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Monday, April 22, 2019

Black, White and Gold


Just to refresh you, this was the furniture from my last post. After many coats of paint... I achieved the unifying black color I was hoping for.


I decided to do the faux marble treatment on the sink's countertop, painting the base with white chalk paint in several layers, sanding smooth in-between, then drawing on the marbling with artists chalk. I sealed and gave it it's shiny marble effect with several layers of sprayed on Krylon Triple Thick. Since gold was the metal finish of choice, I used the Krylon Gold Leafing pen to change the Falcon faucets from silver to gold, along with other elements of the accessories to tie everything together. I didn't have Iris, the French national flower, so instead I made white lilacs in a vase with water for the vanity. The candles can be found in my Tutorials tab.



Funny story with the bottom drawer being a basket now... I had finished the painting, let the dresser sit to cure for DAYS, then finally got to put the handles back on and reassemble. I had marked the drawers so I'd know exactly which slot they belonged in. Drawer #2 just didn't want to slide in, no matter how I coaxed it. I was a little wary of sanding, in case I ruined the finish. It almost fit, so I thought just forcing it in would work. It Didn't! After several moments of shock, because neither could I pull it out or push it in, I made the decision I would have to pull it out. No way to not damage it getting it out. So, drawer #3 became drawer #2, #4 became #3, and poor #2 got sanded raw and flush, painted black, and a "basket" cover was glued on. All is well that ends well, and I think I even like it better!


The side cabinets got filled with shampoo/conditioner/lotion bottles, glass jars with "bath beads", rolled towels, tissue, pottery, and various other decorative items. I adhered them to the glass shelves with Quick Grip (Elizabeth!) before inserting them through the back of the cabinets and re-gluing the mirrored backs. I did not have the patience to light the cabinets, as Elizabeth so smartly suggested. I also added legs to the bottoms to elevate them and help them coordinate with the sink cabinet. All were painted gold.



"Bath Beads" are tiny metallic micro beads and pearls.


Since there is no windows on the walls of the bathroom, I thought making the mirror out of a chipboard window frame would give it a more open feeling.




For the tub wall, I thought a collage of black and white bathroom photos and art would be fun. I bought about six vintage graphics through FrenchPaperMoon on Etsy. LOVE her graphics and am happy to pay for them periodically. Since I made them black and white for this bathroom, you are likely to see the full color versions in future builds! :O) The other ones I found with a Google search.

I like to use my cutting mat to tape off the wall space I am working with so I can play with the arrangement. Once I am happy, I take a photo so that while I am removing them to hang on the wall I have a reference of what goes where. I used all pot metal frames and sprayed them with the same black satin as the cabinets.


Getting them hung straight is another story altogether! The peek through the bedroom door into the bathroom is lovely, though!


I modified an Avalon toilet that I purchased on closeout by shortening the tall pipe from the tank to the toilet bowl and making the flusher gold. It looks a little more modern, now.


I love how the tub came out with it's black and gold, and the separate taps and spray wand. If only the tub was just slightly larger to match the scale of the other fixtures.


There's a little more accessorizing to do, but I'll finish that for the final dressing of the house once it's done. I am also still playing with the idea of a French style roof window to let the light in. It will have to play nice with the ceiling trims and chandelier, so we'll see if I can work out a plan. For now, though, my attention will turn to finishing the bedroom and stairwell hall.


Thanks for stopping by and sharing this fun and fulfilling (and sometimes frustrating) project with me!

xo xo,
Jodi

61 comments:

  1. Such amazing results, Jodi. The way you put everything together creates such a perfect room. I love the side cabinets. How did you paint the window panes? They are perfect and the sink cabinet is such a nice piece.

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    1. Thanks Ann! I am so glad that you like it! Black can be dangerous, but in this "updated" house it seemed a perfect classic choice!
      The window (sorry I should have inserted a link in the post) is a two piece chipboard frame from Alpha Stamps. Each piece is 1/16" thick and the bottom mullioned piece is thicker than the top piece to create nice raised detailing. I attached the pieces together with Tombo paper glue, then sprayed it with the black satin. I didn't like how shiny is was, so hand painted with flat black chalk paint and applied a matte sealer after. The mirror material is the kind you buy at dollhouse supply sites and is just adhered with Tacky glue. I colored the edges of the mirror with black Sharpie just in case the viewer ever got a peek at the sides.

