French House: le salon
Greetings All. In my last post I talked about making climbing roses. I am sure you are all tired of seeing that photograph. I was on a push to complete the house to display it at the West Coast Miniature Show on June 7. I seem to work best under pressure as after dithering for many months ... or was it years I hunkered down in my workroom, burned the midnight oil and met the deadline. Sighs of relief all round! "This must mean it is finished!" naively handy husband remarked.
To make a long story short - it sort of, kind of, almost felt finished!!! Well finished enough to enter it into the show, after all we do it for fun don't we? I had not anticipated the fierce competitive spirit displayed by my besty friend and mini buddy Elizabeth. Thank goodness Fatima's house was not ready or we might have come to three-way blows!
No, just joking .... but we were neck in neck in the final count and then .... and then .... darn, you suspected it already
www.studioeminiatures.blogspot.ca came in as Best in Show for Green Dolphin Street and I was a lowly first. It was an exciting day though and the first time that anyone but the Miniteers or family had seen The French House.
I did show you my progress on the book case for the salon and now I want to share the end result of my work on the salon.
Maid in China print anchores the side table and brings attention to the blue ginger jar. The fireplace does work and throws quite a satisfactory glow in the evenings.
Chair and round table added to library area.
Chinoiserie baby-cupboard.
Lattice rug, can you see through it? It is a stencil. I was thinking of painting the pattern on the floor but I liked it just the way it is.
Settee with same fabric cushions and book coffee table. Ceiling texture was made by painting over a plastic doily and then removing it as the paint solidified.
Chairs and settee Bespac.
Ginger jars on the mantle - two make reference to the colour of the reading chair.
Suitcases and magazines under the sideboard. Swan set of drawers on left by Bespac. Swans on furniture were a nod to Empress Josephine's interest in them.
Painting leaning against fireplace, more books.
More books and orchid on side board. Napoleon on horseback under the glass dome.
Table set for a visit from granddaughter who has bought finds from nature in her basket. French doll by Ethel Hicks.
Petit four on pedestal tray by StudioEMiniatures, Clarice Cliff style pottery vase by Margaret Crosswell of Tasmania. Cup and saucer by Monique, teapot Christopher Whitford.
We had a long and sunny summer in British Columbia this year. The humans appreciated it but with lack of rain and water restrictions our gardens suffered somewhat.
Now transitioning from Fall to winter. The days are growing shorter and great flocks of sea birds are migrating south. What a good idea.
regards to all, Janine
