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Friday, May 4, 2018

Storybook Cottage Kitchen Progress

Since I hadn't posted my regular weekly update on the Storybook Cottage build last week, this post was going to have a lot of photos. So, I consolidated some photos into groups and will just go over the less interesting stuff quickly...



First, I got all of the walls primed and another dry fit in to mark things for the wallpaper application.





Next was deciding on the paint colors I'd be using in the build. I made a color chart, compared them to the wallpaper and fabric I have, then narrowed them down to seven colors.


Then I made templates and applied the wallpaper. In case you are wondering, I like Wallpaper Mucilage the best of all I've tried, with Grandmother Stover's being my second favorite. I used nine sheets of wallpaper and a full jar of Wallpaper Mucilage.


Someone wondered why I put the wallpaper on the walls before I glue the structure. I don't always do this - it just depends on the particular challenges of the dollhouse. For this dollhouse, I need to make a lot of built ins. With the angles of the walls and ceiling, and the challenging spaces, it seemed simpler to  have the bulk of the building completed before I actually assemble. And being able to use the walls and lay them flat for templates is a cheat that will help a lot! Getting a ruler in to measure for trim in a tight space is one thing. Being able to read the marks on the ruler while it is in the deep spaces is another! :O)


The first built in I decided to tackle was the kitchen's bay window sink. Last year while in Arizona with my mom, I bought a Reutter free standing double sink unit at Aunty Em's. I took it apart because I didn't want to use the stand in this build, just the sink and faucet. I used the sink and built the sink cabinet around it.


I wanted the cabinet to be a little wider and deeper than the space available in the bay, so I had to install the horizontal bead board first to know how deep to make the return. Somehow, with all the cabinet and sink depth measuring, how far I wanted the sink to protrude etc., I ended up with the sink being 1/8" off center. It really isn't all that noticeable in the grand scheme, so I chose not to start over. I also chose to make an open cabinet area under the sink (I love curtained openings in a sink) and faux drawer fronts. After all that vanity experimenting, I also just had to add drain pipes!



The counter top shape was a challenge with all those angles, built in shelves to meet up to, the sink cut out and the overhang for the returns. Luckily, I had made a floor and ceiling template, so transferring it onto wood made it easier.

I looked at several kinds of pink counter tops online. I saw great examples of Formica, granite and marble in pink hues. This gave me license to play around, and I love the results! I hope I can replicate them pretty closely when I get to the rest of the kitchen counter tops to come! Here's what I did:



Now for the backsplash. The space between the counter top and the window frame bottoms was 3/8". So, using the same template from the floor/ceiling/counter top, I cut three pieces of 3/8" basswood. I measured every 3/8" and filed a groove into the wood to replicate tiles. I painted the entire tile strip with a couple coats of Vintage White, then when dry I mixed one part Green Tea with three parts glazing medium and painted the tiles.



Once they were dry I gave it all a good coat of Triple Thick along with the counter top. Here it is installed. I like the shabby glazed tile effect with the shiny countertop.


And here is the built in sink cabinet with it's curtain installed. Notice the chair rail, baseboard and corner trims, as well. The window sills will have to be installed at the same time as the exterior windows, so it will remain unfinished for a bit.


I started on the other two kitchen walls, installing the bead board and trims, then did another dry fit. I hope to find time to start on their built ins in the next couple of days.






It looks like I'll also be sending five vanities on to their new homes next week - I have bids on all of them! They end Sunday, and I hope to list the next five then, as well. If you haven't seen the excitement, go take a look!

https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?item=123106991378&ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_ssn=tiny-little-smithy&_sop=1


Before I finish up I'd like to say ~Welcome!~ to the new followers! And to those of you who have stuck with me through the triumphs and epic fails, your friendship, comments and support mean the world to me!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox,
Jodi

36 comments:

  1. I love your sink! And those tiles are perfect. The stripes on the drawers of the cabinets are so pretty and your countertop is awesome. Love how everything looks so far.

    Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I love the way the tiles came out, too! I am finding it hard to know just how shabby to leave things and wrestling with that perfectionist instinct. It will be interesting to see which one wins in the end!

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    2. My suggestion? Make things as perfect as you like and then shabby them up afterwards. A little judicious sanding, charcoal or crackle finish goes a long way. After all, you don't want decrepit, just worn.

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    3. That's great advice! That way, I don't go too far, too fast. I'd like a little realism, but not so much that the poor lady needs to hire a handyman from Craigslist! :O)

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  2. Jodi your sink unit is fabulous! I love the countertop and backsplash tile.. what a great idea for splashback.. I'm going to have to adopt that technique somewhere in one of my kitchens or bathrooms. :) I love this room with all it's angles and interest. But it's all the little details that make it truly special. Like the paper backing the build in shelving units beside the window and their little lace detail on the face of the shelves. Also the beadboard (I'm a sucker for beadboard) and chair rail with the little paper lace? detail above. It's all just so impossibly pretty! :D What are you thinking for floors?
    Good luck with the auctions.. hopefully I'm a winner of at least one. :D If I do win, I might get you to hold off on shipping so I can bid on the next lot.. lol.

