Hello all and welcome to my new followers.
As I mentioned a couple of posts ago I almost tripped over this very cute and I think coastal looking Dollhouse in the thrift store, it had a $40 price tag and there was no way I was going to leave it there!
It has been sitting on the table in the family room and I have plenty of time to think about what I might do with it. All sorts of fresh summery looks have come into mind and I am itching to make a start. I promise I am still working on Ambrosia Place but I thought you might like to here my ideas for the new one and I would welcome any thoughts from you.
As you can see it is a we bit dusty and dirty too, I think you can see the odd cobweb in there I didn't notice but I think it will be a bit of a fun project. The ceilings are a bit low and the rooms a little small but there are plenty of them and they all have interesting possibilities. I love the room with the French doors that open out to the patio, I have always wanted to do a little terrace garden and just look how the sun shines through into what I think will be a sitting room, perhaps another sitting room below, it also has a door onto a veranda. I dont think that will be the main entry as I want to put a front onto the house, so the middle room on the ground floor will be perhaps some kind of entry, I was thinking casual dinning above it but logically should it be next to the kitchen which I think will be bottom far right, it has a nice big window I would like to put the sink under.
Under the roof line will be the two bedrooms, one with a ladder that leeds into the attic storage, I think I can have all sorts of fun with white boards on the ceilings and floors of the bedrooms, I have collected some great inspiration images from pinterestif you care to have a look at the direction I'm going in.
I love the look through the doors to the coastal grasses outside.
This is a view of the kitchen window and I'm not sure if you can see through the RL window a very sleepy dog enjoying the winter sun.
A close up of the entry and dining upstairs....hmmm I'm still not sure about the dining area? Think worn old elm table and faded chairs, hts and bags on hooks in the entry?
I'm thinking I may have a separate blog to a passion for miniatures and make it more coastal like the old one.
Well let me know your thoughts and I will leave you some images of some of my orchids and the winter sun in my garden yesterday the bad weather finally cleared to a fresh morning and bright sunshine. I hope your not all too hot over there!
ML Fi XXX
Love LOVE LLOOOVVEE!!!!
ReplyDelete(I think you get the picture!)
It's a great house and it simply oozes character already, and its only a shell! Funnily enough I thought you had already painted it white lol - I didn't see the cobwebs (but I need to get my eyes tested ;-). )
I love all your plans for the rooms, dining is a wee problem but a nice problem to have. Perhaps, seeing as your going down the coastal route, you could afford to be less formal regarding eating? After all, it will be a more relaxed look and style. "Let's eat on the terrace today" etc?? A table with drop down sides would look good against a wall or if sitting room was made over for Christmas dinner.
I'm sure you'll figure it out honey x
I'm with you on the sinks and windows, and the bath in the alcove would be wonderful.
As for the new blog, I think it's a great idea. I'm sure one of our lovely mini friends would know, but is there a way of having a link at the top of your home page to a new "chapter" ? Or perhaps I'm thinking of "labels" ?? I'm not sure. I did love your coast themes though.
Happy planning, my dear...
Si xx
Ps lemons in winter!!!
Fi, I think this new house is going to be fabulous. A coastal theme seems to fit perfectly. I love the balcony and the doors leading out. Can't wait to see what you come up with =0)
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm excited about it too! Just need to get a front on it, I think I might add balcony there too with some french doors.
DeleteXx
Hey My lovely,
ReplyDeleteI knew I could count on you to get the creative ideas out!! Yes the whole dinning room thing has me stumped, I guess if I start on the other rooms it will come to me, and alfresco dinning is definitely the way to go on the coast, after all as you say it's all very casual. The funny thing is I forgot to include a dinning room in Ambrosia Place, it really should be where the twins room is.
Well I'm glad you like it and your right, I'm sure Irene would know about linking other blogs, she has links to her multiple houses.
Yes, I'm sure lemons in winter seems strange, we have grapefruit and cumquats too, they are almost at eating stage but not quite. The possums love them, strange I know but they eat the skin off the grape fruit and leave the rest, but don't get me started on that!!
ML Fi XXX
OOOOOOO VERY PRETTY! I especially like the external stairway,veranda french door area. But the arched doorway and large picture window are also nice!
