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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Forward & Backward

Whew!  It seems as if Halloween was just a few short days ago and here it is almost Thanksgiving!  If you're worried that I'm going to torture you with another Top-Ten List of Pilgrim Dolls, fear not, beleaguered Readers, I shan't go there!  My Library is coming along, however slowly...ugh! it's a long story but let me fill you in on what I've managed to accomplish.


First of all, I'm hooking up the lights and chandeliers.  This is never an easy task for me and it inevitably   involves lots of colorful cursing from your intrepid reporter as I fumble to hold onto those damned brass pins!

I decided the Library would have two chandeliers centered on the bookshelves.  I'm not quite ready to build my own fixtures from jewelry findings --yet!  (Some day, perhaps...) But to save a little ching, I revamped some 'stock' fixtures.


So here's one of the little chandeliers I picked up.  It has tiny, gold chains you can just make out in my horrid photo.  I removed these chains and replaced them with strands of glittering Swarovski crystal beads, which I think are much more glam than gold chain, don't you think?


There were extra beads so I added swags of them between the arms of the fixture --because a chandelier can never be too sparkly, right?


Here they are, sort of  semi-installed.  I accidentally broke one of the bulbs because I thought they were bi-pin and --duh!-- they are actually a screw-in type bulb and so instead of screwing the bulb in tighter when it turned itself off I fiddled with it and now I think the glass part of the bulb broke off from the little metal socket part.  UGH!  NOW how am I going to get it out??? 


So this is the sofa I have picked out...I had made a Chippendale-style camel back number from a kit and it turned out pretty well, but it just seemed a little --I don't know-- stodgy.  My original plan was to make the Library a little old-fashioned, done up in an earlier Georgian style but when I put this sexy Recamier in place I was smitten! 



Of course that means I have to go back to the drawing board on all the other furnishings and even the curtains I painstakingly Pretty-Pleated will have to be re-vamped, I'm afraid...but oh well, it's not a race, right?

Hey...if I don't see you, have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday to all the American miniaturists out there in blogland...here's my favorite Thanksgiving clip (only a teensy bit scary, I promise)!



24 comments:

Irene said...[Reply]

I DO like your wallpaper in this room. It gives it a lovely cosy look and that was a great idea to upgrade your light fittings. I've made the same mistake with a bulb and I got it sorted out but for the life of me I can't remember how I did it - I just know I didn't have to buy another fitting! (I think I just poked about with tweezers and managed to unscrew the bottom bit. It's worth a go).

Norma Bennett said...[Reply]

That chaise is fabulous, and love the wallpaper. I feel your pain re the light fitting, I didn't know whether to cry or curse recently when suddenly a only 3 of 6 lights were working on a chandelier I'd repainted (from gold to gunmetal), so I did both. I haven't touched it since to see if I can do anything about it. Perhaps I'd better take a leaf out of Irene's book and just be brave and fiddle until something works :)

Ray Whitledge-Burgess said...[Reply]

Hello John!
Your Library is moving along quite well and is exquisite!
Such rich color. Your chandelier transformation is great and I agree with Norma......that Recamier is fabulous. I'm looking forward to seeing your re-vamped drapery treatments. Good wishes from Ray!
p.s. loved the Halloween Dolls and I think about you every time I see the NEW commercial on this holiday season for a baby doll that nurses........for real

John said...[Reply]

Eeeew! I (fortunately) haven't yet seen that commercial, Ray!

Erik Goddard said...[Reply]

Love the looks of this room. Red is my color.

Catherine said...[Reply]

It looks wonderful John. I love the wallpaper.

Great idea to re-do a chandelier and turn it into a crystal one.

You might like these Swarovski 2mm beads for another use. I bought some and they are beautiful!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/103686363/2mm-4mm-and-6mm-bicone-crystal-ab-mix?ref=sr_gallery_2&sref=sr_50007c54155a9f330a97bbed85e64dd7774eb02b9f8e1561390099d5c3463066_1353282307_14145961_crystal&ga_search_query=2mm+swarovski+crystal+beads&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all

The Old Maid said...[Reply]

Your library is coming along really pretty! Love the colours you've chosen for walls.:)The chandelier looks much better with the beads.:)
Big hug
Ewa

Daydreamer said...[Reply]

Tip-toe-ing in.... Looking right then left.... no Scary dolls in sight... WHEW!!!
(I confess... I skipped a few doll posts! I am Such a Chicken!)
But I'm so Glad to see you are making progress on your Library!!! Your upgrade of the chandeliers is Brilliant... and Sparkly!!! Sorry about the broken bulb... I think they make a mini-bulb removing tool... but I have no idea how it works or where I saw it! As for that Recamier.... Oh My God How PERFECT is that??? Forget Stodgy... Go for the Re-design... and pull out all that jaw dropping style!!! After all... you started with some Awesome wallpaper... that could Never be stodgy!!!

