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Friday, June 8, 2018

Storybook Cottage - Second Story

As happens in every mini build, I have reached the Chicken or Egg conundrum. What makes the most sense to do next? What order do I want to finish things? I affixed the center wall, finished the trim work on it, then decided that before I really attach the kitchen sink wall, there were other things I better do first. Like the second floor. It will be easier to install the floor first, and then the sink wall. Trust me - I've practiced! But first, there was a lot of work to do on that piece, floor and ceiling.



On the side that would be the first floor ceiling, I drew around the center wall with pencil so I'd know where to apply the ceiling beams. I got all the 1/4" x 1/4" beams cut, and drew around them so that I could score faux boards into the sections in between them. I tested the fit, then gave it three good coats of paint.




For the second floor's flooring, I decided to do tiles in the bathroom and more of the same wood floor in the bedroom. I had purchased a tile wallpaper sheet made by Itsy Bitsy Mini. I thought it was going to be perfect. So, I applied it to illustration art board with wallpaper paste, then cut it into tiles like the kitchen floor.



I laid it on the diagonal again, got it all glued down and grouted (over two evenings), then hated it. The tile pattern itself does not lend itself to being laid like that, so it just looks crooked. Also, because I worked so late, my lines got wonky and I didn't notice until it was too late or I didn't care anymore.



So, rather than rip them all off, I did the only other thing I could do: I painted over them.


These will not be grouted, as after I did the third grout and repaint session, I didn't like the grout. So, they are what they are and they are not terrible so this is how they shall remain.


Meanwhile, during endless drying times, I worked on the stairs and another little art project for the stairwell. The stairs got their treads decoupaged in shabby rug patterns found mostly on Pinterest, and then were edged in "lace"...


And then for fun the risers got words associated with teas decoupaged onto them.



The art hanging is comprised of a clock, sign and three hanging photo frames. I made something like this for my real life house back in 2009 and I really like it.


A cabochon frame holds the printed clock face with teapots for the numbers. I attached tiny watch hands and then encased the face and hands in Glossy Accents. The one thing I will do in the future is seal the clock face before applying the Glossy Accents - it seems to have blurred the ink a bit. The frames are the unfinished metal kind you find on eBay, and the sign part is 1/16" thick basswood with wainscot trim added to the top and bottom. My printer and graphics program are coming in very handy for this project!






Here's the sign in the stairwell. Once the wall is up, you'll only be able to see it through the windows.



Hopefully the next few steps will go much smoother than the bathroom tiles did. I hope to be back in a couple days with erected walls to share!

It has been pretty lonely here, mostly at night, but I am grateful to have three sweet doggies to keep me company. Russ will be home Sunday, but then back up north to work again for the week Monday morning. Keeping very busy is the only saving grace!

Have a great weekend!

xo xo,
Jodi

35 comments:

  1. I absolutely adore your staircase!
    The bathroom tiles are fine too. Maybe you needed something that doesn't look so busy.
    And I'm in awe of your ceiling and roofbeams, so neatly done.
    As I see this house progressing, I keep thinking I should make you a teapot or two. But at the rate you are progressing, the house will be long finished and furnished before I get around to it. I do have a teapot I made a long time ago that I think you might like. I will post a photo of it on my blog soon so you can see it.

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    1. Thanks Megan! As Sheila says, it's not a very practical staircase for real life, but boy is it cute!
      I've been tinkering in my mind about how to do those roof beams, and the idea of installing them with the house on it's head made me nervous! I definitely have some spackling to do, but that seems so much easier than reaching in to glue beams - glad you like them! The bathroom floor tiles will do. Not amazing, but not terrible, either...

      A teapot made by Megan?!? My heart just leaped! :O) I would love that, and if you decide that's something you'd like to take on with your busy schedule, I'd love to make something for Del Prado, too! In terms of time, I will just save a special place for the teapot so that whenever it arrives, it will be a treasured addition! :O)

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  2. Hi Jodi, everything you did looks great, but my absolute favorite of this post is the staircase! How original and lovely! I really love this :-)!!!

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    1. Thanks Millicent! I'm so happy that you are feeling the shabby~girly~frilly vibe, too! ;O)

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  3. me encanta la escalera, es muy original.
    Un abrazo

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    1. Gracias Marian! Quería hacer algo especial para la escalera, aunque en su mayoría estará oculta. Una sorpresa feliz cuando miras por la ventana. ¡También amo la forma en que salió!

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  4. I love the words on the risers of your stairs. But to me the lace looks a bit busy, and also (me being the klutz I am) like it would catch my feet and I'd trip my way up and down the stairs.

