Sunday 3 February 2013

Order Restored




Hello

Apologies again for taking so long to make a new post! I thought it was high time I did something, so here are some new photos of The Swan. After the Christmas revelries went on in the pub for much longer than first planned, it is nice to have cleared away the seasonal nick-nacks and restored some sort of normality to the pub again.

In the picture above, you can see the kitchen is for another busy day of cooking and cleaning up. I have added a dish rack to the wall, which is an old McQueenie Miniatures kit originally bought to go into the big Georgian House kitchen, but was actually too big to fit in the place I wanted it, so had been left in mini limbo for ages, before finding its way into the pub kitchen.


This is another shot of the kitchen, I wanted to try and show as much of the kitchen as possible in this photo. I am planning to make a small pair of curtains or a pelmet of red gingham to put up at the window above the kitchen sink because it will make the kitchen feel a little more homely; it looks a bit cold at that end of the room at the moment.



The sitting room upstairs is starting to look more how I originally intended it to look. The furniture I have in the room now, gives a comfortable, slightly old fashioned feeling that I was looking for. There's still a way to go with all the rooms in the pub, but I feel happier with this room now than I have in the past. The plant on the table was a little Christmas gift from David. The bird cage next to the sofa was another mini limbo item, which originally came with the mirror above the fireplace; a rare purchase by me from ebay!


And here's a shot of the pub itself. almost the same as it was before Christmas. The bar stools are new, and as yet untreated, another little stocking filler. I'm not sure if I've mentioned the warming pan hanging on the wall by the fire. These were once filled with hot coals or water (I'm not entirely sure which, but maybe both) and inserted under the bedclothes to warm the bed; an early hot water bottle! By the 20th century these were more likely to be used as ornaments, and its the sort of 'Ye Olde Worlde' thing you'd have probably found in country pubs, along with old horse brasses, like the ones hanging on the bar.

The warming pan is one of several items I have purchase over recent months. I plan to do a post on some of the other recent purchases in a few days.

Until then, take care! xxxxx




26 comments:

  1. Hey Andy
    It's so great to see your updates and news after a well earned break after Christmas - it was rather epic of you!

    I really love your stone floors throughout - the colour is perfect.

    Can't wait to see your other purchases
    x

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    1. Hi Simon,

      it's great to hear from you! really pleased you like my stone floors, I used thin MDF board available from Hobby's about 6mm cm thick, on which I used a Dremmel to route out the groves, and the sanded down and distressed them to make them look something like stone flags. After a coat of MDF sealer, a coat of Sandtex gives a nicely textured rough finish.

      I am very impressed with work on your Cotswold Manor House, I think the stone work is perfect!

      More pics coming soon of recent purchases (probably tomorrow!)

      hugs
      Andy xxx

      PS thanks for the email address!

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  2. Hello Andy, the kitchen looks amazing. Love all the details. gr. AM

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    1. Hello, welcome to my blog, thanks for following, I have had a quick peek at your great blog and will make some time tomorrow to read it more carefully!

      Pleased you like the kitchen, it's beginning to look more how I first imagined it, when I was building the pub.

      hugs
      Andy xxx

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  3. Hi Andy, back to normal life :D! Your Christmas was very busy with the countdown, but we loved it all, thank you.
    I really love to see the overview of the kitchen, it looks wonderful, as the sitting room upstairs.
    In the Netherlands (in past times) the warming pan was filled with hot coals, hot water or glowing stones. The stones were prefered in stead of the water or the coals, because of the danger of fire.
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hello Ilona,

      I'm pleased you enjoyed all my Christmas posts. I feel it's a little shocking I didn't have time to reply to all those great comments people left, but I did read and enjoy every one of them!

      Yes, Thinking about it, hot coals were probably not the best thing to use under bed clothes!! I've never heard of using hot stones before, but it makes sense to use them, no fires or leaks! How fortunate we are with all our modern central heating, it's so easy to forget that fire was our chief source of light and heat not all that long ago!

      hugs
      Andy xxx

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  4. Ah! Andy.....toast in your toast rack!! Thats what I need for mine but I haven't got around to making some. I love all your little bits, I have had a close look at all the detail.
    You know I grew up in a house my parents built, an Australian colonial house with verandas all the way around, etc, etc ......Mum loved anything "Ye old world" so we had a bed warmer like that on the wall and I have to sound very unsophisticated and say those "thingies" hanging on the posts of the pub. What are they?? I have never really known.

    You did a great job of recovering the chair and sofa, the fabric really does give the right feel and the bird cage is a nice touch. It's nice to have a plant from the Constant gardener himself! I really enjoy looking at all your little details, I still love the swan and the dart board and your vegetables look great, those carrots look scrumptious! The Swan is looking fabulous and i think the gingham curtains will be perfect.Well done!

    Glad to have you back in action!!

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Hi Fi!!

      May I make a little confession? I bought the toast rack, toast and all from a recent show in London! The maker was called Et Cetera, but sadly, the January show in London was the last show they will be attending (they weren't the only ones either).

      I remember you saying about your parent's house. I think the horse brasses on leather straps are called martingales, though why this is so I do not know. The brasses would be hung on the Shire horses that used to pull the carts that delivered the beer I think, not entirely sure. They used to be almost ubiquitous in pubs, but not seen so much nowadays.

