Apart from the endless books I have been making (and still need to finish), I made a few items for the library, and combined them with a few items that I already had, but could never find a place for.  Suddenly, everything seemed to fit together, which was really satisfying.  Just like the dining closet, the library sees to have taken on a life of its own - I don't think I actually made a decision, everything fell into place.  




I made a couple of vases of narcissus and daffodils, a smoking cap, a sage green lamp with tassels to match the curtains and a framed painting of Narcisssus, based on a fresco found in Pompeii.  

The beautiful Italian plate was from an Etsy seller, who unfortunately closed shop a while ago, and I haven't been able to track her down since.  It's just lovely and pulls all of the little items together.

So far the library has been made on a shoe-string, with only things that I had to hand - and yes, Irene, I did have quite a stash of bits and bobs!  Normally this never happens, and I spend weeks waiting around for parcels to arrive, and pay ridiculous amounts in postage. 

 It was quite a challenge to use and make do with what I had, and if I had had the budget, I would have certainly spent more on it.  But there is something quite satisfying about using what you have and thinking a little bit more creatively perhaps than usual.

Of course, as Daviot House is my only house, and will probably never be 'finished', I know that I can change things in the future whenever I have the budget to do so.  But for now, I'm quite satisfied...

That said, of COURSE I had to treat myself too.....!




A beautiful table made by Ken Kirkbright from Small Wonders miniatures, and a marble bust from the same shop.  I do love Small Wonders, but the current euro-pound exchange rate and eye-watering postage rate means that a trip to Doreen's shop is a special occassion!  

The table is fabulous, as the square shape fits perfectly in the library, without being too overpowering.  The book of monkeys is from Kenneth Blythe, and fits perfectly on the book rest from Artofmini, which is where I bought the key, sconces and andirons (nice, euro-friendly prices!)


I still have a lot of books to make, and I am pondering the wall colour, whether I should keep it white or go for a slightly creamy colour...but it is getting there!

Jonquil


Comments

  1. Las compras que has hecho son fabulosas.Me encanta la elegancia de la mesa .

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    1. Muchas gracias Isabel! - la mesa es muy bonita y bien hecha y va muy bien con la habitacion

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  2. Your table vignette, is perfect! I love the atmosphere and ambience this table and it's accessories creates. I especially love the smoking cap! Very beautiful work.

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    1. Thank you Shannon, I tried t get the table right - I'm not so good at doing perfect tablescapes, so thank you for your compliment

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  3. It all comes together to make the perfect "flavor !"

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    1. thank you! but I don't think I was responsible for it all, it just 'happened'!

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  4. Hello Jonquil,
    You might be forced to make things yourself, but just know you do them incredibly well. The items look fantastic and very realistic and well done. I am happy the room came together and your pictures are stunning. I also love the items you purchased...the table is gorgeous and the book is lovely. I look forward to seeing what color you choose.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac, not so much forced, just thinking creatively around a problem ;).

      The table is great, sadly the makier is no longer with us, so it's also a very limited edition

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  5. Hi Jonquil. It looks beautiful. What a thrill to have it all come together so well. It makes you wonder whether it would have worked so well together if you had been buying things you liked, thus resulting in a more eclectic mix of items. I live your books, I'll have to search your blog for a tutorial, did you do one? Please do if you haven't.
    hugs
    Si

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    1. Hi Simon!
      If I haven't said it before, welcome back to the mini-sphere! I think you are right, I wouldn't have picked these pieces, but they certainly do seem to be good together. Quite homey. Don't bother searching the blog - I haven't got a tutorial, but now I'll HAVE to do one! ;)

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  6. Wow, Jonquil, what a lovely selection it is indeed, I love it and you are very right it all fits together perfectly! I'm especially fond of that monkeybook, just gorgeous! Good luck with the books, but this room is very beautiful already and I look forward to its further development! Bye! Monique

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    1. The monkey book is fab, it makes me smile for some reason or another!

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  7. What a fabuluous collection of miniatures for the library. They really go well together.
    Geneviève

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    1. Thanks Geneviève, they seem to complement each other nicely

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  8. It's so satisfying to create little minis to fit the bill and like Simon says, would you have picked similar items? My favourite of your little collection just has to be the smoking cap. Why? Because I've never seen a mini version before and it's great to have something unusual and not readily available.

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    1. Hi Irene,

      I do believe my smoking cap has to be a mini-world first! I made it a while ago, but it looked quite out of place. I think it has found a home now!

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  9. Bonsoir Jonquil! You're right to spoil yourself now and than, I must say that your new purchases are gorgeous :)! The table is absolutely wonderful, I especially love the smoking cap: never seen one before ;)! I like the book with the monkeys, it's so delicate and it fits nice there on the book rest!
    Enjoy your new miniatures and I hope you'll create lots of new miniature scenes. Wishing you a great rest of the week and weekend ahead.
    Amicalement, Ilona

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    1. Thank you so much Ilona, that makes me feel less guilty about the spending ;) ! I thinnk Daviot House is just growing and growing - who knows where it will be in another 5 years?!

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  10. Wow! Jonquil, Your Library looks Wonderful!!! I love that it has come together so easily and with so many pieces you already had! That always makes me feel that something was "Meant to be" and I had been collecting without realizing what for! Your printed books and the painting are Gorgeous! As is that table! I love the whole feeling of this room... and I think I really like the walls in the white of the plaster. It makes it feel a little less formal to me... less "designed" and more as if it just evolved naturally! Keep up the great work! It is always such a pleasure to see what you have made!

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  11. It all looks so wonderful. So many small details to appreciate on the table and I really love the painting =0)

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  12. What a wonderful library! Adorable book with monkeys. And fantastic items and picture.

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  13. Good morning Jonquil, What a beautiful collection of small items...they all make such an artful picture. I especially LOVE that first photo, it is so elegant!

    I love the process of melding items with one another to create a story. Intentional or not, your little collection creates a wonderful little story...I can just imagine the Daviot House owner back from his world travels...among them a trip to Rome and a Jungle Safari. He's bookish and intelligent...

    It is wonderful!

    Doug

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  14. Every little item is beautiful and that multiplies tenfold when they are put together by someone with such a good eye as yours. I am a big Ken Blythe fan and a huge fan of someone who can make a lampshade and smokers hat like those. Wonderfully creative. Whoever said this game isn't art should look at your 3D 'paintings'. Marilyn

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