Lately I’ve been watching reruns of Law & Order in the evenings – either Special Victims Unit or Criminal Intent. They are sort of perfect because I’m usually doing some sort of handwork and I can watch and concentrate on my task at hand at the same time. On Sunday night I was watching SVU and a new episode started. Didn’t look familiar to me. About ten minutes into the show I heard my husband’s voice. What a nice surprise! In this particular episode he played a psychologist. I do remember watching it when it first aired but enough time has gone by that I forgot how it started. Don’s done lots of different Law & Order episodes over the years. But I still get a kick out of seeing him!
Three Christmases ago (I had to search on my blog to find out exactly when this happened – aren’t blogs a handy way of keeping track of things?) Don searched locally for a dollhouse shop because he wanted to get me something for my dollhouse. Well, unfortunately, the only local shop closed about a month before I got my dollhouse. So he drove off on a quest and came back with this:
You can’t tell from this photo, but the actual color of the fireplace was tan, not white as it looks here. It’s made of plastic. I thanked him profusely but since I was just starting the dollhouse rehab at that point, I put it away. Eventually I decided that it didn’t suit my dollhouse’s style and that I probably wouldn’t use it and Don would forget that he gave it to me because he does that sort of thing.
But I had the urge to create something on Sunday and since the bookcase that I had planned to work on has somehow mysteriously disappeared, I pulled out the fireplace. What the heck, I thought. I’ll paint it. I wanted to eliminate the plastic look of the piece. My thought was to paint it white and then I ended up painting the bricks white as well – I wanted them to look like they’d been whitewashed, rather like the brick chimney in my living room here at the cottage.
Still needs some tweaking and another coat of paint, but I do want the house to look gently aged. Eventually, I will get some sort of fireplace screen.
Can you see the blue backing behind the shelves?
I used some paint chips I had hanging around and cut them to fit the opening. The back of the firebox needs another coat of paint and that’s on my to do list. Or maybe some soot?
The painting on the mantel has been in my miniatures box for a long time. I just aged the original gold frame. The ‘old window frame’ is actually a cupboard door on a Michael’s hutch that I had taken apart for some reason or other. I decided it could be put to use as a vintage window frame that the house’s owner discovered by the side of the road. So I painted and distressed it. The armillary next to it was sent to me by another blogger who blogs at Canterbury Cottage, Lady Hawthorne. She generously sent me this piece from her childhood dollhouse.
I painted a little terra cotta pot that I had on hand aqua and added some flowers.
I used what I had on hand to style the fireplace mantel and I’ve been looking for the right place for the armillary. I like the way it looks there.
Heck, I don’t have a fireplace here at the cottage, so I have to have some sort of mantel to play with!
Dollhouses are fun.
In other news, I’ve listed another scarf in Peacock Blue (update: SOLD):
Snow yesterday, then ice, today everything is iced over and the temps are going to be in the forties, tomorrow in the fifties. What the heck?
Happy Tuesday.
Your dollhouse is so pretty. The close-up pictures actually look like a real house! I had dollhouses when I was little and loved them. I still have a bag of the early 1970’s dollhouse furniture…that ugly, plastic stuff. ;-)
How cool to be surprised by seeing and hearing Don on a TV show! I hope he is starting to feel better.
I had that plastic furniture, too, Melanie, though I don’t know what happened to it!
I’ve never seen a mini fireplace with attached book shelves. How cool, and it fits perfectly in that space. Great addition. Love all of your accent pieces too.
I thought it might be too big, but it worked out perfectly.
Oh my Claudia, that little fireplace is going to be gorgeous…and I do love the turquoise backs to the shelves….I like the way you echo your style in the doll house, the same as you do in your cottage.
I am going to have to start watching L&O again…and watch for your husband.
Jen
He’s in several episodes of the various L & Os. Thanks for the dollhouse compliments!
I like the firelplace and what fun to see your husband on TV when you were least expecting it….
A nice little present…
I think it’s darling. We had a fireplace in California that the previous owners had painted white. I used paint remover to get it off and it then looked “shabby”, long before shabby was THE style. I loved it. You did great, honey, just great! Love it like that.
xoxo,
Connie
You’re a trend setter, Connie!
