Friday 31 July 2015

'LAND'S END" - Living Room #HBS Denise kit

   blue hydrangeas by Fatima
I have nearly finished the Living room at Land's End
and here it is so far.
To get here though, meant that I first needed to tackle and finish the 
 FLOORS
Having already installed the floors on the left half of the cottage, I needed to finish the second half.  I used the same IRON- ON oak veneer strips that I had used previously.  This time however, I had to treat the wood 2 distinct ways for both the hall and the bedroom; the bathroom would be entirely different.  The planks for the hall floor ran in the same direction as those in the kitchen and I was able to get a rather close match to the original stain.
the new hall floor
 the bedroom floor
For the bedroom floor boards, I used less black chalk paint and less white wash which allowed for more of the brown to show through to the final finish.  A light application of liquid floor polish gave it just enough shine.  Notice that I chose not to stagger the floor boards as they will later be mostly concealed with the bed and an area rug. 
For the bathroom floor, I opted for CORK!  I bought a sheet of a large pebble- pattern cork from Michael's craft store.  It looked more interesting to me than the solid cork sheet that I had originally purchased from the dollar store.  
BONUS: Both the cheap sheets and this pricey one from Michael's were the same thickness as the wood veneer strips and thus level with the surrounding floor.   I cut the cork sheet to size and glued it into place and sealed it with "PUZZLE SAVER"
I reasoned that if it preserved cardboard jigsaw puzzles it should also work for sealing the cork.
.
 I had never used this product before but wanted to try it
because 
I wanted a Very HIGH SHINE.
I poured it on and smoothed it out with the spatula
I let it dry overnight, sanded lightly then applied a second coat of the PUZZLE SAVER and let that cure too.
Lastly I lightly sanded the floor again with a fine grit sandpaper, wiped it down and that was it!  It is both practical and durable for this beach cottage bathroom and I am quite pleased with the end results.
Two Thumbs Up! 
Here's what all of the empty floors look like.
Time now for rebuilding the living room and rethinking the floor plan.
 This house is 2 rooms deep.  Placing the front door at the front opening, ( my original idea) would make it even DEEPER.  I would like to eventually add a deck or garden and that would later make it quite difficult to properly display in my compact Real Life Studio.  

 My solution was to remove the side window and change IT to the front door.   
I shall make a removable fourth wall which will entirely enclose the front of the cottage. I'll install two sash windows in the fourth wall so that you can still see staight through and into the kitchen.  
the old side window idea

and the new Front door position.
Once I committed to this plan, everything else about the room began to make more sense
AND  
I found that the house stopped fighting me and Actually began to cooperate! 
whoohoo!!!

I then turned my attention towards the fireplace and that over-sized mantle that had also been driving me crazy! 


Not only was the mantle too wide
(which left little usable space on either side of it)

 but it also protruded too far into the room. 
A tight, awkward and unusable corner due to the over-sized mantle.
The old mantle was easy to snap off.  I made a new
VERY Simple and decidedly PLAIN 
replacement, which I liked a lot better.
Right
That's done!  

Back to the other side of the room again and into the PORTHOLE
an idea that I had mentioned in my previous post.
Originally I was going to make Three but
cutting circles is not much fun.
And after doing ONE I had had enough!
I used wall patch to line the inside of the cutout; sanded, then painted the inside with an acrylic paint and let it dry.
I had some left over puck lights from my Real Life kitchen and the photo below is what they looked like with their original trim.


I used the frosted glass insert which fit nicely inside the opening.  I then glued the brass picture frame over the opening on both sides of the wall.

Here's the finished porthole on the living room side. 
and with only the light on in the bedroom, you can see how atmospheric this window appears; 
it looks like the moon - so Coool!
 

And since I am still on this side of the room, I should mention the rustic vertical wood beam that I also decided to install.  It divides the space and defines the porthole section of this wall.  This support beam also came in handy for hanging and displaying Nautical gear as you can see from the photos above.
Works for me.

