleater and the pins method, both work well and seeing how dedicated and talented you are to your miniatures I have no doubt you'll master the technique and will surprise yourself.
    Keep up the fantastic woirk, and don't be afraid to jump into any new project that comes your way, you WILL succeed!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  15. Amazing work! I love all of it! Thank you!

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