I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Saturday 14 June 2014

The Tudor Tavern

2017 UPDATE
You can now see some of the new inhabitants of the Tudor Tavern if you visit Pastime With Good Company.


Hello all!  Yup, it's finally time for the dollshouses...  It's a departure from the usual business of this blog, but you may find that you recognise quite a lot of the products and techniques being pressed into use.  Distress Inks, Die-cutting, Chalk Paints, Texture Paste, Fresco and DecoArt paints and glazes and crackles, and more... they're all here somewhere.

Last year I managed to squeeze everything into one post, but this time that's just not going to work.  I think Blogger might implode.  So this is the first of a trio of dollshouse posts coming your way over the next few days.  I hope you enjoy them!  Coffee (or a large glass of wine?) may be necessary...





For those that don't know, I've just returned from five weeks in the Czech Republic where my mother has a dollshouse museum, Small Worlds, formed of her extensive 40-year collection.  You can follow the story of the museum on her blog - Cestina's Dollshouses.












Small Worlds opens for the summer months, and it really is a working collection - houses are always being transformed, improved and (let's get it out there) new ones being bought to add to the collection.  

So one of the first things we had to do was rearrange the whole layout to fit in some extra houses.












These are just a few shots of the new set-up.  I may share a couple more in my final post, but for now you can find lots more pictures over at my mother's blog here; and for before, during and after shots of the reorganisation, you can take a look here.






I majored on two houses, but did lots of other things alongside, continuing work on some of last year's projects, as well as helping out with some of what Cestina was getting up to.






First up, I'm sharing one of the two houses I spent longest working on.

This rather splendid Tudor affair already looked pretty good on the outside when my mother picked it up on ebay as part of the Essex Dollshouse Haul (six houses for £35.55 - yup, just under £6 per house).

2017 UPDATE - You can now see some of the new inhabitants of the Tudor Tavern if you visit Pastime With Good Company.










So last year it was on view in the museum mainly for the exterior, with just some odds and ends of suitable period furniture in it.

(For dollshouse aficionados it's not really fair to call them "odds and ends" - they're actually vintage pieces by well-known makers, Barton.)









But the interior was completely bare surfaces, just as it was when it was collected from Essex.

My mission (and not much choice about whether to accept it): to create the interior settings for an Elizabethan tavern.












So how's this?

Anyone who knows about my Shakespeare connection will realise that this was practically like coming home for me.

At the moment, we're at the Sign of the Lion (he's perched on the edge of the balcony).  But in my head it's really The Boar's Head Tavern, where Prince Hal hangs out in Shakespeare's plays Henry IV Parts 1 and 2.

And although the troupe of travelling players has yet to arrive in the inn courtyard, you'll see as we go that I have already added some traces of Will Shakespeare himself.







Let me show you around in more detail... Those who want to skip the making-of stuff, are invited to visit the completed rooms in close-up towards the end of the post!







First things first: floors and walls.  I really wanted something nice and textural for the walls, to capture that plaster and limestone feel.  I tried a couple of different methods to get it.  Downstairs in the kitchen, I used Polyfilla straight from the tube.  I started out applying it with a spatula, but ended up just smearing it on with my hands... messy!












Upstairs I took a different tack, partly because the Polyfilla was running out, and they don't have quite the same stuff in CZ.  (Sorry, I know that's not the right abbreviation for the Czech Republic, but it's what I use!) 

Instead, I mixed some textured paste into paint and applied that to the walls (this time a brush did the trick).








You can't just have plaster though... these are oak-framed houses, so I started a beam factory.

Endless lengths of wood strips - inked, then given a wash of black acrylic, then lined up to dry on the radiator!









The inking was done with a mixture of Distress Re-inkers and Walnut Crystal solution.  Then the black just gave it a greater depth and weight.















Then in each room, I created a beam structure "within" the walls....












The beams are different from room to room - lessons drawn from my visits to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust properties in Stratford upon Avon.













You can see in those houses how different storeys were constructed in different ways, so the beams often seem quite haphazard.








In the large room upstairs, I decided I also wanted some cross beams in the roof.

