The zinnias are putting on an early autumn show. They just keep blooming. Along with the morning glories, they provide lots of beautiful flowery color even as the leaves turn yellow and the morning temperatures turn very cool.
They make me smile.
Yesterday, I once again seized on a window of Don-free time to do some work on the Top Secret Project.
Don: You know the drill.
Baseboards in hand, it was time for me to try a mitered corner.
I didn’t use mitered corners in Hummingbird Cottage, though now, after having done it, I wish I had.
I used this aluminum miter box that comes with a blade and handle. I’d ordered it a few months back from HBS/miniatures.com
I admit to getting confused about which angle goes where in a mitered corner, so I googled the whole thing and found this wonderful tutorial, ‘Mitering 101’ from Miniature Designs. It made the whole process easy as pie. Thank you!
By the way, I made a cover for that sharp blade.
I used a cardboard express mail envelope.
Baseboard.
Mitered corner.
Baseboard with table and dog.
It looks so nice!
When I put furniture in this room, I realize that it’s quite a big space. That’s why, I’m sure, some of the miniaturists working on the Creatin’ Contest are creating rooms within the space. I thought about doing that; for example, adding a bathroom. But I think I’m going to keep it open and studio-like. If mini Don has to go to the bathroom, he can hike up to the house.
I do have lots of ideas for the space, including a counter-high refrigerator and a counter top with a coffeemaker, a lounging area with the Eames chair, a coffee table and a sofa, a stereo and lots of record albums, an area with recording equipment, speakers, a computer screen, stools, musical instruments, maybe an electronic keyboard and/or an upright piano and a floor microphone. There would be a rug or two on the floor for acoustic purposes. There will be framed posters and artwork.
And a retro fireplace like the ones you see in older A-frame and mid-century modern homes. I’ve found a tutorial for it and that is my next project.
I’ll try to make a floor plan in the next few days, so you can see what I have in mind – though I’m not really sure what will go where.
So far…I’ve got the Eames chair and the baseball cards and record album Barbara sent to me.
Oh, what fun it will be!
I’ve just finished Pop Goes the Weasel by M. J. Arlidge (who wrote Eeny Meeny, a book I reviewed previously) and there is a review on Just Let Me Finish This Page today.
Now I’ve started A Song of Shadows, John Connolly’s newest Charlie Parker mystery, which is being published on Tuesday. He’s a wonderful writer and I’ve now read every book in the series, except for this one.
I’ve read nine books this month. My new early morning reading regimen is paying off!
Happy Sunday.
Love the studio. It is fun to watch it come into a great space where dreams will be made. Doris
Thank you, Doris!
My goodness Claudia. You did a wonderful job on that baseboard. Very professional. I have a few that need replaced in my full-sized home. Would you like the job? You have wonderful ideas for the studio and I’m enjoying watching it evolve through the days to come.
Blessings,
Betsy
I’d be very nervous about mitering a life-sized baseboard, Betsy!
Part of the charm of Caroline’s cottage, is the fact that you did not miter the corners. I think her cottage appears more “old world” because of it. I love your ideas for Don’s cottage…making floor plans sound like a good idea! Enjoy your Sunday! ;)
I’m not real good with floor plans – especially 1:12 floor plans! But I can at least ‘rough it out.’
You did a very neat job with the baseboards. (You could have taught the installation crew for our new windows this past summer a thing or two.) I’ve been following some of the contest builds, but it didn’t really twig until now how large a build this is. Lots of room to play! A retro fireplace sounds like a fun project – will all your furnishings/artwork be mid-century style or a mix of old and new?
Not sure. Maybe a mix. Though I think the sofa will also be mid-century modern.
The baseboard looks great! We, too, have some in our house that could use some attention. Maybe you could have a side business.
Love the idea of a little kitchenette area in the studio. I would bet floor plans would surely be helpful. And I really look forward to the construction of the fireplace!! wow!
Have a wonderful day!
We’ll see how it goes! I’m trying to increase and sharpen my skill set, but….it can be difficult work!
The baseboards turned out fabulous. What an amazing space. I can’t wait to see your floor plan. I love Zinnias and wish I had more in my yard, I think if I’m here for another year I will plant some in the Spring.
hugs,
Linda
Zinnias are worth it, Linda. They really cheer you up come fall!
Claudia, You did a great job. I love the little chair. Perfect. I looked back over posts I have missed. Your porch is so nice to sit and enjoy. Our trees are dropping leaves like crazy. All dry and brown.,not pretty just work. Blessings to your household, xoxo,Susie
I know – suddenly we have leaves everywhere, Susie! Blessing to you and yours, my friend.
What is the square footage of the studio, Claudia? I forgot if you mentioned it. I love drafting floor plans! I was forever trying to cram more stuff into my house, so I have templates for each room of my house plus cut out furniture, all to scale, of course…. I love that miter box. And you’re obviously skilled at using it….the baseboards are so tidy. Do you plan on crown molding too?
Gosh I don’t know the square footage. I’ll try to figure that out in the next couple of days. No crown molding simply because the roofline is curved and I would have no idea how to do that!
Hi Claudia! I commend you on your successful mitering adventure and THANK YOU for the link!
Never in my entire miniature life, have I been able to understand correct mitering for a doll’s house. The link you shared covers not only the baseboards but also in MITERING 102 it demonstrates how to correctly cut CROWN MOULDING, which for me , has always proved to be a mystery, but now I hope to be able to give it a try too! :))
I am very impressed with your first efforts. I think that wood trims really give added polish to a room, and your future plans for Don’s Studio make it sound Very Inviting.
So happy to hear it’s not just me! I could NEVER figure it out. The tutorial is so helpful, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth! Have a wonderful Sunday.
It’s so much fun to watch the progress on Don’s room. He will be so thrilled!
Your zinnas look gorgeous.
Judy
Thank you, Judy. I think Don is quite intrigued and whenever this project gets finished it will be such fun to see his reaction!
Kinda reminds me of being a kid in the summer reading program and who could read the most books in a specific period of time! Nine books; that’s amazing, Claudia. Glad your eyes are holding out.
Can’t wait to see the Top Secret Project layout. The molding looks so tight and tidy, neat and precise, giving the floor and room such a nice look. This is going to be one very interesting house.
Thanks, Vicki!
The e floor and baseboard look so good. Mitered corners are such a pain. The floor finish is very nice. I am enjoying watching you create.mlove the pup. Zinnias — another fav.
But when you have a good tutorial, they’re not such a pain at all!
I love the way the studio is coming together.
I’m reading The Nature of the Beast. My friend and I have had to request all the other Louise Penny books through our inter library loan program. We made a donation every now and then to help with the postage. This time our librarian bought this book and called my friend to say we would be the first to read it. Like you said it will be hard to wait a year for the next book!
Yay for your librarian, Claudia!
Such a good job on the baseboards..it’s looking more and more realistic..
Thank you, Nancy!