Hi all. After a very stressful and tiring year so far, I am having a week off to work on my mini projects to get a few things done. I really want to get some projects ticked off this year (you know, as finished as my projects will ever be). So today I have been working on my 1:48 Nob Hill from Suzanne and Andrews Minis. No I haven't mentioned that one before.... I didn't intend buying it, but I adored it and have worked on it in spits and spurts. I am pretty close to completing the structure so will post some photos soon.
Also I worked on my French reno today. I 3d printed some balustrade I designed and cut my own staircase (it is basically just stacked layers of wood/MDF - although it probably looks a little fancier than it is). So I rearranged the rooms a bit. The stairs are now in the entry which was part of the shop. The kitchen is through that back door.
And a side view
The salon in progress:
The other wall of the salon with a French fireplace by Halls Miniature Clocks:
The shop truncated (this will be a sort of craft room):
And the upstairs stair hall with the salon to the right:
Not sure about the wall colour, but it will do.
Here is my new little buddy, a beautiful Jack Russell Terrier by
Ewelina Hasnik, which I purchased at the online Kensington mini show. I loved her and wasn't sure so decided if she as still there next morning, it was meant to be. Well, she was still there, soooo.....
And I have finally fixed almost all the lights in my Duddingwells! With my husband's help. So here is the shop as it is. Lots of accessories needed obviously.
And the front, landscaping done:
And the sitting room:
Lots of accessories still needed. I couldn't get this room to work and then one day recently I decided to swap the sofa to the right and table and chairs to the left and I liked it. I have birds for the cage too.
And bedroom:
I have aged the table a bit, so now I need to right the lamp..... currently not a good look!
Teapot not staying. Lots of bits needed yet, but I like it.
And that's it for today. I will try to post again this week and show more progress. It's good to feel like I am getting somewhere. And like anything, starting is the hardest part. After that, it's much easier. Hope you are all well everyone, and getting some sunshine (or rain if you need it!). xx
I think the staircase looks wonderful so far. And I love that landscaping! So natural looking.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila! I will try to remember to take some detail photos of the landscaping and post. Hop you’re well. X
DeleteYour projects are coming along nicely. The staircase is awesome. It looks like the perfect staircase for a french home. I really like the blue bed in the Duddingwells, the entire house is so charming.
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, thanks for your lovely comments. It feels good that the Duddingwells is pretty much done. It has been fun to build (other than the lights!) and it is pretty rewarding to be able to plug the lights in and see it all almost as it should be, looking like a little house. And glad you like the stairs. Now I need to try to wangle a handrail.... augh...
DeleteWhat a treat! First, I love the balustrade that you printed. What a great job. I also love your new Jack Russell terrier. What a sweet face. So glad you got her. The Duddingwells is lovely. The landscaping is wonderful, and it's delightful peeking into all the rooms with their charming details. Congratulations on getting the lights to work! Electricity is such a pain, but it seems worth it when the lights really do work.
ReplyDeleteHi Deborah. Thanks for your lovely comments. I was pretty amazed to wake up the day after the show started and see her little face still asking to be taken home. I probably need to take a few more detail photos of the Duddingwells garden and post. And yes, I think working lights adds a dimension that you cannot get any other way. I wish I had fixed the one broken wall sconce though, but don’t think I want to pull things apart again to try. Will quit while I am ahead!
DeleteLovely. It is nice taking some time off and getting projects done. Been doing it myself. I love the balustrade. I have always loved that your houses have lots interest, rooms etc. Duddingwells is so charming. You have given me a new fresh push of inspiration. !!! I would love to finish my Rosamunds Bower now. That will definitly need way more than week though ha. I love your work and thank you for a post!!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie! Thank you so much for your lovely comments! I am glad that you like what I have done and that it inspired you to mini on. I love YOUR minis and am always inspired by your work. Hopefully we might see a blog update fron you too soon! X
DeleteHas your new little puppy got a name! No wonder she stole your heart with a face like that.
ReplyDeleteI love your fabulous staircase! It is hard to believe it is 'just' stacked MDF blocks. The view through the hall is so intriguing, it makes me want to walk through and peek into the next room.
Hi Anna! I think the puppy’s name may be Gladys! Haha! I actually now have another two puppies on order - replicas of past family pets. I am very excited. And thank you for the lovely comments regarding my stairs. Xx
DeleteI TOTALLY SMITTEN with EVERYTHING you've achieved, Shannon!
ReplyDeleteThe iron balustrades are Perfect for a french house and I LOVE the graceful curve of the staircase too! I wish you would blog a tutorial on how you constructed your set of stairs by using the stacking blocks you mentioned.
