I'm planning on finishing it this week. It takes a lot of time, most of which is downtime. Waiting for paint to dry, waiting for glue to set, driving back to Bunnings ...
Above is the start of the 'rainbow floor' thanks to Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book 1976.
The rainbow floor will be the piece de resistance of my pinnacle of human achievement or the dumbest idea I've ever had. So far, I'm thinking it's the dumbest idea I've ever had. Paint seems to always bleed under tape.
As you can see, if you look closely, but not too closely, I have a few mistakes I have to fix up. And I'm not the best at wallpapering.
Bungalowgirl wasn't a fan of the lilac bathroom, I hope she thinks this looks better. It is a bathroom, but I have no bathroom furniture, so I may have to make that from scratch. Ideas?
There are other projects in the works as well, such as the above shadow box.
It could be a dolls' house, but I'm plum tuckered-out by the thought of putting as much effort into this house as I have the first.
I'm thinking of putting together a pack of some of my dolls' house scraps:
- astro turf to die for;
- rainbows of wallpaper;
- sheep skin worthy of a rug;
- materials for your own Studio 54 mirror;
- and whatever else I can think of.
Looking great so far! I had so much fun renovating my girls' dollhouse :) x
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Jane from the Pear Tree House's other blog? It's about doll houses. I thought of you when I saw it.
ReplyDeleteI think the key to paint not bleeding is that blue masking tape. I'm too stingy to buy it but it's supposed to be good. I'm liking the bathroom but goodness knows how you'd make bathroom accessories. Surely there's a you tube tutorial about it?
X
Megs,
ReplyDeleteI remember your house. You did a great job, and were before your time.
SarahB,
I've seen Jane's blog. So far she's had some fabulous houses of incredible standard. Thanks for the tip on the blue masking tape. I'll go to the hardware store tomorrow for some. Thanks!
You are a woman of many talents. Do you know anyone who has some bathroom fittings that have 'fallen off the back of a truck'? Otherwise, no idea how you'll get that bathroom done!
ReplyDeleteYour dolls' house is looking fabulous. Loooove the wallpaper. My daughter has a dolls' house similar in style that I picked up at a garage sale. It didn't get anywhere near the special treatment yours is getting. I went all white with a blue roof. My daughter has never really played with her dolls' house. Not sure why, it just wasn't her thing. I've got all sorts of wooden furniture including bathroom fittings in a box in her wardrobe. If she doesn't want them anymore, I'll happily post them to you. What kind of scale are you going for? What size are the dolls?
ReplyDeleteI thought of you on the weekend. i was in House and Doll at Bulimba...full of fantastic doll's house goodies and really so cheap. My mum bought a toaster, a telephone and a tv and they were about 3-5 dollars each and they have the cutest wall maps. Might be worth a visit. xx Katherine
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is looking FANTASTIC!!! I feel inspired to get back to work on our one now - though might have to wait until everything has quietened down again for that one... You are super clever, and I can't wait to see it all finished and fitted out!
ReplyDeleteAlso, that doll house shop at Bulimba sounds amazing! Mini wall maps - swoon!!!
And also, has anyone said 'crafty' yet? 'cause if they haven't they're silly! That doll house scrap pack sounds marvelous!
Its looking amazing, so pretty and colourful. Is great seeing the progress. x
ReplyDeleteFirstly, sorry I'm such an opinionated beast about colour, serves me right to be publically outed. Secondly I am now completely getting the vision of that lilac room, that wallpaper is just the absolute best. Crafty crafty crafty leftovers always welcome at our place. Spotlight have a wooden bathroom furniture that you paint yourself- did our dolls house bathroom a while back and allowed for the yellow toilet with hot pink bath and vanity. Thirdly, the rainbow floor is going to be a winner- is their room for a disco ball from the ceiling?
ReplyDeleteWhen can I move in? Looks like my kind of pad!
ReplyDeleteI saw the Brick House's dolls' house. OMG! Did you see the mid-century furniture? Seriously, there is something to be said about being teeny tiny. xx
It's looking good missy. Surely one of those pav eggs could make a bathtub???
ReplyDeletexo
maybe a divan would fit in your dollshouse???
ReplyDeleteor how do you call those?
and a mini size finjan!
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteI'm not talented, just a lot of nervous energy.
Bernice,
don't send me anything. Keep your daughter's toys! I'm not doing this for Martha, let's be honest. I'm doing it for myself. Sure, she can play with it, but she's already tried to PEEL THE WALLPAPER BACK!! As for scale, I don't really know. I know 1:12 is too small. I think a-little-smaller-than-Barbie scale. I should introduce the occupants.
OBH, thank you. I might head over. I am desperate to go to WAC too.
Stella,
I'll put you down for a pack. I'll see what those maps are like too. Have a baby first, then do the dolls' house. Actually, you're very good at miniatures.
Bungalowgirl,
I appreciate the feedback. And it's good to get a fresh eye over it ... I lock myself in that garage and get high on turps and paint away. I used the lilac as an undercoat because my wallpapering is not the best, and I thought if I couldn't meet the corners at least they'd be a similar colour.
I'll put you down for a pack too if you want. Funnily, I do have a disco ball from my visit to Garbage Rescue or whatever it's called.
Brismod, isn't the Brick House's furniture amazing. Her house is certainly minimalist mid-century. I could never achieve that! I think I'll go Scandinavian Retro. The proposed residents are Lego dolls.
Deb, I'm going to buy some Pav Eggs, scrape out the innards and give that to the Blue Tongues and make some planters. I'll send Pav Eggs to you. Promise.
Sara,
a divan would be nice. What's a finjan? I looked it up and only got 'handle-less cup'? Maybe the house needs a troupe of International Dancers!!
No, I am not bored of your dolls house posts. Lookin good!
ReplyDeleteThe paper and colour of your intended bathroom are divine. I'm torn between making a clawfoot out of white fimo or doing a sunken bath thing I saw on a doll house furniture website with some fake wood contact paper I've op-shopped. Defo the hardest room to do...
ReplyDeleteI can assure you I am not sick of your dolls house posts. It is looking great. Very 70s. As for the bathroom, don't get caught up with pesky things like vanities and toilets. Just do a big freestanding bath, a mirror and some fluffy towels. And some nudie people of course.
ReplyDeletexo
I am trying to devise a pavlova magic toilet for you- lavabo magic, if you will. I fear it will not do. Next you may have to take up sculpting. The fimo idea is try clever. I painted one on the back wall of the dollhouse of mismatchery here. You could try that?
ReplyDeleteyou make me want a doll house to decorate. I could live vicariously through it and pretend I'm not stuffed in a tiny appartment!
ReplyDeleteI love that wallpaper. You should rent this house when you finished it. I just looked up for a house for my mom and they are renting shoeboxes as apartments at crazy prices. Think about it.
ReplyDelete