Toward the end of the day yesterday, I added this to the dollhouse living room, just to check the fit:
Perfect!
I’ve already done a little work on the Beacon Hill, just some things I could do easily – nothing big. Still trying to figure out the problem with the crooked porch, but I think I’ve narrowed it down to the height of the posts. Don says he doesn’t even notice it, but I sure do! I’ve also noticed that other Beacon Hills have a foundation base under the bay windows and the kitchen window. Mine doesn’t. When I can fix that – and the porch – all will be in order.
This morning I walked in the office to open the blinds and I was momentarily stunned by how darned big this house is! It’s massive. Which always leads me to that feeling of “maybe it’s too big for our house and what the *?!! am I doing???” I think I just have to go “full speed ahead!” and stop worrying about it. It is what it is.
Dove Cottage looks positively petite!
It rained last night and we’ll get more this afternoon. It’s very, very humid. I have a Zoom meeting this afternoon and I’m trying to figure out where to place my computer that’s relatively quiet but isn’t in the office where we have no a/c. Some place where I can run the a/c right up to just before the start of the call, turn it off, and then turn it back on after the call.
There’s really no ideal place in our little crowded home for Zoom anything.
I did a little video tour of the dollhouse yesterday. It’s on my IG, if you’re interested. You can access it through the link on my sidebar.
By the way, my longtime online friend Margaret – who knows a great deal about historic architecture – tells me this is a Second Empire style house, not a Victorian. Thank you so much, Margaret!
Okay, my friends. I realize this post is on the short side, but I have a lot on my plate today so I have to get going.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
I think Margaret is right. The time frame of the Victorian era works, though. It’s just that the style is French (The Mansard roof!), as they were designed during Napoleon’s time. Second Empire and Victorian were roughly the same time period, I think. Lots of Victorians were built in this style. You’ve got yourself a big project!
I sure do! I’m looking forward to jumping in.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I saw the IG video and tried to study the porch. I think you are right about the posts.
I would call the house Victorian also. I have never heard of Second Empire…learned something new.
Stay safe
So did I!
Thanks, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Enjoy your new project! Looks like it will keep you happily busy for quite a while!
I think it will keep me busy for a long while, Ellen.
Stay safe!
Good luck with Zoom. I watched my brother in law’s funeral in PA on Zoom…the pictures of the others…distracted me…mine was not on there, so I am assuming they didn’t know how to mute or to avoid the pictures…it was devastating as this was so sudden…just one of 17 now…in the past year…have a good good day…prayers dear girl.
I am so sorry for the loss of your brother, Brenda. And for all you’ve lost…I can’t imagine 17. Prayers to you and yours.
with condolences on the passing of your brother-in-law, brendab … and the sixteen other people, too.
keep taking good care of yourself!
prayers continue.
kathy in iowa
kathy in iowa
Brenda, I am so so sorry for your loss
Such a painful time for so many
Prayers for you, Brenda.
Stay safe.
good luck with the zoom stuff.
the dollhouse stuff sounds more fun … and looks great. i love a sofa by a window … a nice place to read, knit, watch the world go by …
hope you get that ‘plate’ emptied soon and have a good day.
kathy in iowa
Thanks so much, Kathy.
Stay safe.
That sofa looks wonderful in that nook….almost as if it was meant to be. I think you brought up an important point when you said Don didn’t notice the discrepancy on the porch…but you did. You have a dollhouse/miniature trained eye my dear. Some of us (me for sure), are just admirers, and might not notice the minute discrepancies.
I don’t recall the term Second Empire…guess I’ll do some research. Zoom calls are also beyond my skill level…lol. Hope all goes well today! ;)
Hope all goes well today! ;)
I think you’d notice it…it’s pretty obvious up close.
Zoom is easy. You just click a link and sign on. Of course, every Zoom I’m involved in is initiated by other people!
Stay safe, Donna.
Claudia, could you use you porch for Zoom meetings or would there be too much ambient sound?
Too noisy. We live on a very busy road.
Stay safe, Denise!
Victoria’s reign was from 1837 to 1901, a time period that witnessed myriad design styles in architecture, decorative arts, fashion, literature and so on. Technically speaking, your cottage is a Victorian house, an 1840s Greek Revival is a Victorian house, and so too is an 1890s Neo-Classical or a Foursquare from 1900. So your Beacon Hill is an example of a Second Empire house built in the Victorian Era. And that’s the word from Margaret in her vernacular Queen Anne Cottage, also a Victorian house, on Galveston Island.
I have seen several Beacon Hill dollhouses at various miniature shows in past years. I seem to recall that most of the porches look like yours. Because of the roof line, the porch floor can’t be extended all the way across the bottom of the house. One doll house changed the entire porch roof line to accommodate a full front porch floor all along the bottom of the house. Your house is going to be beautiful. Your meticulous attention to detail shows in every aspect of your past restorations. I look forward to your progress on this one.
I think the problem is not the porch (although there are problems with the roofline of the porch). I’ve figured out that what’s missing is the foundation under that side of the house (the kitchen window). That would correct that ‘something is missing’ feeling.
Thanks, Nancy!
Stay safe.
Thanks so much, Margaret. I value your knowledge of that era.
xoxo
When we were raising our children with a formal living room and family room, we had an antique (newly redone) Chippendale sofa…similar to your small one…in living room. Loved loved and so so comfortable. I thought it was Victorian…after I downsized and became even more of a minimalist…donated it…during my 31 moves, sometimes just too far to move furniture or some not needed…cost of moving…so I have donated to churches, Habitat, Goodwill, etc. Saves on moving costs…I have found I need little…anyway, I love the sofa…and really loved mine…
I really love this mini sofa, Brenda.
Stay safe!
I think it is stunning and going to be a great project!
Thanks so much, Linda.
Stay safe!
Perfect fit is right! I knew you couldn’t wait to start on things! Even just a little bit. And if something isn’t right to you, it won’t matter who can or can’t see it — you will know. So have at that foundation!
I hope the Zoomer went well. Who would have thought we’d still be doing those? I’ll have to go to instagram and check you out! Now that I’m got a phone a phone where I can take pix, I think I’ll be using my insta page to post soon! Thanks to Rick! It was a great birthday gift!
Still zooming, yes. This Zoom, however, was because we were in different time zones. I have a feeling Zoom is here to stay.
Yay for a great gift from Rick!
Stay safe, Jeanie.