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    1. Thank you Sam! I think you'll find the countertop and tile method very forgiving and enjoyable! If the color is getting too intense, just dab with more glaze until you've toned it down. If it dries and you don't like it, just edit again with more glaze and color! Many chances to get it "right"!
      I am happy you like where this is going! I am really trying in this build to be cognoscente of tiny details. Even in the photos I see things I'll go back and add or enhance.
      I have a pretty soft pink paper tile sheet for the kitchen floor. I'd like to try Chris Toledo's method of using Pour On epoxy over them, cutting them individually, laying them on a floor template and grouting. It is intimidating, though, so we'll see how it goes. If that doesn't work well, a worn wood floor is a safe back up plan.
      I am so happy you want another vanity or two, and that you'll be bidding! If you win one or several, I will hold the package for you as long as you'd like! :O)

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  3. I love Sam's use of the phrase " Impossibly Pretty" when referring to all of the details you have incorporated into this cottage because it expresses so well how I feel about what I'm seeing too!
    The color pallet is ultra feminine and your choice of the main floral pattern for all the walls, offset with you various solid colors, is especially lovely to look at and are Perfect choices for the Cottage.
    I also like the way you have given more depth and perspectives to this build by your clever positioning of the windows and doors as well as your own special push -outs and built-ins.
    Your kitchen appears to have plenty of room to make it functional because of how you've positioned the double sink with shelf storage- WOW! I can already imagine how nice it will be as one is washing dishes and able to gaze out onto an old English Garden- Pure Bliss!
    I think that this is going to be one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE houses Jodi because I know that I'm In Love with it already! ❤

    elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth! I can't tell you how excited it makes me to hear that you are enjoying the cottage too! As you know, I live with boys and dogs. This is a place that if I could, I'd have for me alone. A cottage on the property I could escape to. A place I could visit and enjoy. Things would be delicate, pretty and functional, and stay just as I left them! Quiet, peaceful and happy!
      I hope as I move forward you'll continue to be delighted with the ideas I have for the place - it's been a long time since I was so inspired and excited about a project! Maybe I'll even finish this one! ;O)

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  4. You have mad wallpapering skills! All those wall pieces, and angles, it's craziness.

    Glad to see the auctions are doing well. :)

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    1. Thanks Keli! I really enjoy the wallpapering part because suddenly you see the ideas coming to life. Though a lot of the papers will be hidden in the end, just seeing the peeks of them here or there will be wonderful!
      It just feels good to know the vanities will go live in the dreams of other mini loving people, and not stay forgotten in grandma's hutch! :O)

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  5. fabuloso!!!!
    Me encantan los colores tan suaves y ha quedado un rincón precioso.
    Un abrazo

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    1. ¡Gracias, Marian! ¡Estoy tan feliz de que el paladar suave también te atraiga! ¡Aquí hay un gran abrazo!

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  6. It looks lovely! The sink is beautiful! I'm glad to see that your sale is going so well, so you can buy the special minis you wanted :-).

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    1. Thank you Millicent! I am happy you like the sink, too!
      The vanity project was such a valuable experience, and knowing they will adorn the homes of fellow mini enthusiasts is a good feeling!

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  7. ¡Que bonito rincón,me encanta!, no se te olvida ningún detalle , como las tuberías debajo del fregadero,genial,los colores muy bien cálidos.Feliz fin de semana.Besos:-)

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    1. Gracias Rosa Maria! ¡Estoy feliz de que te gusten los colores y los detalles! Hoy terminé el boceto para la pared de la estufa. ¡Espero que también te guste esa esquina! : O)

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  8. Me gusta como ha quedado la zona del fregadero con la baldas laterales.Un lugar precioso para el trabajo, con posibles estupendas vistas. Esos techos con los ángulos de inclinación tan marcador me parecen geniales.

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    1. ¡Gracias, Isabel! ¡Ha sido divertido hacer que el kit sea mucho más interesante, y espero poder hacer un buen uso de todos esos estantes! Voy a tener que hacer muchos accesorios.

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  9. Looking great Jodi. Love your choice of wallpaper and the kitchen sink area. And I didn’t think you’d have any trouble selling your sinks!