The fireplace worked out perfectly, I think! It really does look nice. You have a knack making everything look so realistic. I have not touched my dollhouse for a while and the other dollhouse kit I bought last year is still sitting in a box in my basement. I am still thinking of getting it out and seeing what I want to do with it. I am thinking a Cape Cod house maybe…kind of weathered look to the outside. I’d like to do a beachy feel to the inside of it. Just wish I would stop thinking about it and do it! I am such a procrastinator! Enjoy our warmer temps…..the bottom is going to fall out again by the end of the week. ~Hugs, Patti
I am a procrastinator, too, Patti. Look how long I’ve been working on this dollhouse! And I have a kit upstairs that I’ve not even tried to put together yet.
Your mini fireplace fits right into that space as if it were custom made. I love the little flowerpot. It’s the most adorable thing! I like how your dollhouse is just like decorating a larger home, one piece at a time until it all comes together.
I am a hug L&O fan so I must have seen Don quite a few times without knowing it. Must have been nice for you to hear his voice, look up and see him on the screen. Last year I watch the original L&O from beginning to end. Took me months but I loved it. Now I’m re-watching The West Wing from beginning to end.
Have a good rest of the week.
Cassandra
I’m sure you have seen him, Cassandra. I loved The West Wing – enjoy! Have a great week yourself!
Oh I LOVE what you did with the fireplace!! It looks perfect nestled in the room with the aqua accents. How fun to hear from Don. Did Scout do a double take? Our dog visits Grandma and Grandpa on iChat but he doesn’t respond to them talking to him. I think pets need the full Monty – smells in particular – to make the experience real. :) Stay dry – it’s -40 here this morning. I’m staying in!
Scout was sleeping, so she didn’t hear him.
Claudia this is just too darn cute! I love how it looks painted! It looks like a room I would want to live in! I enjoy watching you decorate your doll house!
hugs,
Linda
Thanks so much, Linda!
Your dollhouse is so precious! Love the fireplace – especially painted! It looks great!
Hope you get some warm weather soon. That’s funny about hearing Don’s voice on Law and Order!
Judy
We are getting warm weather today and tomorrow and then temps will go back to the twenties and thirties. What a strange winter!
I love your fireplace, Claudia- Now that you have painted it you could never tell it is plastic. I think you ought to “soot” up the back of the fireplace a bit…but that’s just me! I watch all the old L&O episodes too…I really like the ones that had Vincent D’Onofrio on them. He always made the show for me- and I think I have heard the term “actor’s actor” applied to his name. How fun to hear/see Don on the show. I am sure it gives you just a big old smile~ xo Diana
I just may soot it up. I’m going to think on that, Diana.
It must be wonderful to all of a sudden hear your husband’s voice on a t.v. show you’re watching!
I don’t remember ever having a dollhouse as a child but did have a blast my senior year in high school making a large dollhouse replica of The Hermitage. My project partner’s father owned an upholstery shop so we had stacks of pretty scraps to use for carpets and curtains. It was so much fun that I can easily see it being a huge hobby activity.
It’s awfully fun. Sort of my fantasy decorating space!
The fireplace is awesome! It doesn’t look like plastic at all now! I noticed the blue backing right away…what a clever idea using paint chips. How about some sticks in the hearth to look like wood?
It must have been a sweet moment hearing Don’s voice on TV. I loved watching SVU. It would totally captivate me in the first 5 minutes. Very addicting, too. My husband was once a recurring guest on a local television show about legal and financial issues. Sometimes I would have that channel on and jump out of my skin when I heard his voice! lol!
It’s 61 here, I have the doors and windows open to get some fresh air in. We are supposed to have a cold front move in later so I kept the bag of salt on the porch. You never know what you are going to wake up to.
XO,
JAne
Such strange weather we’re having! It is very nice indeed to hear my husband’s voice coming out of the tv! It was almost like he was home with me!
Hi Claudia! What a nice surprise for you to hear Don’s voice on TV!! I’m sure it took you by surprise! I just love the doll house! All the rooms really do look like actual rooms and very nicely decorated. What a nice project to be working on! Francine
It’s something I’ve been working on for about 3 years. I’ll get on a binge and do a lot of work, then I’ll ignore it for months at a time – rather like real life!
Because we have very few channels I watch Law and Order a lot. I must look for Don. The fireplace and mantel look so much better since you painted them and decorated the mantel.
Thanks, Olive. After looking at our cable bill, I’m thinking of greatly decreasing the number of channels we have, too!
