Saturday, March 24, 2012

Kitchen Sneak Peek






Hello every one,

Yes I know it's been a while since my last post but we have had a bit going on here. However I have managed to squeeze in a a bit of time to have a play and whilst I haven't finished my kitchen I am becoming a lot closer. Thanks to Tyla  from http://obscurecreationsbytyla.blogspot.com.au/ I have come up with a plan for my range hood and the light. I still have to paint the walls and attach the range hood and flue but I thought I would give you a little sneak peek of what I have achieved so far.

I have made the sink cabinet myself with a frame of cedar ( which I painted white, shame, shame I know)
and the top is made of American walnut which I found during my fossic through my specialty wood supplier. I have coated it in a wax finnish that was left over from my own timber floors upstairs. The tiles I have done myself with card stock and then painted them in a gloss finnish. I'm not so happy with the tiles as after I filled the gaps I lost the gloss and am worried about re varnishing them because the varnish might show the imperfect surface. They are not stuck down yet so I have a little time to think before I put in the range. I think they are a little larger than I would have liked but I modelled them to scale from my own tiles in the bathroom so I thought they would be okay. I still have a plate rack to add above the sink. The food was made by Mia with her lovely slender fingers she has done a wonderful job. All the other little GLT's we have collected from "The Doll House " http://www.thedollhouse.com.au/online/ over the last few months including the little working rolling pin which is apparently German, that makes it all the more special, the little miking bowls are hand made from England.......hello Andy, Simon and co......... The flag stones I have mentioned before but for those who have missed previous posts I made them my self with balsa wood and lots of paint and sanding.

Well I hope you like the Kitchen so far.

Happy Mini's every one!

ML Fi xx

P.S As some of you have asked about the sink it's self I realised I forgot to tell you about it. I bought it from Kerri at The Doll House and it is English porcelain (in Australia, anything that is English, French, Germain or Italian makes it all the more special.....;) ) I loved it initially because it was  hand made and quite rustic looking. It did however cause a great deal of problems in getting it to sit straight as it was not! I had to make an opening in the shelf it sits on as the escape for the plug protruded lower than the level of the sink and the sides where not straight so it made measurements difficult. So, we live and learn, hand made charm comes with  complications!

27 comments:

  1. Hello Fi!
    I love the "Kitchen Sink Cabinet"! You did a wonderful job creating and finishing this piece. Nothing wrong with a little paint:-) I knew from seeing the exquisite drawing you did in a recent post that his would be well done. You are quite the artist! Curious to know what you made the sink from? It is so perfect for this type of cabinet, and the curtain panel is just the right finish beneath. The card tiles look very good in the pictures so I dont see the difference in finish you mentioned. Look forward to seeing the entire space.
    Ok.....I'll stop now...you get the picture.....I like it very much!
    Thank you for the recent kind comment you made to me. I truly appreciate that you took the time to visit and write. Keep up the great work and show us more soon!
    ML back from Ray! x

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    1. Hi Ray,

      Thank you for stopping by, I'm so glad you like it, it's such a far reach from your exquisite work but I guess I'm learning as I go and enjoying every minute of it! I have put in a P.S regarding the sink and I guess as far as the tiles go I think I left the grout gap to wide and it's made them look more like bricks. But i'm happy to put it down to a learning experience and I guess the overall look is okay.

      Thanks again for your encouraging words.

      ML Fi xx

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  2. Your kitchen looks great so far and the rolling pin does look special, those are the touches that makes a room look homey.

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    1. Hi Elga,

      I'm glad you like the Kitchen and I do love all those little things that make it look homey, I find that is the fun part for me!

      Fi x

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  3. Hello Fi,

    I guess I must have missed a post--I try not to miss them because you always have done wonderful things with your miniatures.

    That said,
    I really like how the kitchen is coming along and that you found a solution to your stove hood problem. From the pictures, the card tile looks ok and the balsa flags are great. I like using balsa wood and will be trying that myself.

    Thanks for the pictures and all the helpful hints. I will try not to miss any more of your posts!

    Hugs and Cheers,

    Iris

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    1. Hi Iris,

      Yes I will tackle the the hood today I think. I will do a post in the next couple of weeks on how I did the flag stones, I think they took the longest out of anything I have made so far!

      Great of you to stop by.

      Mini hugs, Fi x

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  4. This is looking great! The flagstones look so realistic--wow! How did you make the sink (or did you build the cabinet around it)? I'm looking forward to seeing more! :-) Jennifer

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    1. Hi Jennifer,

      I have left a P.S on the sink and as I said to Iris I will do a post on the flag stones soon!

      As soon as I'm finished here i'm going to pop over and have a look at your blog.

      Fi x

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  5. Your sink unit has turned out very well indeed - well done and it looks really nice painted (no need to feel bad!) The tiles also look good - in fact I can't see the problem at all and I like the brick shape of them.

    All the little additions to the sink unit, the logs, cloths etc make it come to life and I'm impressed with your floor too - something I might have a go at (well, a practise first anyway - lol). I'm looking forward to seeing more.

    (Whispers - I also made a sink unit some time ago ........but that's for a future post!)

