Tuesday 5 February 2013

Something Old, Something New


When I had almost completed my Georgian House I started to buy things to go inside it. From the beginning I made the decision to buy the best pieces I could afford, and where money wouldn't stretch, make kit furniture and possibly make a few pieces myself.


One of the first pieces in the house, the sideboard in the hall, was made from a kit. I hadn't made a kit before, and was fairly pleased with it for a while. But I used a stain that wasn't appropriate, small patches of bare wood were left in places where the stain didn't take because of the dried glue. and the drawers didn't pull out very well or got stuck completely. Whenever I looked at that piece of furniture it reminded me of how I had leapt into a huge project with no previous woodworking skills or miniature experience. It always looked ok, but I always wanted something a bit better!

In January I went to a new dolls' house exhibition in London, held at the Tower Hotel in the east of the city, near (yes, you've guessed it) The Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The show was set up by the same people who organise the Kensington Dolls' House Festival, and was fairly good, though not quite as good as I was expecting. I bought a few things at the show, and will show you some of them further down this post, but first I wanted to show you what I have finally bought to replace the sideboard in the hall.


Is it too ostentatious? I think it works quite well.  If you haven't guessed already it's made by John Hodgson. I'm not sure if you can see it, but in the centre of the base is a pineapple (I had to smile when I saw that Fi, especially after all those wonderful photos you sent!). it is made from gilded pewter with a faux marble top, hand painted by John, and signed underneath by him. Perhaps it would look more at home in a Mulvany & Rogers house than sitting next to my wonky (and rather dusty!) stairs?  What do you all think?


I also purchased this Chippendale style Chinoiserie chair for the bedroom. It is made by Masters' Miniatures, and the yellow silk upholstery was perfect for the bedroom. As i mentioned in a post months ago, I saw a bedroom with Chinoiserie decoration at Blickling Hall in Norfolk whilst on holiday last year, and wanted to get a few pieces in the Chinoiserie style for my miniature bedroom, so was thrilled when I found this chair!

Keen eyes might have noticed the scent bottle on the dressing table (again I'm thinking of Fi, who notices EVERYTHING!). Another thing I picked up in London. Here's a closer shot of it on the dressing table.

                                         

You can just about see it reflected in the mirror! The silverware on the dressing table was all from Simply Silver, who I believe have now retired. Quite a few makers seem to be giving up the shows lately. Tony Knott seems to have retired, and both Et Cetera and Tony Hooper gave their last shows in London last month. It's all rather a shame, but I hope they are all relaxed and happy! 

Back in November I again went down to London. That time I visited Kristin Baybars' shop in Gospel Oak again. I posted about my last trip ages ago, when I ended up in Stratford by mistake! this time I arrived without issue, and picked up some nice little bits and pieces. Most of what I bought was for the Christmas project in The Swan (it's also where I got the warming pan mentioned in my last post!), but I did manage to find this rather lovely little bowl.

                                                

It was made by Muriel Hopwood (I know this because it is signed by her) and is a rare find as she has almost stopped making miniatures, though I am lucky to have some of her recent pieces picked up from an online miniatures shop. This delicate little bowl also fits the chinese theme I want to give a hint of in the bedroom. When I find the right sort of wash stand (or make one!) this will probably sit on it, as Georgians didn't really have matching ewer and basin, and the basin was usually fairly small in comparison to Victorian ones.

Going back to Kristin's shop was fun. It's such a great space for rummaging! When you first arrive you think you'll never find a thing as it looks so jam packed and jumbled up. But actually, things are stored in drawers and cabinets in a fairly logical order, one for plates and cups, another for pans, another for food, another for cleaning products etc etc, there are tiny drawers filled with even greater treasures. The best thing is that Kristin doesn't get rid of things, if something doesn't sell, it remains on sale until it does, so you might well find little things from makers who have long since retired, like my Muriel Hopwood bowl. 

I took some photos of the shop to give you some idea of how it looks inside. If you do get to go there (it doesn't look much from the outside, but don't be afraid to ring the bell!) ask to see the Dog House, which is a charming house occupied by dozens and dozens of dogs in each room, and is great fun! There is so much to look at you'll need a good couple of hours; they might even make you a cup of tea!

The back room with its drawers and cabinets filled to the brim with tiny treasures!
Some of the amazing miniatures available in the shop. I love that skeleton playing xylophone on the other one!

I will do another post very soon on some other little purchases, which have been housed mostly in the kitchen!

                                    
                                     


28 comments:

  1. Hello Andy, the new sideboard looks like it belongs in the room, it´s absolutely not ostentatious. The shop looks amazing, is it one of those shop that make you feel like a kid in the candystore? You have a great eye for detail.
    gr AM

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    1. Hi AM

      Thanks, pleased you think the side table works in the hall. I wasn't sure when I had put it in place, and was worried that I may have made a very expensive mistake, but am reassured by the comments all of you have made!

