My Beacon Hill Doll House

After many, many years of hinting, my hubby has bought me a dollhouse which should arrive just in time for Christmas. It's a kit, so he will be helping me with the build, however, the painting & decorating will be entirely up to me.

The Beacon Hill, with it's beautiful mansard roof,  measures 40" (101.5cm) tall x 32" (81cm) wide x 17" (43cm) deep once built. There are nine rooms and it comes complete with a winding staircase.

This house kit has been around for quite some time and is classified as Victorian style, however I will not be decorating the inside in that period. I believe the outward appearance of a house may basically remain the same, but the inside evolves over time, just as interior decorating ideas do.

I've always imagined decorating the inside in a semi shabby chic style. I say semi because I'm not sure I will be aging the furniture, but I will be sticking to light, muted colours and pastel tones. Often white is used as a classic shabby chic design choice, however, as I prefer more colour I will use what I call "ice colours" . . . colours so soft they are almost white.

Fabrics will be soft, muted florals with pretty ribbons, lace and ruffles. There may even be a few vintage touches, such as gilded vintage mirrors and chandeliers to add some elegance and charm.

I would also like to incorporate either fabric or wallpaper into panels on furniture like wardrobe doors and draw fronts to add extra interest.

So would you like me to share photos as this project progresses? Or is it not amongst your interests?

Singe Comes to Life

I'm not sure if any of my current readers have actually read this post about Singe my BJD dragon which I posted on my Fantasy blog, 7th August, 2016. Well I was looking at him a few weeks ago, after seeing Jodi's little dragon and suddenly I felt very sad that he had been so neglected. 

Back then, I was really into fantasy dolls and I'd had full intentions of painting him, but as usual, I never quite got around to it. I'm sure you're all familiar with the "someday, one day scenario" where you keep putting things off waiting for the right time.

For the past few days I've been so busy with "the kids", which hasn't left me with much time to give him anymore thought. However, now I can see more clearly (having the cataract finally removed), I felt it was time to paint Singe and give him that well deserved attention that he's been so patiently waiting on.

ABOVE: After a quick spray with Mr. Super Clear and his base coat of purple acrylic, which I mixed using Pacific Blue and Hot Pink with a touch of Pearl White.

Then I gave him another spray with MSC before commencing to add his detailing.

Unfortunately I only had a MSC with a matt finish on hand, so I will give him a final coat to give him a shine when I can find my gloss.

So what do you think? Does he look as he should? Does he look like a gentle, confident dragon who takes care of his friends when they are in need of a little warmth, even though he can hardly raise a flame? I do hope so.

Coming for Christmas

A Practical Magic Victorian House from Gold Rush Bay. The house is modeled after New England Victorian lighthouse-based designs with light tower.

It has a generous porch which surrounds the house and there are minute details such as a flower and potions conservatory, even a hidden stained glass window surprise! The entire structure measures 8.5 inches wide 6.5 inches deep and 8.5 inches high.

An Addams Family Victorian Mansion, also from Gold Rush Bay. This one is modeled after French Second Empire Victorian Mansions, but looks similar to the Nevermore Academy, shown in Burton's Wednesday.

A generous mansard roof surrounds the top of the house dotted with open dormer windows and there are minute details such as a Corinthian columns flanking each window and porch, fishscale tiles on the roof and a semicircular conservatory on the right side. Inside can be revealed by opening up the hinged house, where a staircase connects first and second floors. The entire structure measures 8 inches wide 6 inches deep and 8 inches high. 

Both houses have been 3D printed in HO scale, which is a rail transport modelling scale using a 1:87 scale (3.5 mm to 1 foot), and they are ready to paint with acrylics. The first one I shall decorate in colours which would suit a coastal theme and the second I'd like to paint as a haunted house.