Problems with scale

It's been a long time between posts as usual. Thought I'd do a quick update on some projects.

I attempted to make a half scale bed. I like it a lot but it is too big, even though it is true to scale. I have pictured it here in my Buttercup against a half scale Phoenix chair. The chair makes the bed look even bigger. I will now need to remake it smaller to suit the scale of the Buttercup.



The pictures below are of my Canterbury (by Greenleaf). I partially constructed it some time ago and it sat in my junk room until I could think what I wanted to do with it. It is supposed to be 1" scale but it's really about 3/4". I intend buying some vintage furniture, much of which is this scale. I asked Janny if she would mind if I made a built in cabinet type bed and she graciously said yes. Thanks Janny! So here it is, yet to be finished. But I like it so far. This will be a girl's room.





Here is an overall shot of the interior. You can see the kitchen started with a vintage stove unit to the right. I loved the wallpaper in the kitchen ofJulie's Sid Cooke Edwardian shop so put it in my own kitchen. Upstairs will be a sitting room and main bedroom. The exterior will look like a Disney cottage. Will show pictures shortly.

Cabinet for my French shop

I recently made this little cabinet for the entry of my French shop. Not so convinced about it, now that I see it in the photo. Maybe with handles and a few accessories, it will look better. Maybe it could do with a thicker top? Also, I don't think the chair will stay (it is actually borrowed from Little Red's tearoom - I am sure she will want it back soon!).

Chateau Challain la Potherie

Is the name of the chateau we stayed in, in the Loire Valley. Here is the link!

New inspiration

My husband and I have been planning our next France trip (a whole 12 months + away but you can never start too early I always say!) so we're excited about all things French at the moment. Especially given that we were supposed to be going in about 2 months but have put it off to next year. So we got thinking about going back to the chateau where we got engaged and decided we had to go back there for a couple of nights. Here are some pictures of the gorgeous interior which may inspire some of you Francophiles!

This was the room we stayed in:



This was our bathroom:



This was the breakfast nook tucked in the passageway between the bathroom and bedroom:



Another breakfast setting in one of the rooms (one of my favourite rooms - I even bought this fabric for my own home!):



Gorgeous bedroom:



This was the King's bedroom (apparently they had to include a King's bedroom in case he came to stay - for the record, he never did!):



The coat room:



The hallway. The staircase, entry and central halls had hundreds of handcarved corbells with gargoyles/trolls/animals etc on them, and every one was different:



This is the exterior of the chateau. It was built in the mid-1800's I believe and has 120 rooms. We only got to see the bottom 2 storeys plus the basement (kitchen/servant's quarters). We stayed in the room in the tower on the left hand side of the photo, second window up.

So we want to go back to explore a bit better and to see the parts that have been restored since we went. Hope you find these inspiring!

Exciting news

I had some of my cottages printed in the current issue of Miniature Collector magazine! Unfortunately they got my name wrong. Ah well, I have always been called Sharon by those who don't know me/have just met me.

Also, in case you are interested, I will be starting a blog on my sewing/dress-making. I have been stewing over this change in career for quite a few years, and now finally I have taken some steps towards starting my own clothing label. It will be classic/vintage in style, not trendy. Anyways, this is it if you wish to see how I go on my journey!

Rosedale progress

Apologies for the poor quality of my pictures. It seems I just can't take any good ones with it (I am sure it's the user, not the camera!).

I have added strips of mountboard to add height in the attic and then added faschia strips on the exterior to strengthen the added walls and allow something for the roof to butt against. Here is a picture of it so far, without the roof.



This pic is just to show the main bedroom. A shelf unit will fit in that corner where there is no wallpaper (to the left of the pic).



The last pic shows the lounge room. I covered over the transom over the door, as with the transom and door frame, I wouldn't fit cornice, so I will cut off the transom frame from the door frame and then I can have cornice!



And all the best for a fantastic 2011!

Merry Christmas everyone

I hope everyone takes it easy over the Christmas break, and if you are travelling, please take extra care. Christmas isn't an easy time for a lot of people (my father died at Christmas-time 11 years ago) and it's the time we remember those who aren't with us. It's also a time to appreciate those we love.

So have a wonderful Christmas everyone. And eat, drink and be merry!