#Fairfield #dollhouse: Some Progress!

 I've been working on and off, but I am making progress on the Half Scale Fairfield Dollhouse. (See previous post and also search in left column search box for more posts. Click photos for full size.) * Progress after that - post here.

The Parlor:

I'm pretty happy with a few things I got done. Especially this: the fireplace in the black/white parlor. Parlor on left; dining room on right.

Now for the front of the fireplace: I just love how this came out!

The sides were those beads I found at a Ren Faire some time back. I knew someday I'd use them for this. (And luckily they weren't in that "safe place" where I can't find things! haa!) The bottom was cut off and I layered painted wood strips underneath for the surround. The middle gold piece was cut off a broken metal bench and painted. I was testing to see what picture will fit there though I kind of like the larger frame.

Here's a picture showing the ceiling decoration. I also trimmed around the fireplace top and bottom edges, plus put flat pieces to divide the two floors. I added trim pieces on the doorway inner edges too as the line bugged me.  I wish the flash didn't wash out the colors but I didn't feel like reflecting the flash.

The Kitchen, so far:

The kitchen, which is the room next to the dining room, (enter by the dining room door), is also going to be interesting. I fell in love with this orange floral scrapbook paper and figured it'd be perfect for a Hall0ween-flavored house. It's not going creepy or worn like the other house but will have both Halloween and "normal" furnishings. The "better" relatives will live here. (Like the Munsters except this would be Marilyn's house! Haa!) The walls here are papered, but I have to add door trim and frames yet.

Here's the kitchen window alcove with the curtain/shades done. Isn't that cool paper? 

Steps: 

As this house has to be thought out in steps, the inner alcoves had to be finished. I had wanted to attach the alcoves but... I realized I  have to do the floor and ceilings before I glue the alcove on so I can get my hand in there. ha! Then I have to add trim on the outside of the alcove, which I decided will also have some brick paper with trim to contrast with the red-painted windows.

This is the kitchen floor pattern, which also extends into the front hall. The front hall walls are a large botanic print scrapbook paper. I'll show that later. (The colors are darker and brighter then shown here since the flash bleached it out.)

Yes, it's busy, but I like busy. Adding to that, so far I have a pebble print paper that I painted a light orange for the ceiling. The floor print gives an old-fashioned feel since I want to add older appliances. I have a metal Tootsietoy icebox, and am using the stove and sink kit from TMC/Teresa's Miniature Creations. (Stove/sink photo from Terri Shuping Correll, FB Half Scale Miniatures group.)

And.... yay! I got my sink kit! I figured why reinvent the wheel and make one when she did the work already? So I ordered one and she shipped it to me. 

Also in the Works:

Pictured: the third floor and 2nd floor hall with staircase opening - stairs coming from the first floor kitchen. The roof pieces are only placed to see how they go.

The idea:

I keep looking at the second floor, deciding what to do. There is a wall that fits there with a door at the end nearest to the edge facing you, but it makes this a very narrow space for the bathroom. I am thinking of using part of the wall, cutting it off by the window, and maybe having the door on the side facing the stairs or maybe facing outward. That would leave me a space at the end (again facing you) to put a spiral staircase to go upstairs.

 I could forgo the stairs as I usually do, but I'm enamored with these spiral stairs.  ha! I could put the stairs in the back of the hall in that right corner but then if I add a bathroom you won't see them - and they'll be pretty. Only about half is done here in the picture. Will decide once I have a better idea of how it'll look since the ceiling/floor has to be cut out then.

I'm assembling the half scale spiral staircase kit from Alpha Stamps. Once I finally figured out how this works, they go together nicely. I'm deciding on a black and copper finish, or a dark brown with gold, not sure. Still have to decide on a rail, though. One of their design team used spindles and wood connectors on the 1"  scale staircase here. I'll have to do some other searches. I didn't want to get so complicated but there may not be much choice on this. We'll see how it goes.

Inspiration and Staircase Rail Ideas - Stairs made from wood fans

Bentley House Minis staircase, YouTube

Emily Morganti used spindles and a suede necklace cord for a HS staircase.

Thanks again for visiting. Stay tuned for more to come!