It is, mes chers,an auspicious day, as my bff, Rick, was kind enough to swing through and photograph the Drawing Room of Merriman Park, (since my own photos, to be frank --well, suck). In other good news: my blackened, ravaged fingernail which has plagued me since last winter --when I inadvertently slammed the door on it-- has finally dropped off and revealed a shiny, new nail!Hoo-rah! Things are lookin' up!
So until my friend's proofs come back, here are my own, hackneyed attempts...And so, without further adieu:
The double doors will eventually open to a hall beyond.
The Drawing Room is located immediately over the Entrance Hall and is approximately 16" X 16." In my 'real-life' inspiration house, designed by Thomas Jefferson, this room was octagonal --a scheme Jefferson highly favored and employed in many of the homes he designed. Unfortunately, because of severe space restrictions, I was not able to utilize the full octagon, and so here had to settle for a hexagonal shape.
I wanted the Drawing Room to exude a quiet, understated elegance as opposed to the more exuberant Hall. There is a lot going on, architecturally, in this small space, what with all the paneled. walls,pilasters and built-in cabinetry. So I opted for a simple, monochromatic color-story in my favorite grey-green hue.
Diana the Huntress in the niche, a birthday gift from Glen.
The fireplace was inspired by one I admired in the Thorne Rooms at the Chicago Institute of Arts. I won't show you the highly-superior version by Mrs. Thorne (as I'm afraid mine suffers the comparison)! This is no slight intended toward my gorgeous mantel by Braxton Payne, here done up in fab, faux marble. I created the over mantel/mirror to mimic the arches of the two corner niches. I'm still playing around with the accessories, but I'm lovin' my arrangements of roses on the mantle in their vases by Old Bell Pottery.
Making the corner niches.
The niches provided the biggest challenge to me. This is only my second room I've ever made so it took some head-scratching to figure out how to fabricate the curved recesses. Theeureka-moment came as I poured myself a martini one night while pondering my dilemma: Of course! I molded the niche with DAS clay on the back of a bottle.Duh!
Once the niches were finished, I had the worst time trying to findapropos statues to place in them. The female figure pictured above replaced one I had earlier, and was given to me as a thoughtful gift by my beloved Glen, as were all the light fixtures, including the glam chandelier from Rosel's! Aren't I the luckiest boy in Miniature-Land?
Most of the furniture is Bespaq. I had to reupholster a few of the pieces, which I didn't think would be such a big deal (as I know how to upholster 'real-life' furniture --what could be easier, right)? Well, not so easy, what with my clumsy, feral paws it turns out! Could I get a little more glue smeared on those silk cushions?!?
I have to mention the door surround from Sue Cook if only because it was the first 'big purchase' I made for Merriman Park. I bought it long before I had even brought home the plywood to build the carcass of the house itself. How I used to take it out of its box each night and carefully unwrap its pieces and fit them together like a littlepuzzle and dream about the room --this room-- where they would eventually one day be so proudly and lovingly ensconced...
And now a Sneak Peek of the Dining Room!
Mostly completed wall panels, ready for installation!
A long, long time ago, in my childhood far, far away, I used to live for the animated specials that came out in December for the holidays. Truth: I still watch them, but this scene in recent years has been conspicuouslyabsent --dare I say CUT-- from an otherwise enchanting childhood memory!
I don't know why they would cut it... I have to admit it kinda looks like Jessica the Victorian puppet is having an acid trip in the town square, but did they really have to delete the entire scene? I don't get it. I mean, when I was a kid and watched this back in the day, it's not like I immediately screamed," OMG! Jessica is SO tripping!!!"
But I digress. Well thank god for YouTube and for bringing this long-lost classic back to life!
When I was a kid, I thought Jessica the Victorian puppet was so beautiful. The pale-blue satin gown. The Titian locks gracefully swept into an elegant chignon. The huge-ass bow on her, well, derriere. Jessica the Victorian puppet was serving uptight, Victorian realness, until the poor thing finally realized her life was an enormous sham and now, her World is Beginning Today!All symbolized by simply letting her tresses down...Girlfriend isn't tripping, she is merely transitioning from Old Jessica: uptight, Victorian schoolmarm, into New Jessica: swinging, groovy chick!