Ingredients: dimensional wood strips, more inking, acrylic washing, lots of measuring, shaving of ends, hot glue-gunning and much swearing!














But probably worth it... from the bare ceiling to this.










There were some doors included with the house, beautifully made, but a couple of them were still in their naked state.

Some Distress Re-inkers soon took care of that.











Some of you will remember from last year that handmade floors featured largely in that post.

Thankfully there was no parquet required this time.  But I did have to make a large number of oak boards for the upper storeys.










It's not until you are stamping the Kaisercraft Woodgrain stamp over acres of of card, inking it, cutting it into "planks" (a.k.a. strips!)...












... sticking it down on to templates cut of the floor shapes, and lacquering it that you realise exactly how large this house is!

Wooden floors would be no good downstairs in the kitchen, though.













This needed a different approach - flagstone flooring... something I've always wanted in real life (and did sort of have in my tiny cottage kitchen in Stratford - and I mean tiny... about four flagstones in total).












So again I cut a template for the floor (including the really awkward bit around the entrance way), and started smearing texture paste over it quite thickly.  

While still wet, I used the end of a paintbrush to "carve" my flagstones into the paste.






I had to do it in sections, as the floor is so large that if I'd tried to do it all in one, the paste would've been dry before I could get to carving it!










Once it was all dry, I started applying paint to create the stony look.  Stone Fresco Finish paint played a large part, unsurprisingly...





... and Weathered Wood Distress Paint, washes of black for a grimier look, and some greeny-blues for extra interest...












I'm really pleased with the slatey texture - just from having applied the texture paste with a palate knife in the first place.










I think it looks pretty good in place, especially if you get the right lighting.












An improvement on those blank walls, I hope you'll agree.

But still a long way to go...  Charge your glasses, refresh your teacups, and on we go!

Bizarrely, this is a house without chimneys!

I'm hoping people won't really notice that, as one of my main additions to the interior is some fireplaces.  The rooms just don't look right without them.











For the large room on the first floor (that'll be the second floor for the Americans - shall we just call it the middle floor?) - which is the main taproom for guests and drinkers to gather and sit - I created a large hearth to create a warm welcome for them.






It's carved out of polystyrene packaging, then covered in more texture paste, and given a smoky charring with some drybrushed black paint.  (Click the photos for a close-up.)


I needed some tiles for the hearth too - hands up those who spotted the Frameworks Lattice die pieces... top marks!  I cut them from thick card, then added either DecoArt Stucco or DecoArt Crackle to each of them.



Once dry, coats of Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Burnt Orange and Transparent Red Iron Oxide were added to the mix...







...and again some washes of plain black for a grimier, smokier look.









This plastic affair dug out of a storage drawer also got the painty treatment...


 ... and became an embroidered fireguard, to keep the faces of the guests from overheating.






The kitchen now looks rather cool, I think, but it's urgently in need of somewhere for the cooking to happen!














There was a magnificent copper hood from the hoard that I knew I wanted to use, but I needed a fireplace/cooking hearth to go under it.








Polystyrene packaging, texture paste and paint to the rescue again...


...and some more cardboard tiles, differently shaped (hand-cut this time), to tile the wall between the hood and the hearth.






And more drybrushed black paint to smoke up the walls surrounding it.

Now, how about that Tudor cooking equipment?











Well, from this unpromising bundle of old plastic toy fences and bits and bobs, I think I was able to create something reasonably effective.

Black enamel paint is a saviour in this kind of work - going onto plastic easily, and giving you a nice shiny metal effect.










I didn't want it too shiny, though, so it was time to crack open one of my most exciting crafty purchases - the Ten Seconds Studio Verday paint.

You'll get to see what the Patina Solution does to these amazing paints in terms of decay and distressing later, but for now, I was delighted with the look I got from just adding a coat of the Iron paint.



It's much earthier and grittier, with a great weathered iron texture... I altered lots of shiny gold kettles and cauldrons the same way, and one plastic blue one too.


You can see the progression from gold to shiny black to rugged cast iron.