ReplyDeleteI know, it's all quite unique, I have a feeling someone has designed it themselves and then lost interest, its all primed and ready to go.
DeleteFi Xx
Hi Fi! What a Fantastic little house!!! Of Course you could not leave it sitting there!!! I Love your ideas for a beach house... and I have the same urge to put sinks under windows! LOL!! (It didn't work in my Lovely Old Dollhouse because the windows were too low!) There is always a dilemma in the traditional dollhouse layout of where to put the dining room. There are only two rooms one on either side of the entry... kitchen and living room.... with no dining room, or double up the entry and the dining room! I have never found the satisfactory answer, unless the kitchen is added as an annex on one side. And that created a lop-sided front layout. I really look forward to seeing what you do next!
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy,
DeleteI have been thinking about the sink and window thing, I need to check out the height but one thing that did occur to me after you said that, I need some were to put the mirror....so no sink under mirror. And I'm still thinking on the dining!
Fi Xx
Dear Fiona, such a lovely dollshouse you bought. It has so many possiblities and I like all the ideas you have told us in this post; the garden on the terrace, the bath in the arched alcove...it will be great! I am looking forward to watch your progress on this house. ( Aha, that's where all your pins from interiors come from these days :D. I have enjoyed them!)
ReplyDeleteHugs, Liduina
Hello my Dear,
DeleteYes it's a bit exciting and lots of possibilities, someone has put a good deal of thought into it, I really don't think its a kit. That IS the motivation behind the interior pins, you will know my plans before I do anything....; )
ML Fi xx
What a great find. I love the cool white palete. It seem so breezy and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's just primed at the moment but I will definitely go for the fresh white look.
DeleteFi x
What a beautiful dollhouse that you are getting, Fiona! I've never seen one like that! Even mine is an old house to renovate and work are many, as well as is really a dilemma how to place the rooms to get what you want. In my example, there will be an artist's studio, so living and dining will have to live together.
ReplyDeleteBut ... lemons ... orchids .... we are in Australia or Sicily??
Then I hear about Opossum! Are we in '"Ice Age 2"?? :-D
Hello Blanche,
DeleteHow are you?? It is unusual, I don't think it's a kit, someone has made it themselves and I think I will have to think on the dinning situation.
Now, as for the lemons etc.....Australia's climate is very similar to Italy, I know when I have been there before it reminds me of home with the weather and dryness.And possums?? We have too many, often dancing on the roof late at night....so naughty...; )
ML Fi xx
What a fabulous find! I would love to find a house of this quality at a thrift store! I can hardly wait to see what you do with it--your ideas all sound wonderful. xo Jennifer
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
DeleteWhen I first saw it under a bundle of clothes I could only see the kitchen and bathroom window poking out, then I couldn't believe my luck when I saw the other side!
XO
Hi Fi,I envy your luck in finding that house it is a little gem. I also thought you must have painted it white, that is a perfect starting point for a beachy/summery house. I wouldn't worry too much about the positioning of the rooms, mini people can walk up a flight of stairs to the dining room no problems.
ReplyDeleteI could just make out the sleeping dog through the window, hehe.
Your ideas sound great and I will look forward to watching it unfold.
Hi Margret, I do feel lucky, someone has put a bit of thought into it, primed it ready to go and maybe lost interest in it. I don't think it's a kit. I love your thinking on the mini people...hehe...it did occur to me that it's all just pretend, I'm not going to live in it, unless unless I find some magic Alice "drink me" potion...; )
DeleteML Fi XX
Hi Fi! I love the shape of this house! I think that it is already beautifully proportioned, it has great style and the fits nicely up against a wall, how wonderful! I know that you will make this a real showpiece and I look forward to seeing just how you do it. Have fun, Fi!
ReplyDeleteelizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
DeleteI like the way it's put together too, someone has put some thought into it's design and it's a bit unique. I feel quite torn as to which house I should work on now.
ML Fi Xx
Ooh, Fi, I love all your inspiration photos, you are going to have to build quickly, I want to shrink myself and come for a holiday! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIf it were my house I would definitely keep the dining room on the ground floor close to the kitchen. On balmy days lunch and supper could spread out to the beautiful garden and for big parties, the entrance hall can be used to serve drinks, etc and seriously, you don't want to run up and downstairs the whole time with dishes, etc, now do you?
