Sunday 14 January 2018

"You Can Leave Your Hat On!" - ballad of a Stove Hood



Inspiration can come from many different sources. 

As I was writing this blog, the theme song from the movie 
The Full Monty 
was looping through my head- hence the blog's title: 
"You Can Leave Your Hat On" 
In a way, it was an appropriate choice 
in that throughout the making of 
the STOVE HOOD
I kept putting things ON
only to 
                                   strip em off....

But once again, I am getting way ahead of my story.
so
Let me begin it this way

***
When working on the left side of Villa Leone's kitchen my original muse was a 

MINWORKS blogpost from several years ago.

 http://minworks.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2012-01-     09T10:48:00-08:00&max-results=7  

                                                 My friends
                      Janine and her hubby Bruce,

had produced a Fab Hall Lantern for her 
Award winning
French House, 
by gluing together

 2 night lights from the dollar store 
to form a single hanging fixture.  



Remembering what they had done, had me cruising the aisles of different dollar stores, 
looking more closely at what night lights had to offer.

Last year I stumbled across this one which I thought might one day make a pretty good stove hood. 

 It's shape of it reminded me of a hat.  
  
Funny thing is that what I both Liked and Disliked about the shade, was it's unique hat-like shape, however I didn't  want it to continue looking like a hat once it was installed in the kitchen.

But another reason that I thought the shade might work as a hood, was that the plastic was easy to drill through, and since it was already hollow, adding lights and hiding the wires inside it would be pretty easy. 
I was eager to try it out with my FANTASTIC- NEW-TOTALLY GORGEOUS 8 gas burners, double oven, MOLLY SUE MINIATURES 
ITALIAN STOVE. http://www.mollysueminiatures.com/


 I could see the potential of a beautiful relationship between the two, so I decided to proceed with the hood
 as planned.

  I would need a tiled wall behind the stove, 
so 
I dug through my 
"used- to- be-organized- but- is- now- really- messy" 
stash of building supplies, 
and located some leftover plastic embossed "tin tile" which I would paint and install beneath the hood.
I used an earlier tutorial of mine for painting these particular plastic tiles
"Big Tiles- try- try again"
http://studioeminiatures.blogspot.ca/2015/02/big-tiles-try-try-again.html

To widened the base of the hood I cut a rectangle of foam core board to equal the width of the stove, and glued 2 wooden corbels to the underside for supports. 
These I'd also found in my messy stash. 
 I cut some wood trim to bulk up the base, then tried it out with the doll "cooking" at the stove. 
UGG!
 What I had was a plastic hat with a wooden brim.  Clearly additional work was required. 
To make it look more interesting, I cut up a plastic picture frame to add some carving.  
It was very heavy- looking carving and Naturally, I thought I could "lighten it up" with Even MORE HEAVY CARVING


I kept on adding things: a lion head, a plastic circle,  rhinestones, and metal bits and more wood trim.
hmmm?
"maybe it will look better, once it's painted"  
Base coat on

then 2 finish coats of black acrylic paint.  


Hmmmm?
And although wouldn't admit it out loud,


 I thought it looked like 
a halloween witch hat, 
however,
 I persisted in the belief that I could fix it up
by adding still more to it.

I randomly brushed a gold nail polish over the black paint which gave the hood metallic highlights.
The general idea was to make it appear in harmony with  the brass trims on the Italian stove. 
However, no matter what I did
it still wasn't doing it for me.

This was THE Moment
 my career as 
A Stripper began. 

Off came the top!
to bad for me-
 the crowd WASN'T going wild


Perhaps once it is actually installed in the kitchen?...

*sigh*
so I was back to putting things on again


"BABY TURN ON THE LIGHTS-
ALLLL THE LIGHTS"
(lyrics from the song)

so I drilled two holes into the plastic bottom 
of the night light hood,
 then
I added two gold glass buttons I'd found in my stash.

