Shelving Complete

Today I got the remainder of the shelving done for my bookstore (except for a magazine stand I plan on building).

I am really happy with the way it's coming together. The little ceramic vases were bought years ago at a pottery festival. Maybe miniatures were always in my blood! They were hand-turned on a pottery wheel. I wish I remembered the artist's name.

Look! The first customer! Too bad the store is empty. I guess he'll have to stick around for awhile! I think I'll call him Buster. (The little ceramic puppy was my grandmothers. I think it's from the 50's?)

Awnings On

Why is it that every time you think something is going to be a snap, it always turns out to be so much more. Awnings, I thought--no problemo! All I need is a simple triangular shape, right?

Maybe I was trying to make it more complicated than it needed to be. I tried a few "triangular" designs, but wasn't happy with any of them.

I finally settled on having simple overhangs. I used basswood wrapped in green canvas. They were attached using wood glue. I wasn't sure if they would stay, but they seem very secure today. Miracle glue I say!

Designer Fabric Samples Rock

Today I made a trip to Jo-Ann Fabric store with the sole purpose of finding a simple green canvas fabric to use for awnings for the bookshop. That part was easy. Not getting side-tracked by the myriad of other fabrics, not so easy.

I managed to restrain myself from buying several until I stumbled upon a clearance rack of designer home interior fabric samples. These were intended to be special order fabrics, but I guess they had been discontinued or something so they were selling all of the samples for two dollars each. The samples are about 20" square, so that is plenty of fabric for miniature making.

I chose three really cool fabrics. They will all go in the Villa eventually. I am thinking of the striped one (Waverly) for accent chairs, the green satiny one (richloom) for pillows and I love the woven one (Phifertex- a vinyl coated wicker weave retailing for $49.99 a yard!) as an area rug.

While browsing a French Interior Decorating magazine I found these cool chairs. They look like they would be fairly simple to reproduce/modify in miniature. I love the clean simple lines. Who knows, they just may end up (possibly with the striped fabric) in the Villa someday...

Simple green awnings coming soon..

The Villa Has Arrived

I am absolutely on cloud 9 over the architectural model I got on craigslist! It is truly a marvel! I'm still in shock that I got the entire thing for $65!

So in love!!!

For being 40-50 years old it is in good shape, but will be a ton of work-- a total labor of love! I bought this house planning on it taking several years to finish and I don't want to rush one single moment.

I have always loved the juxtaposition of old and new. The house is screaming to me to be made into a rustic French or Italian Villa. My plan is to make it look like an old well-loved house with a modern clean interior (my idea of a dream house).

I adore the arched windows!

Now the research begins.. coming up with ideas and inspiration. So fun!!

Second floor

First floor. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to open it up for accessibility.

I think the "basement" is probably unusable space since it's sloped, but I love the idea of finishing the exterior of the foundation (probably in stone)

Roof is Done

The shingling is done. Whew.. big job! I used Liquid Nails glue in a caulking gun to attach the shingles.

I guessed my way through doing the seam where the shoppe opens, but think it turned out okay.

I think I am going to stain the side edges of the roof. I am going to install awnings on the windows once I find a fabric I like.

I Heart Craigslist

I have scooped up the Deal Of The Century!! And sure to be the project of my lifetime!!

I am SOOO... excited and I get to pick up the masterpiece on Sunday. It is a 40-50 year old HUGE architectural model. I have tons of ideas and can't wait to see it in person.

Here are a few teaser pics.. It is SOO.. Awesome! Solid wood 3.5 ft sqare, ceiling to floor height is 11", so I think it will be fine for 1:12 scale, very solid wood and has a custom table that goes with it! Can you tell I'm totally excited?!  :O

Bookstore update- shingling is almost complete. I will post some pics soon.