Diary of a Victorian Dollshouse

Share in my journey as I create a
late Victorian miniature world.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Nursery wallpapering done

The wallpapering is finished! The wallpaper is by Brodnax. I'm pleased with it, as unlike some other toile designs in 1:12 scale it isn't too large - I was mindful of the fact that this isn't a very big room and I didn't want to over power  it with a big pattern....



.The Phoenix fireplace gives a cosy feel to the room - I will be adding a nursery fireguard






Wednesday, December 11, 2013

An update on nursery progress.......

Well it's good to tell that Christmas is just around the corner with the lack of  'mini progress' on the nursery....It's been busy, busy in the real world with cakes, puddings, shopping and wrapping so it's little wonder there hasn't been much done on the dollshouse front...


However I have managed to devote an odd hour here and there preparing some of the smaller items to go into this room and at the York Fair I bought the wallpaper......I also got the lighting done before Christmas began calling out for attention. 


Now the wallpapering can begin!


Monday, November 18, 2013

Little books and cuckoo clocks!

Every nursery needs books and it appears that late Victorian and early Edwardian nurseries often featured a cuckoo clock too...

So I've been making some little books. Beatrix Potter was a much loved children's author and illustrator around this time. Her books are still as enchanting today., who can resist her beautiful pictures of wildlife and her darling little characters who have been popular with children and adults alike for many years....







I had a go at making some little books left open


I thought they would look good laid around as if just put down....





The absurd little bird....


Anyone who is familiar with the film 'The Sound of Music' might remember
A line from the song 'So long, farewell' which the Von Trappe children sang before being sent off to bed...

"...and up in the nursery an absurd little bird is popping out to say 'cuckoo' ( cuckoo, cuckoo)...."

So it seems that the charming little cuckoo clocks did find their way into nurseries...

Here's the cuckoo clock I've made for the Jubilee nursery from a Phoenix White metal kit.


This is such a cute, detailed little kit and after being painted brown, looks just like very intricately carved wood...


The face of the clock was quite challenging being a water slide decal
which had to be carefully submerged in water and then gently slid onto the front of the clock


The overall finished result is pleasing though and I  think it will make a nice addition to the nursery....









The nursery Furniture

Here's the little washstand I've been getting ready for this room.
It started off as a plain, bare wood one.
After a coat of stain and wax I then added a row of ceramic tiles to make a splash back 


Added some linen to see what it would look like...


Decided on a jug on there....


A towel rail...


At each side....


Gripe water! Who remembers that...? 
Just need a small washbowl - not too big as I don't want to hide the pretty tiles...
Then whatever else a Victorian child's toiletry requirements were....?
Back to the research....

In the meantime onto the chest of drawers....



This little chest also began as a basic wood piece, Like the washstand it's been sanded, stained and waxed. 
The tiny rabbit figures standing on top are made of resin and I them bought quite cheaply awhile ago from The Dollshouse Emporium. Just as an experiment I painted the white faces and paws brown to tone them down abit....I thought it would give me a little practise before I begin work on some white metal kit ornaments....



They've had a coat of varnish aswell to give them a shine.....they almost look like porcelain now!
Not Royal Doulton standard by any means but they look better than they did before.


I don't know if they'll stay - we'll see....


Beginning work on the nursery....

I've begun gathering things together for the nursery....
Last Saturday I went to the Pudsey Dollshouse Fair near Leeds and bought some lovely little pieces, including a beautiful white wire bassinette which I've painted today.



I'm so pleased with how it's turned out - it's now a much better whicker colour and looks a lot more realistic I think., I made a mattress for it  and added the  sweet knitted pillow and blanket  made by Ladybird miniatures...look at those tiny, tiny stitches!




Although I am proficient at knitting in full life size I must say I am in awe of anyone who can knit this small! It is so adorable and just the right size. 




I also bought this little blanket from the fair, again from Ladybird Miniatures which looks lovely on the nursery bed.




