I decided after I started painting the shingled walls that the colors were too dark and drab. So I repainted the walls antique white, the windows / door black-green, the shingles dark gray. Hard to see in photos, but the gray gives the shingles a nice weathered look.
Added a short wall on the inside (not in the plans) so I could build a cozy kitchen.
Next to install LED lighting, finish porch and move on to the second floor.
Over at B for Bel ‘s blog, I was interviewed about my dollhouses and minis. Take a look!
http://www.bforbel.com/2011/06/never-worked-day-i-construct-dollhouses.html
It turns out that I’d gotten the windows I ordered. My dear husband had tucked the box in with some other boxes in the corner of the front hall, and I never saw it. Argh.
Anyway, with windows in hand, I could cut the window openings. I’m using a different window from the plans, which is close to the same size, but not quite.
I now have walls, siding, foundation, porch, chimney, and first floor.
Paint is Ceramcoat Hippo Gray lightened with a little Warm White. Raw edges will be trimmed as we go.
I want to electrify the house, so before I continue with the interior, I’ll have to figure out where to put the LEDs and how to hide the wires. I think I’ll take wire down through a hole under the foundation and run it out from there.
Thanks for pointing out that the kit for the quarter inch bungalow is now available from Debbie Young (Young at Heart) in kit form. See: http://www.youngatheartminiatures.com/ (Magazine indicated it would be available as well, and I’m glad it still is!)
I’m enjoying building from scratch, though–it’s teaching me how to work with my power saw. It’s an amazingly precise tool. I like hand tools because I feel like I have more control (plus I hate power tool noise), but wow. I’m coming to respect the power of the power saw ! 🙂
I’ve now cut the porch posts and am putting the porch together. Still waiting for windows to come, so I’ve had to skip cutting the window openings and gluing on the walls until I know how big windows are. So far that’s been the most frustrating part of the process, but it soon shall pass.
I’ve been quiet here, but in mini-land, I’ve started a new project.
I had my eye on the 1/4″ bungalow on the cover of Miniature Collector (July 2009) for a long time. House designed by Debbie Young, with plans and instructions over the June, July, and Aug issues of 2009 (which you can order here: http://scottpublications.com/mcmag/)
While sorting through my magazines (believe me, there’s a big pile), I saw it again, and thought, why not?
So I started. So far I’ve cut the walls, foundations, floors, and porch posts. Because I’m using 1/8 plywood, I need a power saw, which I usually don’t use (love projects that are hand tools only).
But–this house is getting me well acquainted with my power saw (Microlux from Micromart), and what it can do and can’t do. So far, I’m having fun.
A couple of tips for anyone starting this project:
1) The Sherwin-Williams paint colors suggested in the article are no longer sold in their stores (well, I did wait 2 years to start the project). In theory, I suppose they could mix the paints for you, but when I went to the local S-W store, they looked at me like I’d lost my mind, so I just said forget it. I’ll go with Ceramcoat craft paints and be done.
2) The Grandt line windows used in instructions are no longer made (or at least I had a heck of a time finding them on their website). I went with a different size, which I can’t remember, because I lost my notes, and I haven’t received them yet from Grandt. The attic window and door are readily available from The Quarter Source.
3) It looks like the paper company (Paper Creek) for one set of shingles used on the house has gone out of business. So I’m going to use Grandt Line shingles for the whole thing (again, easily found at The Quarter Source).
Other than that, it’s going fine. I’m learning a lot, which is why I want to do it. I hope to be able to start designing my own houses. (Then again, this project might teach me to stick with kits!) 🙂
Pictures as I progress.
Jenn's Mini Worlds: A Dollhouse Miniaturist's Blog 