I threaded the bulbs through the buttons,
 then gathered the wires into the hood, 
which were then fed through the kitchen wall 
and hooked up to the transformer.
At the back of the hood, I covered over the hole with filigree 

right where the shade would have attached to the night light bulb,  

this became the hood's Exhaust Fan. 

I tested the lights before gluing the hood to the wall 
The buttons make the lights HUGE! 

SCORE!
I remembered I had some brass strips and some brass doweling.
I cut the brass trims to fit the hood 

then glued them both in place. 
                      Then the tiles were glued to the wall. 
                    The hood was positioned above them.
I couldn't get a crisp a bend at the corners with the brass, but it still looked better than I'd expected. 
I was stoked about both the brass and the tiles. 
The copper fry pan was a Christmas gift from Linda Park!
and since I'd made hooks for utensil bar,
 I was able to hang up her pan right away and 
 LOved it!
Linda emailed me, asking about how things in the kitchen were progressing. 
I had been on a roll- 
 I had already done a lot-
and I liked it a lot - well mostly 

BUT I WAS STILL NOT LIKING THE Top of the HOOD!

To me
My dollar store night light still resembled 
a hat-
specifically-

a tall Top Hat wearing a lot of brass!
Interest in the kitchen, suddenly "bumped and grind"  to to a halt. 
I felt like slinking off stage.  
In my frustration, I was going give up on the kitchen and go to work on the second floor of the villa instead, since nothing I did; helped, and I could no longer pretend to like- THE HAT!  
However, working on the second floor of the villa meant working on the second floor staircase- Arrgggh!!!
nooooo, I'm not ready for that yet either! 

So, I put on my thinking cap  to try and come up with an viable solution; because having glued the hood to the wall, I had no other choice but to leave the hat on.   
 Then a light switched on!... I had an idea
What if- I lowered the ceiling height to hide the hat? 
i.e.  like a burlesque FAN DANCER, it's still behind there, but you just can't see it
  
I tried out a section of wood across the top of the hood to see if it would work and what it would look like. 
"YES-I think that I could live with this"
           but first I had to pry off that lion medallion


  Sudden Exposure-
(you can see it's undies!)

then
I made second hat 
to cover the first hat
I cut a length of foam insulation to span
the width of the wall, which I then covered with 
wallpapered cardstock on the narrow front face 
as well as on the underside. 
Then the new hat was glued in place 
right over the old black hoodie. 
I added the ceiling beams for a little Venetian character
and permanently affixed the lantern to the ceiling.

To finish off the top of the hood, I cut 2 strips of self-stick gold ribbon, doubled up, and glued them to the top of the hood to form a thick band to cover the gap at the cut out.

I chose to use ribbon because it was flexible and would easily conform to the contours of the hood AND because I had lots of it, therefore, IF I made a mistake, 
which I usually do; 
I could try again. 

This gold lame ribbon has a fuzzy texture like velcro
I applied the first of 2 layers

I used my finger to smear a layer of drywall putty over the surface of the gold ribbon which I had painted black. 

I smoothed drywall putty over the ribbon and let it dry. 

I cleaned off the overage and waited until the putty had set.
When it was dry to the touch, I painted it again with black acrylic paints. 


 then highlighted it with more gold nail polish.
FINALLY!!!! 
                   Everything was Looking good! 
The crowd was going wild!!!
Ta Dah!
With the new dropped ceiling over the stove,
 the rest of the kitchen
became fun to play with again.

In the photos above and below,  you can see that
I've placed the sewing box which I won last year as part of a multi- Giveaway from Pepper's
MitchyMoo Miniatures blogspot
https://mitchymoominiatures.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2017-04-16T16:47:00%2B02:00&max-results=20&start=12&by-date=false

I'm treating it in the kitchen as a Spice Box. 



Here's a view of both sides of Leone's kitchen


Cannelloni! 
Sauteed mushrooms in butter
Irina Miniatures
                                     https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Irinaminiatures




I LOVE cooking on my new Italian stove

and 
Oh, by the way-
would you like to stay for dinner?