So, from the fences and some bits of wooden dowelling, I now have a spit (the handle for turning it is a curtain hook (European style - you'll see them bobbing up in a number of places over the course of these posts)...

... as well as a grate to hold the logs for the fire.  The legs are formed by a small wire photo frame holder, also painted black.




I've got one of those for upstairs too, this time with a champagne bottle wire as the legs...

(Sorry the lighting's a bit weird in this one - hard to get a proper picture with it all at the back of the room.)












 ... and outside in the courtyard...














... a couple of racks of hay for the guests' horses, while their masters are refreshing themselves above.








In my mother's actual house in CZ, she still has the bread oven which was originally built into the walls (though not in use)... so I decided my hostess (shall we just call her Mistress Quickly and be done with it?!) needed one of those too.

Some cork and cardboard - okay, I grant you it doesn't look like much yet...





... but with a couple of chopped up curtain hooks (yup, here they are again) as the handle and latch, and that old black paint magic - look what we get.














And here it is mounted on the wall beside the large copper hood, with the bread shovel and some freshly baked rolls nearby (made by the brilliant Lady Fanaberia, and won in a Blog Candy by Cestina)... pretty pleased with that!










Lots more altering with paint going on...




... barrels and baskets and all sorts gleaned from the 40-year hoard of small things...






... and made over to suit my purposes.







As you saw (hours ago at the beginning of the post), there were already a few beds and sideboards available.

Ignore the doll with the piercing eyes... she's likely only a temporary resident!



And I found some wonderful chairs and a table for the main taproom amongst the hoard.

But I really needed some more kitchen furniture... as well as some furniture for the tiny office adjoining the taproom.












Out with the balsa wood - supplies running low, and it's not readily available in CZ, so this was the rather paltry selection I was able to put together... not leaving much room for error here.










The balusters are reclaimed from balcony fences - I thought they might make rather good table legs.

So with a sharp craft knife, my Walnut solution, my Re-inkers and my black paint, I was able to put together a large table, several benches, and a smaller table for the office too.




The large table now takes pride of place in the kitchen downstairs, laden with food being prepared for the guests upstairs.

The food's mostly not my own work (though there is some on there that's mine, and there'll be more to come some time).

One bench is ready for a quick rest whilst plucking capons, shelling peas, shucking oysters, or some such task.







The sharper-eyed amongst you may have spotted one of the other benches over by the bread oven, alongside a cabinet which started out bright green with colourful transfers all over it!













And you'll have seen the one in the courtyard for anyone needing a breath of air to recover from the fug inside.








The altered barrels and baskets are stowed about the place, along with jars and bottles, storing sack and sugar, curing meats and fruits...














... and a shank of meat hangs curing in the smoky atmosphere, alongside other kitchen implements.








Upstairs in the taproom, you can relax, knowing the next barrel to be broached is right at hand.

(The large barrel by the doorway in the kitchen is actually a novelty whisky miniature - so it would've been worth broaching once upon a time!)









There's more to be done on the top floor (quite apart from anything else you could take a pretty lethal tumble down that stairwell!) but the beds are back in place with their rather opulent red silk hangings.

The altered basket of somewhat plainer linens to be repaired does seem to imply the red silk is only for occasional (large and corpulent) guests.

There's a room in the Boar's Head Tavern called The Pomegranate - an appropriate name for one of these chambers, I'd say.








I wonder whether someone like Doll Tearsheet plies her trade up here amidst all this plush red satin.  

Certainly somebody seems to be prepared for there to be trouble, judging by all these rapiers and poniards - all that's missing is a Pistol!












The ancient bronze shields and the mirror below have both been subjected to the Verday Paint Patina - I love the decayed metal look you can get.










More of that in another post...

(I hope you like the Vermeer-style lighting in this shot!)












And so to the small office... where, during the day, Pistol might busy himself with the accounts (unless Mistress Quickly catches him at it).













Whoever occupies this room clearly has a taste for the scientific, with all the latest gadgetry gathered about him.

But once it draws on towards evening, in the last rays of the setting sun, and folk are getting louder and drunker in the taproom.... 












...there's one particular regular at the tavern who has permission from the landlord to slip into the office when he needs to, to use the small desk there.

