I'm very pleased to share an updated tour of the dollhouse on the blog today, including a video! The first and second floors are glued together and primed, and the windows have been cut and painted. The last of the structural design dilemmas were sorted during this process (which caused quite a bit of delay) and the house now features many more accessibility points.
The dollhouse splits on top of two homemade rolling drawer carts. They each have their own turntable which allows for easy access. And they are so much fun to spin! I'll share more about the carts once I get the hardware on them, for now I have some extra information and videos of them on my Instagram page.
You might notice some of the windows are a bit bent as they aren't in securely yet. I have to wait to finish the wall coverings first. Once the trim and plexi is sandwiched together they will all stand straight.
If you want to get a closer look at the house so far, you can watch the youtube video below!
Here are photos of the rooms with descriptions, starting on the first floor:
The living room, includes my roombox fireplace for now:
The entry, which is where the stairs will go:
The dining room:
The kitchen, featuring new a new tile pattern I'm working on. I decided the small herringbone was too busy.
And then we jump up to the second floor with the master bedroom:
The hallway once again, where the stairs will lead up to the third floor:
The big (master) closet:
The big (master) bathroom:
The third floor is next!
I have a few process photos below. During the glueing process, I added an extra column to help support the upper floors. It will be hidden by cabinets. I hope to add a few more hidden supports like this throughout. It helps keep things secure when so many walls are opening on hinges.
I used wood glue to secure everything and squares. Going one floor at a time.
I can't believe it's been a year now since I started on the designs for this project! I can start on electrical next. I'll be using LEDs and hiding the wires under the sub-floor. Then the fun stuff!
I'm hoping to do a little Valentine's scene this week, so be sure to check back. I hope you are all having a productive and happy mini weekend :)
Fantastic! House mock-ups always look a little odd to the observer because we don't have the vision of the designer so it's thrilling to watch them come to life like your's is! I am also in love with your integrated stands and turntables - brilliant :-D
Thank you! Yes I felt like all year long I wasn't able to properly share what I was envisioning for this build. You really have to have something made in order for people to see it. What a relief it is to have a structure up!
A dream house! You have thought of everything. This house look so real. I love the wide spaces and all the natural light that this layout allows. It will be a pleasure to decorate, that's for sure.
Thank you Genevieve! Yes, the windows add so much realism to scenes I always put in extra effort into making them work in every space. It's exciting to think what I can do now in each room!
It's an amazing house Kristine. Its wonderful to get to the point where you can envision all of the furniture and fixings in place. Excited to see your progress with the build 😀
Thank you Pepper, it really is great to be at a stage where I can putter along! I felt like so many things up to this point were tough challenges. I kind of know what I'm doing from this point on ward. It's fun again ;)
Kristine, your accuracy is just phenomenal! And the idea with the 'lazy susan' under each house part is excellent! Let us know what product you use, please.
Thanks Marion! It's been a long time coming so seeing this dream come together is so amazing. The lazy susans were bought from Lowes (a building centre store). However the exact same ones are sold at various dollhouse shops. If you go to my instagram and click the "Tips" highlight I posted a bit more about these. I hope to add more details in the future, but I need to finish the rolling carts first.
I love the ability to turn each half of the house! And they fit together so well! I'm just amazed by the entire build. It looks so pretty even without the finishes on.
Thanks Sheila! It really is practical to save workspace by having them separate. I can move them to different corners of the room. I think I'll need to add a few trim pieces to make it seamless, but overall it does seem to work which is a relief! I do love how the character of the house is starting to shine. It makes me anxious to do more decorative things, but I really need to stick to the program and finish the electrical first. I bet bricking this house is going to take forever!!
Oh wonderful! This house is going to rival Chris Toledo's Casa California in style and grandeur, Kristine! It's incredible to get a chance to see all the rooms and their assignments - so spacious and I can't wait to see how you design the interiors! I am happy that you got all the structural puzzles figured out, and the carts are absolutely genius! It is hard to believe that it's been a year already, but I see you're on a roll now and the next steps will feel like giant progress!
Thank you Jodi! That's so kind of you to say! He really is an inspiration and I do really want to try and match his quality the best I can! Thankfully as you said it does feel like I'm on a bit more of a roll. I now feel confident with the next steps, whereas the past year has been filled with uncertain challenges. I can do electrical and decor and I actually look forward to it. As for the carts, I could never go back! Every project must have one of them! And they were only $10. Definitely worth it!
It must lovely for you after a year of planning to start to see the realisation of your work even if it brings its own problems. I can honestly say a huge part of my joy in this hobby is the problem solving part of it.
Thank you, it is a relief. I do love a challenge but I felt like a lot of the challenges up to this point have been overwhelming and I was at a loss. I think from here on out everything should be the good kind of problem solving and tinkering. It's all part of the learning process I guess! And it is very very rewarding :)
I LOVE IT!!! I especially like the idea of splitting the house into 2 sections and that each half is on a turntable. I have been using a turntable under mine and what a convenience it is. I love the French farmhouse front doors in company with the more modern black window inserts- they look Absolutely Stunning together and who wouldn't wish for a closet in their dollhouse? I can imagine all the fun you'll have to look forward to when filling it up- LV- and Chanel... here you come! :D
It looks fabulous! That closet is enormous!! What fun it is going to be to fill it. I'm so impressed with the turntables. I bought one once, but I never used it, but maybe I should unearth it and give it a go.