YES?!


 Well then,
"take off your coat" 
but...

                            
 I think You know the rest



and thus ends my brief career as a Stripper.
rated "G" for all audiences 

take it away Tom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwvJAobeqlA




elizabeth

        






134 comments:

  1. OMG! It looks fantastic. I knew you would do it! What a stroke of genius to lower the ceiling. You have such a good eye and know just how things "should" look to suit the atmosphere of the Villa. You'll be inundated with friends wanting to come to dinner, cooked so lovingly on your new Italian stove. Well done.
    Hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank YOU Linda! :D
    I hoped that it would be successful- heaven knows that I tried enough
    times to make it work but hearing it from you certainly gives me more
    Confidence and MAKES ME VERY HAPPY! :D ♥

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks stunning. And I’m glad I’m not the only one that stares at nightlights for mini making potential!

    That stove and the food.....now I know what I’m cooking for dinner tomorrow

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kat! :D
      Thank YOu so Much for your Approval! Night lights can be very interesting and full of potential but I think that my adventure with them is over. It took me a long time to find this ONE Shade and since then nothing else has appeared on the horizon.
      But I agree about the stove..... for me it was definitely LOVE at first sight! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  4. HI Elizabeth, Your new stove is amazing!!!! The tiles tutorial is brilliant... made me think of the Kakelugn - the Swedish stove and the possibilities of using those tiles.

    Once again you are inspiring us to look at things through mini-potential-glasses. You are the expert at that and make us feel a bit braver when we read all the different things you use to develop an idea.

    Another wonderful and also funny post. So glad you kept your hat on.

    Janine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Janine! :D
      Well what goes around,comes back around. You inspired me and now I've inspired you! and "that's what friends are for"... ;D
      I think that using the plastic tiles are a GREAT idea for your Swedish Stove, but don't consider me an "eXpert" at anything. with the one exception being of making a Huge Mess- you should see my Studio!!!
      No- better not.

      I'm Really Glad that you enjoyed the post; which I had Lots of Fun writing -especially because it went rather quickly; and my Hats Off for that! ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  5. What a fun post! And what a spectacular result-- Thanks for the inspiration of how you arrived there, brilliant! It looks great--

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You LInda! :D
      This WAS a fun post to write and I found that although the transformation of "the hat" took a little time, the post quickly danced it's way to the finish line :D
      And I'm Happy that you've enjoyed the journey too! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  6. c'est un délice de lire tes messages ma chère Elizabeth !
    Après bien des turpitudes, le résultat est (comme à chaque fois) superbe ! Cette hotte est parfaite, la cuisinière a trouvé son chapeau ;)
    Bonne continuation ! Joce

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I would agree that the moral turpitudes of the hat was a cause for much concern, but its physical transformation as well as reformation is a great blessing ; " the cook has found his hat" - INDEED! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  7. Otra de tus geniales ideas que han dado un resultado excelente!! La campana extractora queda increíble,se adapta perfectamente a la estructura de la cocina y es muy realista!!
    Cuenta conmigo para la cena,todo se ve absolutamente delicioso!!!!
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank You Pilar! :D
      Modifying the shade to an extractor hood was easy but getting it to "adapt to the structure of the kitchen" was a challenge, so I am So Happy that you like the end results :D
      Since you are able to stay for dinner, please make sure that you bring your appetite;
      but you can leave your hat- at home.;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  8. I just had a wonderful time, coffee and your incredible story, over your stove.
    I had to smile so many times. But your work has become so great, it looks great. Everything fits together perfectly.
    You can put me on the chef's list right now.

