Monday, March 12, 2012

Empire Room:


The Empire room took inspiration from the print of Josephine on the mantle and the print of Napoleon above the bed. I wanted a strong tone in the room that would contrast with the bedroom that is across the landing on the opposite side of the house. I call it the Bird Room as the wallpaper shows a prominent blue bird.


This photo shows the bare bones of the room that measures 12"x21" (31x53cm). The herringbone flooring is made from plain strip wood flooring, cut into strips and reconfigured.

I painted heavy watercolour paper then glued it into place for the wall paper. Of course I had to add gold painted base board and molding.

To divide the room I painted two decorative cake supports with black enamel spray paint and highlighted the detailing with gold paint. I added painted blocks of wood on the top and bottom of the columns to make them fit the height of the room.

I had originally made and tried two coronet styles to hold the bed curtains at the ceiling. Both took up too much space and blocked the through view so I simply lined two walls with the curtains on gold rods.

I do not have a pleater but used pins and a piece of dowel to shape the pleats on dense camping foam, then sprayed it with hair spray to fix the shape.  The rods are bamboo skewers painted gold (of course) and supported with earring backs.

The mahogany-look wooden sleigh bed was enhanced with jewellery findings.

You have seen the desk before but the lamps were wired into the wall so this is their first appearance. Behind the bed is another cake-column that has been marbleized and will be used as a side table at the end of the bed.


Above Bruce is double checking that the art work is straight! Green tape holds them on the wall while the glue dries. The bed is not made yet but the side table is dressed with a French-style clock (made by my friend Elizabeth), a couple of small photos and a curvaceous black lamp. On the right of the photo is a clamp applying pressure to the hearth for the fireplace. I made it from plaster of Paris. Bruce approved the print placement so I can continue!


Oh dear, a bit of rewiring as the bulb blew when the wiring was pulled out when our two-year-old grandson wanted to have a closer look. I do love that he is interested. However we are still looking for a tiny racing car he borrowed from the children's room.





The bed has been made, the cushions plumped, the prints declared glued and chairs placed on the rug.  The butler's tray displays one of Elizabeth's trays shown in detail in an earlier post. Sheets are made from a fine, very old handkerchief with tiny edging. Large European shams match drapes, a tiny heavily-embroidered cushion is tucked under a striped silk cushion that matches the round bolster at the end of the bed. A bee cushion taken from a section of upholstery fabric reinforces the Napoleonic  theme.



Close up of the bed area - more Napoleonic prints behind the lamp and on the floor. I feel that despite the masculine prints it is still a feminine room. I hope I have achieved that in any case.




Evening has come and the lighting enhances the atmosphere. Will that lazy girl not take her tray downstairs!


Josephine above the mantle - soon to have more trim. Napoleon figurine at her feet and the screen helps to divide the room.


Bespaq cupboard stained mahogany, edged in black with gold trim. The battle of the Nile on the cupboard doors. Egyptian mummy head from a necklace placed in the centre above the cupboard.


On the opposite wall mahogany stained bombe set of drawers, ivory bead vanity set and a candlestick lamp.


Extra trim on the fireplace surround to give it more weight, crystal bead candlestick, flowers in thimble urn with bee symbol. The figurine has been promoted from the hearth to the mantle.




Now Cleo the cat has appeared and a summer dress..... is it from the Dior bag below?




Late afternoon shadows lengthen. I love the light through the pale blue dress.


That was quite a day of shopping!  T. turquoise and silver necklace and earrings, V. scarf (thank you to the thrift store for lovely silk ties), Louis V. purse peeking out from packaging, H.  box with leather H. belt , interesting things still to be unpacked from the H. bag on the floor. Coco perfume in the C. bag.
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Oh! my poor feet, so happy to kick off my shoes. I'm downstairs, barefoot, delivering the bag of Godiva chocolates I bought for the family. Everything else is for lucky me!



A close up of my lovely embroidered-lawn cotton dress - such a soft blue!



Night is falling.


I must be drifting off to sleep, I feel as if I may be floating on the ceiling.



Good Night All.  Thank you for visiting.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Shopping is Exhausting!


Tonight I am just too tired to post more than this one photo. Tomorrow I will share the Empire Room with you.
Regards to all.
Janine

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Garden Extension:









Greetings all. Posting tonight as tomorrow I escape for the day to drive to the Seattle Miniature Show.

I wanted to "show and tell" about how my husband resolved my problem of a desired extension for the garden courtyard of my mini house.

My house is quite large. In fact if I make it any wider or longer it will not be able to be taken down the stairs. I felt that it would not be complete without a small parterre off the kitchen.

Bruce built a new platform to support the house and on the kitchen side made slides that could be extended to support a matching form to fit flush with the support platform.

I will be able to landscape this form and slide it into place but it will be readily removed if and when I want to take it downstairs or out of the house.

I am very pleased with his work and show it proudly with the idea that it may help others that have the same dilemma.

I hope that the photos explain, if not, just drop me a line and I will expand.

Regards to all.
Janine

Photos:
Garden platform on the fully-extended slides - kitchen in view.
Platform that supports the house.
Close up of the slot where the slides can be pulled out.
Slides pulled out partway.
Slides fully extended.
Platform dropped onto the slides partway.
Underside of platform.
Garden platform in position.