Okay, Everybody back to the fireplace again....
and the Wall Sconces
I had a pair in my stash which had possibilities. 
I could have left them "AS IS" but  NOOOOOO!!!!!
I was determined to change them.
Janine had given me some novelty Baby Shower tokens that she had picked up at the dollar store.  She was going to transform hers into canning jars as they are already hollow on the bottom.
I decided to use mine for lamp shades. 

I sawed off the cap with a razor saw and filed the cut edge smooth.  I glued the inverted glass onto the brass sconces with Quick Grip glue and Voila!

And as I waited for the glue to set, I made a shelf for the dead space above the mirror and the wall lamps.
More room for storage and display.
pretty good
but now I wished to change the color of the sconces.

So first I applied a coat of Matte Varnish to dull the shine of the gold metal.
Then I brushed on a Second coat of Revlon's (Bronze-look)
#100 Enthrall to darken the gold metal


After the polish was dry, I gave it a third coat of the Matte Varnish to dull the shine of the dark enamel as well as age it.

From dark and shiny to

Dark and dull
Much Better!
The wires were threaded through the foam core over-mantle and then again, through to the outside wall.  They will eventually be hidden by the exterior chimney and the shingle siding.  However none of the electrical is hooked up yet.
That part comes along much later.
Meanwhile it's time to load up the new shelf
 with lots of patriotic red, white and blue
and it's
Mission Accomplished!

Back again to the sofa wall
I don't have a "before" photo of this sofa that Janine surprised me with when we were at the 2015 Seattle Show last March, but as you can see it has a very high back which looks 
very New England-ish.  The original skirt it wore had a wide, single navy blue velvet band with a very short, stiff, and formal organza ruffle which really didn't work for me.  I removed the sheer skirt and replaced it with a canvas string fringe and added narrow double ribbon borders; which visually is more relaxed and effectively anchors the sofa to the floor. 
and of course the cat likes it too! :D

Margaret Taylor's floral cushion is tucked comfortably in the corner. 
Fatima's over-stuffed beach tote sits patiently waiting next to the sofa
Nautical gear hangs at the ready on the beam.
A play is in the process of being typed with a cold glass of lemonade to sip between breaks.
Cute cork wedgies have been kicked off under the table, 
these shoes were another great gift from
Linda Park? 

Whoops!  a correction
Janine brought these back from Australia and I believe that they came from the Brisbane Miniature Show which she attended.  I thought they were from Linda but she says "no".
The label inside the shoe says "Tiny Finery" and they ARE!
 An active and busy wall in a very relaxed room which has been filled with all kinds of interesting items both practical and amusing.  
                           And there you have it!
   


The end of this post
Till we meet again.... 
but next time - in the kitchen!

elizabeth

69 comments:

  1. Bonito y acogedor. Gracias por las explicaciones.

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    1. Good Morning Isabel! Thank you for enjoying this post and for enjoying the living room! :D I Was trying to achieve a "Nice and Cosy" atmosphere and I am Very Happy that you think that I have been successful at it. :D

      elizabeth

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  2. Fun watching your process, /elizabeth--it ALWAYS is! The final result is gorgeous and atmospheric too. So cool! xo Jennifer

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    1. Good Morning Jennifer! Thank you for sticking with me through "the Process"!:D Usually the final results are as much of a surprise to me as they are to everyone else! hahahha I could take all of the credit and say, "I MEANT to do this" but that happens only occasionally.
      But I'm happy with the atmosphere too! :D

      elizabeth

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  3. Hi Elizabeth! Where do you get all your energy? I got tired just reading about everything you have accomplished since your last post. Unbelievable! I adore how you have put together this little living room. Love the shelves you built and filled with all sorts of knick knacks. Also how you arranged everything on the mantel shelf. Last, I am in love with that sofa Janine gave you. It's so unique. I have never seen one like it. I love that fringe you installed on it and how you rearranged all the cushions. You have such a decorating knack. Truly, you make everything come alive! I can't wait to see what you will do in the kitchen. Oh, yes, you certainly have an enviable collection of little pieces to work with!

