Search My Blog!

Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Search Feature

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Summer In New Orleans


As I begin to put this post together, I am realizing that it may end up a little long. There were a lot of little things to do, none of them post worthy on their own, but now that they're done, they've really added up! I skipped around on the tasks, too, so I'll try to make sense of the potentially disjointed photos. Hopefully, you won't get too board or overwhelmed before the end!

This was the electrical tangle coming from under the house that needed to be camouflaged into something that looked like it belonged there. In addition, the second floor wires had to somehow join up with them. A shed and drainpipe seemed the best way to organize the mess and make a convenient electrical hub.


I used 1/8" basswood to construct a basic shed.



I had some really old and stiff hinges for the top of the shed. The outlet strip fits just inside. I mad an access hole in the floor to feed the first floor wires into.


The second floor wires are fed down from the roof and hidden in "copper downspout". You can see in the second photo below that I also added braces to the pipe and the roof crown molding is installed. The front doors are completely removable for wide access, and slide into a groove on the lid.



I began working on the finishing details for the front of the house, too. I needed to make a couple flower boxes for the dormers. I added some molding and trims to basic boxes to jazz them up a little, then decided to paint them copper to match the dormer roofs and balcony railing. I was torn for a bit about the flower colors. It was between yellow or red, but I am glad I went with the red and white combo.  It just pops against the teal.

I tend to get carried away with landscaping (remember the Storybook Cottage?) so I have tried extremely hard to keep it minimal on this build. The footprint on this house is already imposing, so when I do add the landscape board, I'll be keeping it restricted to some shrubs and lots of mulch.






For the flat roof, I went with a roll of skateboard grip tape. Here's the Amazon Link so you can get a better look at what it is, but it's too pricey on Amazon. You can go into your local skate shop and pick up a 12" x 46" roll for under $4.00. It has an adhesive backing on it, which makes it easy to install. It also peels up easily if you later need to track down wiring issues. It's a nice thickness and also makes great asphalt road if you're making a neighborhood diorama. Just add lane stripes!


The window boxes are filled with red Dahlias and white Geraniums. I made red Begonias, white Azaleas, red and white Fuchsias and red/green Echeveria, too. That was me being conservative. Now you see why I am not allowed to garden any longer in real life. At least it's harder to kill the miniature varieties! I didn't end up using the yellow Pansies, but now I've got them ready for some future endeavor!


I kept staring at the front of the house, trying to figure out what was missing. I decided that the lower porch railing needed to be copper, too, otherwise it just felt as if it disappeared.

Before in teal instead of copper.
After painted copper.

Keeping the balcony simple, each side of the door got a topiary in a fleur-de-lis copper pot and a pot of red and white flowers.


I;m still debating about a flower box for the lower floor bay window. I may just do shrubs but will decide once I get the house on the landscape board.





The landscape board won't stick out farther than the front steps.


The Fuchsia basket took two Bonnie Lavish kits of twelve each plus an additional 12 bud stems that I made using painted glue bulbs and extra leaves. I had planned on two additional hanging baskets for the porch, but ran out of Fuchsia kits!


I think it looks just interesting enough, though I could fill it completely if I didn't reign myself in! This is my compromise and what I'll call Summer In New Orleans.





The landscape board and the back opening trim are all that is left before I can finally get inside to furnish and decorate. I haven't officially finished a dollhouse since the Sweet Christmas Cottage in November of 2017, but with a little luck and perseverance I may just finish the New Orleans and the Storybook Cottage this year!!!

72 comments:

  1. What an absolutely stunning house, Jodi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks De! It has been challenging but fun to learn and grow with!

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous Jodi. It is amazing what landscaping does for a house. I love all of the color choices you made,and I hate to say it, but I think a copper flower box under the front window would complete the house nicely.....All of your houses are so happy and cheery, they make me smile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carrie! The flowers really do give some life to a place! Russ agrees about adding another flower box under the bay. I am torn so I think the only way to really make up my mind is to make up a box filled with flowers, put some shrubs beneath, take photos and see which seems a better fit. Just when I think I am finished with flower making!!!

      Delete
  3. I love how it looks. And I recognize the trim you used on your window boxes. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sheila! It must have been you that reminded me that I had a bunch of that stuff in my stash! I used it as the crown on the balcony roof recess, too! It sure was nice not having to miter all that resin molding there!