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    1. Thanks Shannon! I am happy you like the cottage choices, so far!
      It is always scary for me to put my work out there - I am a big chicken and so afraid of rejection. It feels really nice to know that other mini crazed individuals like my vanities! :O)

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  10. Hi Jodi! I am So impressed! You narrowed it to only seven colors!!! I would never be able to decide first which colors I wanted... and then once I got started I would add more for sure! :) Your choices are so pretty together! I Love the pink countertop and the sink looks so sweet in that alcove! I would be tempted to make the stairway a deep salmon to make it separate itself from the rest of the area.... but you have clearly got a design plan and are on a roll!!! Congratulations on selling your sinks, I am sure they will go to Happy customers! I can't wait to see more! :)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I love color, and a lot of it too! You should see all of the partial paint cans I have in my garage from all of the colors I have in my real life home! But for this build, my goal is to keep things relatively muted. Not sure I will succeed, because I love so many colors and tend to overdo a bit.
      I hope the buyers will be ecstatic with the vanities! I sure gave them my all!

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  11. being a real master at sinks, it is clear that you started with the kitchen sink;-)
    coming along wonderfully, jodi

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    1. Thanks Marion! "Master" may be a little generous, but I do feel a bit more comfortable with the sinks now. :O) I only hope I have become a little better at making cabinets, because there are a lot of those left to do in this cottage!

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  12. Hello Jodi,
    How wonderful. The primed pieces really give us a good idea of the finished product. It will be a wonderful cottage!
    I love the wallpaper and the way you treated the wall. It looks beautiful and very cozy. The sink is yet another triumph. I love that you did not use the reutter stand and the way you made the counter deeper. The finishes are gorgeous and I love the countertop and the built in shelves each side. It is just perfect.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thank you, Giac! The cottage style is a bit forgiving when it comes to the cabinet making, so I can get comfortable with how to build things and not be too critical of the finished product. This makes it less intimidating to try and just have fun with it. I am really enjoying it!

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  13. Still in love with your wallpapers.
    Amazed at the amount of progress you have made already.
    Love the sink, and the space around it. Those little shelves with lace edges are begging for interesting goodies to adorn them.
    With some of the walls assembled, one starts getting a feel for what the rooms are going to look like.

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    1. Me too, Megan! I love them more with each new element I add!
      So many little shelves - I hope I can accessorize them with the most wonderful little treasures!
      Yes - I see my vision coming to life and it is so exciting! I love it when you know what you want and you know what to do next! Great feeling!

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  14. Hi Jodi, The house looks like the perfect canvas all primed. I love the countertops, using the acrylic glazing medium is smart! And the tiles came out perfectly, I’m really impressed you did that by hand. Just so you know for next time I personally found that if you make your grout lines deep enough, and add enough gloss on top to seal the paint, you can actually smear pollyfilla over it and wipe of the excess for your grout lines. I don’t think it’s needed here because the tiles turned out beautifully, but thought you might like to know I’ve had success. My favourite part so far though are the recessed shelves above the sink! So cute!
    

And I do hope people bid more on your vanities!! They are going at way too much of a steal right now! With all the accessories, I’d think they’d be worth over $40 for sure. Etsy is a good spot for that too :) You're work is so well styled and made, no doubt the right buyers are out there!

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    1. I love seeing primed walls, too! The possibilities come and you get a much better feel for the space than just the raw wood.
      I am glad you like the sink and tiles! I had the grout/no grout debate going on with myself. I thought if I grouted the strips before I installed them, I couldn't connect the strips and know they were going to fit correctly. If I grouted after I installed I'd make a mess and then may ruin something. Then I looked at the tiles and realized I loved them just the way they were - shabby and imperfect!
      Great tip on the Polyfilla! I think it might be the same stuff as our Dap and it does work great for grouting tiles and egg carton brick and stone.
      Thank you for the vote of confidence on the vanities! I had no idea if any of them would appeal to anyone, so I am just happy that they sold and are going to live out a much better life than in my hutch! :O)

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  15. Hi Jodi, you are making immense progress with this house. I can tell you are inspired! Love what you have done so far in the kitchen. That sink is marvellous with all its exquisite details, the tiles, pipes, the counter top, the shelves above. What a winning combination!

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    1. Thanks Alex! It is a great feeling to jump right in and not become crippled with indecision or fear of failure! I am just trying to be creative and have fun, and I am really liking the way it's coming out, too!

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  16. Man, that's an awesome kitchen! I love the paper especially, and you have a great knack for finding just the right colors to complement the space.

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  17. What material did you use to make the walls? Did you use wood? If so what type? I was thinking of using foam.board for the structure, but unsure ��

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    1. Hello Sioned Lou,

      The Storybook Cottage kit wood is 1/8" plywood, as are the additional walls and roofs I added. It is good to use because it is sturdy and relatively easy to cut with a razor knife, scroll or table saw. You could certainly use foam board but if you do, I would reinforce the glue joins with tyvec fiber paper and/or wood corner moldings so all your hard work is as sturdy as can be.

      Good luck with your project and I hope you have fun!

      Jodi

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