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Friday, October 14, 2011

T.G.I.F!!!

Happy Friday!

Not much progress to report, but I did get some more art framed, I finished the stair banister finials and I whipped up a corridor which you will get a glimpse of through all the doorways along the back wall.

The scenic wallpaper is from Les Chinoiserie in Spain.
Isn't it cool?!  It really makes it look as if the house goes back a lot further.  And it only added two inches! Do you like the scenic wallpaper?  I bought it originally for the Entrance Hall but decided I'd rather have lots of gilt-framed paintings there, instead.

Here's how I made it:  it's really just a little box made up from scrap stock leftover from the construction of Merriman Park.  Waste not, want not!  After making the box I just papered and trimmed it out with molding.

I added mirrors on the end panels just in case someone sticks their head into the room for a peek down the corridor. The mirrors give the illusion that the hallway goes on and on forever!  I love that!

Some leftover marble tiles finish off the floor.

The gentlemen are pleased with the Hall's progress!

Looks like I'll be making another trip to the local dollhouse shop to buy a new circuit-breaker thing-y. so hopefully I will be able to tackle the lighting, once and for all.  Did you just roll your eyes?  Can't say I blame you --I've been trying to get all the lamps working for like, forever! 

Guess I'll have to get some kind of generic lamp to light the corridor, it won't be seen --does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm also looking for 'candle shades,' in black, if anyone knows where to pick those up?  I just need a few more odds and ends to finally finish off this room once and for all...

Ha! I'm beginning to wonder if it will ever be completely finished!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

18 comments:

Giac said...[Reply]

Hi John!
The hall is fantastic...I love that "Les chinoiserie" paper very much and it's perfect in the corridor.
Hang in there, you'll get everything done one room at a time. Merriman Park is a large project, don't get discouraged!
As for black shades, I read in a magazine that Whitledge-Burgess ordered some from Clare Bell Brass.
Keep up the good work, your fans are waiting impatiently!
Happy weekend,
Giac

John said...[Reply]

Thank you, Giac! Didn't you use the same paper in your Music Room? --We all seem to have the same (rarefied) taste! Thanks also, for the lamp shade tip!

Giac said...[Reply]

Hey John,
Yep, I used that paper in one of the bedrooms!
I just went through my magazines and Scott answered a reader's request about black shades, They were custom ordered for one of their chandeliers, but you might be able to order them.
Giac

John said...[Reply]

I was just on Clarebell's webpage, lol! Thanks, again, Giac.

iseecerulean said...[Reply]

The hallway is absolutely brilliant!

John said...[Reply]

Thanks, iseecurulean! I have been meaning to tell you how enamored I am over your latest project, and also to check out the seemingly HUNDREDS of miniature sites you're following! (Girl, how do you manage it)?

Simon said...[Reply]

Hey John. The corridor looks fantastic, it really draws the eye through the hall. Good job! And I love the new wall arrangement with pictures and sconces. It really is the perfect entrance hall. I can't tell you what a buzz it is reading your posts.
Do you mind if I give a little shout out to Giac please (I cant leave him comments still!!). Just to say your project is really coming on now with the roof and attics under way, keep up the great work. (sorry about that John x)
Anyway, John, You'll feel much more happy once you have the exlectrics sorted. If it makes you feel any better I once caused a storm in a tea cup when I bought some seautiful wall lights only to find they didn't work. After several very "to the point" email conversations I realised I had the electric transforma on 2 volts instead of 12!! the shame!!
Have a great weekend my friend...
Si

Unknown said...[Reply]

That hallway is fantastic! There is so much to look at. I have looked at it a few times and always discover new things. WONDERFUL!

Josje said...[Reply]

Love the effect you have created by adding the little corridor with the light coming from it. It does make it look like the house is much bigger, maybe it is a corridor which leads to servant quarters?

You can easily make some shades yourself, using thin card stock, gold paint or paper (for the inside) and black paper or fabric for the outside. Maybe a fine trim for top and bottom. Just play around with cut out circles and you will find the size that is right for you. If you need something for the shade to rest on, I use transparant sheets (or blister packaging material) cut in a circle and resting on the lights. Again, just play around with it a bit so you find what works best for your light.

El caballero Metabólico said...[Reply]

Enhorabuena John!! No pensaba que podía quedar tan bien el trampantojo del fondo!! Está genial, me gusta mucho!! Espero que ahora tengas más suerte con la iluminación, esta habitación iluminada tiene que ser una verdadera maravilla!! Feliz fin de semana!!

Kats Studio said...[Reply]

What fantastic work you are doing. I look foward to the next step.
Thanks for the comment about my blog. I intend to add a dollhouse page, once I get it started. Have a great day!

John said...[Reply]

Hi, Simon!
Sorry you're having trouble posting to Giac and the others. It's just like my 'blogger photo' coming and going --I don't get it! Glad you like the changes...I have sconces all over my 'real life' house, too. It's to the point where my friends will find a sconce or two somewhere & drop them off at my door!

Thank you, Teresa. I should probably stop fussing with tiny details and get the major stuff finished first. But it's so much more FUN to play with my dollhouse stuff!

That is such a good tip, Josje. I should learn not to rely so much on 'bought' things, and since I actually have made 'real life' lampshades, I should be able to figure out making miniature ones, too. Thanks for your encouragement.

Hola, Pedrete! Como siempre sus comentarios y apoyo significa mucho para mí. Sí, espero tener las luces de trabajo de hoy o mañana ... y no provocar una explosión en mi casa de verdad!

I appreciate your kind words, too, Kathleen. Wishing you much good luck with your new house!

And, now...off to the dollhouse shop! Happy Saturday, everyone!

Andy said...[Reply]

Hi John,

The new hallway extension looks brilliant! it's almost like you are looking out from an Italian villa, with a view over the hillside. great work!! and achieved at very little extra cost too, congratulations! I love it!

regards
Andy

razzslady said...[Reply]

The big picture frame finishes that wall perfectly.

Didn't think I'd like the back hallway but it's great. What a cool idea.

Always fun to see what you have done.

Barb in MN

John said...[Reply]

Hi, Andy, thanks! I'm not sure if I am sticking with this paper, or not --I just happened to have it 'on hand.'

Thanks, Barb...I thought my collection was too Titian-heavy so I switched it out for the Dutch landscape, also from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Irene said...[Reply]

Initially I thought a scene on the back wall would detract from the lovely hall interior you have but I was wrong! It's so completely different in appearance that it works very well and I love the fact that you put mirrors in there (just in case!).

I've done the concealed light thing in one of my properties but used a light fitting as the it could be seen (if you looked hard enough). If you put a light on the back wall of the house - as opposed to the front of your "extension", you'd just get the effect and as your extension is open at the top, it would be a simple enough job to change the bulb if there was a problem.

John said...[Reply]

Hi, Irene!

Thank you for the lighting tip...I'm taking a break from working on it as I just can't seem to get one of my sconces working. Ugh! Guess, I'll switch to working on a different lamp and go back to the sconce, later...

CLMT said...[Reply]

That HALLWAY BIT is so good it deserves to be in a book, did you invent it yourself, especially the mirrors part???

I will be doing it somewhere, somehow in 1 or more of mine. That is just the greatest thing I've seen John, I am just THRILLED to see it.

I have always especially liked doors and depth, even and especially in painting.