    I'm sorry the tile didn't work out like you wanted. I think it being on an angle might have been too much. Though the color is very pretty and I enjoy it a lot.

    The artwork is super cute! Love the teapot theme you have going on.

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    1. Ha ha! The lace edging is very impracticable, and I would surely kill myself going up or down, too! Let's just hope the lady of the house doesn't spike her tea too much or too often! :O)

      I am okay with the tiles, and grateful for the lesson. In the future, I know what NOT to do! :D I really love the color, and it is kind of nostalgic for me, as my aunt had very similar tiles in her beauty shop when I was a kid. So that makes me like them even more.

      Glad you like the art work! It is exciting to come up with an idea, and the process of making them was very fun and enjoyable!

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  5. What a beautiful ceiling! The beams are a perfect scale to everything else. And I liked all the tile options but the final result is very pretty too. Definitely looks like you have real clay tiles with all the paint and gloss. All the accessories and the stairs really fit the theme. Very cute!

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    1. Thanks Kristine! The process has been so much fun, trying to figure out how to make it all work. In general, the cottage is exceeding my vision for the project. I love so many elements about it, that the setbacks are no big deal. It's a great feeling!

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  6. I love the ceiling! The art work is great, especially the clock with the teapot numbers. The tiles gave you a bit of trouble but the end result is very nice. Great progress!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! I am so happy that you like the clock! I learned something, so the next clocks will be even better and more fun to make. It is a good feeling when an unexpected problem gives you a way to resolve it. So, in spite of having to change my idea to a new one, I am grateful for the happy ending!

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  7. Precioso trabajo. Muy original e imaginativa la escalera. Me encanta el reloj con el colgante.

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    1. Gracias Isabel! También me encantan las escaleras y estoy tan feliz de haber podido probar la idea con éxito. A veces, solo tener una idea es la parte más difícil.

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  8. Hi Jodi!
    I have NEVER seen a ceiling installed as PERFECTLY as yours is and I think that you should take a bow because it turned out Beautifully!!!
    I also like the bathroom floor although I'm sorry that the pattern didn't turn out as you'd planned. These things happen yet even so, your "Plan B" is a very good one because your solid floor will enhance the other patterns in the bathroom :D

    The shabby rug patterns on the treads is a really novel idea which totally emphasizes your cottagey theme, and yet I would have to agree with Sheila's comment regarding the busyness of the lace trim. Perhaps a more simple white bullnose edge will give you your shelf effect minus those safety concerns. ❤

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    1. I'm glad you like the beamed ceiling, Elizabeth! It was born out of intimidation in having to have the dollhouse on it's head to install the beams!

      I think in the end, having the solid tiles was kismet. In addition to crooked, the colors, once placed next to the busy wallpaper, was a little off. Like you said, once all the other elements go in there, they'll only be extras in the motion picture. :O)

      I see and appreciate what both you and Sheila see with the stair edging. It is busy and frilly, and it seems also to be very polarizing. Folks either love it or hate it! :O) I absolutely adore it, so like Stuart Weitzman Cinderella Slippers, though impractical and nearly obscene, I'm keeping it! :O)

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    2. and I agree with you Jodi that it's always BEST to stay true to YOUR vision because YOU are the FAIRY GODMOTHER in this Magical transformation! :D

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  9. Hi Jodi. First up, the ceiling. I think exposed beams are just right for this cottage, and the fit is perfect. Next, your tiles: I think they looked OK , but they did look quite busy. The updated pink version look good too, even without grout. Perhaps they just used pink grout? Older homes with coloured tiles often did use a same colour grout. And your stairwell is so cute and perfectly in keeping with everything else. I love the idea of hidden spaces and having to hunt for the details. And lastly, glad Russ is nearly home! I am sure he misses you just as much. Enjoy your weekend! Xx

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    1. Thank you, Shannon! I am so happy that you like ceiling beams! You are right about the original tiles - they were very busy, and would have looked disheveled with the wallpaper pattern anyway. I know exactly the look you're describing with colored grout, and I think it's what they do look like now. All is well that ends well!
      The time has gone by really fast, luckily! And at least we get to text each other several times a day. He is having a great time with our kids and his extended family, and the memorial service was good for all. It reminds us all to make the most of the time we have together, and that memories made become more precious to us as out lives move on. Xo Xo

