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Monday, October 28, 2013

Champagne Taste -- Beer Budget

Now that there is a coat of gesso up, it's starting to look a little more like an 18th-century salon and a little less like a log cabin (Not that there is anything wrong with a log cabin)!  Gesso is a mixture of paint and glue and is what artists use to prime their canvases. I keep a large jug of the stuff to fill cracks and use a spray version of it to give the walls a nice, clean coat.
 The spray gesso is great because it goes on in thin coats so there are no brush strokes to sand down. It also dries really fast! It gives a nice 'tooth' for the paint to adhere to.
Here's a shot (above) of the 'hallway' which you will only get a glimpse of through the door. The 'frame' of the room box will cover the open space in front.  I am building a stair to fit toward the back of the hall, where an unseen light source will (hopefully) pour down the stair and illuminate the room through the doorways and of course through the windows, too.
Still a few gaps to fill here and there...The floors are mainly down, as well! 
Here we have a fresh coat of paint up!  It's a lovely cream color and I'm highlighting some of the moldings in white.  I'm trying to keep things a bit neutral because I would like to sell this piece on Etsy or Ebay, or something. I have bought, but never sold anything through these sites so if you have any tips for me, please let me know!  If you are reading this and might be interrested in purchasing the roombox --there's still time to 'customize' the space anyway you wish.  Nothing is glued down, yet, so I could even yank out the walls and paint them in any color you so desire!
This would be a gorgeous backdrop for your collection of beautiful furniture. The room could be set up as a drawing room, a dining room --anything your mini-loving heart desired!

I decided that my true love is in designing and making the backdrops. The furnishing/decorating is fun --but too expensive for me!  A room like this should have some artisan-quality furniture and accessories in it.  Of course, I would be more than happy to act as your decorator, too...
I've been adding little embellishments to the doorways in the form of masks and swags.
  Let me know if you  (or someone you know) is looking for some prime, 18th-century real estate!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

30 comments:

Catherine said...[Reply]

WOW! It sure is prime real estate! john it is a beautiful room. I am sure you will have not trouble selling it.
True enough...Miniatures can be expensive but taste can hide what ever is lacking in $$$. You have loads of that.

Gee said...[Reply]

hi John!
I just flipped over to the last post and what a difference these pictures make! Liked the wood color in the last ones very much but now the whole room has a beautiful serenity.
Indeed a room suitable for all kinds of purpose.
It would just be super fun if you'd get the opportunity to decorate the room with furniture etc. too!!
The buyer is such a lucky bird.
Hugs,
Gee

The Old Maid said...[Reply]

It's looking good already! Can't wait to see more. If you are really desided to sell it then I am keeping my fingers crossed for it. But who knows? Maybe you will change your mind and keep it...?
Big hug

elizabeth s said...[Reply]

Hi John! I love the way that this room is developing and your tip about the spray gesso is a good one to know! I think that you have such a flair for the elegant and the refined and YOU do it sooo well! I can only just sit in the 'cheap seats' and watch with great excitement and anticipation, the Beautiful and Dramatic transformations that you perform on each of your miniature projects!
Bravo! on this already "Centre Stage" room!

elizabeth

Margaret said...[Reply]

Hi John, I had a great idea, what if you listed it like it is now on etsy for example, determine a price and you may have buyers who would love to have this room tailored to their taste, with you furnishing it for them, to an agreed budget. You could be like Mulvany and Rogers. Although you may already have some keen buyers, me included if only there were enough pennies were in the piggy, haha.

Iris March said...[Reply]

Hi John,

This room is so beautiful already. I love the way you do your mouldings. Thanks for mentioning gesso--I guess I will buy it by the tub also, and also spray gesso sounds like a great item.
Cheers,
Iris

Anna said...[Reply]

A little gesso goes a LONG way! As it is now, you could simply stain the floors, sparingly dab in some gold accents, and get away with calling it Louis XVI (but I bet it would look even better in full color)...

Anna said...[Reply]

P.S. There's an old French expression about stocking one's wine cellar: "Only the first bottle is expensive." Although I don't have a big budget for my projects (and I certainly don't have a wine cellar), I think the same way about them!

afairytalecometruewyrna said...[Reply]

Tastefully and lovely and a useful tips on gesso. I can not wait to see more.
If you really want to sell it, it will not be a problem. Is it a one performance that you want to sell?, you can, when the project is finished, make photo with price. We other blogger can take it on to our blog so that you reach out to so many people as possible.
Etsy and Ebay are fine places, it takes also time to be known ... if you want to continue to do projects like this and sell, then Etsy and Ebay are the one for your.
Hugs
Wyrna

Troy said...[Reply]

It does look great with a coat of paint. The saw horses are a great look too

miraclechicken said...[Reply]

Well this room is well on it's way to spectacular! I always love watching the progress--

burygardeners said...[Reply]

You only do gorgeous! Really beautiful. Like you I enjoy the build more than the dressing. I too suffer with champagne taste and beer pocket and that really impacts on how you can fill a project. Keep on keeping on ....