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    1. Good Morning Lucille! I know that I had everyone Dashing back and Forth from one side of the room to the other but think of it as your Exercise for the day and I'll wait until you catch your breath! :))
      I am so glad that you like the bookshelves as they were inspired by the Beautiful shelves that Bruce constructed for Janine's French House living room. I will be up-grading some of the books to some that I shared with all the Miniteers but that project will be a bit down the road.
      The sofa was one that I had been eyeballing for the 2 days when we were in Seattle. I picked it up and put it down so many times. When I finally made up my mind to get it, it was gone! I was disappointed however I took it on the chin. After the show, Janine handed me a parcel and in it was THE SOFA! It was an emotional experience then and even now as I write this.
      I am so glad that you like the new fringed skirt, Lucille. I like it too and I feel that I have featured this lovely sofa in a room where it can now truly feel at home! :D

      elizabeth

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  4. Dear Elizabeth....I am in AWE of your abilities!!! You take such simple things and transform them into incredible pieces! Those sconces are just Awesome! And to think they are made from little faux baby bottles! (I have those and never would have thought to do that to them!) and nail polish to change the metal tone!!! And the Porthole window....Brilliant! Only one is needed (who needs Three moons after all?) and it provides a unique point of interest in this busy little room. Your decision to move the door is Perfect... but who would have thought that it would make such a difference? It might be motivated by the practical aspects of ultimate storage space... but it adds so much to the layout... and it transforms the visual and spacial flow of the room. It actually makes the room feel Less narrow! And that "random" post in the middle of the wall???? THAT takes Nerve! It is so unexpected.... and SO True to old re-vamped cottages.... You probably couldn't have come up with anything else that could make such a statement with so little use of valuable square inches! WOW! I am sure you are only just beginning to get going with your genius transformations... so I eagerly await the next installment of Land's End! I learn So much just by seeing your "trial and error" process! Thank you for sharing so much of your methods!!!

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    1. Good Morning Betsy! You know I had looked and looked at the packages of those faux baby bottle whenever I was at the dollar store and NEVER knew what I could do with them so I took a pass. Janine gave me 2 and suddenly I knew what to do; ... Go figure?
      The porthole window was more of a challenge than I thought but the glass insert was what I like the best! I did one because like you've said " Who needs 3 Moons?" hahahaha
      I am Very Pleased with the new position of the door since it will give the transition of the high wood paneling on the sofa wall, and the (yet to be made) front wall, an easier end point. The paneling on the fireplace wall I deliberately made lower so the door will allow an easier segue between the walls.
      You are Soooo Right in that this IS a Very Narrow looking room which is emphasized even more by those 2 tall flanking bookshelves. I am going to have to address that ascetic, but meanwhile the "Random Post" saved the day! It broke up the tunnel wall, gave me storage, and contained the porthole.
      As well as toned down the stark white woodwork. You could say that I am like a cat in Catnip because I - LOVE THAT BEAM!
      and I am DELIGHTED that YOU do too! :D

      elizabeth

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  5. Wow! I love all the details. I'm ready to head to the beach.:-)

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    1. Good Morning De! Thank You Very Much and I am glad this inspires you to want to head the beach! :D The weather here on the West Coast of Canada has been experiencing A DROUGHT of all things! There are MANY, ( who like you), want to head to the water whenever possible! :))

      elizabeth

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  6. Elizabeth, you've done it again! You have very gifted fingers, all that they create is beautiful. Lovely room, welcomes the viewer to stroll in and sit and relax.

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    1. Gooday Susan and Thank You! :D You couldn't have paid me any higher compliment than that! I certainly want everyone who visits to feel "Welcomed and Relaxed".
      You know, this was such a huge leap away from my victorian cottage that this house felt foreign to me for the longest time. I felt like a stranger when I worked on it. I am so relieved now that I am over that hump and that I can sit and relax in it too! :D

      elizabeth

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  7. This is just too awesome! The typewriter accent. The fabulous porthole! Too perfect! The over mantle, The sofa! It feels so lived in with the shoes and beach bag! I can't wait to fool a non-mini person into thinking it is a 1:1 room! Then watching their reaction when they find out it is a mini!! LOL

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    1. Good Afternoon Grandmommy! Thank You Very Much for your comment about this living room feeling "Lived In"! That is always the goal for me and most of my work is based upon how I Would live in the miniature space IF I were small. Many of the accessories that you have mentioned were PERFECT contributions from some of my very dear friends! And That I believe is what makes any room feel "lived in", in the end :))

      elizabeth

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  8. Oh my gosh lady! This is beautiful! I love how you take something that looked good already and kick it up a notch to the ridiculously awesome! I want to move it, drink some wine and watch Netflix. It looks so comfortable and warm.