      Delete
  4. Jodi,la casa se ve fascinante! Las maravillosas macetas y jardineras llenas de alegres flores,han embellecido la fachada ya de por sí preciosa.
    Me encanta el nombre que le has puesto ya que le va muy bien,destila alegría y felicidad!
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Gracias pilar Me siento muy bien al ver finalmente en qué se ha convertido la culminación de todas mis ideas. En un momento en que pensé en hacer lavados y darle un poco de mugre realista, pero ella seguía diciéndome que no, jejeje!

      Delete
  5. Summer in New Orleans is a perfect name. The house looks so crisp and cool with the colors you have selected. The copper is unexpected yet perfect. As for the landscaping, I like what you have so far. Just a hedge or row of small bushes under the bay window and along the front would look nice. Fuchsia blooms all hang down, so for realism, you might want to bend them over.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sherrill! Since the kit has been discontinued, I wanted it to have it's original name. I have only ever been able to find three completed examples in Google searches, so in spite of all the changes I made to the kit, maybe it might help someone with this kit in their stash to see another example. Thank you for the tip on the fuchsia blooms - I was playing with my arrangement like it was on fire and afraid to touch it too much, lol!

      Delete
  6. this looks utterly enchanting! and you obviously have a green thumb - the garden looks so pretty. sherrill's idea of the hedge is not a bad one... keep going!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marion! A green paper thumb, maybe! For my real life yard, I pay a gardener now to keep me from killing what I'd already planted and what had survived me over the last eleven years, lol! I have some squishy bushes and the stuff to make a hedge row, so you'll be seeing them soon!

      Delete
  7. I'm speechless with admiration for your work, fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sylvie! I love how all of us know how much effort it takes to get a project to the end and how we all feel so much joy for each other when we get there!

      Delete
  8. The New Orleans is superb! A great work and a fabulous result. The flowers we dive in summer, thank you Jodi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Claude! I had hoped to have the landscape board finished for this post, too, but with company in town, birthdays, father's day and being a tour host, time was extremely limited. I am so happy that you like the almost finished facade!

      Delete
  9. Preciosa, me encanta toda la decoración floral, le hace viva y muy luminosa.El escondite de los cables ,genial:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias Rosa Maria! ¡Las flores realmente hacen un gran impacto en el exterior! Podría haber continuado durante semanas, por lo que decidir cuándo parar es difícil.

      Delete
  10. Gorgeous. I love the colors and the floral arrangements give it that finished look.
    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marilyn! This is what I imagine a home would look like in the historic district of New Orleans, though I have not yet been there in person. The colors in the photos I have seen are vibrant and the landscape and flower beds are neatly kept.

      Delete
  11. Sigh ... what a beautiful house, I love all the plants, flowers etc ... beautiful lamps outside, very smart to get the wires through a pipe, it's just fantastic all !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Claude! I hope to take photos next post with the landscaping finished and with the exterior lights on! Fingers crossed that they all still work!

      Delete
  12. Great idea for hiding the wiring and the skateboard stuff...never heard of it but I can think of so many uses so thank you for sharing. The house looks wonderful. Beautiful colours and summery plants. Well done you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pepper! :O)
      I forgot to mention that the grip tape will really rough your hands up. It took mine about three days before they stopped feeling like sandpaper themselves!

      Delete
  13. Never get bored with reading your play-by-play description of your house. I never heard of the skateboard stuff but I'm making a 1:48 village so that may be very handy. Your houses are a joy. Can't wait to see the inside

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pat! I hope the grip tape will come in handy for your village, and I really, really hope you'll share photos! It sounds awesome!!!

      Delete
  14. Lovely finish Jodi. I think a box under the bay might be just too much and to some extent take away from the window boxes upstairs. I vote for some interesting shrubs on the landscaping beneath that window - camellias or roses or ceanothus or, or, or..... Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Marilyn! That was my concern, and the fact that it is so deep and already has brackets underneath. Would a flower box just look forced? I love the idea of a flowering bush there, but hate the idea of how long it will take me to make one, lol! My patience quickly exhausts itself when I reach the 24th flower stem and then realize I still have all the leaves to go!