My World is Beginning, Today
All the little cares picked along the way Suddenly, have disappeared with yesterday. Tossed along the fields And lost among the winds, My world is beginning, today.
Oh, so many times have I walked this way And never saw the little things that I see today. Never held my head so High above the clouds, My world is beginning, today.
I know something's gonna happen, but it's out of my hand Things are gonna start snappin' without any plan...
All the little cares picked along the way Suddenly, have disappeared with yesterday. Tossed along the fields And lost among the winds, My world is beginning, today. My world is beginning, today. My world is beginning, today!
P.S. I love it when Jessica the Victorian puppet gazes into the fountain at the end of her video and her 'reflection' is a photo cut-out! Memories!
I had to laugh when fellow miniaturist Fiona at A Passion for Miniatures emailed me the other day that she had Googled 'entrance hallchairs' in order to find inspiration for a project she was working on for a friend --and this is the image that popped up:
Yes, li'l ol' Merriman Park popped up! I wouldn't have given the sitch much more thought, but today I Googled 'Thomas Jefferson's Edgemont,' (the early nineteenth-century edifice which was the inspiration for Merriman Park), and what do you think popped up this time?
This was one of the photographs taken in the 1930's when Edgemont was 're-discovered' as a work by Thomas Jefferson. It had at the time unfortunately fallen into near ruin.
Here's a view of the garden facade of Edgemont, also a Google pop-up. (I don't know the couple posing)! Thomas Jefferson hate, hate, hated, wooden houses, nevertheless Edgemont was constructed as a wood-frame house, the wide, wood planks facing the exterior beveled and faux-painted to mimic stone.
There were several images that also came up, but because of copy-right laws I can't bring them upon my humble blog... except for this one!
This is the original sketch I made on a napkin for Merriman Park, now immortalized forever on Google!
My inbox has been positively inundated with inquiries regarding the Chicago Miniatures Show, where yourstruly recently spent a rollicking, eye-opening weekend. Not at all quite sure what to expect from the gala affair, this first-time, mini-show virgin heeded the sage advice of my more veteran colleagues and walked into the event with an open mind (and a wallet stuffed with cash)!
Many of the crowned-heads of the Miniatures World were in attendance, showing off their latest and greatest. The three Marriott Hotel ballrooms pulsed with the excited energy of both the highly-exalted exhibitors, and also the clamoring throngs of spectators. Of all, no one could possibly have been more enthused than your intrepid reporter!
As I strolled the aisles, taking in the sheer enormity of all the fascinating, miniature object d'art, my head was absolutely spinning in circles, a la Linda Blair in The Exorcist.
But I digress.
At one point in the show, my eye was drawn to the exquisite creations of one vendor, only to be over-glamored by the artisan next door. I was virtually pulled in two divergent directions! My whip-lash reaction was noticed and commended on by the artist, who laughed at me and said she had never before seen a customer perform a double-take over her wares!
My excursion took a brilliant, new twist when I spied the staircase of fellow-blogger, Sophia, from Small Talk Sophia has been blogging about her fab, new, curved staircase for her French house and it was being shown off in the entrance hall of the show itself. "Hey, I know that staircase!' I gushed as I immediately hatched a plan to find its owner. Sophia had her own booth, Small Treasures Miniatures, filled with an amazing array of GLT (gorgeous, little things). Upon introducing myself, Sophia took the time to introduce me around to several of her fave co-exhibitors! I felt like I had made it 'in!' Thanks, Sophia!
I also ran into the incomparable Erik Goddard, who lives in my hometown of Minneapolis. Erik and I were introduced a few weeks ago by the owner of the local dollhouse store, Little Enchantments, and we had a great chat in front of his table of spectacular room boxes and models of divers architectural styles. Erik's work inspired me to look beyond my 18th and early 19th-century penchant, but more about that, anon...
The highlight of my trip was spending a delightful Sunday morning with Scott Burgess of Whitledge-Burgess. Of course I have admired their work a la distance for ages, so it was a dream come true to at last meet up close and personal one half of this talented duo. (Maybe next year, Ray)? I have to admit I was a little intimidated approaching miniature royalty, but Scott was so affable, we were chatting like old friends within seconds.