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    1. Good Afternoon Kat! Thank You and I am So Happy that you like it!!! :))
      It is really encouraging to have such Positive Feedback from so many. This kit has not been the most co-operative and there have been a number of times I wanted to just give up and leave it. Most of the trouble stemming from my measuring incorrectly. >< That will ALWAYS be my personal load to bear, but I feel that I have gotten over the biggest obstacle after installing the living room wall under that curved center rib. The rest from here on, should be Smooth Sailing.
      You are Most Welcome to come aboard any time Kat, and I will have some wine poured, ready and waiting for when you next visit- I PROMISE! :D

      elizabeth

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  9. Hello, Elizabeth,
    I'm amazed at how many beautiful things you've created in a very short time. The wall sconces are a masterpiece of innovation; I'm SO impressed with that transformation. I love the old beam with the nautical accessories, and of course I knew that the porthole window would be perfect. You have a rare gift for seeing something wonderful where there's hardly anything to be seen and performing magic so that the rest of us can share your vision. I'm so glad you're sharing the vision of Land's End.
    Marjorie

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    1. Good Afternoon Marjorie! I too, am Very Pleased about how well the wall sconce turned out. It was a challenge painting them AFTER they were installed and so I wish I had thought to do it Beforehand which would have made it easier, but my brain is often slow. I know that you had liked the porthole idea when I originally mentioned it, so it is a good feeling that you are pleased with the outcome, and that you love the old beam installation as well! With your French Farmhouse project, I know that there are Old Beams Aplenty within your structure. They are so tactile aren't they? And they add so much character, which is what I think you and I enjoy the most! :D

      elizabeth

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  10. Bonjour Elizabeth,
    J'aime cette "fin de la terre", de plus en plus. La patine des lampes, hublot ... est parfaite. Les sols, quelle bonne idée d'avoir utilisé le liège, sont très bien vieillis.
    Cette petite maison est vivante !
    Bisous. Bonne continuation ! Joce

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    1. Good Afternoon Joce! What a Beautiful way of translating the name "Land's End" to "End of the the Earth"! :D The picture that I have in mind is an never ending vista of the sea; an uninterrupted Horizon viewed from the safety of the shore! :))
      I am so Glad that you liked my cork floor. It was soooo easy and there are other applications for it as well, depending on the project. As I still have the dollar store cork sheets, I was considering making a cork bulletin board for the kitchen. At 99 cents for a 8 x12 inch package, it's a pretty good investment.:D

      elizabeth

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  11. I'm loving it as I do all of your amazing work. Your creativity is truly awesome. I'm afraid you may have mis-credited the cork/leather shoes. I think they may have been from Janine. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful tips. Can't wait to see the kitchen.So glad your MoJo came back!

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    1. Gooday Linda, and Thank You for not only your Nautical Contributions which I have big plans for, but also for jogging my memory about the cork wedgies. I recall that Janine brought them back after her trip from Australia, so I thought that they came from you. After reading your comment I then recalled that she was also at the Brisbane Miniature Show which is where she probably purchased them. So I shall make the corrections on my post accordingly. And HEY! Even though Mojo made a Brief return visit, I still had to do most of the work without him! Not Fair! :(
      Waiting patiently to see your NEW Ladies Boutique "Papillon" in the near future too! :D

      elizabeth

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  12. The room looks marvelous. You manage to create such warm, eclectic and cozy spaces.

