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Tuesday, April 11, 2017

The Boring Details...

The next step in working on the New Orleans kit included the boring and repetitive details such as priming, painting and assembling windows. The necessary evil of the dollhousing process. Prime, sand, prime, sand, paint, sand, paint, sand, glue together, wait, seal, buff etc... I find that if I load a bunch of interesting videos to my YouTube Watch Later list, then press Play All, I can go for days repeating the same process on the same pieces, several times and not totally lose my mind. And just when I've reached the end of the Watch Later list, I've hopefully reached the end of the process. And with any luck at all, you get to look and be happy with your work...


A nice payoff for all the tedious work!

I started on the foundation. I knew I wanted brick, but not shiny new red brick. In my mind the house is an old one which has been lovingly updated by the new owner. I thought if I were refurbing an older home I'd want to fix up the old mortar and seal the bricks with a nice long lasting marine grade paint. I'd go white for a fresher look.


After doing so many types of bricks in the Three Little Pigs: Revenge project, I knew that I would not have the patience for the egg carton variety this time around. I used Magic Brik. It takes a while to separate the sticker from the brick waste, and is messy to apply, but there's nothing out there that looks more authentic and goes on so quickly. The nice thing is, if you let the messy dropped bits dry where they landed overnight you can recycle them easily. Just scoop them back into the mixing container (I use a Rubbermaid sandwich container). The next time you need mortar, add warm water and stir. It reconstitutes beautifully! If you'd like more info on the product, read this post.


To finish them off, I primed, painted and sealed them.

After setting the foundation aside to dry, I started to prime all of the first floor walls inside and out. I used a couple coats of primer, then painted the exterior clapboard and trim in the finish colors. The bright white LED fixture over my work table tends to cast a greenish tone on everything. Maybe seeing the paint chips will give a better idea on the two main exterior colors...


All the window frames were painted white.

Turning my attention to the inside, I cut and filled door and window openings, then got the walls primed and ready for wallpaper.


I test fit the new kitchen wall with the arch cut out...


The dining room in the back looks good through this doorway...


And this one... This is where I start to get excited!

I made the chimney breast out of foam core. It will serve also as the framing for the recessed bookcase. I am waiting for the matching arch to the dining room doorway. It will frame the bookcase.


The false wall will conceal the hub for the lighting. I will leave it accessible for future access.


I attempted to start on the stairs today. I am going to make some changes to the opening in the second floor and to the doorway to the bedroom, so I needed a test fit.


In looking at the stairs that came with the kit, they look to be a sort of press board. The kind that pills up when exposed to wet paint or stain.


After trying out a few test spots, I went ahead and ordered the really nice stair kit from HBS. The one with real wood treads. You get such a better result when the treads are separate. Trying not to get stain on the white parts in the all-in-one stairs is difficult for me!


It will be worth the wait to have the right kind of material. I've learned the hard way: don't rush and let a cheap or thrifty now solution cheapen the rest of the project in the long run. If you can wait and can eek something nicer out of the budget on a project like this, do it!

I think the next step is to solidify the lighting plan, then get started on the wallpapers and ceiling treatments. I hope to have a much better experience with the tape wire and MDF this time than I did with the barn. Prayers much appreciated!

Hope you all have an excellent week, a rejuvenating weekend and if you're so inclined - lots of chocolate from the Easter Bunny!

xx oo
Jodi

26 comments:

  1. Oh my! I just love your colors and that white brick! Beautiful. Can't wait to see your fireplace and built-in bookshelf! Looks wonderful!

    I'm with you on the staircase. Sometimes what comes with the kit just doesn't work out. Keep them for spare parts and use something you know will be better.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I will definitely use them somewhere, someday! Spare parts on hand just make you feel secure in future possibilities, huh!

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  2. Boring... ok. But what incredible process you were able to make. Coming on very nicely - love the idea of the recessed bookcase.