    Big hugs
    Alexandra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Alexandra! :D
      Reading your comment has made me smile many times too, so Thank YOU! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  9. Very real look in a old looking kitchen.
    Big hugs from Britt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Very Much Brit! :D
      You have described my objective for this room Perfectly! I was hoping that the it would look like an up-dated kitchen with plenty of Old World atmosphere, and so it makes me Very Happy that you can see it too! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  10. Fantastic blog - loved it SO much...fantastic hood...fantastic kitchen!!
    Rx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Robin! :D
      I had LOTS of fun with this blogpost but I am glad that the ballad of the extractor hood is finally over. Some songs, as good as they may be, never seem to end- think "Hey Jude"

      elizabeth
      p.s. I'm watching all of the little birds in my garden as I write this. The snow is gone and the grass is green and the buds on the shrubs are already fattening up, AND a rhodo in my neighborhood is already in flower! Perhaps an early spring for us here, but I'm wondering, if you still have lots of snow in your part of England?

      Delete
    2. No snow at all for three weeks or so....but it's supposed to be coming our way tonight! Get the boots out ready...but the garden is ready for spring with lovely yellow winter jasmine and winter clematis out now and bulb buds popping through.

      Rx
      Rx

      Delete
    3. Years ago I had white jasmine growing outside my kitchen window and then I tried to move it and- :(
      Now I have Sweet Box ( Sarcococca) hedge growing by the front door. It blooms Feb/March and the Fragrance is Simply INCREDIBLE!
      Makes up for the loss of that Jasmine

      Delete
  11. What a great post :-D! The result is beautiful! So much work, but it was worth it! This kitchen is so cozy and realistic, and the food is awesome. I do want to stay for dinner lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Millicent and Friends! :D
      I was hoping for a cosy kitchen, although I never know what it is going to turn out like until it is all completely finished. I could say, that " I meant to do this or that" but more often than not, I am just as surprised by the results; as everyone else.
      I'm Very Glad that you like the kitchen and the food too-
      I'll pull up an extra chair ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  12. I have danced a rythmic gym show to this song so it is very familiar to me.
    I love the way you make every post a story which we all are very eager to read.
    I did love your stove Hood hat before you lowered the ceiling but it is also very nice after.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greeting Jette! :D
      What a great song to do rhythmic dancing to and I bet you had FUN! :D
      Writing this post was also Fun! Much more fun than working on the hood. However now that the exhaust hood is complete- I can look back on it with much more fondness than what I first felt. ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  13. Buongiorno Donna Elizabeth,
    Once again, Perfection. The hood looks perfect. Lowering the ceiling height was brilliant. Do not get me wrong, I actually like the tall hood from the beginning. It just did not fit with the theme and feel of the kitchen. It is beautifully finished and the detail you added make it a very lovely piece. The tiles are gorgeous and fit the kitchen so well. Once again, your work is enchanting. I LOVE it. Where are the aprons, I'm coming over to cook!
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caio Don Giacomo! :D
      I am So Glad that you like the hat to Stove Hood conversion my friend, Mille Grazie! :D
      To me the tall stack of the hood was reading "storybook" which is probably what initially caught my attention at the store, but for this kitchen, I felt it was drawing way too much attention UP rather than DOWN to the stove.
      And I'm Very Happy with the way the tiles turned out too, however your comment on the missing apron has me back in the kitchen again. Perhaps I can hang one on the meat hook so it will be ready to grab next time you come a'callin! ;D
      Big Hugs Back!

      elizabeth

      Delete
  14. The hood looks perfect in your kitchen with a lived air. And the food look appetizing. Great work, as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Caio Fabiola :D
      I am Very Happy that you like the results of the stove hood so Thank You! :D
      I think that it give the kitchen "a lived in air" too, but with the warm lights focused directly onto the food, it's become more difficult to keep my Real Life appetite in check- in short; I'm Always Hungry! :(

