Also I can't figure out how to make the stairs from the ground floor to the first floor. I could make them; I guess what I am saying is I just can't work out the design. It is a tight space and I know what I want, but there is a lot of work in fiddling to get them right and even then, I just can't find enough images or information online to help me out.
I have also been thinking again about my chateau, and I think I said this in previous posts - I just want to pull it apart and start again. You can see from my photo I have installed a pretty parquet floor. This is the only room where everything is stuck in but pulling the panels and floor out would result in a heck of a lot of tidying up work. But every time I look at this house, every time I try to do something, I think, I should just rebuild..... At what point is it too late to turn back? Is it ever too late to start again? There are just so many things wrong with it that I have to try to cover up, I am not sure it's worth continuing. But starting again is a major undertaking also....... And if I did start again, I haven't really got any idea of how I would construct it better anyway. Gah!!!!! Am I alone in my constant inertia?
This is the entry. I ran out of moulding pieces before I finished the panelling and of course, not a single stick remains on this planet. So back to scratch for that too. (FYI it is not glued in, hence the whacky angle)
I hope that your weekend's mini-ing has been more successful than mine. And please, if you have any great (or even average) tips or words of soothing and advice, please post them here. I would be most grateful. XX
a planter box below with some vines coming up a narrow trellis on each side of the window. No one will notice the depth of the window with that visual distraction. It will add some color and texture as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Karin. Great idea thanks! I did briefly think about something like that (or even shutters) but wasn’t convinced. Given you are a master of the art, I figure you would know what works. And yes, it would add a whole lot of character. Xx
ReplyDeleteLa idea de Karin me parece genial , espero que los demás errores los vayas solucionando, así que ánimo.Buena semana:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosa Maria. I will figure something out that should work. It helps to have some opinions and suggestions sometimes! X
DeleteYou could also make a larger window ledge inside by pushing the window to the outer wall. Then you'd have a place to put plants in the room.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila. The window is basically flush both sides, so if I push it further to the outside, it will be protruding out and will require more coverup. I thought last night about a long, soft curtain on the inside and a table with some accessories in front, so it will help disguise the lack of wall depth. I will also trim the interior a bit and add a small window ledge for some detail. Have a great week. X
DeleteThere is nothing more frustrating than when seems like a good idea to start with turns out cause unforeseen hick-ups.
ReplyDeleteI really like the simplicity of the plain exterior wall and think architectural 'fixes' might spoil that. The planter box seems like a clever and pretty solution, perhaps a vine or rose, climbing up the wall from a pot next to the door will blend the two level.. not sure if that will be too much greenery though.
Hi Anna. Thanks for the advice. I had planned some pots and a table and some other things on the exterior around the door, and high climbing vines will be perfect. It will tie the door and upper window together and add interest. I love greenery - I don’t think I could have too much of it!
DeleteYo también creo que la planta enredadera o trepadora sería un buen ajuste y le aportará interés visual a la pared!
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Hi Pilar. Thanks for your comment and agreed - I think it might work well. Take care. Xx
DeleteI think you have some good solutions figured out for the window - give us enough other stuff to ooh and aah about and we don't notice the structural integrity.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what you are having issue with with the stairs, but maybe making up a few three step sections of cardstock will help you get a visual on the turns and placement enough to solidify a plan? For me, just playing around with several ideas triggers a solution. Good luck and just know things will become clear with a little play time and some falling asleep after setting an intention to solve the problem in your dreams!
Smoke and mirrors Jodi! Or at least kids and lollipops and injections! The thing with the stairs was how to curve them. I originally designed some that had a turn in it (with four steps) and then couldn’t figure out how to do the railing because I couldn’t find any photos of French stairs with such a turn in them. They generally curved gently around. I have since redrawn them and think they will work. We will see! Xx
DeleteI was having a little difficulty figuring out which was the problem window, because first floor means something different in the U.S. :-) I had a couple of thoughts: 1. Why do the windows on both floors have to be the same? There are houses where the windows on one floor are quite different than those on another floor. 2. I like the idea of a window box and vines. Might shutters help, since they would stick out a ways from the wall, making the window seem more recessed? I don't know if those would work with your plans. I also think the drapes and table will work inside. I wish I could help with the stairs. I built a staircase of my own in the Fairfield, and I know the hardest part tends to be the math to get the stairs to come out right. What kind of staircase are you looking to build? On the moulding, have you thought of appealing on a forum, like Greenleaf? Sometimes people have left-over bits in their stash.
ReplyDeleteHi Deb. Thanks for your comment. Yes shutters might work too. I think I will try the vines and window box for now and see how that goes. I have redrawn my stairs with a curve where the stairs turn. I originally had a square regular turn in it but it wasn’t very French. It is a bit of work to redraw all the parts but will see how it goes. Fingers crossed. And I hadn’t thought about the forum. I should’ve. I am over it now and just remaking the walls without the panels. If it ends up looking terrible, I’ll ask on the forum. I just feel like I need to move along on a few things, rather than getting bogged down in silly detail. Hope your week is going OK. Xx
DeleteI don't have any brilliant ideas, but I do think it is lovely. If I was looking at it, and didn't know any better, I probably wouldn't even notice. I hope your future endeavors are less frustrating for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie, and I think because the kitchen window is more tucked away, it’s not so noticeable. I tend to overthink things and as I get older I get worse! Having said that, I have learnt a few things too, so working on something I started years ago before I had more construction experience or access to tools can be frustrating. Anyway, hope you have a great week. Xx
DeleteHi , wow good to kow other people make boobies !! as for the window you know that often some windows were added later on real builds and Don't always match ! As for you finished room, could you cut it down to a 'room box' and begin another build if you have fazed out of this build ! I can totally understand that. On going through storage I found a half started house that I took a Hammer to, it was so embarassing ! big hugg for courage xx
ReplyDeleteYes you are right, and it will be clear in this build that there has been work done over time. Thanks for the vote of confidence! And I have since regained enthusiasm for the chateau. I will persevere and made some progress over the weekend (albeit very minor). I plan to jump in and work on the exterior and not overthink it. Whatever happens happens! I will fix up the ugly bits later! Haha! And wow - was there no fixing your old half started house? I love the challenge of trying to fix something like that.
DeleteI have to agree with Carrie, Shannon. Your window problems may be MORE magnified in your eyes than it is to us, because it looks Lovely to me too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope that you finish your curved staircase because it's already a Stunner- in-Progress!
Hi Elizabeth! Well, I have made progress on all these builds. I have worked out the stairs and they are partially cut. I think they will look good too (well, OK at least! Haha!). And to disguise the window, I will have a planter box on the window and will cover part of the wall and window with vines. I wanted a table and pot plants and the like around the door anyway, so will all tie in together. The chateau is moving forward too now, which is exciting. I decided to stop thinking and just start decorating the exterior and whatever happens happens. I spend too much time thinking which stops me making progress. Have a great week.
Deletehey Shannon! First of all, I love what you do. I have a question, what are the moldings made of? thank u!
ReplyDeleteHello! Thank you! And which mouldings? The cream/green painted salon wall panels? If yes, then they are resin Robert Dawson/ The Modelroom wall panels. So stunning, I love them!
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