      Delete
    2. You could grow your rose (or whatever) from scratch elsewhere.... your already established plant nursery Make the twigs and stems, add a bit of greenery in the spring, flesh out the leaves early summer and full bloom it and transplant next summer!! Yeah, you're right, I haven't saved you a scrap of work there have I, just extended the pain over twelve months.

      Delete
    3. Seriously - just took another look - how about using the pots you already have on the stand by the door standing along that under window edge - you have a lot of planting going on on the left of the door so it might work. Use your plant stand in front of the side of the shed that faces the front with much simpler plants on it like herbs - quick and easy to do.

      Delete
    4. Ha ha! You're just full of grand ideas, aren't you? Well, maybe I can just break my own rule and actually purchase something this year! I have been saving like a mad woman for Kensington and not spending a dime. Just found out that my daughter is getting married in 2021, so we may have to push that dream out another year. 😒

      Delete
    5. That could work... I have some squishy hedges on hand, and some hydrangea kits, so might could get enough going there to make it look cohesive. If Russ forgets to cut my landscape piece again this weekend, I'm going with my first idea and heading over to the hardware store myself, lol!

      Delete
    6. OOh, I think after all that hard work and maybe being 'banned' from Kensington, you have earned a treat. Go splurge. Then all you have to do is take just as long to decided what you really, really want.🎁

      Delete
  15. Maravillosa, ha quedado espectacular.
    Un saludo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Plants change EVERYTHING! They add an abundance of energy and life to a build by their gentle, colourful and airy shapes and sizes. They are a Delight to see at any season and oh how Wonderful they look gracing your New Orleans house, Jodi!
    I agree with your decision to repaint the lower balcony rail because the visual balance with the one above makes sense. Your solution for the side shed to hide the wires is Perfect and the Lucious Abundance of plants you've made for softening the exterior of the house, whether it be pots or planters, are Also Perfect!
    I have used asphalt weather strips, for my Real Life cement stairs but didn't realize that you could buy it wider from a skateboard shop!!!! I'll be filing this Terrific Idea away for the future, for sure!
    As usual your posts are a Smorgasbord of Creativity, Charm and Wonder Jodi, which I eagerly (and greedily) look forward to - WHAT A FEAST!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Elizabeth! And I agree that plants and flowers really do bring life to a dollhouse. I have yet to learn how to give them the realism and life that you magically create, but I am still a greenhorn working on a green thumb, lol!
      I know if in your hands a roll of skateboard grip tape will be turned into something astounding and I can't wait for your discovery!
      Thank you so much once again for your kind encouragement! You are an angel among us! 💗

      Delete
  17. You make such beautiful flowers! They really do add so much to the exterior of your houses. Great choice on painting the lower railing copper, and a I vote for a window box on the lower left window. But that's mostly just because I love window boxes. :-) That skateboard tape is amazing; it looks just like asphalt! Great tip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Deborah! I have Bonnie Lavish and Susan from SDK to thank for these ones! If we could combine Susan's petals and Bonnie's one piece leaf design, we'd have perfection! I am a sucker for a good window box, too, so I think at least a dress rehearsal is in order. Glad you like the copper railing better, too!

      Delete
  18. Wow, wow, wow. Great choice in colours, decoration, flowers, in everything!!! Your Summer in New Orleans house is a magnificent piece Jodi. I love it, reeeeeally love it. I am not a big fan on a classic and elegant style, I can admire it of course but it´s doesn´t make my heart pump fast, I am a bit of a boho kind of girl, ...til today. Wow, I am converted. I love the perfect balance you found with the flowers and plants. The house is STUNNING. And you are a wonderful flower maker, they are delicious!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Alex! I am not sure I'll still be a fan of this fancy style once the house is finished, either. It was hard to incorporate so many frou-frou elements along with all of the structural changes! Heck, it's taken me over two years to achieve! But I am glad I committed to the style because there were so many things I learned about construction, kit bashing, materials, using what you have and making it work, and myself. I'm glad you like it!

