Not A Townhouse... A Trunkhouse!

I'm not sure if this has ever been done in miniature home building, but what you are about to see attempted is the creation of a Trunkhouse. It's like a townhouse, in that the rooms are stacked on top of one another. But this one will be inside the "trunk" of a "tree". The "trunk" is actually a concrete form tube, known in the construction biz as a "Sonotube". These cardboard tubes are coated with a moisture barrier inside, and are ready made for concreting things like wooden fence posts into the ground. They come in various circumferences. My 10" tube is actually 9-1/4" of what I hope will become suitable living space for a very special Fairy Beary Godmother and her pet dragon.

48" of heavy duty, moisture barrier coated, cardboard tubing.

Intended purpose of a Sonotube

Here's the rough idea, very elementarily demonstrated by combining generic graphics. Imagine the Sonotube becomes a Trunkhouse, like a Townhouse, only it's the trunk of a Treehouse.

Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Great! Let's move on...

Because my tube was 48" tall and I needed only 33" (three 9" tall rooms and a 6" base at the bottom to accommodate roots), I needed to cut 15" off. Have you ever tried to mark and cut a tube? Well, let me tell ya - it's tricky!!! The best way I could come up with was to hang my tape measure from the top, then mark the tube at 33" at many places around the tube. To connect the marks, I taped my fabric measuring tape just below each mark. I used the top edge to draw my lines around the tube. Then I rechecked my drawn line, just to be sure. Because the tube and lettering are constructed in a wrapped diagonal, my eyes didn't believe my brain! The method seemed to work and I employed it again to mark where each floor/ceiling would land. 

I made note of the circumference in case I needed to know later on. 31"!

To cut the tube, I scored the line several times with my utility knife. Once I had a nice groove, I went in with my razor saw. I found that I had more control with the utility knife, so I used that exclusively, going forward. The biggest challenge was holding on to the the heavy and awkward tube while cutting.

Once I had the length cut and the floors marked, I could create the openings. I wanted something large enough to be able to reach inside to finish the rooms. And to be able to see inside well. But I also knew I'd need to preserve some wall space. I made a cardboard pattern, then traced around it in between floors.

It took a little patience, but eventually, all three openings were finished.

In the interest of creating more trunk details and a little extra room, I decided to attempt to utilize the 15" of leftover Sonotube. I reasoned that if I cut it in half lengthwise, I could make smaller rooms that connected to the main room which would provide additional living space.

But this cardboard is extremely stubborn! It needed to be coerced into bending at a more severe degree. I was able to persuade it with some wood strips and lots of wood glue! 

Once the strips had had a chance to set up well, I figured I'd better cut the openings into the room additions. 

This is upside down, of course! Easier to reach!

I wrestled the half tube in between the wood strips, glued them and taped them like an engineer. Luckily, this will all be covered in bark at some point, so there is no use trying to score extra points for neatness!

Once the gobs of wood glue had dried enough, I finally got a look at it upright. Like me, you'll have to do your best to imagine it clad in chunky bark and branches.

Russ asked me what type of base I was going to use. I told him it would be plywood, about the same size as the dollhouse. That should make for a stable and balanced diorama. He suggested that I glue a piece of plywood into the bottom of the Sonotube so that the base could be screwed up through it. A plug of sorts and much more secure with screws than glue alone. Great idea, Russ! Thanks!

I traced and cut the "plug" with my scroll saw, but when Russ saw that it was only 1/4" plywood, he said I should use 1/2" or 3/4" plywood. I told him I used what I had and what I had tools capable of cutting with. He chuckled like he always does at my "mini tools". Then he offered to cut a sturdier "plug" for me. Thanks once more, Russ! I will use my wimpy 1/4" plywood plug for the ceiling that connects the trunk to the treehouse.

I also cut and laminated the floors/ceilings out of two layers of very inexpensive chipboard. Because of the curved walls, I will likely create the floor bracing and the baseboards from cereal box cardboard. But before floor/ceiling installation, I should probably decide on windows/doors and cut the openings. I pulled a few things out of my stash, but will probably end up making custom windows with the Cricut. Bending chipboard to form around the curved walls will be much easier than bending wood, though I can create a few pop out boxes too. 

