I plan on doing some work outside today, but rain may step in to thwart those plans. Hopefully, I can get a few things done. Today, we’re finally going to put the A/C unit in the bedroom. We’ve been getting by with the fan, but we have 3 days of 90 degree temps coming up and I also suspect that the fan is blowing in pollen. Obviously, that’s not good for me.
Yesterday, though I didn’t actually plan on it, I ended up hanging the wallpaper in the Beacon Hill kitchen. I didn’t stop to ponder whether it was the right time, I just plunged in. The room has lots of windows and a long shelf, and one of those pesky windows with ornate trim. In other words, every possible problem was in one room.
The troublesome wall: I had to work around the window trim which required some “creative” solutions, also the long shelf which abuts the wall, AND the overhang (for lack of a better word.) I added the strip of wood over the 3 windows. It looked too unfinished there.
After staining the tops to match the stain on the center unit, I painted them. My first idea was to paint the two cupboards on either end a shade of green. The center unit was already yellow. And I did. But I didn’t like that look. The green was too intense, even when I added a second coat of the green mixed with white. Last night, I repainted those cupboards in the same yellow as the main unit.
But every time I attempted photographing them, the yellow was too bright – almost like a taxi cab yellow. I don’t know whether that was because the kitchen is relatively narrow, and I was shooting into a darker space – a problem with all dollhouses – or whether the yellow was just too bright. Later, when I was in bed trying to go to sleep, I started obsessing on that color and I remembered I have a wonderful bottle of ‘buttercream’ paint. A much softer yellow.
Where was I at 6 am this morning? Repainting all three units. (This makes 4 coats of paint on these cupboards.)
I had to turn the dollhouse around so the rooms were facing the windows in the studio to get this shot.
Oooh! I like it much more this way.
I’m “chuffed” as they say in Great Britain. My vision is coming together. Next up, wood floors. (I don’t want tile.) It took 8 hours over the course of 2 days to install that bedroom floor.
I must gird my loins.
I’m not sure, but I may go with a lighter stain on this floor.
On social media, I’m getting a lot of compliments on this wallpaper. It was worth the wait, that’s for sure.
I’m sharing my dream miniature stove wish list from OC Miniatures in England. This man is so darned talented. The detail is incredible.
Obviously, very much like our Stella. They are expensive, but worth every penny. It’s just getting the pennies when I also have to buy other things for the house.
And then THIS option:
Oh. My. Heavens.
But there is also this model, which is less expensive, but still not cheap:
What would you choose? I’ve been fixating on these stoves for at least three years and always imagined one of them in a kind of retro kitchen like the one I’m creating.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
bravo, claudia! it’s all very pretty! and the photos show your steady hand and care for the details.
i like all the stoves so you can’t make a mistake by choosing any of them, but since you asked, i will say i’m partial to stella’s mini and the blue one. i’d have to flip a coin to decide.
glad you’re putting in the air conditioner. it was 92 degrees here yesterday, with humidity at 90% (ugh), and that’s probably coming your way.
because of the heat, a busy weekend and not sleeping well, i did very, very little over the past two days. grateful to be able to do that, basically nothing, but i need to get stuff done and off my to-do list, off my mind. so, i best get to something.
have a lovely day and stay safe.
kathy
I’m partial to them, too, but they cost quite a bit more. Sigh.
Get some rest, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Well, I’d be chuffed, too! I am loving that wallpaper, and those cabinets. It was worth getting up early to paint them. Sometimes it’s best to just plunge right on in there without too much thought….because if you thought about it, you may change your mind about beginning.
I do love that blue/turquoise version of Stella. But it depends on if it would compliment the wallpaper. Hard to tell over the internet because colors vary so much. But, I love that color.
Good luck with the floors….enjoy your day! ;)
We have heat, humidity and storms to look forward to the next couple of days. So it’s batten down the hatches time.
It’s supposedly a mint green, but it looks more bluish to me. But that version – the one like Stella – costs significantly more money.
Heat, humidity…yuck.
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
I like your choice of wallpaper. Good job getting it on the kitchen wall, considering all the windows and trim. The buttercream is working well for the cabinets. It’s neutral but still adds color to the space.
I like the white “Stella” stove. My friend had the stove from her childhood home refurbished and then a couple of years ago, she had it rechromed. I envy her that stove, which looks like your Stella.
Continue to have fun with Beacon Hill though there is the kitchen floor to do…I can see a lighter, almost raw pine, stain in the kitchen, since its floor wouldn’t be as “formal” as the other rooms. It’s a floor for a working room.
Thanks, Wendy! I may end up getting the less expensive stove which is still modeled after a vintage stove.
Stay safe.