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    1. Good Afternoon Keli! Thank You Very Much for such a lovely compliment. Personally I have always LOVED the "eclectic" look as well as "cosy spaces", so to have both of those ingredients in this room is quite Satisfying to my Soul! :D

      elizabeth

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  13. Hello Elizabeth! you have made gorgeous work! I admire new "old" floorings, I love this effect which you were able to get, it looks like real! And pictures with cat? these paintings, the blanket, even tiny lighthouse - all stuff which you put, formed one of the kind atmosphere..
    and fireplace - this mirror, the branches - you are Artist with great imagination. Thank you so much for sharing and the possibility the stay
    at this magic space. Warm hugs :-)

    Magda

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    1. Good Afternoon Magda! A Warm Hug back to you for all of your Beautiful Words! :D The making of the floors for the living room and kitchen, was an easy project that I made difficult the first time around. But installing the floors for the second half of the cottage was a BREEZE! These IRON-ON wood strips are quick and easy and the wood is thin enough to cut with scissors. If narrower planks were required the wood is easily adaptable AND
      it stays in place! :))
      I am Delighted that you are intrigued by the various accessories in this room. It took me a while to work out a decent combination so that there would be just enough collectables but not so many that the fireplace would be Swamped and Over-Crowded. The vase of branches on the mantle was MUST HAVE and everything else was arranged around it and the stuffed seagull under glass. That was definitely the Fun Part! :D

      elizabeth

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  14. The room is adorable! I love all the nautical items and just everything. Wish I could shrink and sit on the sofa!
    Greetings

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    1. Good Afternoon Kleine! I have a soft spot for Nautical paraphernalia and I have been collecting it for a long time. Some of what is here inside Land's End, came from my other semi-destroyed doll's house which (by the way) is still stored in my garage. So I needed a new home for what was able to salvage. It is interesting how moving an accessory from one place to another can make a world of difference to an environment and how a new sofa skirt can alter the character of a Formal Sofa to one that you feel you could flop into to read the paper. :))

      elizabeth

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  15. What a nice room !
    I admire all the details and especially the ground
    Congratulations, Elizabeth

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    1. Good Afternoon Claude! Thank You and I am so Pleased that you like the floors!
      It is always rewarding when something actually turns out well, given my general ignorance regarding wood and the treatment of it. hahaha
      This was probably the EASIEST floor that I have ever done and now that I have made it Twice, I think that I shall make more for any future projects that require simple hardwood flooring. What a Blessing Iron-on Veneer is - No Muss, No Fuss! :D

      elizabeth

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  16. Fantastic, stuffed full of interesting and wonderful things.

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    1. Hi Marilyn! "STUFFED" is Right! :)) As per my usual "method" I usually bring out Every single thing that I think could be a possibility and then proceed to Edit -Edit- Edit! And still after all of that, there is always more than enough left- over to look at, which makes me Very Happy that you have enjoyed! :D

      elizabeth

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  17. I really like the atmosphere in this beautiful room. The floor is perfect.

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    1. Thank You Faby! The floors were a DREAM COME TRUE! So easy to do the second time around and with minimum mistakes! :D

      elizabeth

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  18. It looks fantastic. I love what you did to the sconces adding the "glass" and blackening them. you always amaze me with your design talent and creativity.

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    1. Thanks Catherine! Adding the sconces was an idea I HAD, then Rejected only to later Re-considered. Remembering the baby bottles for the hurricane glass, was what made the difference as to whether or not to install them. I only wish that I had thought to paint them BEFORE rather than After, but thankfully I didn't get any of the polish on the white paint which is a MARVEL in and of itself! :D

      elizabeth

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  19. Ah...yes! You are the best! The cork floor...love! I think the wall sconces are fantastic..as you say dark and dull! But your work is never DULL! I can't believe how quickly you put this all together. Can you elaborate on the actual size of this structure? You have made it look absolutely huge when I know it is just a little space. Question,..an thee lobster trap be a crab trap? :-)
    The port holes are fantabulous! I absolutely love the couch and the throw with the wonderful carpet. How do you do it? I feel so inspired to come home and get going on #8 Victoria. Thank you my friend for being so kind and generous sharing your all your techniques, tricks and tips with us all.