Claudia, I absolutely adore your dollhouse! Such beautiful little pieces–and the ‘back story’ of the owner finding the window frame by the side of the road…. just adorable! I feel like I now need to revisit my childhood obsession with miniatures! :-)
Oh, you should!
I’m glad you found a way to make Don’ sweet gift work in your dh. I think some soot would look good in the fireplace, along with a stack of “logs” of white birch twigs. That is so cool to have your husband pop up on the TV! I’m glad you enjoyed my powwow photos. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I sure did!
Beautiful, Claudia! The whitewash is perfect and those touches of blue on the shelves match your own house so prettily. And what a wonderful little potted plant that is. I love what you did!!
Thank you!
We have the same weather..Love the fireplace..White is better..
Thanks, Missy.
So Cute! I just discovered Law & Order Criminal Intent a few months ago and it’s my favorite show! I only like the Vincent D’Onofrio episodes though : D We have Netflix I recently discovered that they have all the seasons free for streaming (happy dance)!
I like the ones with Jeff Goldbllum a lot, too- he’s one of my favorite actors and I always find his work so interesting.
I think I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t seen L & O. Given how much I like crime and courtroom drama, it seems like it should be a natural for me. Love your “new” fireplace and I think it looks just perfect where it is with the cozy seating arranged before it. Ann
Thanks, Ann!
Lovely way to integrate the new fireplace
Thank you!
Hi Claudia – I love your fireplace. It’s a wonderful addition and I love the armillary too.
Isn’t that armillary lovely?
Claudia, is there a “For Rent” sign on your dollhouse! It looks like the perfect place to snuggle in and stitch! I love what you have done with the newest home improvement and you have the greatest talent in decorating. So nice that you were able to hear and see Don on TV. I, too, must have seen him several time as L&O is one of the shows that we watch again and again. Try to stay dry and warm with this crazy weather we are having!
Can’t rent it yet – two rooms have yet to be touched!
Sweet! FYI: toothpaste caps make great flower pots.
Thank you for the tip! And thank you, my friend, for the beautiful armillary.
Hi Claudia,
Isn’t it amazing how we both featured fireplaces in our latest posts!? The first thing that struck me about your pretty dollhouse was the distinct resemblance it has to your cozy cottage! Both residences have your signature on them: whimsical aqua green accents, crochet creations for warmth and vintage artwork for a hint of nostalgia.
XO
Poppy
Ah, thank you so much, Poppy. I love that fireplace in your post and the stone house. Gorgeous.
My daughter wants to live in your doll house! Me too!
Thank you for the compliment!
Claudia– I love your little doll house. I never had one as a child. I had a Barbie house that came with furniture…but i made bed covers , rugs, lamps and things for it all the time.
I was thinking years ago it would be nice to have one to tinker around with. But have never done so.
Then while unpacking another one of my MIL boxes one day, I found this little kitchen scene. The size of a picture frame… I suppose DIORAMA is the right word, it is quaint. Dusty…from hanging in her kitchen for years. needs some TLC.
As an adult…I’ve only seen your doll house through INTERNET and Kim’s at Daisy Cottage. You both make me want one.
They seem so full of delight and fantasy!
I love they way you’re decorating yours.
Pat
I had a Barbie house, too. And I decorated the inside of my Barbie case with wall paper and hanging lamps made out of dixie cups and pipe cleaners. The diorama sounds lovely – maybe some time you can post a picture of it on your blog?
Oh yes… I made a couch one time out of a piece of styrofoam packing and a piece of oil cloth and straight pins. Hard to describe…but the styrofoam was in the shape of a couch already…Barbie could sit there comfortably next to Skipper or Ken! Anyway…I just covered it with the oil cloth…using the straight pins (no hot glue back then)
I made lamps from empty thread spools and a small lid off a hairspray can! Those made nice side tables too.
I was thinking about that diorama…I may just do that. I need some pointers on spiffing it up… It has a CABIN feel to it. So I don’t know about painting it. It would be fun.
Thanks for the inspiration and the chat! Pat
I had to do a double take and then a third take as I read our blog post today. I thought that was a “real” room, not your dollhouse. I love it!
Blessings,
Betsy
Absolutely adorable. Can I shrink myself and move right on in? :) You’ve done such a sweet remodeling job on your little house. Seems like those blue scarves are scooped up in no time. Wishing you a wonderful day,Tammy
Always love seeing your sweet dollhouse, Claudia! :)