I met so many incredibly talented artists at this event and left giddy as a schoolgirl with all sorts of new inspiration and ideas! Oh, of course that's not the only thing I left with...
Here's my new chandelier from Lumenations. I turned it off so you can see it without the glare of the lights. I also ordered matching sconces, made with the same Swarovski crystals. They should be here in a week or two.
I also picked up this table and buffet/sideboard from Masters Miniatures.The rug is a new Ebay find. The colors, I think, are perfect!
These are the Hepplewhite chairs I am ordering from Masters. They are going make arm-less side chairs for me too and are going to upholster them in my silk. They were so friendly and helpful. OMG ALERT! I just received an email that my back-ordered Pretty Pleater is now on the way!
I bought this blown glass decanter and glasses from Gerd Felka. I thought the gentlemen of Merriman Park would much rather have a refreshing cocktail than a cuppa tea! I was coerced to buy a new statue to fit the corner niche you see in the background, though I felt deep-down it wouldn't fit. And guess what? I was correct. (Sometimes you just have to let your better half have their way, once in a while, just so they can realize that you're always right)! LOL!
While in Chicago I also subscribed to a few miniature magazines that were exhibiting. How thrilling to finally get to see the splashy lay-out of the Library of fellow-blogger Giac from Late Victorian English Manor Dollhouse, all included in the latest edition of Miniaturas! This publication is noteworthy for its glorious, full-page spreads of gorgeous miniatures with very few advertisements. Simply stunning! And great job, Giac!
All and all, the trip was a brilliant success on so many levels. I left the show with a sack of gorgeous swag, completely inspired by the sheer volume of talent I encountered, and with a new-found resolve to step-up my game.
--And this former, mini-show virgincan't wait til next year!
Whilst hiding chocolate eggs and marshmallow chicks around the house for Glen to find tomorrow, I also had the chance to stain the dining room floor...
I'm trying to do a 'French polish' finish with some hysterical results. I've never done such a finish before so don't judge me! The stain went down nice enough --better than I thought it would. So the next day I put on the first coat of shellac and when it was dry, sanded with fine paper. I guess there wasn't enough shellac on the surface so I ended up sanding big, unsightly streaks into my newly-stained floor. Oooops! Pardon my blooper! So I ended up having to sand everything down to bare wood and start a-fresh.
In the pics above, I now have four thin coats of shellac on the floor over the stain. I assume that's enough to start sanding, but you know what happens when you make assumptions!
Maybe I'll slap on a few more coats first, just to be safe...
While not-so-patiently waiting for back-ordered accessories to arrive to complete the Drawing Room, I have busied myself with the Dining Room.
I have decided that I really, really like using illustration board as a backer for all the flooring, wallpaper and wall moldings, and even the ceiling ornamentation. It's so much easier working on the boards flat on my table as opposed to trying to stick my enormous, lummox head and ham-fists into the little box of a room! BONUS: The illustration board hides all the wires! So I first cut illustration board to fit the floor, then the ceiling, then the back wall and then the two side walls. It's very important to get a snug, accurate fit at this stage so I took my time and made several dry fits as I moved around the room.
Then, with all the pieces of illustration board cut perfectly and in place, I traced the window and door openings and cut them out.
The floor came next: Merriman Park is my first dollhouse, but I have learned lots of clever tricks from all my fellow bloggers! So instead of using an expensive, commercial floor (as I had originally planned) I made my own with iron-on, wood edging tape.
I won't spend too much time explaining how to do it, since this seems to be a fairly standard practice among the miniaturatti. You just cut the strips to the desired length and press them down with a hot iron. And voila! My only tip would be to mark on your illustration board where the floor joists lie and have all your 'plank joints' end on these marks.
We mustn't have willy-nilly joints!
I'm debating on whether to put wooden 'peg marks' where all the planks butt together because I guess that's how they would have attached the flooring down to the floor joists, right? I mean they would not have simply nailed the floor boards down in a fancy house. I haven't applied a stain or anything to the floor, yet...because of this dilemma plus I'm a little anxious about mucking it up! Whatevs, I'll figure it out...After all, I am both pretty AND smart! ...in the meantime I slipped the floor in place and went on to the walls...