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  10. Hi, Jodi - Those "Chicken and Egg" conundrums are sometimes hard to work through, but you seem to have figured it out and are heading in the right direction. The ceiling beams look just right - and that can be a hard job! I know that you're disappointed over the bathroom floor tiles, but I really like the plain ones - such a beautiful color. Perhaps a little wear and tear will leave a residue between tiles to suggest grout without actually using any. Your clever idea of using tea words on the stair risers is very effective, as are the decoupaged rugs on the treads. So cheery! It's such a pleasure to watch the Storybook Cottage taking shape; it's becoming a warm, delightful retreat. I hope the mini work keeps you busy enough in the coming week to ease the loneliness of Russ' absence.
    Marjorie

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    1. They are, Marjorie! I feel like so much time is spent just staring at the structure, as if I am waiting for it to tell me what to do next! :O)
      I am still undecided as to whether or not to add a bit of wear to things. I guess in all honesty I am a little chicken. :/ Though I do love me some shabbiness!
      I am so happy that you are here and are enjoying this frilly project with me - your encouragement means so much!

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  11. hi jodi
    with all these patterned wallpapers and decorations you are gettin close to the gingerbread house look :-). but it feels perfect for this little cottage. and that ceiling looks just perfect!

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    1. Hi Marion! I.m happy you like the beamed ceiling!
      Last year, I began to fantasize about having an escape cottage just for me. There would be no dogs, no boys, no messes. Just little old me in a place filled with delicate things that were in no danger of being destroyed by men over 6'2". So where you see all the vintage white, it would stay pristine. Where you see all the frill and pattern, it would not be criticized or threatening to masculine sensibilities. I am indulging that part of me that yearns for female, order and peace! :O)

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    2. jodi, now I understand the thinking behind all this! but beware of the grand children - they tend to want to inspect everything in your little cottage :-)

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  12. I love every inch of your Storybook Cottage and your determination to keep it living up to its name. Clearly the super pretty stairs are not for real life but they are right for the cottage that represents every pretty cottage in every story book. Hang on to the single raison d'etre and build the cottage of your dreams. As for the chicken and egg conundrum it remains that.... many times in the build the 'it is better to do this before this but then this wont be able to be done' turns up and it remains impossible to choose...... until afterwards.... then you discover the right order of work. M

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! I know this style is not everyone's cup of tea, lol, but I do so love it! And I love that if a western homestead is what has my curiosity, I can make that in miniature, too!
      You are so right about knowing the right way AFTER you'd done something! I keep telling myself there's not much that can't be worked out, so just keep having fun and moving forward with SOMETHING! :O)

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  13. I learn so much from you and I so appreciate that you share your mistakes. Makes me feel less inept. I have been working on the Duracraft Bellingham farmhouse for two years now and I have made so many mistakes. My last project was to build a clock and I tried to figure out hands and now I see that you have an entire package of hands. I had so much fun building the clock, a shelf grandfather clock, that I will build a better one--without all of the mistakes. So where do I buy a package of miniature clock hands?

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    1. Hi Ann!
      That is so nice of you to say, and I am so happy that my experiences help you in some way! I know what you mean about making mistakes and having to learn things on the fly. I look at projects from six years ago, and while my skills have improved a great deal, back then I worried less about perfection. It was all about exploring ideas and having fun seeing them come to life. I hope that is how you feel about the Bellingham - it's an incredible house!
      I purchased my bag of watch hands on eBay. I found several listed in lots, some labeled "Steampunk Art" They are just spare watch parts, so searching that way might be helpful, too. Or if you have some old watches lying around, they might upcycle well for a lot of mini things. Good luck and have fun! :O)

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  14. What a genius idea to install the ceiling, well done you Jodi! I love everything your are doing with this house, the staircase is so cute and creative! Love it, love it! About the bathroom floor, I think the result is charming, it reminds me of an old bathroom flooring and I think it matches perfectly what you are doing here, so it´s all good. And the art hanging is FABULOUS!!

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    1. Alex I have to thank you for such lovely and encouraging comments. I had lost my enthusiasm a bit yesterday, and have been sad about the whole Swan House situation. But knowing you love the build really encourages me, so thank you again!

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  15. OMG what a cute house! I am so glad I found your blog. I love watching others as they build their house. This is really awesome. Good for you Jodi!

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    1. Thank you, Cheryl! I am so glad you found me, too! It's so much more fun when you can share the process with like minded mini nuts! :O)

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  16. Hello Jodi,
    While I am sorry the tile experiment did not work out, I do like the color you used to pain over them. The beamed ceiling is the perfect touch for this project and really makes it feel even more cozy. I like the sign in the stairwell very much, but the star of the show is the staircase itself. What a terrific, imaginative idea. It looks fantastic!
    Big hug
    Giac

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