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  2. Black, white, gold and marvellous!! It´s such a luxurious bathroom! It looks like the bathroom of a suite in a 5 star hotel! I certainly would feel like a millionaire in it. I LOVE all you have done. The furniture in black and gold is opulent and at the same time classy. The accessories you have made I envy, if only I could achieve a 10% of the quality of those beautiful and delicate toiletries, perfect match for such room. And I can go on with all the details. Love the wallpaper and of course I must comment that wall with those frames, just perfection and fun!! You have taken the black and white bathroom thing into another level. I salute you ;)

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    1. Thanks Alex! I am so happy that you like my bathroom and I think it's neat that we were both working on our black and white bathrooms at the same time and across the world from each other! :O) Russ and I once stayed at the Sorrento Hotel here in Seattle for our 15th anniversary and the bathroom there was all black, white and marble. I thought it was classic, too, and always wanted to do one!

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  3. Me encanta la combinación y el contraste de los tres tonos,queda muy luminoso y elegante!!!!
    Besos.

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    1. Gracias, Pilar! ¡Me alegro de que la paleta también te guste!

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  4. Wooo Jadi te ha quedado un baño espectacular, tiene una armonía perfecta y todos los detalles me encantan.Felicidades por este trabajo.Besos:-)

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    1. Gracias Rosa Maria! Estoy tan contenta de que te guste! Fue difícil encontrar el equilibrio correcto de elementos, pero estoy tan feliz de que todo se juntó sin ser demasiado pesado.

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  5. This is such a lovely bathroom Jodi. Just a perfect balance of metallic, black, (which can often look oppressive when there's too much) and white. I love the wallpaper choice and what a clever idea to map out the picture frames like that. Totally using that technique next time I'm decorating!

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    1. Thanks Pepper! I always love the classic black and white look and I think it must come from my love of See's Chocolate shops! :O)
      I am glad the picture hanging scheme seems like one that will be useful for you! I have a two story stairwell in my home and came up with the plan using shapes in my publishing program on my PC. I had an artist come in and paint a tree mural on the wall, then hung something like 70 frames with family photos over and around it. I am woozy with heights, so needed a solid plan to make my time on that scaffolding as short as possible! Who knew someday it would come in handy for my minis!

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  6. Precioso Jodi, ha quedado un baño muy elegante.
    Los detalles son maravillosos.
    Un saludo

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    1. Gracias Marian! Estoy tan feliz de que te guste el baño y la respuesta positiva significa mucho para mí.

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  7. Oooh! Such understated elegance! And thanks for the tip on the gold leafing pen.

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    1. Thank you Sherrill! I am so glad that you like it! Those pens are a game changer, as there never used to be a good solution for metallic finishes that were relatively easy to achieve. I have every finish they make and use them a lot!

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    1. ¡Gracias Eloisa! Estoy feliz de saber que te gusta!

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  9. I really like these colors. The bathroom is so elegant.

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    1. Thank you Faby! I am glad to know that the color pallet is balanced to you and that you like it!

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  10. Lovely how some paint can bring disparate pieces together and make them look as though they were always 'meant to be'. Very swish bathroom.

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    1. Thank you Marilyn! You are so right. Paint can be a unifying miracle, right! It's a trick I learned early on when Russ and I could only furnish our homes with garage sale and passed down family furnishings. And black satin finishes in a busy family home is the easiest to touch up and keep looking nice.

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  11. A professional interior designer could not have done it better!
    There's exactly the right balance of patterns and solids and your room arrangement is Spot On!
    I also love the marbled sink top and the raised glass units on either side of the vanity and each of the well chosen accessories, but the BEST feature by far is the faux window which completely opens up this Elegant space in such a clever and creative way!
    You have breathed LIFE into this Sophisticated bathroom / spa and it deserves a Standing Ovation!
    BRAVO- Jodi!!! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Those are lovely words, Elizabeth! Thank You! I am so happy that you feel that the arrangement and color scheme are balanced. I am a little sad that I could not fit in a shower, but I'd give them up too if I could have this bathroom! :O) I very nearly cut a hole for a window above the tub, but I am glad now that just adding a mirrored window frame gave the effect it needed.

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  12. When the first image of the bathroom appeared, it literally took my breath away! WOW!It is such a sophisticated bathroom, but not over top. I want it for my real life home. No boys would be allowed to use it either!

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    1. Ha ha! I am so happy that you had that reaction, Carrie! Can you imagine how great it would be to give that to people in real life?!?
      And yes - we all need to create a luxurious bathroom for ourselves that no one who has to stand to pee is allowed in, lol!

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  13. I love it! And I love your gallery wall!