The kitchen looks great, you’re right to be pleased with it! Personally, I wouldn’t go for the turqouise/mint green stove as the cabinets and wallpaper are already lovely and colourful.
Either of the other two would be a great addition.
Fingers crossed that one day you’re able to get one.
Happy Wednesday
.
Oh, I like lots of color! The question for me is whether that particular shade is right for the kitchen. No rush, of course, because I don’t have the funds for it at this moment.
Thanks so much, Dee Dee!
Stay safe.
Wow! The details are crazy. Again you matched the pattern perfectly. I could never be that patient.
The result is gorgeous.
Some days I’m not so patient, Kay. Don can hear me grumbling in the studio.
Thanks so much, Kay.
Stay safe.
I’m loving all your choices for wallpaper. I think I prefer the last stove because not having the shelf makes it feel lighter for a small space. I also love the buttercream color of the cabinets.
I’m living vicariously through your work on the doll house because it brings back so many of my childhood memories of playing with my doll house. Thanks for sharing all the details with us.
You’re very welcome, Cathy.
Stay safe.
The buttercream looks great! And the stove…I love the aqua one! Of course it’s probably pricier. Which ever you choose will look fine.
Take care
Yes, really; any one of them would be great!
Thanks so much, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Love your new wallpaper! And those very cute stoves! Hard to decide. I kind of like the white one with the shelf. Any one of them would work. Have you considered a sisal rug for the kitchen? Much less work and yet still rustic. Stay cool! Hugs, Elaine
Good idea, but I’m not a fan of sisal in real life because I don’t like the feel of them when my feet are bare!
Thanks, Elaine.
Stay safe.
I love all the wallpaper. And everything else you’re doing. When I first found you, many years ago, it was the dollhouse that drew me. Then your, house, your yard, your job(you were working a lot then) and Don. You’re both like no one else. I’m excited that you are working on a dollhouse again.
Oh, thank you so much for your kind words, Carol! I’m so glad you’re here!
Stay safe.
Good Morning Claudia! What a wonderful choice for the kitchen wallpaper! It is cheery without being too cute and is a very traditional pattern too. I love the red tones it brings to the room. And the cabinets in butter cream are perfect! Another traditional kitchen color that is not much used these days. I think the cabinets would not look right without many coats of paint… they are old, after all. I had to chuckle about being back to it at 6 AM. Yes! That is being “into it”! I love the way they look lined up under the window too. And as for which stove to choose… I would go for the most “Stella-like” option…. it might always frustrate you that you didn’t and spent a bunch on the not quite right one. I was really liking the blue-green one… but I would go with the white… because Stella is white and it is the most traditional color for those stoves. As for the third option… I can’t say I have ever seen a cooking stove with an oval window! It looks a bit too much like a washer/dryer unit for my tastes. But I know you have to watch your budget. I am sure whichever choice you make will look wonderful in this room. You are doing really wonderful work… and you are getting a lot done! And about the floor… I agree that a lighter stain might be best for the kitchen. We lived in an old farmhouse in Maine when I was young. The kitchen had ratty linoleum when we moved in and we took it out. The old floor underneath was hardwood… the narrow board type seen in later styles of homes (not early Colonial)… it was a pale maple color. I would start with that color because you could always darken it later if it wasn’t right in the end. I am really enjoying seeing your work! :):)
I have seen vintage stoves with oval windows, so that wouldn’t stop me, but this is when I wish I could 3D print, because I bet I could design one for much less money (except for having to buy the 3D printer, of course.)
Thanks so much, Betsy!
Stay safe.
Fantastic! The wallpaper is beautiful and I love the buttercream. A terrific choice. If it was me, I’d go with the aqua stove, although I don’t know whether or not it is period, but I think it would be lovely with the buttercream. Though, between that and the wallpaper, would it be too much color? Now I’ve got to think about it but I’d be inclined to hold out for numbers one or two.
I like the “view” from the kitchen windows!
It might be too much color…sigh.
It’s always neat to see what the heck is on the other side of dollhouse windows!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I do love the wall paper! As you said, worth the wait. I am happy you have found joy in working on your doll house again. Pollen, heat and rain our my nemesis right now.
Same. The pollen is killing me this year and now we’ve got temps in the 90s with high humidity. I simply cannot function!
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
The wallpaper!!! I love the color of the cabinets too. I like the last stove… looks like my mom’s stove years ago. Can’t wait to see your flooring. <3
Bravo!!
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy. I’ll start in the flooring this morning, but it’s very hot and humid, so I’ll only work for a short time.
Stay safe.
I like the last one (ivory color). JMHO
You can get that stove in white or ‘soft beige.’ It’s a neat stove.
Thanks, Terri.
Stay safe.