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    1. Thanks, Marion! Again I am reaching just beyond my comfort zone, so I hope the plans come together with only gentle lessons. :o)

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  3. Yes it is boring, I even get stomach ache when facing that kind of work. But it is so worth it, isn´t it? You have done an amazing job. I love everything, the colours, the brick work, the arches, I cannot wait to see more. And thank you for all the details and explanation, I am learning a lot!! Love your blog :)

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    1. Thanks Alexandra! It makes me happy to have your encouraging comments and your company on the journey!

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  4. Hello Jodi,
    First off, I LOVE the color you chose. It is beautiful! Great job on the brick foundation. I have used magic brick and quite like it. I am already in love with the details you are adding and changing around the house. the bookcase is lovely and I can't wait to see the new staircase landing. You always manage to bring simple kits to the next level...and I always enjoy the journey.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks so much, Giac! You are so tuned in to creating that "wow" factor in each detail, and seeing what is possible makes us all strive to achieve more in ours. It is an honor to have you here!

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  5. I love the arches, what a grand feeling they give the room. Nice job painting...taking the time to do it right gives such a precise finish. Can't wait to see the new stairway.

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    1. I bought those two arches at the time of buying the kit - I just knew they belonged there! I hope my plastering job does not end up detracting from them - I certainly do not have it all figured out, and there will be a lot of figuring it out as I go along. Eeek! Scary and exciting at the same time.

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  6. Un placer ver todo el desarrollo de tu trabajo , es fantástico; felicidades:-)

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    1. ¡Muchas gracias por el comentario precioso! Me alegro de que está siguiendo a lo largo de!

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  7. I love the progress you've made already, Jodi. I feel so inadequate when I see the work of my idols, who, in addition to yourself, are increasing in number on a daily basis - (are you listening Elizabeth, Giac, Marijke, Pepper .....the list goes on!) Anyway - beautiful colours on the house, Jodi, and I love the detail added with the arches. It's going to look so great! - Marilyn D., Oromocto, NB, Canada

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    1. Thanks so much, Marilyn! It is lovely to be included with the miniaturists that inspire us to dream and to try! There is a reason and a purpose for all of us to have been given this passion for tiny things! I am so happy that you are here to share the exploration!

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  8. Yo diría que el trabajo que has hecho, mas que aburrido es muy entretenido. Me gusta el aspecto que está tomando. Precioso el arco y la chimenea tiene muy buen pinta.

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    1. ¡Gracias Isabel! ¡Me encanta poder explorar tantos estilos en cada casa de muñecas! Es como conseguir a todas las casas te gusta sin las hipotecas!

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  9. I'm really excited to see what the arches will look like finished! I've always loved interior design that featured them, they just look so majestic. The white on the magic brick looks really fresh and fits well with your colour scheme. Can't wait to see more : )

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    1. I'm excited about the arches, too! I wll have one arched frame on each side of the sandwiched walls. The trick is going to be creating a smooth transition seam between them. I am trying out DAP Wood Plastic and I am hopeful it will be great! Wish me luck!

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  10. Looks great Jodi! Love it all, especially those paint colours! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Shannon! You too! Hope you find some nice mini-ing time!

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  11. I love to see a photo of a miniature scene and be able to peek into another room. I think it adds such depth and interest to the photo and you're arch will provide a perfect vista opportunity.
    Love the exterior colours :0)

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    1. Me too, Pepper! I love the houses where rooms are behind other rooms and you get little peeks inside! I am going to make it worth your while to peek into the windows! Peeping Toms! All of us!

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  12. Maybe boring for you, but way too interesting for us! One minute we see a kit in a box, then next time we click it is all painted, modified, and getting somewhere! Love the colors and the arches! Keep going this is gorgeous.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sam! I hope I have something interesting to share again soon - I seem to be working through mud and fog this week! Bad sleep = low productivity! I threatened the hubs with separate beds if he does not remember to take his restless leg medicine, lol!

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  13. It's starting to look really lovely! I have never tried the Magic Bricks..... maybe I should! I really like what you are doing!

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    1. Thanks Betsy! They really are quite fun - kind of like frosting a cake! Hope you're getting the healing rest that you need!

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