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    1. Hi Irene,

      so glad you like it, as I said before I think I made the grout gap too big and thats what makes them look like bricks instead of tiles. I do love all the little GLT's, thats the fun part for me, making the house look lived in.

      Ooooh, I can't wait to see what you have done with your sink unit, I always find your work inspirational. I will do a post about how I did the flag stones.

      ML Fi x

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  6. I really love the flagstone tiles. The painting finished you applied is excellent because they truly look like stone.

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    1. Hi There,

      I'm glad you like the flag stones, I have just had a look at your blog and I love the modern minis, I'm going to have to have a go some day!

      Fi x

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  7. Hi Fi,

    It all looks very good to me, I love the curtain under the sink, and all the little cubby holes filed with little bits and pieces! It looks like a working kitchen!! I love the rolling pin, and many of your GLTs.

    Mia has done a great job with the miniature food too, and it's nice that you have both been working on this project together!

    I don't see a problem with the tiles, I guess you could give them a coat of Humbrol Gloss enamal paint, if you want to keep a gloss finish using a thin paint. But I am no expert where paint is concerned!!

    The flag stones look very impressive too, and I like those taps you chose, were you able to get them in Australia in the end?

    Is that a bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk I see?

    Much love
    Andy xxx

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  8. Hi Andy,

    I'm so glad you like it, I finally got there, I'm not to far off the rest! As I have recently said I think I made the gap to big and thats what makes them look like bricks.......oh well, I think I might try the gloss.

    Ahh the taps, they are the same taps I had before but I decided to put a bit of paint on them to make them look more realistic and I twisted the taps themselves so they looked more used if you know what I mean.

    Now, who has an eye for detail? That is a bloc of Cadbury's Dairy Milk and was put there by none other than the little chocolate fiend in the house, Mia! It is a currant rapper but I thought it worked any way and considering Mia has the final say I guess it's there to stay......; )

    When I finish I will take proper photos that show the colours much better, the vegetables haven't come up so well in the dull light as they really do add a splash of colour.

    Much Love, Fi xxxx

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  9. Hi Honey.
    Im glad you had a chance to give us a wee update. I love the flagstones and all the tiny details. It might sound strange but I also really like the way you have taken the photos, through doorways etc that make the forground blured. It looks so real.
    I think you have done a wonderful job on the sink, and its great when you talk about which kinds of wood you use.
    Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see more...
    Hugs
    Si -x-

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  10. Hi Fi, your kitchen cabinet is wonderful! I like the way you took the pictures too. It is so realistic! You have done a great job with the tiles, the flagstones and of course the sink: I like them all. Also you have put a lot of details in this kitchen, it looks like "used" and that is what I like to do in my scenes ;)
    Have a great week. Hugs, Ilona

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  11. Hi Fi, I looked at your tiles again, maybe you can try this on a piece that is hidden by furniture or something, use some very fine sandpaper glued or double-sided taped to a block of wood and gently sand your tiles smooth and then paint again with your gloss paint, it will probably also make your grout lines a bit smaller if you paint another layer of paint.

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    1. Hi Elga,

      Thanks for taking the time to come back and post.

      I think thats sounds like a great idea! I will give it a go tonight.

      Fi xx

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  12. Fi, your kitchen is looking divine! I also love how you photograph through the various openings. Great job, darling!

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    1. Thanks lovey!

      Yes i like the through the window look. Although the yellow light looks a little harsh on the blue of my blog LOL. Next lot i'll take in real colour .

      Fi xx

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  13. Hi Fi,
    It's great to see a new post of your work. GREAT job on the kitchen so far. I think it looks great. Everything looks very well done and I love the charm and feel you've managed to create.
    Just a thought for the tiles, perhaps you could give them a coat of clear wax. I use floor wax on my painted faux marble and it adds just a little sheen to it. Not sure if it might work, but that's all I got!
    Have a wonderful week Fi, and I can't wait to see more.
    Hugs,
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac,

      I'm glad you like what I've done so far, after seeing your fabulous kitchen i was inspired to try the dish rack but I haven't quite plucked up the courage.

      Any things worth a try Giac, and thanks for your input.

      You have a great week too.

      ML Fi x

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  14. Hi Fiona,so beautiful kitchen,It's a pleasure visit your blog!!!Miniregards from Spain.

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  15. Thanks for the colouring tips, I normally use acrylic to age metal but I must try oils. I think I have a little box of basic colours in my stash somewhere...

    I don't know how your blog has flown under my radar before, happy to follow along now :)

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  16. Hi Norma,

    ha, now looking at the picture it doesn't show them that well, I only suggested oils because they tend to adhere more to most surfaces. I'm sure you have far greater experience than I - I love your blog by the way and your kitchen looks fab too.

    I'm so glad to have you join norma.

    good luck with your bathroom.

    Fi x

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  17. Hi Fiona, the flagstones of your kitchen are very realistic. Thank you for explaining how you did it; it must have been a time-consuming job to make all the flagstones out of balsa first. But the result is worth it: splendid!
    Love, Liduina

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  18. Hi Luduina,

    I'm up late watching the Tennis!

    Yes it was time consuming,but you know all about that! Some times I ask my self why don't i just by the flooring? But it's just not the same, you must feel that way too, I think it's nice to know you have made it with your own hands.

    ML Fi xx

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