He's one of a troupe of actors, but not as rowdy as the other performers.  He seems to spend most of his time listening to the conversations around him, drinking in the tales and information he hears.  Every once in a while, he feels the need to record something he's heard - a interesting phrase, a newly-coined word, or some piece of court gossip.






So he slips into the adjoining office, and seats himself at the small (handmade!) table.

He has his own sheaves of folio manuscript paper, as well as scrolls and scripts about his person, and he'll use the quill and ink just to make a note of what he's been hearing...

After all, these jottings might make a good scene for a play; or perhaps offer an interesting quirk to a dull character - maybe he'll make a note of one of the drawers serving in the tavern, with his constant cry of "Anon, anon, sir!".

Can you guess who it is yet?!







There's still lots I want to do in this house, to keep adding extra details, and obviously it's already peopled in my head.

To be honest, the dolls upstairs may only be temporary residents.  One thing I still want to try is to make some of these characters... the hostess, the quiet writer, the travelling players... 

Yup - dolls are next in my sights.  I'll be experimenting over the summer, and I'll let you know if I have any success!













That's it for now...  For once, I'm not going to apologise for the length of the post.  I want to document this work for myself and for Small Worlds.  If it gives you pleasure in the sharing, then that's a lovely bonus!

(Bit more Vermeer for you...)











There'll be another house along in the next couple of days, home to a very different kind of person, as you can see from this little sneak peek.

I hope you enjoyed this little journey into another time... I'd love to know what you think.




What the heck... it's been a long post, now here's a long quote to finish it off!  A little alehouse scene full of fabulous insults for you...

MISTRESS QUICKLY
Come, I'll drink no proofs nor no bullets: I'll drink no more than will do me good, for no man's pleasure, I.

PISTOL
Then to you, Mistress Dorothy; I will charge you.

DOLL TEARSHEET
Charge me! I scorn you, scurvy companion. What! you poor, base, rascally, cheating, lack-linen mate! Away, you mouldy rogue, away! I am meat for your master.

PISTOL
I know you, Mistress Dorothy.

DOLL TEARSHEET
Away, you cut-purse rascal! you filthy bung, away! by this wine, I'll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps, an you play the saucy cuttle with me. Away, you bottle-ale rascal! you basket-hilt stale juggler, you! 

From Henry IV Part 2 II.iv, by William Shakespeare

Thanks so much for your company.  Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

77 comments:

sam21ski said...

Well what an amazing blog post, first of all your houses are stunning but secondly I am sooooo jealous that you have all that space to put them in.

Sam xx

Fliss said...

Wow Alison! A really amazing post and your beautiful dolls house looks so wonderfully realistic. It's so lovely to see all the work you put into so many little details which add so much to the finished house.
Can't wait to see what you have in store next.
Fliss xx

Almo said...

Absolutely fascinating post Alison, I loved reading all about the makeover of the tudor house. Looking forward to more. Mo x

Deborah said...

I'm always completely blown away by your dolls house interiors, Alison - and the tavern is no exception. How cool that you were able to put to use your regular craft stash, reinkers and dies etc. I'm looking forward to seeing the next house!

sally said...

I thoroughly enjoyed last years update, the fact that we've got several nights worth this year is great news....I wonder if I could possibly come to stay at the inn sometime???

Sally

Lisa Minckler said...

Wouldn't a little plate of 'Bacon' look wonderful sitting that desk...
I am so happy to hear that there will be future posts on these many incredible homes. I can't even begin to comprehend the amount of time and creativity that was put into to them to make them so realistic. Even with the one little sneak peek, I'm already in bells waiting for the next post! Thank you so much for sharing this Alison. I look forward to reading more on your mother's blog as well.
Happy weekend,
Lisa x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oh they are all wonderful,I wish I could move into some of them! Love all the miniature accessories too,they look so real. Must be so enjoyable doing all this Alison,creating a little world all on its own : )

Hugs,Donna.xx

Amanda said...

An amazing amount of stunning detail, as someone who used to make and decorate dolls houses I can totally appreciate the work that you have put into this project and you have captured the period beautifully. Look forward to the others.
Love
Amanda x

Amanda said...

