Blue Indigo
Just when I thought the gilding mania had finished... I just had to do some more to frame this painting of a lady in blue. She just popped on to the page at the end of my paintbrush, and it is due to her that I tackled the next room in Daviot House, the dining closet...
This room, leading off from the hall was plastered and then abandoned, as I did other rooms of the house, and also because it was such a long and narrow shape, I really didn't know what to do with it.
I thought at first a study, but really, the inhabitants of Daviot House needed somewhere to sup, to I got my thinking cap on. Firstly, I rearranged the features - changed entrance door on the left and made the window into a french door leading to the garden.
Then I had to find enough room for a decent sized fireplace. Putting it square in the middle of the back wall looked, well, a bit mundane. And then I remembered all of the houses that inspired me in the first place, and the fact that the corner fireplace was more common (it would also solve a problem upstairs in the bedroom above). This way the narrow room seems to be a bit wider, without using up too much floorspace.
I had wanted to incorporate a Delft tile fireplace ever since I saw one at John Knox House in Edinburgh. I can't seem to get away from blue in this house! I found images online, printed, varnished with mod podge and then grouted them. The fireplace is not finished, as I have to make a stone fire surround, but you can see where it is going...
I wanted to plaster the ceiling, and made an very simple design using cereal box card with a coat or two of gesso, it works really well on this scale and extremely budget conscious! I ran out of cornicing, so the right hand wall hasn't been finished yet.
Speaking of unfinished, the curtains are only temporarily fixed, as I will be DAS-ing the french doorway at the same time as making the fireplace. The fabric came from a top I had ruined blackberry picking - I wasn't too sad, as I had an excuse to cut the blouse up, the fabric, I think, is perfect.
I can't wait to finish this room, I stared at it for so long in its forlorn state that I'm so glad I have finally found some direction!
Jonquil
Bonjour Jonquil!
ReplyDeleteAfter much time away from you, I thought it time to say hello again. I love the painting you did of the "Lady in Blue". It is lovely! You are giving this room great personality. I like the plaster textured walls and the ceiling detail. I love the delft tiles in the firebox. The blouse/curtain fabric is the perfect compliment to the lovely blue accents you are using! Look forward to seeing it finished!
Warm regards,
Ray
Oh Ray, that is great praise indeed coming from you, I am just happy that you took the time to read my post!
DeleteJonquil
Hello Jonquil,
ReplyDeleteYour skill always enchants me. The painting is superb and looks beautiful in the room. the tiled fireplace is a wonderful feature. the entire room is already beautiful. the ceiling is perfect for the space and I love the floor. Keep up the amazing work.
Big hug,
Giac
gawwww, Giac, I'm blushing!
DeleteSuch a beautiful room so far and I can't wait to see what you're going to add to it.
ReplyDeletegeneviève
Merci! J'ai plus de temps car c'est les vacances très bientôt : D
DeleteIm loving the fireplace I cant wait to see what you do to it :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Marisa
Thank you Marisa, I have a few ideas, and a lot of DAS clay!
DeleteHi Jonquil! You have such a feminine touch! The re-working of this room has made it seem Bigger and "user friendly" already! What a great idea to make the window into French doors and what you have done with the corner fireplace is a Brilliant solution as well. Your curtains, the tiled firebox and of course the Painting.... well they were all Meant to Be! Sometimes what at first appears to "dead space" in a doll's house can pleasantly surprise you in the end! :))
ReplyDeleteelizabeth
Thanks Elizabeth, your blog really showed me that a small space can be as satisfying as big one, perhaps a bit more, as you have to really think hard about the space.
DeleteHi Jonquil! I LOVE all the work you have done with this room! The corner fireplace is an Excellent idea in the long space... I will have to remember that! In the eighteenth century over here they often had the fireplace in the corner like that because they shared the central chimney with other rooms. I LOVE the painting over the hearth, and the Delft tiles are Gorgeous! Too bad about the blouse... are you sure it was an accident? LOL! I am always sacrificing my clothes for miniatures when the cloth looks right! I look forward to seeing the next steps in this lovely room!
ReplyDeleteha ha - it was probably subconciously done accidentally-on purpose as it was the only fabric I had seen that would work in the room!
DeleteHello Jonquil...first post I have made to your blog, but I have enjoyed reading through it!
ReplyDeleteI think you solved your "narrow room" problem quite admirably! The corner fireplace breaks up the visual space at the back, which creates interest and draws the eye through that space so that you don't notice it is narrow. I also love how your eye is drawn to the hutch in this room. A piece that otherwise might get lost in the room is highlighted beautifully here, making the piece an important contribution to the overall effect. Very nice!
Thanks Doug, you are very welcome
DeleteCiao Jonquil! Mi pace il dipinto ed il camino ad angolo! Non vedo l'ora anch'io di vederlo finito. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCiao Blanche! Cercherò di finirlo presto per te!
DeleteExcellent progress Jonquil and your John Knox house inspired tiles are just perfect in that fireplace. It's nice to see you back working on this.
ReplyDelete(Are the wedding plans all in place now?)
I have been away from blogger a while and to see so much lovely progress on your house is wonderful. The fireplace in the corner is a great solution to the space problem and looks really good. Love the blue and white in this room and I think it will look even better when you get the stonework done.
ReplyDelete