      Delete
  19. By the time I get to make a comment, they've said it all. STUNNING!!!. I love the colors, the flowers, your solution for hiding the electrical wires. Both the exterior and the interior of this house are gorgeous. I'm so happy to follow your fantastic blog.
    Hugs,
    Drora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Drora! I am so blessed to have you here with me and for your kind and encouraging comments! 💗

      Delete
  20. Wow I love your house. The shed and pipe is a fantastic idea. The copper colour on the porch was a great idea too and really pops. I love all your flowers so bright and cheerful. Beautiful house what a treasure.
    Hugs Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Maria! It is funny how we struggle to see the potential we know is there and then suddenly realize what is needed to achieve it! Now I am just saying daily prayers that when the time comes again to test the lights and their connections that all is in working order!

      Delete
  21. Hi, Jodi - The shed that you made to house your wiring - along with the copper downspout for the second floor wires - is a brilliant solution to dealing with those bundles of loose wires. Your self-enforced restraint on the landscaping has paid off beautifully - the exterior looks colorful but exhibits a cool elegance that just suits the Summer in New Orleans style. I always love the flowers that you make, and you've shown them all off to perfection. The copper watering can is the ideal accessory to echo the copper trim. This is a beautiful house - you've done yourself proud!
    Marjorie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marjorie! I found myself dreading the task because of nagging doubts that I could do it. And yet when the time came it was as if I'd done it a hundred times already. How wonderful when I struggled with so many challenges early in the spring! I had almost forgotten why I love this hobby so much! I am so happy that the exterior evokes Summer In New Orleans for you, too, and I hope you love what is currently happening with the interior! It has been nearly 3-1/2 years in the dreaming and planning stage, so it's incredible to see it finally coming into reality!

      Delete
  22. The flowers look great Jodi and agree on the choice of colour. So lovely! I think there is just the right amount of plants now for the windows/balcony/porch, and with some shrubs around the front, the whole exterior should look complete. Shrubs will add detail but not compete with your beautiful flowers and topiaries. And most gardens have non-flowering plants! Also, great job on hiding the electrical. It’s always a dilemma. Enjoy your weekend! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Shannon! It's funny how we wrestle with ourselves about these decisions and then afterwords realize that we've made the right and clearly obvious choice, lol! I guess that's better than the dreadful realization (speaking from experience) that we've made the wrong one! Russ brought me a perfect piece of plywood Friday night, and yet I have spent a good deal of the weekend working on the interior decor! It's such great fun reaching this point in the build where every task is delightfully looked forward to!

      Delete
  23. Hi Jodi! I applaud your restraint with the landscaping!!! It looks very elegant! (And you can always add a "few" things later! LOL!) I am not one to follow if you are wanting landscaping advice! :)
    The wiring hidden in the copper downspout is Brilliant!!! (I will remember that one!) And the shed for the power strip is perfectly functional and does not look out of place! Well done! You have completed way more houses than I have.... so take your time and enjoy the process! It is all looking fabulous!!!! :):)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Betsy! Can you imagine what my house would eventually look like if it were my Only One?!? I shudder to think! I have this "Wandering Eye" problem where I become enamored with new ideas for other projects while still finishing the ones I should be concentrating on! I think if I did not also have an overactive "guilt gland", I may just have an additional four projects on the go at all times! In other words, if I do not consciously reign myself in, I don't trust what I'd get myself into! So I am forcing myself to use everything I've collected for the New Orleans since early 2016 and finish it before I allow myself to move on. Some may call it discipline, but I am finding myself truly grateful as I see my dreams for this build come to glorious fruition!

      Delete
  24. Drora's comment about being late to comment would mean that everything is already said and written made me grin… Yes, the others have already mentioned with well chosen words what a fantastic result you've shown us in this post. Your solution for hiding your wires is brilliant and I can only agree that changing the porch railing to copper was the right decision, it makes more sense this way and even more important in my opinion it looks better this way.