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    1. HEY FATS!!! Good to hear from you my "Nautical Friend!" :D I am So Glad that you like the cork floor and the sconces.
      The actual size of the this cottage is approximately 20"X20" and close to 12" high, so it IS a rather big space to fill. In fact, the spaces always appear smaller when they are dead empty and once you begin filling them up and directing the movement of the eye, they will visually appear to feel Larger.
      Quite interesting how that works.
      Linda who made the trap said it was a Lobster trap but I didn't realize that there was difference between one for lobster and one for crab. I am an armchair sailor but you and/ or Janine would know far better than I. But now I shall google it up! :D
      I am looking forward to a get- together when you and J get back, and since we will be at your house, we will be able to play with your Garfield a.k.a. #8 Victoria once again.
      What Fun!!! :D

      elizabeth

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    2. Hi Again Fats! I googled up lobster and crab traps and the one that I have
      ( that Linda made for me) is Definitely a Lobster Trap. The crab traps that I saw pictured were mostly all rectangular, with flat tops and were primarily made of a metal mesh. Good to know! :)

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  20. You have been very busy... and it was once more fun to peek over your shoulder to see your progress. You've accomplished a lot since the last time and it's always interesting to learn about your how to's like seeling the cork floor or painting the lamps with nail varnish. The living room you've created looks great with all the well chosen details... and of course as if someone would have just left this room... maybe to get a snack from the kitchen... which we all would like to see very soon... ;O)

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. Greetings Birgit! Yes I Have been Very Busy! I have LOTS of catching up to do, and even though I am not participating in the contest, I would like to be done around the same time as the contest ends.
      I am so Pleased that you like the cork floor! I wanted something that was "Nautical" but something that would be quick and easy to install and
      it WAS! :D
      And YES Birgit, someone DID just leave to get up "to get a snack from the kitchen"... How Did You Ever Guess?! ;D

      elizabeth

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  21. ¡Como me gusta todo lo que haces! Tus suelos son maravillosos, y cada rincón de la casa tiene calidez y vida.
    Volveré a visitarte y aprender de ti.
    Besos

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    1. Good Evening Victoria! Thank You for enjoying the transformation of this Beach cottage and for saying that it is filled with "Warmth and Life"! What a Beautiful and Generous compliment! That is exactly what I aspire to achieve in all of my work but it is Most Gratifying to have you say so. :D

      elizabeth

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  22. Wow! Elizabeth, I've get out of words...

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    1. Good Evening Monica! Thank You for your "Wow" as it is Very Encouraging to see! I don't always feel entirely confident about what I do, but I am Always Pleased if it resonates with the viewers! :D

      elizabeth

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  23. Magnifique pièce Elizabeth, j'aime particulièrement l'idée du hublot. Merci pour le truc du verni sur le métal brillant,je n'y aurais jamais pensé.

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    1. Good Evening Jean-Claude! Thank you for your Compliment and I am Stoked that you like the porthole window! :D Cutting the circle was tricky but after I inserted the glass and the brass ring, I LOVED the effect and feel that it was certainly worth the effort. :))

      elizabeth

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  24. Hello Elizabeth, such a warm, cosy and very interesting room this is! I love it. It's just somewhere you'd love to settle down in after a loooong day! Brilliant work.
    All the best
    Vivian

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    1. Hi Vivian and Thank You Very Much! This room challenged me from the beginning and it was a bit of a contest of wills for a while. It is such a Relief to have discovered a DIRECTION that was agreeable to both me and the cottage, and that if feels "Warm and Cosy and Interesting" - AT LAST! :D

      elizabeth

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  25. The jigsaw saver is a fantastic. I'll store that in my memory bank for the next time I'm laying a porous surface. Love the porthole and the nail polish idea is a fabulous tip. The whole room looks wonderful. So much detail and so many minis to look at =0)