      Yes, Kristin's shop is like a candy store! I was there for a couple of hours at least!

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  2. WOW!!
    I love it all Andy. I have the same table, with a green marble top, and yours looks utterly perfect in the hall - almost as though the stairs were built around it!!
    Love the Chinese chair too - Im thinking of some for my dining room. I was sorry not to have made it to the Tower show but those who did seam to have had a great time.
    As for Kristin's shop I am trying to get there this year some time. maybe we could time it to meet up for a Mini chat and coffee?
    Hugs
    Si

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    1. Hi Simon, yes, I wondered if you had the same table, I know you are an avid fan of John's work (and Sue is such a nice person too!). Think a Chinese dining room would be lovely, Master's did have a dining suite of the same style chairs and table at the January show. which looked good. Imperial yellow would be quite a pleasant colour to dine within too!

      I'd love to join you in London for a little miniature spree. If not at Kristin's then maybe in Kensington while the show is on?

      hugs
      Andy xxx

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  3. Yep, that gorgeous sideboard looks as if it is made to put there.
    What great purchases, beautiful chairs.
    And I absolutely adore the shop, I could be lost there and never found again.
    Great post!
    Hugs,
    Gee

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    1. Hi Gee,

      Good to hear from you. Pleased you like the side table in the hall!

      The shop is great fun, just one word of warning to anyone planning to go, they don't do plastic, so you'll only be able to pay with cash!

      Hugs
      Andy xxxx

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  4. WOW Andy!!

    What a great post!! So many goodies to look at. You know you made me go upstairs again to get my glasses just so I could see every detail.....; )

    That side board is stunning, and I think the pineapples make it!! It looks fabulous in there, those ginger jars are perfectly complimented by the yellow walls and look just right on the sideboard.

    I love that chair, it's beautiful, Masters have some wonderful pieces, I have been looking at their website recently, in hope to get some pieces later down the track. The fragrance bottle is lovely and makes a nice addition to the beautiful silver ware. And I DO notice every detail......a bed that is awaiting some bed clothes. I think when I get to make some bedclothes for the twins room I shall make some for your bedroom, at you selection of course!

    Kristens shop looks like a dream, I'm sure you could loose hours in there! I love those dollhouses on the shelf, the shop one looks divine. You know you just can't get Dollhouses like that over here! So many beautiful things, you know you have to take me there when I get to the UK.

    What a great post!!

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Hello Fi,

      Pleased you approve! Yes, Master's do do some nice pieces and I have bought a few other pieces from them in the past. I know John is a big fan of them too!

      Oh dear! I should have known you'd see the naked bed even when out of focus! I will be doing something about it at some point soon, one thing I am completely mystified by is what interfacing is, what you do with it and why I need it? (I read that it is required, but the book doesn't explain any more than that!) Are you planning to use interfacing? What the heck is it!?

      Fi, you'll just have to jump onto Pineapple Airways and I can show you all the sights in London, and further afield! We'll start with Simon perhaps!! ;o)

      Hugs
      Andy xxxx

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    2. Hey Andy,

      Interfacing is like very fine paper that stiffens the fabric, usually found underneath the collars and button front shirts or on a lapel. I can't imagine why you would need it. I certainly wont be using any because you need your fabric to be soft so you can arrange it the way you want. The only thing you could use it for is if you were going to make a stiff valance or like the hood of four poster bed,if you can see the picture on the box of my four poster you will know what I mean.

      Book me a ticket on Pineapple Airlines and organise the tour....I'm there!!

      XXX

      I'm currently up late making the mattresses for the twins beds.

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  5. You scored some AWESOME things, Andy! That John Hodgson piece is sheer glam. I'd love to get one myself, someday...actually, I'd love to get one of everything you showed!

    I read about that dh show you attended in one of 'your' dollhouse magazines and I wondered if you and some of the others would be there. I hope to see the Masters again in Chicago this spring.

    OMG, I would love to spend an afternoon in that shop!

    Great post --can't wait to see what else you snapped up!

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    1. Hi John,

      I think a touch of glam is needed in mid winter don't you!

      I saw that the Masters will be at the Chicago show, so I hope you get another chance to go (please get some pictures!) this year, so we can all see the fantastic goodies you purchase there yourself, if for no other reason! ;o)

      Ah yes, you just reminded me, next post coming up!!

      Andy xxx

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  6. In a way I'm glad this shop is too far away to be dangerous for me and my purse... (LOL). I could indeed spend hours in a shop like this. Your purchases are great, very well chosen - and your new "sideboard-substitute" looks perfect in the middle of the stairs.