      elizabeth ;D

      Delete
  15. I love that you post about your process, you have wonderful problem solving skills, and you've taught me to not give up early.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Keli! :D
      Since I cause the problems, I figure that I have to learn how to fix them. :)
      Some take longer than others, and not all have happy endings;
      but those I don't talk about! ;D
      By the way, I don't know if you've ever seen the movie Galaxy Quest but here's my new favorite quote- "Never give up/ Never Surender" :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  16. I am always so inspired reading your posts and your process of fixing problems. Now I want to try out stuff in my new build. A hat won't work but I love your beams and ceiling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheila and Thank You! :D
      I think that Inspiration is what we are all seeking in one form or another.
      I have a process of "fixing" problems that is often an involved, round-about approach but just so long as I can get there in the end, keeps me willing to take the chance of a missed turn every now and then. ;D
      Are you taking on the HBS 2018 cottage? If so, the beamed ceiling should work Quite Well indeed! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  17. You always find a way to solve a problem with terrific results. Lowering the ceiling was a great idea to achieve the particular look you wanted. I love all the bits & brass you added to the hood to get the look you wanted. It is just perfect with your beautiful stove.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Catherine! :D
      "After all was said and done; there was more said than done."

      There were great gaps between each stage of making the hood. I would have a run at it and then when that effort failed, I would leave it and pick it back up Several Days later. Arriving finally at the dropped ceiling which came about only a few days ago.
      After stringing all the photos together it looks as if I might have known where it was all headed; but I didn't.
      Nevertheless, I Thank You for mentioning the brass embellishments on the exhaust hood, because I WAS trying to get both the hood
      and the stove ♥ to look like a set without exactly matching them, so I'm happy that it meets with your approval :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  18. Impresionante tu trabajo, mi más profunda admiración. Gracias por mostrar el proceso de tu trabajo pues es espectacular como transformas los materiales. Besos:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Rosa Maria! :D
      Thank You! I am Very Happy with the transformation of the materials too :D
      I always enjoy experimenting with different mediums and I'm Really Pleased whenever they are Successful :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  19. Te ha dado mucho trabajo pero has conseguido el efecto deseado. La cocina esta genial y yo me apunto a la cena!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Isabel! :D
      Yes you are right, the extractor hood has been a whole lot of work but I am Very Happy that it is finished and you like the final results.

      So are you able to stay for dinner? :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  20. The stove hood looks perfect!You can always solve miniature problems!
    So great work...the kitchen is very realistic. And the food... yummie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank YOu Very Much Nono! :D
      I think that I am resigned to having to solve miniature problems because I keep on creating them! But it is like playing a game of chess or solving a jigsaw puzzle since the problems get one to think outside the box, or as in this case- behind and inside a box! ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  21. My hat is most certainly off to you Elizabeth! Lowering the ceiling IMHO not only solved the "too tall" issue, it gives the whole wall so much added interest and dimension. I am always thinking when in an old house "I wonder what that area is covering" or "I wonder why that sticks out like that", and so you've also created authenticity and mystery! I'd have given in to my stall and frustration and probably tried to cut the thing down, causing only more problems to resolve.
    The added details are always what I love best about your intuitive eye, and always tell myself to try to remember to think more about the detail like you do. The lighting is also perfect!
    I love the harmony you've created on both sides of the kitchen, one just as fun and wonderful to look at as the next! Well done once more! Now, I am sorry but you are going to have to just jump in on the second floor staircase. It will come out as stunning as everything else you touch, so be brave now and GO! ;O)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JODI my reply to you got bumped under The Grandmommy's

      Delete
  22. I know I saw the tutorial...but still I feel the need to ask...HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! I want to challenge myself this year. Looking at your superb work feels like I will never be this good! It is just a skill that you have...but I am going to keep watching you and maybe I can half as good as you. I. LUV. THIS. KITCHEN!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Very Much Grandmommy! :D
      Sometimes I don't know how I "did that" either, so it is a very good thing that I blog because it helps me to remember the various steps of how I got from A to B! ;D

      elizabeth
      p.s. And Thank You for LUV-ing this kitchen too! :D

      Delete
  23. THANK YOU Jodi! -I Agree with you 100% about the added interest and dimension! :D
    Even with the inclusion of the stove and the hood, the left side of the kitchen still felt bland when compared to the right. It was also more difficult to view.
    And on top of that, for over 2 weeks I had tried installing beams and couldn't get them to look right no matter in which direction they ran. Then on top of that, I couldn't settle on where to locate the ceiling fixture.
    So there were 3 Big Problems which were all solved simply by dropping the ceiling and so I Really Appreciate your astute observations. ♥

    Working towards harmonizing both sides of the room was rewarding, and installing the task lighting under the hood was especially so.
    I don't remember where I originally got those 2 buttons but they cast such a warm glow over the items on the stove that one could still work in the kitchen without the overhead light on.