While the glue was setting up on the pop out trunk section, I had time to work on the front door. I'd picked up this door at Auntie Em's in Glendale AZ in 2017. I'd always envisioned it becoming a fairy house door, and now I actually have the perfect project to use it in! Getting the curve right for the enclosure and the shed roof was a bit of trial and error. Luckily, since I'm using foam board, it is easier to make adjustments than it would have been with wood. I'd really like to cut a window into the door, and to finish it while I can move it around, so for now, it will remain temporarily in place just for photos.

Here it is placed at the height that it will actually sit on the trunk. I imagine some stairs leading up, but my ideas are sure to evolve as I begin to incorporate the tree's roots.

Looking into the living room, you'll have a peek-a-boo view of the door alcove. I may add windows to the side panels, as well. We'll see!

I thought it might be nice for Roz to have a small balcony off her bedroom. Because wall space is at a premium, I decided on a single door. The door was a leftover from a previous kit - I just had to recreate a frame and drill holes for the hinge pins. I'll decide on railing details when I get to the exterior finishing.

The trunk's character is beginning to take shape, and that will help a lot in deciding on windows and their placement. Then, I can get those openings cut out, too!

I'm having a design meeting with Roz soon, and I think she's going to feel like the trunkhouse is off to a good start. I have exciting ideas for some interesting interior features, and I bet she'll agree! Hopefully, this addendum trunkhouse to the fairytale treehouse project will be fun for you to follow along with, too. Maybe it will even inspire you to make your own fantasy project!

Back soon with progress...

xo xo,

Jodi

Introducing Wayne, the Resident Craftsman

Before we get to the fairytale treehouse progress this week, I'd like to introduce you to our new resident, Wayne! Wayne has accepted the position of Chief Craftsman, where he'll be working 'on call' to help the girls and I make our creative building ideas come to life. Wayne will inhabit the third floor attic space, where he'll enjoy a cozy living space with all the comforts of home, as well as a craftsman's workshop. This adorable felted raccoon comes to us from MarysFairiesBoutique in New York State and he is so excited about exploring his new surroundings.

Wayne sees his new door for the first time.

He's also very excited to make the acquaintance of all the other folks in the mini neighborhood! Alice and Goldie are so thrilled that he is here, and wasted no time showing him around the treehouse and filling him in on their plans!

And speaking of plans, there is very little planning going on in this project. In fact, I seem to have spent the last week getting partially done on tasks for the first wall, then getting completely sidetracked with an idea for the interior kitchen wall! Let me share the happenings...

Wayne's front door interior. Watch your step Wayne!

I managed to finish Wayne's interior door which required creating a "stained glass" window and a ribbon hinge. That's where I had to stop once it was installed because I'll need to install the third floor before I can do more. That's still a ways down the task list. I used the Gelly Roll Glaze pens to create the polka dot look with clear as the filler and green for the polka dots. Wayne really loved it because he is a real artsy creative type!

Interior Kitchen Wall

With timbers, paint and Paperclay applied.

Next, I made up a couple wall panels in Design Space and then cut them from chipboard on the Maker. To give them an interesting Tudor timber look, I layered 3/8" wide and then 1/4" wide timbers on top for a stepped look. I filled the space between them, under the window opening with timbers, too. I filled in the wall area with more Paperclay stucco. I chose a way more neutral paint for the timbers this time, and want to experiment with making knots and texture - soon. But first...

I wanted to attach the kitchen's pop out window to be sure all the wood trim and structure fit together. That lead to attaching the bedroom's pop out bed cubby, too. I also applied the glaze pens to some of the window features - it came out pretty well for this fantasy genre, though if I was doing a "serious" dollhouse project I'd need more practice.

And before I could take the next steps, I had an idea for the kitchen's interior wall. It is the wall that separates the kitchen from the living or Great Room as I am calling it. You'll see why later in the build.

But this idea was a very complicated one, and it is one that is still going to take me several days to finish. So I'll show a little peek for now and share the bulk of the work in my next post.

Kitchen divider wall.

Creating the oven door.