    I have no idea why but I love your choice of red and white colors for the flowers! *LOL* But sadly red and white flowers look better at your house with the wonderful name "Summer in New Orleans" than on my Beary House. And after seeing your wonderful flower boxes I'm really debating with myself if I should ever show mine in public. *grin* I'm looking forward to see your landscaping board and keep my fingers crossed that your good intentions will get lost on the way and that you'll get caught by some kind of miniature flower fever. And I'm curious to see your solution for the bay window. On the one hand I think another flower box would be good for - let's call it - symmetry. But on the other hand it might be a case of "too much", especially for a bay window. Maybe loads of indoor plant pots peeping to the outside and a climbing plant at the facade would be worth a thought… perhaps a wild rose in white because it's important these days to have a bee-friendly garden… Well, whatever you're going to do, I know I can start to look forward to another wonderful post of yours filled with beauty and fascinating ideas. Have fun on the way! ;O)

    Hugs
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Birgit! I always look forward to your comments as they are full of your kind and unique perspective!
      The old flower boxes on Beary House were absolutely charming and I happen to know that they will be even more so when the red flowers pop against the new cornflower blue trim! I can't wait!!!
      Oh you know me so well and how it's going to be so difficult to keep the landscape to a minimum! I fear it will turn out like the cottage where I had estimated a generous 2 weeks which immediately turned into a long term fever and resulted in three months in that garden! It was great fun, don't get me wrong, but other projects are waiting and meanwhile my bones are more brittle and my hair even more gray! Tick tock!
      In any case, I have set the landscape decisions aside in favor of playing around with all the inside treasures! I haven't seen a lot of this stuff in three years, and as I began to pull things out of the drawer I found myself getting sucked in! For the life of me I just can't stay focused or on task, but it's exhilarating!

      Delete
  25. Beautiful name! Everything is perfect in this house. I like the solution to cover the socket and wires for the lights.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Faby! It's so much fun to see it coming to the finish line!

      Delete
  26. They say that God is in the details, Jodi. I imagine somewhere there's a Terry Pratchett-like Small God taking pleasure in your dollhouse. The plants are beautiful and the painted porch railings have become eye catching and finish off the front of the house gracefully. I love the way you've tidied up the wiring, I will need to do something similar with my current build.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Megan! The only thing better than making them and sharing them with my peers would be to then gift them to some small creature to enjoy living in! If that were the case, my finishing would be even a little more conscientious!
      Del Prado House will surely get treated to one more detailed and beautiful! I was thinking that hiding the wires in a chicken coup would be a fun endeavor, too, but it just wasn't right for this house! Unless it will be occupied by a Voodoo practitioner, which it will not!

      Delete
  27. Love, love love! Especially all the brass against the house color!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brandy! Each decision is a roll of the dice and I am so happy that this one went in my favor!

      Delete
  28. Muy bonito el color de la casa y el contraste con los elementos color cobre. Las plantas llenan de vida y alegría la fachada

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ¡Gracias Isabel! Estoy muy feliz de tener su apoyo entusiasta!

      Delete
  29. Lovely choice of colors, your work is so nice!! I enjoy seeing what you do next!
    Mini huggs,
    Conny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Conny! I am happy that you are along the journey with me and are enjoying the progress!

      Delete
  30. Jodi how beautiful ! It looks like those wonderful antique houses but of course new ,, what a build !!! huggssss

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stephanie! It's been fun to improve on the original design and challenge myself! Especially since they discontinued the kit and there aren't many out there to see online!

      Delete
  31. Amazing how changing out the porch railing from green to bronze has really brought the house together Jodi. Great choice! Of course I love all of your plants. Your skills in this area really make me want to practice, practice, practice!. I love that fuchia on the porch wall.. I have a fuchia kit floating around somewhere, I must give it a go. I agree you don't need a window box under the bay. A garden bed on your landscape board with some interesting bushes would be lovely and not detract from the wonderful symmetry of the upper window boxes. Tucking away ideas for jazzing up window boxes too.. I want some on my San Fran!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sam! I knew it was missing something, but it took me so long to have the "aha" moment. It's been tough not to age it and dirty it up, but my gut wants it to look like a newly remodeled historical NO home. You'll be a natural at the flowers because you are so detail oriented! They take a long time, but it's worth it when you see the difference in what clay flowers look like compared to the paper ones. Window boxes are a MUST on the San Fran!!! I can't wait to see them!!!

      Delete
  32. Oh my goodness I would love to buy one of these finished because I would love to have one of these that I could pass down from generation to generation of course I don't have kids yet but I would love to be able to buy one and pass it down to my kids!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rebecca! That is the nicest complement! While buying a finished dollhouse can cost quite a lot, making a kit in to an heirloom, slowly over time, is much more attainable. And it is so much fun to create! Start small and build your skills. Before you know it you'll be working in that heirloom house!

      Delete