Ilona said...[Reply]

Hi John, what a difference a "bit" of gesso makes, wow! It is just a fairy tale: it all changed from a log cabin into a refined roombox, it looks great already! I know gesso, I use it too, but spray" gesso, I've never heard of this. Perhaps it is not available here? I hope you can find a buyer for this roombox, good luck!
Hugs, Ilona

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I cannot wait to see more! It has really transformed just with the paint. I think I'm most excited to see how all the lighting works and the views into the hallways.
All the best!
Kristine

Linda Carswell said...[Reply]

This is stunning, I so love watching this GORGEOUS room box evolve. I love this aspect of miniatures also.....I love working with 'timber' and making all the panelling etc.....so rewarding!!!! Then to sell it......not sure if I could, but I wish you well.

Fi.P said...[Reply]

Hello my lovely,

As usual very speedy progress, it's all looking very elegant which is no surprise at all.Love the idea of spray gesso, I need to get me some!!

Perfect idea to be selling your work on Etsy, you work to such a high standard anyone would be so fortunate to have your work and decorate till their hearts delight.

Big hugs,

XXXX

Plushpussycat said...[Reply]

It's gorgeous, John! What a great idea, focusing on the part you love the most and selling it. Yes!!! Anyone would be so fortunate to have one of your roomboxes. As you say, it would be an incredible backdrop for an amazing furniture collection. Thorne rooms, Thorne rooms! I can't get that phrase out of my head. :-) Gorgeous work! xo Jennifer

Andy said...[Reply]

Hello John,

What a great new project, sorry I have arrived so late into it! It looks great, the gesso gives the whole thing a really good finish, not that it looked like a 'log cabin' before at all!! Nice idea to light externally, look forward to seeing how that looks, would look more 'natural' perhaps?

If I had made the room box I wouldn't be able to part with it!! and I find I am the opposite, I find the building a bit frustrating and tiresome and love dressing and furnishing miniature scenes!! LOL

Love the floral tributes too! Divine!!!!

hugs
Andy xx

Marisa said...[Reply]

John
I love how you create something out of nothing, you are creating a work of art on the cheap so BRAVA my Dear *tosses rose petals your way* I know many have said it before but (we) I love to watch you work it's fantastic!?!

Hugs
Marisa

minifleur said...[Reply]

Hi John,
I am a little behind in commenting on your latest project's progress!
This looks like yet another elegant room!
There is definitely a market for finished rooms either filled or "ready to fill!" While their are many individuals who like to do it themselves, there is an equal number that don't enjoy it.
Talk soon,
Martha
XO

Daydreamer said...[Reply]

Hi John! Sorry I am so late over here to add my praise to your awesome roombox! (Things have been a little busy in my World!) I wish I had the money and the Room to keep your roombox! It is so beautifully elegant! But I am afraid I already have too many projects to even consider adding more.... Sigh... I also love the carpenters tools and the whole arrangement ... it feels so real! I want a RL house like that too! LOL!

Irene said...[Reply]

You HAVE been busy! I'm a bit late with comments but I love what you've done with this box.

Do you feel less angst now that you've narrowed down your preference for building?

Like Andy, I don't think I would be able to part with it either!

Karin Corbin said...[Reply]

You just got "tagged" on my blog. I dedicated a posting to your two fine gentlemen from Merriman Park who have refined taste.

Josje said...[Reply]

The room is looking gorgeous! I love all the detail you're putting in. The spray gesso is wonderful, it does unify all elements in one go.

I don't have any experience in selling on ebay or etsy, so I can't really help you there.

Maison Miniatures said...[Reply]

This room box is gorgeous, you will not have any trouble selling it..
looking forward to seeing the finished product..
Debby

Maison Miniatures said...[Reply]

This room box is gorgeous, you will sell it in no time..
Im looking forward to seeing the finished product..
Debby

Giac said...[Reply]

Hello John,
I just caught up on your posts. This room is going to be a show stopper. the structure itself and the architectural details are impeccable. Beautiful construction. I know you will find a collector who will love and cherish this room. Your skills as a miniaturist are really impressive.
I just purchased spray gesso and am glad to hear it works so well. I cannot wait to see the finished room. keep up the incredible work.
Big hug,
Giac

Debora said...[Reply]

I like the idea of using spray gesso, although i've never come across it. Good to know it's out there :)

Cos you've made excellent use of it; it all looks very opulent and rich! I love it!

Debora said...[Reply]

I like the idea of using spray gesso, although i've never come across it. Good to know it's out there :)

Cos you've made excellent use of it; it all looks very opulent and rich! I love it!

Tessa Liduina said...[Reply]

Thank you for the hint about "spray gesso". Your work is fabulous.