    But about the pending staircase- oh Jodi.....
    More problems looming on the horizon and I am already shaking in my boots.
    Well actually they're warm fuzzy socks- but with a pep talk like yours - it's FOR-WARD MARCH! :D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  24. Loving your post, loving your stove, loving your kitchen and loving your humour.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank You Sharee! :D
    And I'm Loving, Loving, Loving Loving your comment too! :D♥

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would love sharing an Italian meal with you, especially in such a kitchen and the food looks delicious. What you did with the stove hood is fantastic and is perfect for the kitchen. I also always enjoy the way you explain all the steps of the making. The photos with the light on is wonderful.
    Geneviève

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The door to the Villa is Always open to you Genevieve although we shall have to eat while standing at the stove! ;D
      Thank You for enjoying the re-tracing of the steps. :D
      It helps ME to remember what I did.
      However there was a time a number of years ago when I thought I should forgo including them in my posts because I'd thought it might be too long, boring and silly for others to care to read about, but Janine convinced me otherwise.
      So now I try to make it all look like Way More Fun than it was, and don't talk about the dark circles under my eyes, in the wee hours of the night, pulling out my hair- trying to make things work!

      elizabeth
      p.s. I like the photos of the kitchen with the lights on too!

      Delete
  27. Bonjour Elizabeth, j'aime beaucoup ce qu'est devenu votre "chapeau de sorcière Halloween" ;-) j'adore les parties en cuivre, c'est de la "haute-couture" L'éclairage est parfait et donne une ambiance très chaleureuse. Tout dans votre cuisine est sublime et la nourriture des plus appétissante, je réserve une place à table, j'apporte une bouteille de vin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Very Much Jean-Claude!:D
      Initially I didn't hold out much hope for a reconciliation between me and the Halloween Hat, however we are now on very good terms. ;D
      The copper cookware has come from a variety of vendors: Janice Getzan copper cookware, Country Treasures, as well as Linda's gifts of Lara Cookware - and all is as you say, very "haute-coture" ;D

      elizabeth
      p.s. Your company and wine are ALWAYS Welcome!

      Delete
  28. I always settle back and make myself comfortable when I see a new post from you Elizabeth and I always zoom in on each and every picture to study the details - which you have down to a fine art. The brass trim on the hood ties it in perfectly with your lovely oven. I suppose where would the fun be if each and every idea fell into place first time round? Maddening though it is having to wait for that light bulb moment! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Irene! :D
      I always Love reading your comments! ♥
      Adding the brass trims made such a difference to the hood but the funny thing is that weeks ago I had purchased the brass strips specifically for the kitchen. I had them sitting right in front of me where I could see it every time I sat at my work station, and yet it never occurred to me to use any of it for the hood, until I accidentally found a renegade piece of scrap brass in a junk drawer.

      "Inspiration Can Come From Many Different Sources" ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  29. I took my time in reading with a smile this post. I love the hood in all its stages. I take off my hat for your work on this fantastic kitchen, and of course I'd love to stay for dinner. I love your Italian dishes.
    Hugs, Drora
    Hugs, Drora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings Drora! :D
      I Love cooking on my new stove and Sue Kendall did an AMAZING job of replicating all of the details of 1:1 Italian Stove, into miniature.
      The challenge was to try and get both the hood and the stove to look like the went together, hence all of the various stages of
      The Hat-
      I am soooo Glad that you're enjoying the food on the stove AND that it's made you smile :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  30. oh that's splendid realism! Elizabeth you are a real fairy and you transform a brilliant object into a work of art weathered by time, I am always admiring!
    the dishes look succulent and give them the desire to savor them: bravo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Claude! :D
      I am So Glad you like the results and Thank YOu for your comment about it looking REAL, because Nothing could please me More! :D

      I love your comment regarding it looking weathered by time too! I was looking for a balance of a slightly up-dated room with a good bit of the old mixed in with the new.