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  14. A gorgeous, elegant bathroom! Black and white with gold touches are the best choice with a fantastic result. And all this in such a small space! You deserve (I'm joining Elizabeth) a standing ovation!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you, Drora! I am so happy that you like it! I have been dreaming of doing it for so long, and it's a wonderful surprise each time I walk by and see it's really there!

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  15. Ha quedado muy elegante. Me gustan mucho el diseño de los muebles que has utilizado. El suelo prcioso.

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    1. ¡Gracias Isabel! Me encanta poder reutilizar muebles en algo útil y hermoso, y tener algo un poco único de lo que está disponible es muy divertido de planear. Estoy tan contenta de que te guste!

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  16. That is one gorgeous bathroom! Love the floor, the artwork, and all the little toiletries you have added to the room. Ingenious solution on the drawer issue, and your faux marble skills are very impressive. Did you print the wallpaper yourself? The design looks very familiar, but I have never seen it in black and white like that. All in all, a very elegant yet inviting space. I'm joining the standing ovation! (Also, your stairwell "tree" sounds amazing.)

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    1. Thank you Deb! I'm so happy that you like so many of the elements!

      The paper is probably exactly what you think - It's the MiniGraphics Raffina pattern, and though it is marketed as blue, the sheets I have had for several years read black to me, especially when it is placed with black pieces. I had a softer black/gray Tiffany pattern all set to go, but the background was more ivory than white so I went with the Raffina.

      I have always wanted to print my own patterns - in fact, in 2015 I designed wallpaper and coordinating fabric and had them printed through Spoonflower. They are all sort of nautical, so I have not had the opportunity to use it yet. Someday, hopefully!

      I have heard such horror stories about using self printed paper and how in spite of sealing it with spray sealer the ink will degrade over time. I haven't had the heart or bravery to roll the dice. Having to rip it out in a few years is scary to me!

      The tree wall is wonderful! It was painted by a friend of a friend (and her mom) who does a lot of the Christmas window art on 5th Ave in NYC each Christmas. She was pregnant at the time, so seeing her on the scaffold each day was scary! Here are links to photos before and after the framed photos were added:

      https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UIfW9FbJ2CI/XMCLp8xO3BI/AAAAAAAAJoY/XCrIpO_DbLAC5-DMmvc9yZnXQx51ItPTgCLcBGAs/s1600/736543_2844316482489_446091577_o.jpg

      https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn1cRTudF5c/XMCLrklbVNI/AAAAAAAAJoc/pke-qWKKSxklhCeZs_VSnV-x4xD-GJTxwCLcBGAs/s1600/735109_2895318637511_1798847298_n.jpg

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  17. What a (another) fabulous room Jodi full of great ideas and exciting solutions. The transformation of the furniture pieces for the vanity wall is eye-poppingly gorgeous - basket drawer and all. The tip for laying out your wall art before placing them is gold.
    Anna x

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    1. Thank you Anna! I am so happy that you like the room and that the wall hanging tip was helpful to you! The room is really a daydream come true and could only be topped if I could make rooms like this in real life. If reincarnation is real, I hope I'll retain enough passion and wisdom to become and architect and designer in my next life! ;O)

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  18. I love how it looks. I was so tempted by that wallpaper for NOLA House but went with some toile instead. Seeing it in your bathroom I want it all over again. The black cabinets are just perfect! I think if you'd tried lighting them the effect might almost be too glaring with the glass fronts.

    The window mirror is perfect, it fools the eye into thinking there's an actual window above the sink. Can't wait to see more!

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I love that wallpaper too in all the colors it comes in! It's just so whimsical and pretty! I think you should get some and plan a roombox or something around it because it will make you happy!
      Yes there is a point where I have to just say no and lighting the cabinets was certainly one of them! I'll have ceiling lights plus a chandelier in each of the upstairs rooms and that is plenty!
      I'm glad you like the room and the solution for not having a window! I am happy that I got to keep the closet and that I found a good solution!

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  19. Wow! a dream bathroom, the cabinets are beautiful, I love the paintings on the wall and beautiful miniatures, it's just perfect!

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    1. Thanks Gonda! It was a fun room to plan for and when I saw those side cabinets I knew exactly what I wanted to do. It's been waiting for me to get to it since 2016, so it feels so good to finally have it be real!

