Friday 6 December 2013

Doll's House

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to create a doll's house. I always had an excuse for not getting on with it but I have finally grabbed the bull by the horns and bought a classical doll's house kit that I will make and decorate. I need to relax more and I am hoping this will be the answer. It is a 1/12th scale model and I am going to furnish it in Victorian style. I shall blog my progress.

Well the big box of bits arrived yesterday. 
Day 1
Task 1 was to check and identify all the bits:
All present and correct


Next job to glue sides and back to base - I had not realised how much mess I could make with a tube of PVA glue!


Day 2
Another day on the construction site for me and the builder's mate. I could not imagine going this single handed - how do you glue and hold at the same time?
Today we have attached the ceiling/floors and made the stair well.  The stairs are not in position yet they are just 'holding' the side panels while they dry.  Before we can proceed we need to do the lighting. Have decided to go for wired lighting rather than battery operated. I know a very competent electrician who will help me. Before I fix the stairs I need to wallpaper the hall walls. You would think that with the mountain of paper I have there would be something suitable but no.... the patterned papers are not the right scale and I don't have enough of plain paper anyway Victorians didn't do 'plain'. So off now to shop for lighting and wallpaper........ Not sure when the relaxing part will hit in but right now it is STRESSFUL!
Oooops! Realised the back panel has been STUCK in upside down! My trusty electrician has managed to drill some new holes for the electrical wires.

Day 3
Roof added
Window frames and door added.
There will now be a break in building work until the lighting kit arrives.

Day 4
It's Saturday so we are doing a spot of overtime. Windows have been glazed and inside window panels fitted.

Day 6
Columns, scotias and porticos added to front of house. Chimneys assembled. Stairways added.

Day 7
Oh bum! One of chimneys is scew-whiff - 'someone' must have knocked it while the glue was drying.
Lighting pack, transformer and light socket strip arrived today.

Day 9
Chimneys attached. Fronts hinged and attached. Door knob added. Looking good! All I need now is a name. Can't have 'Gully Gables' as it doesn't have gables, can't have Tessy Towers as it doesn't have towers. Any suggestions welcome. Thanks to my trusted assistant without whom this might still be in the box. Work will resume after the holiday.






9 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful so far Tess! Mine is a similar size but remains flat packed atm. I'm hoping for some vouchers from Santa so I can add to my wallpapers and get some carpets. Look forward to seeing more. Carol x

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  2. It seems to be coming along nicely. Didn't think you'd be this far ahead already. Hope you find some suitable papers. If not - couldn't you find some suitable ones and shrink them before printing them out to get the right scale.
    Beryl xx

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  3. oooh Tess, it looks fab! Can't wait to see it progress, what a lovely project
    Claire xx

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  4. Ooo Tess, it's looking really good. I had a pad of William Morris papers from Joanna Sheen,they are only 8x8 but they would have been ideal had they been larger. Looking forward to seeing the progess xx

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  5. It looks fab Tess, I love blue, looking forward to seeing how it progresses.
    Christine xx

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  6. Wonderful, Tess! I too have always wanted a doll's house since I was introduced to them aged 7 by a very well-to-do friend who had two large sized ones. Super project and I shall look forward to seeing your progress. Janet xx

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  7. oh wow this is gorgeous Tess. So impressed by how far it has come along. Can't think of a name, but I'm sure you'll think of something.
    This looks quite a good site for wallpaper - not looked into it too much but it seems to have eras etc.
    http://www.jennifersprintables.com/printables1.html
    Annie xxx

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  8. This link may help for printables
    http://gomakesomething.com/category/print/printmini/
    all sorts of stuff for dolls houses and it's free!

    Janet xx

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  9. Oh Tess is looks amazing! You certainly work faster than most builders lol. How about Lilah's Lodge although its a bit posh for a lodge
    Claire xx

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