Happy March, everyone! Spring will be here before we know it! Unless you happen to live in the lower half of the planet. In that case, I bet you are looking forward to some cooler fall temperatures!

xo xo,

Jodi

I Should Have Turned Left At Albuquerque

I know the feeling, Bugs! My mini time took a bit of a wrong turn this week on the Fairytale Treehouse project. It started off so well - I felt confident in the next steps. Then, just as the first task was finished, I realized that I didn't like it AT ALL!!!

Let me explain... I love the purple cubby, I love the traditional Tudor wall vibe, but not TOGETHER!!! Uh oh!

Let's talk first about how I got lost. Remember last post when I shared my idea for Alice's second floor bedroom wall? I had doodled on the wall in pencil?

Well, I liked the idea of timbers and thought it would be a wonderful look in a fairytale treehouse. I cut 1/8" x 3/8" basswood strips and made the timber framing. So far, so good...

Then, I painted the timbers in a lovely shade of brown. That was the first sign of the problem, only I didn't know it yet.

The fun part came next. In between the timbers, I got to brush on a little wood glue, then squish in Creative Paperclay. To give it some texture, I pounced it with a stiffly bristled paintbrush. I was diggin' it!

The Paperclay dried overnight, and then I aged it with brown water washes. Khaki/brown for the walls and more brown/brown for the timbers. I loved this too. 

Just not together with the purple! Rather than compliment one another, they compete for all the attention. I need cohesion.

I was experiencing cognitive dissonance.

I didn't feel too lost. I just backtracked to where I went wrong and made a hard left. It was easy enough to neutralize the "stucco" and "timbers" with off white water washes. I mixed up a lilac shade instead to apply to the timbers. Definitely more in line with the look I wanted for the girls' bedroom!

The new color on the timbers nicely complements the bed cubby's purple wallpaper patterns. I love it! It will look more in keeping with forest living, too, once I add some aging washes to bring down the newness.

Very cohesive.

Phew! Crisis averted! Now I could move on to the next task! My goal this week was to get this wall as far along as possible while I could still lay it down to work. I needed to cut another opening in the wall and that is so much easier with a flat surface.

The third floor/attic space will make the perfect loft space for another forest dweller, but he has requested his own private entry. I turned to my trusty Design Space program to help me with his door.

The doorframe is a wee 3" high with the actual door being 2-1/2" high x 1-1/2" wide. The assembly was cut using the Cricut Maker and is comprised of both chipboard and kraft board layers.

Chipboard is brown and Kraft Board is taupe.

I used the door piece as my pattern to trace the hole onto the Linfield kit's wall panel, then cut the door opening with the scroll saw.

Entry surround.

Next, I added paperclay "rocks" to the door frame surrounds and "carved stones" to the frame overlays. This was my first time doing this kind of rockery (I have used egg cartons and Magic Masonry in the past), and it was so fun! There are many applications for Creative Paperclay that I want to experiment with in the treehouse. I am sure I will figure out some kind of technique for it by the time I am finished with this treehouse, and when I do, I'll share some tips. 

Once the masonry was dry I applied an overall gray color wash, then added selective color washes to each individual stone using the colors from the color board in this project. Once I was happy with the look I sealed the rocks and exposed chipboard with Mod Podge. I will likely add grout and moss, but not until I am treating the entire wall as a whole. I think it will look more consistent that way.

I painted the chipboard and Kraft Board layers of the doors, then glued the layers together. I added Dresden and nail head details, and "plates" and doorknobs, then gave it all an aging wash. Here is how the door surrounds and doors look together.

Interior and exterior door frame surrounds and door.

There is so much more to be done to make the door functional. I will sandwich both the window glass and a fabric hinge in between the interior doors/wall as I install it. And our occupant will need a porch of some sort. I am still thinking through which tasks are better done before or after the wall has been attached to the treehouse structure.

You'll get to meet the new occupant soon - he is relocating to the Pacific Northwest from New York State! I hope he likes the rain, the gloom and the damp, and that he doesn't mind his temporary housing with Vera and Virgil. More to come...

All in all it was a great mini week in spite of a minor wrong turn. Luckily, I realized it before I ended up in a cave in Pismo Beach! 

xo xo,

Jodi