An amazing amount of stunning detail, as someone who used to make and decorate dolls houses I can totally appreciate the work that you have put into this project and you have captured the period beautifully. Look forward to the others.
Love
Amanda x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh my word...it's ALWAYS a treat to see the doll houses! You and your mother must have the best time creating and making up stories as you go. Love all the photos!

Redanne said...

It was a total pleasure reading through your post Alison, at one point I thought I was looking at a real property! You certainly put your time there to great use, I love the kitchen floor, the way you constructed the fireplace and the oven door is fabulous. You and your mum deserve the success of this wonderful museum. Anne xx

Nikki Acton said...

Oh my! Wow. This is amazing Alison, so much attention to detail, you must have the patience of a saint. Nikki xx

Dianne said...

SQUAAAAAAAAWK< I flew over to comment on your last 2 post, I've been waiting for this, and 2 more be still my heart :O)...it's all so perfect, the beams and wooden floors gorgeousssssssss, love your plastered walls, that stone floor is FANTASTIC, I've always wanted floors exactly like that, then the fire place is brilliant, of course looking on the large setting,loooooove the tiles, that fire screen the best, that kitchen is THE BOMB, brilliantly created, love the table and benches, the office has to be my favorite room, i can just imagine the goings on in there, what a fabulous production this has been Miss Alison, it made my weekend, I'm love with this magical house, You are THE BOMB, you have made my week with this post, it's all I'll be talking about, hope you have a wonderful week, (((( HUGE HUGS ))))...

Chrissy said...

OUTSTANDING Alison..every room and tiny detail is perfect..I'm speechless..FANTASTIC!

Luv CHRISSYxx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Ohh my, they are enchanting. I never saw something like this in reality. So much of detailed work...hats of to your mother and you.. definitely need lot of passion to do something like this. I showed this to my daughter, she is asking -Can we get one? :)
Waiting to see more photos

scrappymo! said...

Fabulous! You must have such fun there with your Mum...planning, creating and finishing all with such exacting detail.

Bravo!

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow what an amazing explosion of creativity! Some of the applications look so realistic!! It looks as if you had lots of fun (and bucket loads of patience) with all of this! As I love the CR I swear that one year I will come and see it all in person....

Anonymous said...

I loved your posts last time about the beautiful dolls houses and I love this one too! So many details to drink in and the picture you paint of who uses the tavern is magical. Looking forward to the next one! Sue C x

maria's knutselplezier said...

wooooooooow, what a beautiful project, amazing, how you created a wonderful house interieur of the 18the century , I really love it!!! I can't think abaout anyone who wouldn't !! You are really a top artist!!I really admire your wonderful work!!!

Greetings
Maria

Tincan Crafter said...

OH MY GOD, OH MY WORD, OH MY GOSH, SWEET MOTHER OF BUDDHA - this is by far the most fabulous thing I have ever seen EVER EVER EVER. I am in awe - no words at this point, totally totally totally gobsmacked in utter awe! THIS IS FABULOUSLY SPECTACULAR - no, no appropriate words in English could even come close to describing the levels of awestruck amazement I am experiencing right now. INCREDIBLE!!!!

Jenny Marples said...

No better way to start Sunday than with a trip back in time. You've worked some serious magic on this long neglected abode and now WS would feel right at home. The hours spent on flooring, walls and beams have truly been worth it, setting the scene for your delicious interior pieces. I love the idea of polystyrene packaging as a fireplace just ready for a spit roast and the embroidered firescreen is superb. Thank you for sharing your talents with everyone. Jenny x

froebelsternchen said...

simply AMAZING Alison! You are just perfect to do this ! WOW!!!!

Helen said...

WOW!! I tried 3 times last night to red this but my browser wouldn't let me get to the end - however now I have - I love the detail you've put into this - absolutely staggering - I especially like the kitchen spit - recognise the trellis from floral garden for that!! Thank you for documenting this and sharing it with us it is possibly the best yet.

Cestina said...