Have fun planning and decorating, I am looking forward to see all of this unfold!
Haha Elga,
DeleteI think Norma's right, I should sign you up as events coordinator. You are making me wish I actually lived in this house! I have been worrying about the dishes factor too, running up and down the stairs with drinks and food would be a bit much. You know it can be nice to open the front door and see a rather fabulous dining table on entry.
Ml Fi xx
It's really the most wonderful find! If the Pinterest board inspiration pics are anything to go by it's going to be fabulous. I can already feel the coastal breeze and imagine a nice evening cocktail on the terrace. From reading Elga's comment I think you should employ her to be an event planner for your parties here! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Norma,
DeleteI think your on the right track regarding Elga being events coordinator - she has it all planned out! You have me thinking maybe I should set the house up in preparation for a party. A French movie I saw comes to mind - "Little white lies" I think it was called, almost like the big chill but French and a sad ending. After reading Catherine's blog today it appears a few of us have a tragic story attached to our Dollhouses.
ML Fi xx
¡Hola Ilona!
ReplyDeleteLa casa se ve magnífica, creo que ofrece muchas posibilidades. Creo que una decoración Shabby Chic iría genial en esta estructura. También estoy contigo en que una fachada delantera iría bien, completaría la estructura y reservaría el interior del polvo y la suciedad. Con respecto a crear otro nuevo blog para esta casa no estoy de acuerdo. No creo que sea necesario crear un blog para cada nuevo proyecto que emprendamos. Yo tengo varias casas de muñecas y todas las he publicado en el mismo blog. Creo que así es más cómodo para todos. Algunas veces las listas de blogs que nos gustan son interminables, y tener que añadir más blogs a ellas sería tediosos. La mayoría de nosotros tenemos poco tiempo libre y tener que visitar otro blog más, sería complicado. Por eso es por lo que creo que no estaría mal que siguieras publicando todo en este mismo blog. Esta es simplemente mi modesta opinión.
¡Un abrazo enorme!
Hola Pedetre,
DeleteSí, creo que a la derecha, tal vez con otro blog sólo complicará las cosas. Estoy de acuerdo, es difícil mantenerse al día con tantos blogs y agregar otro hace más de esfuerzo para todos.
Me alegro de escuchar sus pensamientos, hacen losts de sentido.
Grandes abrazos, Fi xx
Fi, I have been looking some more at your inspiration photos and well, since you did ask for our thoughts ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think the middle room that you had in mind for maybe a dining room could be a great all purpose room, a bit of a library doubled up with a painting studio, a play room, etc. I guess I have a very practical mind and I do like a dollhouse to function like a real house.
I also like the room with the alcove for a bathroom and the one with the French doors for a sitting room. And I am still sticking with my idea for the dining room on the left on the ground floor :-)
Elga,
DeleteI think your right about the dinning room on the left, I thought of it as another sitting room but if I swap that for the middle room on the middle floor, that could work better as a recreational library, maybe with a daybed/chaise and it makes more sense as you say to be able to wander out from the dinning room on balmy nights with a drink in hand, the trails of sand at the edge of the veranda and the smell of sea in the air.
You have got me on on the right track!!
I have another thought I realised after I took the photos, the two bedrooms I planned to be under the roof line but I realised that there is no hall between them and the mini people sleeping in the right hand room would have to enter through the other bedroom.....: -/ any thoughts??
ML Fi xx
Fi, it all depends on who lives in your house, if it is a couple with small children, the parents could have the private bedroom and the kids the other one. Or you could put in another wall, but that can get crampy, it is difficult to tell how big the space are from the photo.
ReplyDeleteAnd I realized from my comments I was a bit vague, so on ground floor from left to right, dining room on left, entrance hall that doubles up as a place to welcome guests and serve them drinks and snacks as they arrive in the middle, with kitchen on the right.
