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Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Very Little Progress...

I started to wonder why in the heck I wasn't making encouraging progress on the New Orleans build when it dawned on me: I've been busy doing other real life stuff for the past seven weekends! No wonder! And it's not about to get better any time soon. I am heading down to Arizona with my mom tomorrow morning to get the new retirement house all set up. We'll be gone at least two weeks, and when I get home, we have a family Father's Day camp out. Good thing all of this real life stuff is so fun and interesting - it makes the slow progress on mini dreams more bearable!


I got the enlarged stairwell opening cut, then traced out the rooms onto the ceiling so that I could decide where and how many can lights to add.


I laid out some of the ceiling decorations to help decide on the light placement.


I decided not to put any inside the living room ceiling decoration because I will have the fireplaces sconces and a couple of lamps. I did leave myself the option of adding a ceiling fixture later if it looks like the room needs more light. The hall at the back of the room will have two can lights.


The kitchen is going to be a little more modern, so I decided to plan for four can lights and a possible hanging fixture over the sink. I still have a few left from all of the 3D printing and testing I did for Alki Point.


I'll have two in the porch ceiling in addition to a wall fixture by the door.


The lights I have are spotlight LEDs from JS Miniatures. They come in a set of 10 with the lights and eyelets for around $30 including the shipping from the UK. Although the bulbs are not flush with the ceiling, they are a much more economical option that the Novalyte can lights which run about $12 each. 


They don't seem too intrusive, so I think at 1/4 of the price that they'll work out fine.


Once I had all of the 1/8" holes drilled, I had to make the channels for the wiring. The large hole in the center of the floor is the hub where all of the wires will run to the power strip behind the chimney breast. I basically just marked, scored then chipped out the plywood to make the grooves. Hopefully they are all deep enough or it will mean more sanding.


Oh! One quick tip for getting a good non slip grip - put a silpat under the board or saw. It's nice not to have things move on you! This one is dedicated for minis, and I also use it to cover the cookie sheet when I bake polymer clay.


Here is the ceiling after the ceiling paper has been applied.


And the test fits.




Next I dug out a whole mess of stickers, Dresden and findings to try and come up with the ceiling decoration for the living room. I hope in the end it's not too busy and not too plain.


For the dining room, this is all it needs. The crown starts where the pencil lines are, and because it is behind the kitchen and the arched doorway you will hardly see it at all. I'm going to add a fancy chandelier from the center above the dining room table.


I debated adding the faux tin ceiling in the kitchen, but in the end decided to add it and paint it sea foam. The rest of the kitchen will be white, including the tile, so it was a chance to add some texture and a little color.


Here's the living room ceiling after two coats of ceiling paint. I also added trim to the columns, but haven't gotten to paint them yet.

I hope all of you have a ~W~O~N~D~E~R~F~U~L~ Memorial Day Weekend! I'll post anything interesting and/or mini related while I'm basking in the Arizona sunshine. A Trip to Auntie Em's, perhaps? I hope so!

Jodi

9 comments:

  1. I love your ceiling detail! I think it looks just right. Hope you have fun with your mom for the next two weeks. Safe travels!

    Bring a notebook so you can use car time to make notes on ideas!

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  2. The perfect amount of detailing. :D Very fancypants.

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  3. There is a friendly and elegant atmosphere to the living room Jodi and the installation of the ceiling pot lights looks Marvelous!
    Love the plaster ornamentations, as well as applaud your decision to go with a tin ceiling for the kitchen. They are Perfect choices and your work is Beautifully Done! :))

    elizabeth

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  4. Hello Jodi,

    I think you made the right decision with the lights. They abrely stick out and I remember having pot lights with bulbs that were not flush with the ceiling. If anything the fact that they stick out just a l;ittle might light the room better. I very much like the way you set up your lighting going to the chimney stack. Very well done. The rooms are coming along beautifully. I love the color scheme throughout the house. The tin ceiling in the kitchen is wonderful. Enjoy the next 2 weeks...real life doies often get in the weay of mini-life, but we will all be here waiting the moment you return.
    Big hug
    Giac

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  5. Just a suggestion. Take a look at modeltrainsoftware.com for your lights. They have good prices too.

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  6. I have been buying novalytes at $12 so that seems like a really good deal! Of course I will also have to check out the recommendation above, but 10 for $30 is amazing. And the house looks beautiful too! Enjoy your time with your family!

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  7. It's all looking so good. The lights are unobrusive and don't compete with the freizes, the kitchen ceiling looks fab and the columns have just the right amount of detailing. Have a wonderful trip. I hope you return safe and well, with a tonne of inspiration :0)

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  9. This is looking fabulous!.. That tracing out the ceilings idea is genius.. I'm stealing that one. :)
    Love the idea of the faux tin ceiling being coloured and then everything else white.. nice design element! Loving this build, can't wait for more. :D

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