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    1. Good Evening Pepper! The jigsaw PUZZLE SAVER was a unexpected BONUS. Unlike the Triple Thick which I was going to use, this product is thin, comes with an applicator in the cap, dries glossy, and cleans up with water! Whoohooo! :))
      The Revlon Matt Varnish is something that I like to have on hand but the BEST version is by CHANEL however the price is then doubled! :/ Even so I am Pleased as Punch that you like these tips! Isn't it GRAND what we can learn from each other? I feel on Top of the World when I can squirrel away a tidbit from someone's blog and the wonder of it is that people are ALWAYS inventing New ways to do things, which more often than not, leave me -
      Gob-Smacked! :D

      elizabeth

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  26. Привет Элизабет! Я люблю море... Я уже чувствую соленый воздух...
    Вы правильно сделали что добавили бахрому на низ дивана. Кошка будет играть с бахромой. Диван будет спасен! :) :) :) Я думаю, что она уже не будет царапать диван. :) :) :)
    Я люблю такую атмосферу. Кошка мурлыкает довольная, волны шуршат за окном. Пишущая машинка отвечает взаимопониманием таланту. Холодный лимонад всегда под рукой! Это мечта...
    Я люблю ваше решение с дверью и окном. Затуманенное стекло дает волю фантазии. Море за окном, парусник качается на волнах.
    Вы очень творческая и талантливая леди. Я люблю читать ваши сообщения и рассматривать замечательные фотографии!
    Татьяна

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    1. Good Evening Tatiana! I had to smile when you mentioned the fringe on the sofa AND the cat! I recall that my Real Life cat Lily, used to stretch out and dig her claws into the furniture, and I can imagine that this little minx, will try and do the same. :(( However my Greater concern was a mini Vacuum Cleaner and that fringe!!!! I may have to insist on only a Broom for the house - just to be on the safe side! hahaha
      I too LOVE the sea Tatiana, And the smell of the salt air.
      I was looking to make the interior of the cottage feel somewhat like the cabins in a boat and the porthole helped because although I am not comfortable IN the sea, I certainly enjoy pretending that I am ON it! :))

      elizabeth

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  27. This is a fantastic and cosy room. The sofa looks so inviting and I love all the details, especially the ones on the shelf above the fireplace. What an excellent idea to put the hydrangeas in the fire place.
    Geneviève

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    1. Good Evening Genevieve! Thank You Very Much for your Most Welcomed compliments because as you know, I have been a Big Fan of your French Seaside Cottage for a Very Long Time! :D
      Stocking the upper shelf above the fireplace was FUN! and it took a lot less time than dressing the mantle.
      The Blue Hydrangeas were made by FATIMA and I knew almost immediately that they would be displayed inside the fireplace. I LOVE them and the color is SPOT ON! To me they convey Summertime and Sunshine and help to bring the garden, indoors. I am hoping to have her make me some more for the kitchen,after she returns from her sailing trip. I think that her flowers really add to the relaxed atmosphere of the cottage. :))

      elizabeth

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  28. Hi Elizabeth, I just love your posts, you pack so much into them. Your room looks so realistic and `lived- in` and I loved what you did to the wall sconces. I can`t wait to see what you do in the kitchen. Jayne.

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    1. Good Evening Jayne! Thank you for enjoying my posts and for your Compliments about their content! I'm sometimes fear full that they are too long , but with this one I really tried to condense it down to its essentials. :))
      Thank you for enjoying the "lived-in" look! I am not a formal person and so I enjoy making my mini folks live just like I do! :))
      Currently working on the kitchen and although I have a good idea of how I want the space to look, the end results will no doubt be a Big Surprise to Me too;
      and I can't wait either! :D

      elizabeth

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  29. I enjoy following your brainwaves Elizabeth and seeing how you make them happen, the room is looking fabulous, so much character. Oh and thanks for the mention, my little pillow is certainly feeling honoured to be making an appearance in your stunning decor.

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    1. Hi Margaret! I am So Very Pleased that you enjoy seeing how everything happens here in my brain (heehee) and so I am sure that you have noticed how your little cushion has been making the rounds, first at Green Dolphin Street and now here too! However, having sited it at different locations, I do believe that it likes it here BEST!.... and so this is where it is going to stay. :D