I was lucky enough to find just the right bed for the nursery at Pudsey too. I've been on the look out for one which was just a little smaller than an ordinary single size as the nursery room isn't all that big.I



 I think this one is probably 1:16th scale and so it's like a toddler size single. An unusual find and not one I've seen before so I'm glad I spotted it.



Here they are together

Friday, November 08, 2013

Something a little different.....

This week I set about customising a basic little Victorian pram. These black metal prams can be bought quite reasonably from various miniature outlets and in their 'naked' form they don't look much but with a little time and a few bits and pieces they can take on a whole new appearance...

This is the little pram I started out with which I bought from the Dollshouse Emporium
Dollshouse Emporium Black Victorian-style Pram


I upholstered the inside and made a tiny quilt and pillow..


And then I covered the body work with Aida embroidery canvas which I stained and varnished to 
look like basket work and added some trim. 


I made an apron which is folded back


I stuck kid leather onto the hood


Made the stays mechanism from jewellry bits and beads


And added trim on the inside of the hood


This was a lovely little project to do, I really enjoyed it - I will certainly have a go at doing another one.....
There are so many ways in which to personalise this little pram, using different materials and colours to make a unique and individual miniature piece for your dollshouse. 

Friday, October 25, 2013

Study Curtains...

Before the finger burning escapade I got the left hand side fourth wall of Jubilee decorated.
All dollshouse work has to be done in sequence, which meant I could now get on with the curtains for the study...

The front of the dollshouse has been waiting to be fixed back on for ages but I couldn't do that until the curtains were done...well I could but anyone who has screwed a dollshouse front on will know what a palaver it is!
Along with fixing spindles, newels and bannister rails to staircases this must be one of the most difficult jobs to do so I wasn't going to mess about doing it more often than I needed to!

Anyway here are a few photos of the curtains which led to the burnt finger!Who would have thought 'dollshousing' could be dangerous!

Curtains maybe not as straight as they could be but I reckon there's a draught blowing in through that window.....

Did you notice I've added a window sill?  Dollshouse manufacturers don't seem to include them but I think it looks lovely with something displayed there when the house front is closed....
You can see in this photo where I've added a mirror and skirting board to the 'fourth wall'. Some people even stick furniture on to this wall too - don't think I will risk that not with my gluing skills, they'd probably drop off!

I took all these photos in our conservatory and our garden is showing through the window! It was quite unintentional - looks good!

The curtains and pelmet are made of silk....no less! Rather difficult to stop fraying but I'm pleased with the result..not sure if I'll work with silk again, I much prefer fine cotton.

Also a roller blind made with an upholstery sample from M&S - this needs a pull cord, I see I've forgotten that!



While working in the study....

A little more progress in the study - curtains! I've really been on a roll with my curtain making lately so I  thought I'd crack on while I'd got the knack of it....
I've been slowed down now though - with a badly blistered index finger thanks to my miniature Clover Iron.

If anyone owns one of these please be careful! They're a nifty little tool and so very useful when making any tiny soft furnishings and clothes but because of the design of them it's so easy to get your finger in the wrong place and end up being burnt!

I do remember reading the warning about this on the packaging when I first bought it, however whilst in the middle of my creative burst I totally forgot! (as you do!) I still wouldn't be without it though....I thoroughly recommend...











My lovely Clover iron...ingenious little gadget and so clever getting into tiny folds, turning hems etc - also good at burning fingers! 



Friday, October 18, 2013

This weeks 'Mini Makes'

A few little makes which took care of an afternoon!



Nightstand for the lady's bedroom with photos, candlestick, book and small perfume tray



Also for the lady's bedroom, a washstand which I've dressed with a small flower vase, trinket box, candlestick and photo


Close up of nightstand

Here you can see a few towels and other washing accessories


Close up of washstand

Parlour desk open showing green 'baize' writing area


More things inside


Close up of open desk


This is a lovely little piece of furniture made by Glenowen