I found the sweetest wallpaper for the dollhouse kitchen. It arrived yesterday. So what was I doing last night when it was really too late to be doing it? You guessed it.
Not the best lighting this morning, but I’ll take more photos later in the afternoon. The pattern is of pink roses with a light robins egg blue on a creamy background. Sweet and old-fashioned – just the way I wanted it. This is the first room in which I’ve also used beadboard. There will be more. I started to add a chair rail, but until I decide where cupboards and appliances will be, that’s all I can do for now. Don’s reaction last night? “I want to live there!” Sorry, Don, no boys allowed.
It’s not perfect. Despite my best intentions, sometimes the trim is a bit crooked, sometimes a bit of glue gets on the wallpaper (rather like our for-real house.)
But, gosh darn it, I’m having such fun with it all.
The reality of my life lately is one of sadness, worries and tears. That’s just the way it is at this point in my life. My parents consume my thoughts. My mother will never be able go home again. She is getting weaker by the day. My father cries when he speaks to me on the phone, all the while trying to cope with his new reality. I need to find a job as there are no coaching jobs on the horizon. These are the facts. So I try to snatch some joy wherever I can find it. My little dollhouse provides a wonderful, magical escape where I can imagine and create and play. Surely that is good for the soul.
Isn’t this gorgeous? It arrived in the mail yesterday – all the way from Italy. Flora, who is a talented miniaturist and has an Etsy shop and a blog, made it for me. I had discovered it on Etsy but it was reserved for another customer. When I asked Flora if she would make one for me, she answered with a resounding yes and here it is. Since the living room will be a bit more formal, in a shabby sort of way, I thought this sofa fit the bill.
Etsy is a wonderful source for handmade miniatures. There is so much talent out there! Thank you, Flora.
I plan on searching eBay for another one of these chests because I want to put it in two places and we all know that is impossible. I want it here, under the stairs. I also want it in the bedroom. So, I simply have to find one more. I’m not crazy about the fabric on the chair, so I will be recovering it when I find just the right look.
Anyone want to join me for a cup of tea on a Saturday morning?
Claudia, el papel tapiz es preciosos y el sofá que compraste a Flora también.
Siento mucho escucharte triste por tus padres, lo siento de verdad
Un abrazo
How wonderful to design and do exactly what you want to do in your beautiful doll house. I understand the pain of your parents…sadly it is part of our process of life. Ahhh…a cup of tea and thoughts of good memories…
Blessings dear.
It’s adorable – I want to move in! :)
Happy weekend, Claudia!
Your sweet little house is really coming together nicely. Glad it gives you such joy and a happy place to put your mind during this sad time with your mom’s health and your dad’s sadness. Escape can be a good thing so stick with this little house of yours, and good luck with the job search! Anything there in your area??
I`ve got oatmeal muffins in the oven. I`ll bring some to go with our tea!
S
xo
Claudia ~ I lift prayers for you & your parents, this is a hard time to walk thru. God is holding you all closely to His heart.
You wee cottage is just gorgeous! Can we duplicate this to a big person home? You do such beautiful work creating.
Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
Love, love, love it. I am a jealous wreck over that doll house! I am looking for one.
I do, I do! (:
The wallpaper you chose is so sweet, and the beadboard is looking great! The sofa that Flora made is gorgeous and is so perfect for your little house. Love it!
Creative endeavors can be so comforting when our hearts are hurting…
Hugs,
Jill
I wish you courage to endure the hardships of life, Claudia, and generous miniaturists (as Flora who made you this beautiful gift) are also there with thoughts to bring a little comfort.
The wallpaper of this room is perfect for this atmosphere. Hugs from Paris <3
If there are no boys allowed I will be there in a second!
It’s really lovely Claudia, the perfect place to allow your mind to escape to during the turmoils of life. This is a difficult time to endure I am sure.
The papers and colouring are so pretty and the sofa from Flora just perfect.
And how exciting to have a comment from the queen of mini shabby, our dearest Lea! It’s so wonderful that she has ‘joined’ our crazy mini community in this way at last.
PS – sounds as tho Don is in touch with his feminine side which is not a bad thing, perhaps he could be allowed to visit this ‘girly’ zone on occasion so long as he left his boots at the door ;)
Beautiful paper! I can’t wait to see when everything’s done.
Kristin
Those midnight crafts will get you everytime. As you can imagine I watch a lot of late night tv with hook in hand working away. Who can sleep anyways now that we are over 50. Little do those young ones know what’s in store for them. Yes, the new view is a piece of cake. It’s that whole Dynamic Theme part that we freaking me out. I do not like it. I like to play around with where I’m at. I have been trying to figure out this whole Adsense thing. I would like to be more specific like yours to yarn and gardening sites. Still playing, but it will come.
Paper On,
Kate
Claudia, dollhouse is the perfect distraction for you during this stressful time and it is turning out just so homey and sweet. I am sorry to hear your mom is not improving and feel so badly for your dad. I’m sure he feels helpless and frustrated as well as frightened. It’s such a difficult time and it’s hard to make sense about why some must suffer. I will keep your mom in my thoughts that her days and nights be comfortable and that your dad have the strength to get through this time. You as well – being far away must make your heart ache.
Take care.
Ann
Oh, tell Don to forget about it, I want to live there! lol
Claudia, it’s just gorgeous! I love the wallpapers and the bead board, and that little sofa is just tdf!
I’m sending hugs and prayers your way. For you, and for your parents.
Hugs, Debi
I am glad your little dollhouse is giving you the diversion and happiness you need right now. It sure is looking good! Hang in there….you are in my thoughts. ~Hugs, Patti
Forget Don, I’m movin’ in! Whew….sorry about that, I get so rude when I see something I want! Claudia it’s turning out like a dream. You’ll want to keep an eye out for my blog on either Monday or Tuesday as I’m posting about my visit to the Phoenix Museum and their huge collection of Narcissa Niblack Thorne miniature rooms….20 of them! I’ll have to break it up over a couple of posts, and unfortunately there is a lot of glare from the glass enclosures, but I think you’ll still really enjoy it.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with the parental thing, too. It is difficult, stressful, tiring, etc. I feel for you and I’m here if you need to talk.
God Bless, and I’m sending extra prayers and pretty thoughts to you.
Love ya’
Meri
I love your little doll house. I was at a thrift store the other day and picked up a bag of wood doll house furniture. I almost bought it then I remembered I only live vicariously through yours. I had to remind myself I don’t even own a doll house. Maybe one day to many unfinished projects to start another one. I sure enjoy watching yours come together.
What a special piece, from Italy!… I just love this whole little house, the wallpaper, the floors, the furniture, I think I gotta do this too!…
Yummy! I’d like to move in too!
Your cottage is looking so sweet! I admire your tenacity. I love your floors and the little sofa from Flora is rather unique. I love those stripes!
Hi Claudia,
I love your dollhouse! The couch is beautiful! Definitely worth the wait. Have fun with your dollhouse and enjoy creating a haven for yourself there. I will keep your Mom and Dad in my prayers. I missed my own mom today. Sometimes, I really wish I could just talk to her or to my Dad. I think when you lose your parents, that is the hardest part. Everyone needs an outlet and I feel happy that you have your dollhouse and blogging. When I began to blog, it really opened up a creative soul for me again. Your dollhouse is so lovely. I know you love it! I do! xoxo Kim