Merriman Park was originally meant to be a Winter Project for me, but due to the unusual weather of late --a wet, positively monsoon-y spring, and an unbearably sultry, steamy summer-- I have been able to clock in a few hours here and there, all in air conditioned, climate-controlled comfort! I had the day off today and since once again the skies opened up and poured sheets of rain off and on all the live-long day, I took advantage of the sitch and worked on the Music Room.
I made floors for all of my remaining rooms, figuring it would save time. Live and learn! They are just regular, old plank floors which is what an American house from the Federal period would normally have. They are all made from iron-on edge-stripping stained a dark walnut color and have several layers of shellac overall and a final coat of wax. .
I chose a Susan Bembridge wallpaper because it resembles the pattern in my 'rl' dining room. I have been thinking about repainting the front rooms, even though I really like the old colors --but sometimes you just need a change of scenery, right? But the over-sized, brocade pattern will live on forever in my dollhouse!
My 'rl' dining room.
Next, I added the wainscot. This I made with illustration board and pre-made panels from Lawbre. I had some panels left over from the Entrance Hall, so I only had to order a few more. All three walls, BTW, are pieces of illustration board I cut to the exact size of the room. It's so much easier working on the walls flat on my kitchen work table! You can just pop them in and out as you're working and all the wiring gets hidden behind. How cool is that?
Here I added the fireplace mantel from Braxton Payne and the door surround from Miniature Mansions. All the mill-work is painted my special off-white. Nothing is glued down permanently, yet.
The base boards are black marble with a bullnose trim on top. I think every room should have a little black in it!
I have been working on the art collection which will pretty much cover the walls completely. The only one I didn't make is the work in the very center, which is a Jim Coates piece. They're made utilizing Ray Whitledge's technique of over-painting Mod-Podge on top of the print. They look like real oil-paintings! I had a reclining nude of Venus, the most lovely picture you ever saw, but she fell onto the floor and disappeared into the heat register. I have the saddest life...
I have a pair of the fold-down card tables from the collection.
But I'm very excited because I get to use my Thomas Jefferson Monticello Collection furniture in the Music Room! Most of you already know that Jefferson inspired Merriman Park's layout and I am a huge fan of him. I bought these pieces ages ago and plan on getting a suite of six or eight of these Louis XVI-style chairs and reupholster them in the matching Susan Bembridge pattern in silk. It might seem a bit much, but as I mentioned earlier, most of the walls will be covered with artwork, so I don't think it will get too pattern-busy in there --I hope!
Of course, you know my motto: 'it's not done, until it's overdone!' so consider the source! Well. that's all I have for now, have a great weekend everybody, stay cool and ciao for now!
Sorry I didn't photoshop fireworks over Merriman Park --that is way beyond my ability! But here are a few photos my bff, Ricky, took recently one night after dinner and drinks. Enjoy, and Happy 4th to the Yanks!
I love this photo because it looks like E.T. is behind the door! Spooky!
Still have to figure out how to finish the raw wood edges...
The light fixtures show very well in this shot
A moody shot of the Drawing Room
The goddess Diana gazes serenely from her niche.
Three rooms down, three to go!
Merriman Park lit for the evening.
Due to technical difficulties, my last post on the Dining Room seems to have been lost in the shuffle. (Thanks Simon for calling that to my attention). Go back and read my earlier post if you would like more info on that room. And a special thank you to Rick for snapping these amazing photos!
The Dining Room is starting to come together! Would you care to take a little tour and have a look-y?
Of all the rooms in Merriman Park, so far this one is decorated the most 'modern,' in the early nineteenth-century Federal Style. The American Federal period corresponds to the British Regency and the French Empire styles.
My inspiration for this setting came from 'real-life' rooms in Washington D.C, Virginia and New Orleans (!)
I started this room way back on Christmas Eve, when I drew up these rough sketches on the back of some holiday wrapping paper. Obviously, I had no idea of the scale of the wallpaper pattern because I drew it pretty large!
Planning a space is half the fun for me. Sometimes I make fairly elaborate plans and other times a quick, cursory sketch is all that is needed. Other times, I just have a vague 'feeling' of what I want to do and start with no written plan at all. I'm the master of the 'No Plan' Plan!
Paneled wainscoting was falling out of fashion by the early part of the nineteenth century, and fanciful wallpapers were being used from floor to cornice. Because of this, I choose a 'beefy' skirting board, almost an inch high!
All the moldings and pilasters are from Lawbre Miniatures. You cannot beat their fine quality. Their web catalog is a little shall we say in need of an update but I bought a hard copy back when Merriman Park was merely in the planning stages. It has been an endless source of inspiring ideas.
I have already gone on and on about Braxton Payne's gorgeous fireplace mantels --this one in his 'Greek-Revival mode.
The chandelier and sconces were purchased from Luminations by Mr. K. I had thought about installing a 'shoo-fly' over the dining table. This was a large fan that hung over the table and was operated by pulling cords by servants. But the shoo-fly lost out when I spied this Swarovsky crystal-bedazzled beauty!
It was my very first time with the Pretty Pleater --and you always remember your first time, right? I used gold rings from the bead store on a brass rod, an idea I shamelessly stole from one of my inspiration rooms. Except for stitching the rings to the top of the panels, these curtains were a no-sew breeze to whip up! (Thanks, Ray)! Ray Whitledge did a fab tutorial on the wonderful world of the Pretty Pleater on his blog and I followed his instructions to a T --except I used spray starch instead of hairspray. (Oh. My. God. I haven't used hairspray since, like, the '80's)! Speaking of the 80's and hairspray, let's have a look from the archives of TheHair-Do Hall of Fame, shall we?
Being pretty isn't easy.
"I'd just like a little off the sides, please."
Does this ponytail distract from my alluring eyes?
But I digress.
Anyway, wasn't it nice that the folks over at Master's Miniatures, where most of my dining room furnishings came from, supplied me with some extra gold gimp so the drapes match the rug I mean the chairs? I think so!
Hopefully, the photos that my 'photographer friend' snaps will turn out better than mine! Perhaps by then I will have amassed a few more accessories to round out my Dining Room!
And that concludes the tour... y'all have been the best tour, ever, and I really do mean that! Buh-bye!
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!
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.