      elizabeth

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  30. Good morning Lady Elizabeth,
    You never cease to amaze me! The living room is fantastic. I just love the new location for the door. How great to come in out of the rain or the cold and just stand by that new an improved fireplace to warm up. Great call on the fireplace. square inchage is at a premium and you really have made the most of it. More importantly the room does not suffer from the smaller mantel...it really looks perfect. I think you are now ready to attack parquet floors! They came out just beautiful. The finish is so rich. I love it. speaking of love, the cork board is a triumph. It looks awesome. The porthole is a great touch and very appropriate to the cottage, but I must say, of all the detail, the sconces you redid are amazing. The new finish is perfect and rich and the glass shades are fantastic. I really love this project!
    Keep up the amazing work my friend, you inspire me every time.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Good Afternoon Sir Giac! What a lovely bouquet of compliments you have given me- Thank You my friend! :))
      The wall sconces turned out pretty good considering that I had to paint them After I had attached them to the wall. I was deathly afraid of getting the nail varnish on the white paint which (praise God) didn't happen. Whew! The hurricane "glass" shades was a project that made me VERY HAPPY and I am so glad that you like them too! :))
      But I think that I shall take a PASS and let YOU retain the title of KING OF THE PARQUET FLOORS. I know that not only do I Not possess the patience for such precision work, but I like RUGS on my floors and so much of the effort would be lost.
      A Big Hug Back Giac!

      elizabeth :D

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  31. Your perfect little details always make your spaces exquisite! I mean look at those little shoes placed exactly as if someone had been there or the phone set as though someone had just finished a phone call. Everything is always placed exactly where and how it should be. I can't wait to see the kitchen. It's the room I love to watch you make the absolute most!!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. Hi there Caroline! Thank You for this Wonderful comment and for noting those specific details of the phone and the shoes! As a rule, I like stuff up off the floor but when I went to place the phone on the end table, it just didn't look as good as it did atop of the books, so back down it went. :))
      I am excited about doing the kitchen as it will be bigger than the English cottage kitchen and of course more modern. I have been researching your blog tutorial on making your vintage stoves. I have had two failed tries already but hoping for the 3rd time lucky.
      Still Keeping my hopes high! :D

      elizabeth

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  32. Upeita muutoksia! Sinulla on hyviä ideoita ja intoa toteuttaa ne taidolla. Sohva on ihana ja koko huone todella kodikas.

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  33. Good Afternoon Merja! Thank you for the vote of confidence in my "ideas and confidence regarding implementing them" :D It often takes me awhile to get all of my ideas to gel and take a solid form. And of course you are viewing the end product AFTER a whole lot of angst that preceded it! hahaha :D But I'm Very Happy that you like the results.))

    elizabeth

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  34. How many wonderful details! Cork board and parquet floor are great,
    I like the nautical accessories, and the porthole window is fantastic!
    Moving the door was brillant decision.
    Your creativity is awesome...

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  35. Good Afternoon Nono! Thank you so Very Much for approving of the changes inside the Living room! :)) I am quite pleased with the way the floors turned out too and the porthole window adds to the Nautical atmosphere and I am Very Happy that you like that feature as well!
    The decision to move the door was THE SOLUTION to most of my other problems when it came to advancing on this project and I can't begin to tell you how much easier everything else has now become based solely on re-locating that Front Door! :D
    So Thank You for your Most Welcomed Encouragement!!! :D

    elizabeth
    and I would like to add, just how much I have enjoyed every single one of "The Details" of your mini Doctor's Office. I hope that you took some photos of him receiving his retirement gift from you? and What a Beautiful thing for you to do!!!! :D

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  36. I just love that mirror - I've not seen one like that in mini before and would you believe it, I too had been thinking of ways to create a mat and came up with cork (I had some self-adhesive stuff in my stash) and here it is too in your lovely little hallway. I didn't think of sealing it though, so thanks for that little tip!

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  37. Hi Irene! Thank You! :)) I am so glad that you like the mirror, because I do too! I felt that I needed one for over this mantle and auditioned several different styles and shapes. I hesitated about removing this one from the top of an old victorian dresser unit which I filched it from, but I since the dresser has been in my stash for decades, I figured that at least half of it could finally make an appearance! :D
    I think that Great Minds must have thought alike when it comes to cork floors. :)) I thought cork would be appropriate for a beach cottage and now I am Very Curious as to where you have installed yours, so I'll be right over!!!! :D

    elizabeth

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DO OVERS! a Glencroft Living room redecoration

    Back in April of 2022, I made up a storyline for my Glencroft renovations, which went something like this...   "After due considera...