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. Hi Birgit,

      Yes, I know what you mean there! I my wallet has sneaked away into a dark corner for a few weeks after my trips to London!

      Pleased you like the new purchases!

      Hugs
      Andy xxx

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  7. Hi Andy! I LOVE your new purchases! I think the Gilded side-board is Perfect for the Hall... and like every long awaited upgrade in Furniture... it makes one re-think the Whole Design!! LOL! But seriously, I think it is Gorgeous and just the kind of furniture for a fancy Georgian Hall! The china you have collected is also just perfect... and shows that your patience and collecting only the "best" pieces is a Great strategy! Your House already has Treasures everywhere you look! And Every new one has a Tale to tell of where and when you bought it and who made it! I think that is the Best kind of decorating! I really look forward to seeing More! (And if I ever get to England again... that shop is on my list!!!)

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    1. Hi Betsy!

      Thanks for your comments. Yes, I do like the fact that I can remember where I purchased almost every piece in my dolls houses, and who made some of them too. Dolls house miniatures are just like all collectables; built up over many years, a result of long and loving search, or made with love by your own hands! I think that is what makes a dolls house special to it's owner.

      hugs
      Andy xxx

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  8. I think your new table looks perfect in the niche under the stairs and love the other purchases as well.

    thanks for sharing pics of the shop. That is just the kind of place I would love to go and spend HOURS looking around at everything.

    Dale

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    1. Hi Dale

      Yes, it is certainly possible to spend several hours in the shop!

      Pleased you like the new table!

      Andy

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  9. Great pieces Andy. You have great taste. I will have to put a visit to that shop on my list of things to do - it looks fun. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Hi Troy,

      thanks, pleased you like the new pieces. yes, Kristin's is worth putting on the 'to do' list. Mind you, I am always impressed by the things you find in your local area, you have a very good eye for miniatures yourself!

      Andy

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  10. What a great shop! You could just skip the show and spend a day in there!
    You have made wonderful purchases. The Hodgson table makes quite an impact on entering and the chinoiserie chair looks gorgeous!

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    1. Hi Josje,

      Good to hear from you again, pleased you like the new additions! Yes, it would be quite possible to skip a show and spend the day in Kristin's shop, but I'd probably end up doing both ;o)

      Andy xxxx

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  11. Oh, how I want to visit Kristin Baybars...and the London Dollshouse Festival...and eventually own a couple of John Hodgson pieces! Lucky you.

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    1. Hello Anna,

      I hope you do get to go to the London shows sometime, they are well worth it!

      John Hodgson does have a web site www.johnjhodgson.com which has his full range available including some smaller 1:24th scale chairs!

      Andy xxx

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  12. You Chippendale style Chinoiserie chair is nice, the color is nice too.I have ever bought one of Masters without decoration.
    There is still a blue satin pillow in the making for mine.
    (so much to do and so many plans)

    Your sitetable is wonderful, especially with your Chinese blue.
    Fine day, Alexandra.

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    1. Hello Alexandra,

      Ik geniet van kijken naar je blog. Het is goed om te horen van je.

      Ik ben blij dat u de meubels heb ik onlangs heb gekocht willen, en het ook mooi vinden mijn china collectie!

      Ik wens u veel succes bij het maken van uw blauwe kussen voor de stoel heb je, ik hoop dat we allemaal snel te zien op je blog!

      Andy

      I enjoy looking at your blog. It's good to hear from you.

      I am pleased that you like the furniture I have bought recently, and like my china collection too!

      I wish you luck in making your blue cushion for the chair you have, I hope we can all see it on your blog soon!

      Andy (sorry if the Dutch is bad, I used Google Translate!)

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  13. Hello Andy,
    I have to say, you have an incredible eye and choose wonderful pieces for your collection. I love the table and think it is a nice contrast to the simplicity of the entrance. It is not an overly ornate room, but the grand turned staircase banister work really well with the intricate table. I lvoe it and I adore your porcelain collection. I am glad you enjoyed youresl, even thoguh it was not as great as you had hoped.
    One day I will go to London and visit that amazing shop, and the big dollhouse shows.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac,

      Really pleased that you all like the table! I explained to AM that I wasn't sure at first, but am now happy with the table. I did have to move one of my vases into another room, as it just didn't work with 6 vases on the table, but fortunately I had a space to put the spare one in the parlour.

      I did enjoy the London show, but had actually expected something bigger/grander in scale. Many of the exhibitors had only brought a small selection of items to the show, rather than a full range of things. I suppose as it was the first time the show has been held there, people were testing the water.

      I hope you do get to come to London one day soon

      Hugs
      Andy xxxx

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  14. You picked up some lovely little items, especially the chair - love it!

    I'm glad that that shop is too far away for me too. I'm dangerous enough at Miniatura!

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