It is always the section of a project which I fear most and yet they are unavoidable when it comes to realism.
Having said that I'm Absolutely Enchanted by the English cottage and how you've arranged each floor of interiors.
The shop level of Duddingwells, has the most Wonderful tudor fireplace which is entirely in keeping with the age of the building, and it appears that its merchandise will be as feminine as the rest of the cottage- Love the bow display window and seeing the tops of the flowers in the garden!
The second floor parlour is so very cosy and I Really must commend you for using 2 bold patterns on the seat cushions coupled with the antique floral toss cushion- a unique and Very Pretty treatment for the chairs, against the starched lace edged tablecloth.
The third floor bedroom is a Marvel!!! I don't know how you managed to make such a limited space feel so much bigger!
The bed is perfectly lovely and looks comfortable as well. Having lighting in such a tight space has really opened it up but I must also comment on the wooden braces under the pitch- they maintain the openness yet bring both sidewalls visually together which adds to the visual "snuggliness" of the room.
And after enjoying all the details and highlights of the interior I am OVER THE MOON about the exterior!
The choice of plant materials, their SPOT ON placements against the bricks and chipping plaster, can't be beat and for me, Shannon it was nothing short of LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! ❤️
MORE MORE...!
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for the lovely comments. I will check to see if I took any photos of the stairs before I painted them. Or I will try to get organised and make a staircase using the same method.
DeleteAnd great to hear you love the Duddingwells! I a, always keeping an eye out for the just-right accessory, but this house seems stubborn. I have tried quite a few things but mostly they don’t seem right. Well, for the living room. I seemed to get the bedroom right first try! Haha! Anyway, that’s minis for you. The shop is a chocolate shop, so it has quite a few accesories yet to make. But Inlove the direction. And will post some detail photos soon! Enjoy your weekend. Xx
Hello Shannon, I'm new here. I just found you through Pinterest as I was looking for half scale ideas for the stove, refrigerator, and sink that just arrived in the mail ordered on Etsy. I'm going to enjoy watching you work.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, welcome! I’m glad you like my stuff and have discovered half scale minis! Did you find my store www.red.cottageminiatures.com? Take care and have fun with your minis! X
DeleteThis is truly a great looking project. You have done amazing work, making the cottage look and feel like it was built by an artist. So many interesting details to study. Great photos too! Thanks for sharing. - Troy
ReplyDeleteThanks Troy, that’s kind of you. I am slow to fill my houses as I am always looking for just the right something to go in. But it’s pretty satisfying when you do finally find just the right something! Take care! X
DeleteLove your stairs - and the printed balustrade! Sometimes it takes looking at what you've done and a new, better way to do it appears...
ReplyDeleteHi Heidi. Thanks for your lovely comment. It is amazing isn’t it how many times you can look at something until one day you finally see it in a different way. I am happy with the layout now. Much better!
DeleteI see so many beautiful pieces. Loving that bird cage! The way you have set things up really shows them well.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love the feel of this cottage and most of the charm comes from the house itself and Rik Pierce’s designing. But it is fun (and tricky) finding the right accessories.
DeleteSorry I'm so late in responding to this lovely post - Blogger issues! Progress is great, I love to follow step by step pics. The balustrades are perfect - well done in creating them and I do like your new little friend - a perfect find!
ReplyDeleteHi Irene! Isn’t the doggy sweet? And thanks for your lovely comments. I keep meaning to post an update but I keep running out of time. I haven’t finished the handrail on the stairs yet. It’s hard and I keep putting it off! Haha!
DeleteSo many beautiful pictures, yes that beautiful staircase and that shop were if I was small lol want te go in to buy a lot and want to stay over in that bedroom!
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Marijke
Hi Marijke. Thank you for your lovely comments. I too would love to visit these tiny dwellings. I guess we tend to build places we would love to see or own ourselves in real life. Take care! X
DeleteDear Shannon, I guess I missed this post earlier in the year! (It was a busy time at my job if I recall...!)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely Love the Duddingwells... all the details, the atmosphere... that amazing English quirkiness... I just love it! And I also am impressed with the self built stairs for the French house... curves like that are hard to master! And the balustrades look awesome!
I hope you have a Great New Year and keep making minis as well!!! :):)
Hi Betsy. And happy new year to you too! Thanks for the lovely compliments. It’s so rewarding when things start falling into place and start ‘feeling’ like they should. I look forward to seeing your progress throughout the year too. Take care. X
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