New Cricut Maker 3

I decided it was high time to step into the tech world with my miniatures. My attempts at making an arched ceiling beam for my vaulted ceilings from basswood sheets for the Chateau haven't been going well. My dear husband stepped in and made a much better version using basswood strips and a pre-shaped arch I found. These took him hours and are much more uniform than my attempts. I sanded and painted them...and was getting ready to install in my kitchen. 

Not too fast...the wallpaper in the kitchen just wasn't cutting it, and the flooring lacked umph. I found some fabulous tile paper from Les Chinoiserie that was originally for a bathroom and it was calling me to use it in the kitchen. So I got that applied to a base and then found another Les Chinoiserie paper for the walls...and I'm in love! 

Now to get back to the arches, well it hit me...Cricut can cut thin basswood. We had actually thought about it a few months ago when hubby was doing the 2nd version using basswood strips. Bit the bullet and got it last week. We spent the week on and off, he did the SVG, and then I did some test projects learning Design Space and using the Cricut to cut them. We did a trial on paper, then on cardstock veneer, and then finally on the 1/16" basswood. I'm doing the happy dance!

Here's the floor, wallpaper, and the old arch beam - while I consider the choices...before:

Now the paper is installed, and the flooring laid (I'm really grooving on it!)

First test of the basswood. 

This is when I realize the bottom horizontal is all the way across, unlike the original design. Still....I love it! This is only 1 thickness, and the idea is I will glue 3 of the 1/16" pieces together. 

Final version - and I'm now printing 3 on a 24" sheet. Just ordered more wood. I also decided that I will do the same arches in the other wing - the conservatory. 

Chateau Kitchen Update

It felt like the countertops on the cabinets were too similar a repeat, and more grey than I liked. I touched them up and they are warmer looking. This is how the countertops looked - this corner one was more obvious with the repeat than the others but I toned it down and stippled some beiges and creams.

I finally decided on the neutral wallpaper and got that installed. I have been working on the ceiling beams and its clear that what is throwing me off is one side where the ceiling starts is higher than the other. I've attached the ceiling more permanently and fixed the spot where the wall met the ceiling - so that entire wall is now the same surface. 

The embossed border I bought is also now up, and I had to add a strip of wood on the side that opens to make both wall heights the same. And I framed out the window! 

The ceiling beams have an arch, and I won't go into all the challenges I faced doing it. Let's just say that balsa wood was the way to go - soft enough to trace and cut an arch of sorts. I'm in the process of painting them, and may need to fiddle a bit with them to get at least the right side to snug up to the ceiling. 

The ceiling lights I selected are Ray Storey - I got this one for the 2nd floor landing, but it's much larger than I expected, so I got a 2nd one and will be hanging them in the kitchen. 

Chateau updates

 Since January 3rd, I've done some minor work on the Chateau. 

I decided to gild the doorcases I got from Sue Cook. They look very nice - helps when you have a tiny brush! 

The front door had a plain brass door knocker and that couldn't stand. I got the lion one I had been pining for and then located a door knob set at a hobby shop. They do bring a bit more class to the door.

I touched up the roof of the bay windows, copper antiqued. As I look at the last picture, I may go back over it with a bit more copper - its a bit dark. I started with a brownish base, went over it with some antique metallic copper, and then did a black wash over that. 

I've been thinking about my kitchen vaulted ceiling and was playing around with some things. Still not settled on what I will do.

French Country Kitchen

Finally am moving to complete the kitchen! I have not had a true plan for the cabinets, and have several from M&R Miniatures that are waiting for me to finish and place. 

Time to finish the ceiling beams (to match the ones I have in the other wing - the library) and crown molding there. These are now done and I'm working on furniture and cabinet placement. I also need to decide on lighting and purchase/install them. 

Here's some photos from most recent to several days ago as I pondered placement.

Here's my inspiration, from a customized French Country Manor. Of course mine will not have that fancy crown and ceiling roses as I have beams. 

Study

The study floor got ruined when I tried to add a second coat of stain, so back to square one. I have had success with Brodnax parquet so I went that route. It turned out very nice, almost too shiny. 

Here you can also see the ceiling beams I put up, and baseboard I've cut. I decided white was too white for this room, so I went with a tan color. 

This picture shows the beams and crown and they are painted tan. You can see the lights I temporarily placed to get a sense of what the finished look will be.