I chose a period, circa 1804 wallpaper from Chinioserie. I am very impressed with the high-quality of their papers. I really like the pattern of unusual, stylized flowers arranged in stripes.
Next, I started on the back wall and after lots of stewing and dry-runs, I nervously started cutting up my paper...This step caused a considerable amount of anxiety as the pattern has since been discontinued so NO screwing up!
I know that some people simply abhor spray adhesives(Honey Badger)? but I have great luck with the stuff. It seems to bond perfectly on illustration board. My trick is to spray lightly on both surfaces, wait a few seconds, apply and burnish with a credit card. Instead of trimming the excess wallpaper, I fold the paper around the back of the illustration board and adhere in place with white glue. Ain't gonna go no place, children!
Then I went on to the other two walls: first the outside wall with the fireplace chase...
And then the opposite wall. This one has an alcove where I plan on fitting a sideboard or buffet. The interior of the alcove I upholstered in a contrasting silk stripe, which I plan on using for the draperies, too. OMG! That reminds me: My Pretty Pleater should be arriving any day now! Pretty Pleater! LOL! I LOVE that name!
After this I fit everything in place and started on the moldings. I bought all my moldings from the Lawbre company. They have an amazing catalog of stock, and they are so helpful...(hi, Teri!) I decided to try making my own door surrounds using stock moldings. This is what I came up with:
I still have gluing, filling and painting to do, but you get the idea.
I then went on to the ceiling...unfortunately my camera's battery died and I can't find the charger at the moment. But here is everything, so far...
The mantle is from Braxton Payne Miniatures. His fireplaces are so superbly wrought. And what a nice guy!
This is not the chandelier I'm using for this space. I'm actually considering installing a 'shoo-fly' or 'punkah' over the dining table. This was a large fan, usually elaborately carved or upholstered that swung from pulleys by servants slaves. (This is the South--don't judge me)! The only thing that's keeping me from this idea is that I think it would look weird that this room would be the only one without a glamorous chandelier --and it's the dining room, for crying out loud! So I thought maybe I could have two smaller chandeliers flanking the shoo-fly, but there is no historical reference for that. So I don't know...what do you think?
The dining room of Melrose in Natchez, Mississippi with its slave-powered 'shoo-fly.'
CONFIDENTIAL TO HONEY BADGER: I still feel bad about your spray-adhesive nightmare!
I am so excited to be going to my FIRST miniatures show: Tom Bishop in Chicago! I love, love, LOVE me some Chi-Town! Several friends of ours have moved to the Windy City and so we try and get there once or twice a year. It was while I was visiting my friend Jeffrey during Halstead Market Days when Jeffrey took me to the Chicago Institute of Arts to see TheThorne Rooms. I made up my mind ricky-tick to build myself a dollhouse! And voila! Merriman Park was born...
Chicago is also home to the silent screen-siren Coleen Moore's Fairy Castle. This legendary, jewel-encrusted, Art-Deco confection I have not had the pleasure of seeing in person, though I know it fondly from books. I doubt that I'll be able to squeeze it in this trip, but someday....
I hear that this particular show isgi-normous! So I'm just a tad worried that it's going to be completely overwhelming. For starters, I don't do well in crowds. Especially when everyone is moving along slow-motion, in a decidedly bovine-like way. Kind of makes me crazy. Does anyone have a good strategy for tackling this particular event? Any must-sees? I am making a shopping list of things I need but I tend to impulse buy so I'll probably walk in, spend every last dime in the first ten minutes and walk out with absolutely nothing from my list.
...Maybe I'll just wing it. Why complicate matters? Ugh! I think it's time for another number!
Hit it, girls!
Ooo, girl,Renee & Catherine gots more legs than a bucket of chicken! And btw isn't Leslie-Ann Warren simply a divoonchanteuse?
I love making things and have a huge interest in architecture --especially Renaissance, Baroque and Classical styles. This is my first dollhouse project which I intended to use as a diversion from the maddeningly long, Minnesota winters.