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  20. I could make it short this time: This is STUNNING!!! But although this is very true and tells everything that needs to be told it would not be enough to do justice to this absolutely fantastic, terrific, wonderful and most of all beautiful bathroom. It's amazing how well your color scheme works, black can for sure be a bit tricky but with its comrades white and gold it comes along very noble and elegant but still friendly, cozy and inviting. The sink turned out fantastic and in a way it was nice of drawer No. 2 that it was so reluctant, the basket solution is very original and looks great. It was especially fun to discover all the decorative details you've added and the picture gallery is awesome. What a lovely idea - and how clever to make a test arrangement on your cutting mat. And not to forget the mirror, a fantastic way to combine a needed mirror with the illusion of a window… and best of all... it looks… well… stunning! A wonderful bathroom!

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thank you Birgit for the thoughtful review! I am so happy that you like the end results! From the first idea about what this kit could become it has had fancy finishes. But it's always a gamble for a relative newbie like me to attempt to pull off the ideas. I am so happy and relieved that, in spite of many unforeseen challenges, it has come together at last!

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  21. Hi Jodi! I think this bathroom looks Awesome!!! Those cabinets in black are Sooo Elegant! I Love the "window" mirror and think it looks fantastic with the two mirrored cabinets! Great idea to put them up on legs! The tub is a bit small.... but it looks so good that I am sure we will all forgive it for being small! :) I love the accessories you find and make .... you have such a great sense of what should go where.... something I struggle with! The bath themed prints are a great idea! And I have to say, your tile floor looks absolutely gorgeous! I really love this bathroom.... it is elegant and classy without being too glitzy or stuffy! This project just keeps getting better! :):)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I am so happy that you like the bathroom and that you think I have not gone too far onto the gaudy side! That is a tricky balance when you want to avoid having it end up looking like Graceland, lol! Although, wouldn't that be a fun project to indulge in?!?
      Accessorizing is always hard and requires some dedicated play time, doesn't it? The secret for me is to have a ton of options to play with. I have three embroidery floss organizers filled with decor items that I have added interesting bits to over the last six years. So in addition to collecting/making specific themed things for the project, I have those to choose from. It's always good to have choices!
      I am so glad you like the floor tiles! Turns out I do too! They come out looking better as a whole than they do staring at them individually for days, but in spite of having no guide to go by, I figured out some definite do's and don't as I proceeded. I am planning the same flooring for the Brimble's bakery, so I'll share all I have learned about them then.
      I hope the bedroom won't disappoint! I hope to begin again on it this evening, and though I have a rough idea on furnishings and layout, the devil will be in figuring out the details!

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  22. Wow I love this bathroom it is gorgeous. The gold with the black and white gives it a wonderful elegant look. The basket draw looks great.
    Hugs Maria

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    1. Thank you Maria! I am so happy that you like the bathroom and the basket drawer, too. There were several moments there where I thought I had really ruined the piece! But thank goodness a solution and a direction to go in soon emerged! What a relief!

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  23. Wow what a great picture wall and wow that marble top how beautiful!
    groetjes van Marijke

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    1. Thank you Marijke! The marble top is such a delightfully easy finish to achieve and I could do a thousand of them gleefully!

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  24. Hi, Jodi - Another fabulous room! This bathroom doesn't even resemble a miniature room - I could be looking at photographs from a Real Life design magazine. Your choice of black, white, and gold lends such cool and elegant sophistication, warmed up by the print wallpaper and the "window" mirror. The marble countertop is perfectly done - as are all the furniture pieces. You've done beautiful work on all the painting - and adding the gold legs to the side cabinets was a brilliant idea. I also love the "basket" drawer - that was an ingenious solution to what might have been a really big problem! I cannot find one thing that I don't love about this room - it's simply beautiful throughout. Bravo!
    Marjorie

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    1. Thank you Marjorie! I am so glad that you like the room's elements and the photos! It is really tricky to photograph opposite ends of the color wheel, especially with my phone and in my great-for-seeing but terrible-for-taking-photos LED workroom lighting! I am so relieved to have thought of the basket solution because by the time I had sanded off all of the damage from the pliers I had also sanded off the raised drawer detailing. Luckily, I had last year's epic vanity making project experience to draw from! It was an incredibly lucky break and I am so glad it worked out!

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  25. Jodi, I love this scene so much it’s so luxe and yet serene. I’m really impressed with the marble top and have stored away the artist chalk tip for the future. I’ve never quite got marbling down.

    I think the basket is a happy accident, I love the way it breaks up the piece and makes it unique. And the window/mirror idea is genius, it brings so much life to the space!

    This is another one of those projects I just wish I could see in person. I hope mini making has been going well on the rest of the house!