I can't tell you how glad I am that you are around to produce such stunning work - and that you "see" ordinary things with the same sort of eye that I do. Ironically, because of the depth of the house, one can see your fireplace and kitchen wonders far better in the photos than in real life. I shall go back to the pictures again and again.

This house was much wondered at yesterday, and revived memories of Stratford for several Czech visitors.

Brilliant! I can't thank you enough - and I'm deeply relieved that you get to blog it as well!

Ballet school from me tonight, I think. With a link to this post of yours of course.....

xxx

Neet said...

Well I don't know where to start. Each turning up of the page brought a different "Wow" and a "must comment on that" but now I need to go back to the beginning and take it in all over again.
What a fabulous post of some fantastic work. Alison, you are so talented.
Keep these posts coming please.
Hugs, Neet xx

chrissie said...

Amazing! It all looks so real even in the close-ups. Your work on the houses is always wonderful and to share them with us is a treat for all. Thank you Alison xx

Love Chrissie x

Meggymay said...

Wow, an amazing and detailed post. you can tell from reading and seeing the fabulous photos that this is a work of dedication and love. Look forward to the next post.
Yvonne

Ruth said...

As a newbie to your doll houses, I came across the post last night and decided I had to return this am and take my time to enjoy the post. I was speechless last night and am in awe of your attention to detail this am. Just stunning work Alison STUNNING! Ruth x

Lys said...

Oooooh! What a fabulous dollhouse you made ! I looove the kitchen, and the way you explain how you transformed little things to fit inside the place and the time... I live the story! congratulations, Alison!

Shirley said...

I would so dearly love to see the museum Alison. What wouldn't I give for a floor like that in my house. Beautiful post and pictures. Shirl x x

Hettie said...

Oh my Alison x
This is absolutely wonderful. Well done :-)
Where do you get all your ideas and inspiration from? I would be happy with half your talent.
Beautiful house and great post.
Now to drink my cold coffee!
Hugs
Xxx

Mrs.B said...

WOW Alison, what an amazing post, love how you have transformed this house and used so many techniques on all the little details.
Looking forward to the next installment.
Avril xx

Julie Lee said...

Alison, this is a work of genius! I am in awe of your talent and ingenuity! I love all those Cheapside scenes in the Henrys and I can just visualize Mistress Quickly, Doll, Bardolph, Pistol and not only the gorgeous Hal; but also wonderful rascally Sir John stomping through this wonderful hostelry. Your talent and imagination know no bounds! Julie Ann xxx

rachel said...

my word alison. what a transformation and what wonderful imagery too. you are s very talented lady and thid is brilliant xc

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Wow Alison, the Tudor House looks phenomenal! I love every detail and I was clinging onto every word in the descriptions how your were altering the pieces. Fantastic work! Absolutely fantastic!!! xxx

JoZart Designs said...

I thoroughly enjoyed my browse through your miniature world of creativity. What imagination you have and it is so lovely to see so much recycling, be it only on a tiny scale.
I will show my grandchildren this post when they vist next. Amazing!
jo x

JoZart Designs said...

I thoroughly enjoyed my browse through your miniature world of creativity. What imagination you have and it is so lovely to see so much recycling, be it only on a tiny scale.
I will show my grandchildren this post when they vist next. Amazing!
jo x

Jennie Atkinson said...

I am just stunned! Absolutely amazing Alison what you have achieved in that little house - such an amazing talent and imagination. Just brilliant x

Nan G said...

Oh my word! Oh my goodness gracious! Boggers, Alison, you are talented! An stunning redo of a fab house/tavern. Can't wait to see the other dollshouses!

Andrea Small said...

OH. MY. ACTUAL. GOD. !!!!!

Breathtakingly successful. What a wonderfully imagined and enacted transformation. (I am so looking forward to the new inhabitants, btw.) The amount of hard work involved is overwhelming. I am doffing my Tudor cap to you.

I might have said it before, but I think it bears repeating - you are so clever!

A xx

PS enjoyed the Vermeerishness

Sandy said...