Gee said...[Reply]

Your library looks great, John, and indeed cosy and warm.
The Swarovski crystals really upgraded the light fixture and the recamier just belongs there...
Can you imagine yourself draped across a recamier in a library? I can!
That calls for a cognac... :)
Hugs and have a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Gee

Karin Corbin said...[Reply]

I am thankful to be spared the pilgrim dolls.

Help for you
Pete and Pam Boorum sell a special set of tweezers that Pete has doctored up to hold those tiny pins. They work great! I use them for holding the nails for the little hinges.
http://www.smallerthanlife.com/

Make your own bulb removing tool, try finding a slotted screw driver or a knife, anything that is the right width to jam in there to get a bit of a grip. Then turn it to back out the broken base.

miraclechicken said...[Reply]

How to get the broken light out? Why, with a tiny miniature potato of course!
Seriously I love the way this room is turning out, Love the sofa---
ps Ray say it ain't sooooo..........

Anna said...[Reply]

What a beautiful library! I can only hope mine looks this good one day...

Those are fabulous chandeliers! Why didn't I think of using Swarovski crystal beads...I've already used loose Swarovski crystals as knobs for two pieces of furniture.

If you have a Swiss Army knife handy, those little tweezers can be very helpful in handling tiny things, especially when your fingers can't quite grasp them. It might work on your broken bulb.

Elga said...[Reply]

Your library looks fabulous John, and I love the recamier (plus I learned a new word). The chandeliers look great with the addition of the crystals, I have been eyeing the one in my dining room, thinking I should add some glitz, well you have convinced me. Hope you get the broken bulb solved with all the advice you received.

Simon said...[Reply]

Hey John
I think this is my favourite room of yours (so far). I love everything about it!
Good call on two chandeliers, the crystal works SO well. I might remember that.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours -x-

Ilona said...[Reply]

Hi John, I hae a little problem: what on earth is a recamier?? Elga wrote it is a new word, but I can't guess what it is! Is it something about the lights?
The wall paper is gorgeous, it gives a warm and cozy atmosphere to the library. The sofa is wonderful, but what you did with the chandeliers is great, more sparkling indeed.
I can't help you with removing the light bulb, I use a totally other knid of lighting.
Happy Thanksgiving, Ilona

Troy said...[Reply]

Hello John,

Another great room, masterfully done. I will have to look more closely at adding beads to off the shelf fixtures - they look awesome! The wallpaper and trim are great as well.
Keep up the good work!

Andy said...[Reply]

Hello John!

It's all looking fabulous and to your usual high standard! Love the chaise which is the height of Regency/Empire style, so perfect for your house!! I am curious to see the other sofa for comparison, is it too shameful for public rooms? will it be consigned to the attic floor? ;o)

Ugh! dolls house lighting!!!! It truly is the Devil's work, I have been having a few problems with mine, so you are NOT alone!! the chandeliers are lovely, the crystals work a treat! Will have to see in I can get some at work, or else hunt them down in the UK somewhere!

Thanks for the Adams Family clip, great fun! I haven't ever been entirely sure what Thanksgiving is all about, I knew turkeys played a key role; now I am fully up to speed thanks to Wednesday!!

Giac said...[Reply]

Hello John,
I LOVE your library. The color and architectural detail are just so rich and elegant!Not to emntion the terrific revamp on the lighting. just gorgeous. I hate having to redo things or change plans, but I know it ill be worth it...you've done a fantastic job so far.
Big hug,
Giac

Fi.P said...[Reply]

To Die For!!!

I just love this room, the wall paper has such warmth to it and those chandeliers are gorgeous. Swarovski crystal much prettier than gold chain. I am in love with that chase, and I must tell you the details of that painting are very familiar to me, I just love it. All in all a very feminine feel.

Happy thanks giving!!

ML Fi xx

Sionchi said...[Reply]

Me encanta tu mansión, los muebles, el papel de las paredes, las lámparas....todo es un sueño, tienes mucho gusto al decorarla. Besos
Ah! también me encantan los dos señores de la entrada

Anneke said...[Reply]

Once again you prove to have an eye for colorscheme's, I love the colors in your library! Warm and classy. The chaise is so fabulous. If I where 1:12 I would love to read a book on there, or maybe faint on it in the presence of a handsome youth? ;p

Maybe you could use one of those grab it bits to get the bulb part out? Or drill a tiny hole, glue a bin in, and then twist it out? Or if it is not screwed in tightly you can glue something onto it so you have some leverage on it?

El caballero Metabólico said...[Reply]

De nuevo estás consiguiendo una habitación fabulosa, John!! La lámpara y la chaise longue son tentadoras!! Y bueno, el papel con ese rojo Pompellano me trae loco!! Enhorabuena!!

¡Un abrazo enorme!

Marisa said...[Reply]

I love the crystals, it gives the room so much sparkle! if I could Id have a chandelier in every room.


Love
Marisa :)

MiniLover said...[Reply]

Love the recamier--makes me want to faint right on it.

And chandeliers cannot be too tarted up.

Just sayin'

xo,

Sophia