Sunday 23 March 2014

The last lap.


Well, Happy New Year - chuckle!!

I haven't worked on this property since before Christmas and it was calling out to me today, especially in view of my upcoming trip to Miniatura next weekend.   I must create a list!

All it needs now is a final spurt and this property is finished.   It will only have taken me nine years!    What needs to be done?

The Grand Staircase, that's what.



I decided quite some time ago that, while quite grand, the stair case wasn't proportionally "grand" enough so I decided to do something about it with foamboard.   This was the Mark Something version, it certainly wasn't the first attempt!


Here, I've added handrail and a decorative trim that I hope disguises the joins.   I've also carried through the lined detailing from the original for continuity.   The tricky bit was dealing with the upper flight making sure, again, it was correctly in proportion and believable if it was real.


I think I'm happy with it now, just a bit more sanding to do and then the paint finish.   I'll also be on the looked for something to finish it off at either end although whether this will be some form of topiary or pillars, I'm not sure.   It'll all depend on what's out there. 


The next job will be the baseboard.   It's proving tricky as I can't use anything with a textured surface as that will, in turn, affect the height of the Grand Staircase.   Whatever I choose will have to be flat and I've considered paving paper but I don't want to have to deal with a join, paint - I don't think my artistic skills are up to any kind of faux finish so I'm hoping the upcoming trip to Miniatura will inspire.   I also have edging strip to tidy up the edges.


The final bit required to complete the Hall is the inside of the attic roof.   I've thought about paint or paper - all one design or divided to match with each room..........?   I think that would prove too busy in such a small area so the current thinking is paint across the whole width with co-ordinating curtains to match each room belonging to the windows, (ie the attic, the hall and Janey, the servant).
 
I'm keen to get on with this and finish it now.   It wasn't until I spent some time with it recently that I was aware I'd missed working on it.
 
Brace yourselves for a spurt of activity here!
 

11 comments:

  1. It looks great! I am glad to see a new post from you. :-)

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  2. As always, everything you do Irene, is matchless. Your staircase is so very elegant and fits so well with your house.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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  3. Hai fatto un bel lavoro, Irene! Beata te che puoi andare a Miniatura!

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  4. Hi Irene! I thought Hambleton Hall was Done! LOL! I am glad to see you have more planned... because that gives us more beautiful creativity to look at! The Grand stairs are looking very Grand indeed.... and I wish you luck figuring out a Flat surface for the paving! Have you considered using "sandpaper" as if it were a gravel surface? Gravel was becoming fashionable in the Victorian times. It would be about as flat as you can get and still have some texture.
    I hope you have a Wonderful time at the fair! (And I can't wait to see what Treasures you will bring home!) :)

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  5. As always whatever you do is perfect Irene and this looks stunning already. Can't wait to see what you get from Miniatura. I'm hoping to make it.

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  6. this is so exciting, I cant wait to see the new changes :)

    Hugs
    Marisa

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  7. I'm so glad to see you back and see more about your wonderful house. I can't wait to know what you will buy at the fair.
    Geneviève

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  8. What a wonderful work. It looks so perfect. I will be waiting to see your next post about this pretty house.
    Elizabeth

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  9. Hi Irene, love the look of the staircase! As Daydreamer said, you could use sandpaper for the baseboard. It's very thin yet strong and can be painted. I have used it to make paving bricks in front of my house. You can butt the paper up against the staircase, so it wouldn't impact on the height of it.

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  10. Hi Irene, the stairs look good. You did a great job, worth all the effort. I am never sure what to do with walls on the opening parts of a house, where the rooms have different colours, I usually leave them all one colour as they aren't seen when closed, but I know not everyone would be happy with that!

    Have fun at Miniatura, don't think I can go this time, which is a shame, but I hope to get the the London show in May.

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  11. Thanks everyone for taking time to leave a comment and to Daydreamer and Josje - double thank you. Sandpaper it is! I haven't checked out all the various grades yet but will get to that soon.

    I was hoping to get something for either end of the steps but didn't see anything that would do the job so I'll be giving that a bit more thought too. In fact the list was a waste of time as I didn't get any of it - but I DID get lots of other "must haves"! Photos soon.

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