      Thanks, I am really glad you like the sofa and chair, I wasn't sure that they would look very good when I started, I think they are far from perfect, but seem to work well in the pub. The bid cage is quite sweet, there's a little white bird inside the cage too.

      yes- curtains- mmm, yes! well, I need to man up and get my sewing box out don't I!? LOL!

      Hugs
      Andy xxxx



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    2. Of course Andy, I can now visualise those martingales on the shire horses, it makes sense, although I think thingies is much easier to pronounce.

      Yes! Man up Andy and get out your needle and thread, goodness me, if you can upholster furniture you can make a curtain!

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  5. I am sorry that I did not wright at your work regularly.
    No lack of interest,but still I am sorry.
    I have enjoyed your photos.
    You are building great and beautiful and I can dream away in all the rooms of your miniature House and you pub.
    Thank you so much that you share such nice things with us.
    I will write you more often.

    Lots of kind regards, Alexandra.

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    1. Hello Alexandra,

      It's nice to hear from you. I have been quite bad at keeping up with all the posts from all my favourite blogs recently, so I know what you mean!

      I am pleased you have enjoyed looking at the photos. I shall be posting more soon. thanks for all your kind comments.

      hugs
      Andy xxxx

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  6. Glad I'm not the only one late getting the holiday decor down and stored...but The Swan looks so re-freshened and ready for a busy new year. The kitchen looks particularly cozy and I love the little kitty.

    I've always been fascinated by 'ye-olde' bed warmers --I recall someone having one when I was a kid that had a plastic plant sticking out of it which kind of worked my ten-year-old nerve because everyone KNOWS a plant can't grow where GLOWING HOT COALS are meant to be. I mean, really! Then I saw on my fave tv show (Bewitched) where Cousin Serena turns an unwanted suitor into a bed warmer causing untold mayhem and it was ALL OVER for me: I MUST have one! (But NOT a 'real' one, a mini one).

    Well, anyway --well done with all the new touches! And great photos!

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    1. OMG!! (and I rarely use that term without severe irony!)

      I LOVE Bewitched too! I have a feeling that I may well have been Endora in a previous life (maybe even in this one!!) *quote - Are you a good witch or a bad witch? ENDORA - Comme çe, comme ça!*

      I seem to be getting quite a collection of animals in the pub, there are currently three cats and two dogs in there! Cats currently outnumber humans! (well, dolls!).

      I could think of worse things to end up in bed with, I think you should get that bed warmer! ;o)

      Hugs

      Andy xxxx







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  7. Esa cocina es muy bonita. Te está quedando precioso, has hecho un trabajo perfecto. Besos

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    1. Hola,

      Muchas gracias por sus amables palabras. Estoy muy contento de que te gustaría pub.

      abrazos
      Andy xxx

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  8. Hello Andy,
    It's so great to see more of your fantastic work. I love the kitchen. You really did a terrific job with the Inn. every space looks just right and every picture has so much charm and looks very welcoming.
    I cannot wait to see your next post.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac, good to hear from you.

      Thanks for all your kind words! I am always impressed by the high quality of your miniature projects, so take your comments as a great compliment!

      I'm hoping that I might get a few more chairs and tables in the pub sometime, but there's no great rush! Pleased you think it's all looking good!

      hugs
      Andy xxxx

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  9. Dear Andy,
    Your pub looks great. I'm looking forward to your next post.
    Greetings Dorien

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    1. Hello Dorien,

      Thank you, I'm pleased you like the pub. I'll post some new pictures very soon.

      Andy xxx

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  10. Hi Andy,
    Your kitchen looks great and warm.
    Noticed the bread in the rack, too.
    Love all those little details!
    Hugs,
    Gee

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    1. Hi Gee,

      thanks for your comments.

      When I am buying things for my house, I try to choose things that look good and appeal to me. That's how I ended up with the toast rack, it was beautifully made, and I could picture it in my mind's eye sitting on the kitchen table in the pub.

      I am really pleased that you like it, and the kitchen in general. There's still more to do, but I'm pleased with my progress in the pub.

      hugs
      Andy xxx

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    1. Hi Nina, well you are welcome to pop in for a drink there sometime ;o)

      Andy xxxx

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  12. Hi Andy! Glad to hear I am not the only one who JUST put the doll's Christmas Trees away! LOL! It is always somewhat of a relief to clear it away and get on with the New Year... however late we do! Your Swan is looking Lovely in it's refreshed condition... and I love seeing the cats and dogs.... here in the States people are not allowed to bring dogs into eating establishments unless they are Seeing-eye dogs! So I was always surprised... and Comforted to see dogs in pubs! I look forward to seeing more of your new purchases!

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  13. Hello Betsy!

    yes, it's odd isn't it, restaurants and shops don't allow dogs except Guide Dogs, just like it is where you are, but dogs seem to be allowed in pubs, not just the owner's, but patrons' dogs too. I suppose if they sell food, they may have to control whether dogs are allowed in, I'm not too sure.

    Anyway, the pub is set in a period of the early 1950's when health and safety rules were not so strict. So I think there would be a few dogs about, the cats are more comfortable upstairs though!!

    Just seen that you've posted a new comment so going to take a look now.

    Andy xxx

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  14. It's nice to see the kitchen, sitting room and bar again. I thought your kitchen floor was real stone till I read your description. Routed mdf? Very clever, and a lot more economical. We like economical!

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