Wow Kristine, this is so beautiful. So much space, I love it. One year always sounds so long, but if you're working or have daily errands, for such a big project I would say it's normal. Planning is the most difficult but fun part for me, there is so much to think about in advance when everything is expected to fit perfectly later on. I bet you have already so many amazing ideas for each of the rooms and I can't wait to see more!
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Fantastic! House mock-ups always look a little odd to the observer because we don't have the vision of the designer so it's thrilling to watch them come to life like your's is! I am also in love with your integrated stands and turntables - brilliant :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes I felt like all year long I wasn't able to properly share what I was envisioning for this build. You really have to have something made in order for people to see it. What a relief it is to have a structure up!
DeleteSe ve preciosa toda la casa,cada habitación es tan amplia y luminosa!!!
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Gracias! Sí, me encantan las grandes ventanas en una casa de muñecas!
DeleteA dream house! You have thought of everything. This house look so real. I love the wide spaces and all the natural light that this layout allows. It will be a pleasure to decorate, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alexandra, I do love big windows in my miniatures! I think bigger rooms means more minis fit right? ;)
DeleteAn Amazing house!Great big rooms with light, it will be very interesting to see furnished.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
Thank you Genevieve! Yes, the windows add so much realism to scenes I always put in extra effort into making them work in every space. It's exciting to think what I can do now in each room!
DeleteIt's an amazing house Kristine. Its wonderful to get to the point where you can envision all of the furniture and fixings in place. Excited to see your progress with the build 😀
ReplyDeleteThank you Pepper, it really is great to be at a stage where I can putter along! I felt like so many things up to this point were tough challenges. I kind of know what I'm doing from this point on ward. It's fun again ;)
DeleteKristine, your accuracy is just phenomenal! And the idea with the 'lazy susan' under each house part is excellent! Let us know what product you use, please.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marion! It's been a long time coming so seeing this dream come together is so amazing. The lazy susans were bought from Lowes (a building centre store). However the exact same ones are sold at various dollhouse shops. If you go to my instagram and click the "Tips" highlight I posted a bit more about these. I hope to add more details in the future, but I need to finish the rolling carts first.
DeleteI love the ability to turn each half of the house! And they fit together so well! I'm just amazed by the entire build. It looks so pretty even without the finishes on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila! It really is practical to save workspace by having them separate. I can move them to different corners of the room. I think I'll need to add a few trim pieces to make it seamless, but overall it does seem to work which is a relief!
DeleteI do love how the character of the house is starting to shine. It makes me anxious to do more decorative things, but I really need to stick to the program and finish the electrical first. I bet bricking this house is going to take forever!!
This house already looks great. It will be a pleasure to follow your work with it.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
Thank you Drora, I'm so happy you are following along. Personally it's just amazing to see my vision finally come to life!
DeleteOh wonderful! This house is going to rival Chris Toledo's Casa California in style and grandeur, Kristine! It's incredible to get a chance to see all the rooms and their assignments - so spacious and I can't wait to see how you design the interiors! I am happy that you got all the structural puzzles figured out, and the carts are absolutely genius! It is hard to believe that it's been a year already, but I see you're on a roll now and the next steps will feel like giant progress!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodi! That's so kind of you to say! He really is an inspiration and I do really want to try and match his quality the best I can! Thankfully as you said it does feel like I'm on a bit more of a roll. I now feel confident with the next steps, whereas the past year has been filled with uncertain challenges. I can do electrical and decor and I actually look forward to it.
DeleteAs for the carts, I could never go back! Every project must have one of them! And they were only $10. Definitely worth it!
It must lovely for you after a year of planning to start to see the realisation of your work even if it brings its own problems. I can honestly say a huge part of my joy in this hobby is the problem solving part of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it is a relief. I do love a challenge but I felt like a lot of the challenges up to this point have been overwhelming and I was at a loss. I think from here on out everything should be the good kind of problem solving and tinkering. It's all part of the learning process I guess! And it is very very rewarding :)
DeleteEstás realizando un gran trabajo!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias Isabel :)
DeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!!! I especially like the idea of splitting the house into 2 sections and that each half is on a turntable. I have been using a turntable under mine and what a convenience it is.
ReplyDeleteI love the French farmhouse front doors in company with the more modern black window inserts- they look Absolutely Stunning together and who wouldn't wish for a closet in their dollhouse? I can imagine all the fun you'll have to look forward to when filling it up- LV- and Chanel... here you come! :D
elizabeth
It looks fabulous! That closet is enormous!! What fun it is going to be to fill it. I'm so impressed with the turntables. I bought one once, but I never used it, but maybe I should unearth it and give it a go.
ReplyDeleteWow Kristine, this is so beautiful. So much space, I love it. One year always sounds so long, but if you're working or have daily errands, for such a big project I would say it's normal. Planning is the most difficult but fun part for me, there is so much to think about in advance when everything is expected to fit perfectly later on. I bet you have already so many amazing ideas for each of the rooms and I can't wait to see more!
ReplyDelete