I really enjoyed this Alison - who in their right mind doesn't love doll houses! I would dearly love to visit your Mum's museum. Every picture on this post is a delight - a feast of fancy as I imagine ghosts of the past wandering around the tavern. Such a talent you are Alison in so many ways. Bravo and I will be back to look again and again. It really is a joy.
Sandy xx
I have been to Windsor to see Queen Mary's Doll House --

Unknown said...

WOW, Alison!! That's pretty much all I can get out!! All of the 'little' details are phenomenal and I swore I got transported into the tavern itself for a visit and a pint!! I can't wait for the next installments from Cestina's Dollhouse Museum!! XOXO-Shari

Claudia N. said...

Oh my, Alison,

you were really busy! LOVE that oven door especially! And thank you so much for sharing this detailed report - I really enjoyed seeing how you created floors, tiles, walls and furniture! Brilliant work!

Hugs,
Claudia x

Marci said...

You should write little scenarios to post by the dollhouses! No wonder you are fearless about trying any new technique or product in papercrafting. Doing this all your life certainly prepared you. How do you have all these small items that are needed? I picture you, "Oh, don't throw that away! It would make a lovely stand for a Tudor spit in a dollhouse." And etc. Anyway, this house is fantastic! What a labor of love. The attention to detail really makes it wonderful. Also, the way you write the post puts us in that world.

Netty said...

Wow Alison, design and renovation is definitely your forte, no wonder your mother needs your wonderful talents. You have done a fabulous job. Hugs Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

maj. said...

I absolutely ADORE this! I really enjoyed reading how you created it !

cathylynn said...

You've created total beauty in this house and the details are outstanding! Love the wood and stone combination. Your miniature furniture is pure delight as well as your story. Love it all and can't wait to see more. I bet you and your Mother had some treasured quality time together creating magic!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Sandra's Spot said...

I pop over to visit you and have been wowed by those wonderful dolls houses Alison they are amazing I really enjoyed the post, and a wonderful museum. Hugs Sandra XXX

Kasia said...

Oh wow, this collection of doll houses is really impresive! And see how these little elements are created is so interesting. Stunning post, Alison! Thank you for this :)

Heather Jacob said...

OMG !!!!!! brilliant and I am gobsmacked ! this is like a journey into fantasy land, thanks so much for sharing this delight ... you have a wonderful gift x

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Wow wow...Alison is there anything you cannot fix??? You can do it so well, that "oppimpen":-)
Big big compliment...you mom will be so proud of her creative daughter!
greetings, Alie

Unknown said...

Wow, what an amazing transformation. You are so clever! Wow!

I hope you had a lovely trip too.

Emma x

Kjersti said...

Amazing Alison! You have made a gorgeous house, and must have had a wonderful time working on it!
Look forward to see more of the doll houses of yours!
Wish you a great week!
Hugs Kjersti:)

Cocofolies said...

I'm totally subjugated Alison.... That's just an incredible transformation, so much tiny work and great things in every piece, I love love love your dollhouse!!!! A big congrats to you and you mum too for its fabulous collection and museum, there is so much to see on those tiny houses... Especially yours!!!! Thanks for sharing, I will send the link of your post to a friend of mine who really love dollhouses too! :) Hugs, Coco xx

Sue said...

Wow what amazing attention to detail Alison. I can't wait to see what dolls you come up with xx

Silvia(Barnie) said...

So WONDERFUL thanks for sharing the photos.

Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth) said...

Simply wonderful! I am in awe! I visited the museum last summer, but would love to visit it again some day to see the progress!

What amazes me most of all is that you and your mother can look at a perfectly ordinary object - a dead printer cartridge, say - and be able to turn it into a piece of dolls' house furniture. My brain simply doesn't work like that!

Terry said...

Oh my goodness this post is loaded with so much eye candy! Alison, those houses are gorgeous and so intricate! My grandfather use to build dollhouses! What a wonderful post! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

This is beyond stunning Alison. It is a work of art & a credit to your creativity, talent & ingenuity. So beautiful. And I love the Vermeer style lighting. :)

Unni A said...

OMG!WOW! You are amazing, Allison! I am very impressed! I'm always impressed of your work, no matter what you make, it's just amazing!And you are amazing, thank you for all your wonderful comments in my blog!
hugs, Unni

May said...