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    1. Thank you Kristine! I am so happy that you like the bathroom and how the basket drawer turned out! I am sure you will find marbling fun and easy as soon as you have a little time to play around with your technique. The trickiest part for me is to get the chalk/charcoal sealed before I smudge or lighten it too much. The spray sealer has made that much simpler than just trying to carefully brush on varnish. I can't wait to see when you get it mastered, because with your furniture and cabinets it will be spectacular!

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  26. Gosh, what a beautiful room Jodi! That vanity is a masterpiece! Your "practice" runs really paid off for the finish on the marble top. It looks amazing! As alway I love you vanity accessories. The lilacs are beautiful and the little toiletries fabulously detailed. The tall cupboards are wonderful. I love the detail on the doors and this was a great original way to use them. I love the explanation for how you got everything in there perfectly too. Inserting the styled shelves from the back is and inspired way to ensure they look great always. I feel like one of your cupboards might have a slight lean due to the shape of the wall.. or it could be a trick of the eye and angle of the picture. If it is leaning have your thought about trying them on opposite sides so the trim faces inwards instead of out.. not sure if it would look weird.. I can't quite imagine it, but might be worth a try if you are having a space issue. The subway tile turned out so well. I'm really impressed with that wood product. Must try it in the future. The bathtub with the black base is so sophisticated, such a great look.. and so well executed. No wobbly paint lines on your mini's! The prep you have done has paid off in spades in your finishes. Such a great idea to lay out your wall of pictures before installing. I have a similar wall to do and am stealing this idea! Love the toilet too.. and now I want one! lol

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    1. Thank you, Sam! I am so happy you like the bathroom! All that practice using different materials, products, glues and techniques really was such a valuable and concentrated learning experience!
      The detailing on the front of the cabinets was the seed that started this whole idea growing - I love them, too! That kind of detail is so unusual to see in anything other than Bespaq pieces.
      Arranging things on the glass shelves first and then loading them through the back worked out so well! I just wish I'd remembered to take photos of the tiny, perfect things separately!!! They are so much easier to appreciate with the naked eye in the cabinets than the photos. Using Quick Grip makes it possible to remove them in the future, too, if ever there is the desire!
      To keep the cabinets level and plumb, and to give a larger anchoring surface than four small leg points on the tile, I attached a flat rectangle of wood to the back of the mirrors, then affixed the cabinets to the lower tiled portion of the wall (again using Quick Grip). I think the angled wall does create a leaning illusion which might be bolstered by the glossy black finish and my terrible camera and lighting. It's a great suggestion on the trim facing, though I wanted the cabinet doors to open this direction.
      Painting here nine months out of the year is always a "keep your fingers crossed" process and I can't tell you how relieved I am that the paint came out very well with no do overs! I still have a load of stuff to paint for the Storybook Cottage and am avoiding that until the daily temps stay in the 60's!!!
      As we all know, having ideas for fabulous rooms is easy. Buying all the supplies is fun. Finding the time, the right techniques, the patience and the luck to have things go well is another matter entirely! Sharing the experience, good or bad, is truly for the brave at heart. It's the encouragement from friends like you that keep me moving forward, so I thank you so much for your thoughtful words! 💗💗💗

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    2. Ha! I didn't even think about the doors not opening in the right direction if you switched the cabinets around.. *facepalm* As usual you have come up with a better solution. :D Glad you figured it out. I'm going to have to study the interiors of the cupboards again to see all the little details.

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  27. It looks fantastic, Jodi! I had a tab open with your blog for hours today, returning to look at all the details. I would never have noticed the scale of the bath if you didn't mention it so I'm sure it's going to bother no one except you. A roof window sounds like a lovely idea; I'm so far behind with my blog reading, you've probably done it already.

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    1. Thanks Megan! I am so happy that you like it!
      "Mini Time" has been extremely limited over the past couple weeks, so you haven't missed a thing!
      I hope you are finding an answer some relief from your arm pain so that you can get beck to your Germany plans and packing. What a horrible time to have this happen!

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  28. This is so lovely! Would you consider this in the style of “French Country” decor? Thanks!!

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    1. I'm no expert in style, but it feels kind of French! :o)

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  29. Black and white are my favourite decorating colours. I make sure that every dollhouse I build has one room done in black and white whether it's a victorian, country or modern stye. There is always a way to incorporate a black and white room. You have done an amazing job in the bathroom and I may steal a few of your ideas. Great job!!!

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    1. Thanks Jazzy! Glad you like it! Black and white is a classic and you are welcome to be inspired or outright copy if that's what makes your heart sing! Have fun!

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