First floor, sitting room on left, library, studio in the middle and bathroom on the right, it leaves the bedrooms nice and private, oh, of course you can hang a nice curtain to the left of the stairs on the bedroom level to make that space more private and cosy at night time. HeHe, I am enjoying planning your rooms :-)
Yep, we are defiantly on the same page as far as the order of the rooms go, thats exactly what I thought you meant and i like the studio idea too. I don't think the rooms are that big but I haven't tried any thing in there yet believe it or not. I like the idea of curtain in the bedroom, on my pinterest I have a four poster bed with a beautiful lace and voile drape so that could work.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your having fun with it, I just said to my family that Elga from South Africa is helping me plan the rooms...hehe....isn't the internet amazing!!
XX
Oh, yes, while I was writing your comment, I was busy chatting with Josje and Debora on FB about tools as well :-), having my own mini convention around the globe!
DeleteHI GAIC, I"M UP HERE!!!
DeleteFor some strange reason the reply button wont work on your comment. I am willing to move the stairs around, I think I have to take them out any way because there are quite a few drips of paint on them and I think I prefer another colour. What did you have in mind??? I would be glad to hear any thoughts you have.
ML Fi XX
Hi Fi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful dollhouse! You are right, it has a tone of potential. I love your ideas for the bathroom and the kitchen sink under the window. The bathtub in the arched nook will look just wonderful. How adventurous are you feeling? the one thing that I think makes fixing up the rooms a little challenging is the placement of the stairs. Would you ever consider moving them? I think this might make it easier to plan the rooms. I cannot wait to see what your final layout is. I have absolute faith in you and know the project will be fantastic and very Fi.
big hug,
Giac
p.s. I love your orchids and garden pictures!
Hi Fi, What a great find! And I love your inspiration board for it, I can see it already...
ReplyDeleteI can see your dilemma with the kitchen and dining room. I think I would put the dining room next to the veranda, the thought of outdoor dining is so appealing.
Maybe you could just start work on a room of which you are certain. That way you'll have lots of time to develop your ideas for the house.
As for starting a new blog, you don't have to do that. You could just label all of the posts for your beach house and/or have a separate page on this blog. I think it would probably be easier than maintaining two blogs.
Whatever you choose, I will enjoy following the build of this house!
Hi Josje,
DeleteYes, I think the general consensus is dinning room on the far left, its so good to have the opinion of others because they can see things in a way you hadn't thought. Its not a bad idea to start on a room I'm sure of, although I was keen to do the outside first because I did it round the wrong way with Ambrosia Place, I need to add a front and may add a balcony so if I confirm up my rooms it will help me to place windows and doors.
I think your right about the blog, too much to manage, I have a job keeping up as it is. I think I might just change the background to something that suits both houses.
ML Fi xx
Exciting to see pictures of what you were describing to me! I look forward to seeing what you come up with! It is a good layout and lends itself to handy display because it looks compact and smallish. Beautiful flowers too - I think spring is on the way soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteYes,just looking for inspiration now. I'm thinking Nantucket beach house??? You know I have never intended to have American Dollhouses but some how i have wound up with two?????
I have only ever been there once, so I'm just guessing??
Well it seemed like spring the last few days but the wind is howling at the moment, I don't know what it's like up your way??
ML Fi xx
Me encanta la casa, tiene unas lineas muy limpias, es un gran trabajo, precioso.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
Yolanda
Dear Fi,
ReplyDeleteWell, I saw a sneak preview of this old/new house last week, but I hadn't realised just how many rooms there were inside! It looks great, and the repairs seem fairly easy to do.
I think it will be a perfect beach house, and I loved all those pictures on your Pinterest page. It would be great fun to reproduce some of those scenes in miniature. I think I am almost envious that you found the little house!! ;o)
I look forward to hearing what you decide to do with this house, Would you have shingles or weather boarding on the outside of the house? Will some of your recent ebay purchases be suitable for this house?
regards
Andy xxx
Hi, Fi!
ReplyDeleteSorry I am so late, I took a little 'blog-cation,' I guess you'd call it...
What a great find! That is no kit house, if I'm not mistaken, it was lovingly made by hand by some unknown artist and how fitting it fell into your hands to get a brilliant re-hab!
Looking forward to see what you do with it!
Kiss noise,
John
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