Fabulous post Alison, What a work of art...I adore it all...you are quite amazing...your attention to detail is outstanding as always...Hugs May x x

12Create said...

What a wonderful transformation. I love all the detail and techniques you have used.

Unknown said...

WOW! What a fabulous journey Alison, it's amazing what you've achieved and how you've done it all. I can see how your creative flair would make you totally the right person for this. Thanks so much for sharing it, I've been glued to the screen for the past 20 minutes, simply fabulous! [s] Chris xxx

Cinderella Moments said...

The outside of this house was already so amazing. But now that you did the interior- it's a sensational piece! All your woodwork is spot on and gorgeous. I love the kitchen. You took so much care in detailing all the rooms. It's sublime!
hugs♥,
Caroline

Dorthe said...

Oh my goodness, dear Alison,
this is amazing. You are a master here,TOO!! That house is now a fantastic piece, from outside till the inner little corners. The floors are fantastic, and all the building ,the beams, and furnichures, what a work of art and accuracy! Your mother must be so happy to have you help with the yearly show. I love what you created!!!
Hugs,Dorthe

Juliz Design Post said...

Such a magical post Alison that transports you in time. Your slate floor is amazing. What a beautiful legacy you and your mum have in the making. I know how addictive dolls houses and the miniature world is. If I am ever in the Czech Republic I must visit.
Julie x

Linda S. said...

This was absolutely fascinating!! I read every word, and studied every photo. Thank you for taking the time to photograph your work and to describe in detail how you accomplished a certain task. It was magic to see a pile of "somethin - nothin" and then see it transformed into a piece we recognized. Will there be any dogs or maybe cats hanging around the tavern? I would think mice might be a real problem with so many people going in and out. I am looking forward to reading and seeing more of your jaw-dropping talent. Your mother must be so proud! Goodnight.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! This amazing - it must by now be giving so much pleasure to visitors to Small Worlds! So many fantastic details I can almost hear the clinking of tiny tankards! I love the addition of the beams -well done for having the patience (ok - so you swore a bit!) it really did transform the interior! On catch up from having no internet connection, so off to your next post now, Chrisx

Margaret said...

Oh my goodness! I loved the peek at all of the fantastic dollhouses, and it was fascinating to see the transformation you brought about on the Tudor! You have quite the talent for interior design!!

Etsuko said...

Amazing the house. I have looked and enjoyed again and again. xx

Anna-Karin said...

Wow, this is amazing Alison. I am in awe. Look at all those wonderful details, furniture, textures, walls etc. Amazing! I wish I could see it in real life, and I bet I would enjoy doing this too, being as much in love with details as I am. Thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

I'm in shock at the patience which you must possess Alison. The time, attention to detail, hours researching....it's mind boggling. You are an artist, my lady. I loved dollhouses as a child and wish I still had some from my childhood but we moved frequently so no luck. One thing is certain-if God grants me a granddaughter I will start her a collection. You and your mom are such an inspiration!!!!!! Can't wait to see house number two. :)

Annie said...

By now you will realise that I am reading your posts backwards, having been absent from blogland for so long :-)
This tavern is fantastic and you have altered and created all items beautifully. Totally charming and so inspiring

TFS and best wishes
Annie x

Lucy Edmondson said...

That floor is incredible! I have had so much pleasure from these dollshouse posts, Alison. Thank you for sharing with us,

Lucy x

Kezzy said...

Wow wow wow your creativity astounds me, I have always be in awe of these houses but after this post I can really appreciate that it's the owner who gives it character with a story, vivid ideas and lots of talent. Truly unique and out of this world amazing. Kezzy :-) xxx

Elly said...

I'm still impressed. I couldn't believe my eyes about the use of curtain hooks. Honestly i'm not able to translate my real thinking about this great project. This is absolutly breathtaking ♥

Cazzy said...

You have a wonderful imagination to be able to turn the ordinary materials available to you into the extra ordinary!
This is the most stunning dolls house I have seen, looking forward to seeing the dolls when you do them!

Cazzy x