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 Accents

 I finished the back of needlepoint rug finally. I am mostly happy with how it turned out.

The kitchen is coming together. I've gotten some new plants and accessories. I am thinking about adding an architectural accent on the back of the cabinet. Maybe a floral garland or wreath. I have some in my stash, maybe put that on my to-do list.

I had a punch needle rug made for me by Debbie at Kurthwood Cottage and I'm in love with it! I added some accessories - a teddy bear, a cloth carry bag, wastebasket and kleenex. These I recently purchased from a trip to Rose's Dollhouse Shop in Wisconsin.

I snagged this beautiful hand-painted Dutch Baby House! And I bought another punchneedle rug at the recent Chicago Miniature show.

In the dining room and living room, I've been contemplating what to put over the fireplace. The challenge is that I'm limited to what fits between the sconces. I guess I didn't plan that out very well and allow a wide enough area. The Trumeau mirrors are from Alison Davies Miniatures and have potential to be done up with gold trim. 

I think I will put those Trumeau mirrors between the windows instead, like this. I'm going to work on painting them at some point.

There were some flowering bushes I got from Rose's and I think they look nice on the front porch. I may try to find squat wide pots to set them in, not sure.

Random photos in French Country

 What bedroom isn't complete without If you give a moose a muffin" or "cat in the hat" or a slinky?

Much happier with smaller newel posts on these railings. I also added the finishing baseboard and white trim to cover the spot between floors where wallpaper doesn't meet.

Potential picture, and will need to start filling the bookcase with all those books I made a couple years ago.

What do you think about the parsons chairs here?

Need to figure out what I want above the LR and DR fireplaces - I have some resin mantel frames...I should get them out to see if they work.

Kitchen from the actual front of house. Think I want to put some plants on top of the cabinets and have vines hanging down. Any other ideas? Maybe a picture? Would that look odd?

Interesting view.

I gave up on my idea of a shower curtain - I am terrible at hand-sewing, and this was silk, not easy to work with. I used a different silk as a test...I have the silk that is the fabric match for the wallpaper but am really not looking forward to trying it. I may try with a cotton to see if I get better results.

I am starting to think about draperies for this house. This rook would look good with beige silk that would blend and pull out the silk in the headboard. Something very simple - draperies and a cornice probably. Wouldn't have to worry about sewing rings like the dreaded shower curtain and could hide edges under a cornice.

Maybe light pink draperies for this room?

Living room and Dining room - something neutral - beige for draperies again?

Finished backing on needlepoint rug.