      The Hot dishes turned out well and the fact that they make you Hungry- Makes me HAPPY! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  31. Your oven has become perfect .... and it always amazes me, what you can do with garbage: o)
    You are a true artist for me and I love your posts.Many pictures and great explained!!!

    Have a nice evening!

    Hugs Sigrid

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greeting Sigrid! :D
      Your comment really made me smile,because I think that a LOT can be said in favor of household "garbage" heeheehee :
      And then there's that old saying- "One man's Trash is another man's Treasure"; and I DO have a Great Fondness, for Trash! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  32. Replies
    1. Hi Simon! :D
      I haven't wished you a Happy New Year yet, so I'm forwarding my Good Wishes over to you along with A BIG THANK YOU too! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  33. Dear Elizabeth, I find your work SO inspiring.... I woke up last night at 3AM and couldn't get back to sleep for thinking about the kitchen.... your kitchen(s), My kitchen(s), real life kitchens I have known as well as all my mini kitchens, all of which share one feature..... they are NOT yet finished!!!! LOL! I just can't tell you how much I adore your Italian range!!! And I must add that ONLY You would think to Lower a portion of the ceiling in order to correct the appearance of the range hood!!!! And not only that.... but it looks like it should be that way! I get all hung up on the Architectural "reasons" for a structural feature like that.... Why? What is going on here? Is the floor above a different height...? Is it an enormous massive structural beam overhead...? Is it purely aesthetic.... cosmetic.... necessary???? But it Works Perfectly! It "frames" the whole wall in a cozy way and makes the proportion of the range hood fit the range!!! It even balances the heavy window frame on the opposite wall!!! BRAVO!!! (Not to mention that once again you have re-purposed an unlikely -who would have thought of it - piece of ugly plastic into an awesome metal embossed brass bound hood with lights and fan included!!! AAAaaarrgh..... I'm swooning over here!!! I think the lights are the piece-de-resistance.... using buttons no less!!!! I bow down to your ever fruitful imagination and your endless courage when it comes to constructing your "wares" (get it? "wears"...haha!) Hat's off to you!!!! (Okay, enough pun-ishment!)
    Seriously, I am Daydreaming again in a major way about my unfinished kitchens.... all because you have brought so much character and courage and daring to your design changes for this kit.... Someday I will learn to apply even a fraction of your finesse with materials... meanwhile I will Dream!!! (And I'm staying for dinner....!) :):):)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Dear Betsy, I get such a charge whenever I read your Delicious comments! :D
    I think that we are both on the same page when it comes to things making structural sense.
    I can't recall if it was in the or 70's or 80's when false ceilings were
    de rigueur but that's how I justified mine in the villa; as a hold over from back in the day. :D
    The Molly Sue's Italian Range was a Special Request by me to Sue and she did a BANG UP job of bringing a photo to life! I LOVE her work and if you love kitchens, you should see the newest kitchen she has posted on her website.
    Your description of the shade as a "piece of ugly plastic" made me laugh, but I couldn't agree with you more; Just think of it as a Cinderella in disguise.
    But I am De- LIghted that you like the task lights in the hood. It casts such a lovely glow over the entire surface of the range and makes everything look user friendly.
    In conclusion I am glad that you are Daydreaming again Betsy. Your unfinished kitchens are calling, and I can't wait to see the Magical creations you are going to be conjuring up!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Dear Bunny...I have no words. It is beautiful! I love what you have done with the Chimney and the dropped ceiling is perfect. I love the story line. Just like reading another chapter filled with humour, artistry and a great tutorial. You are so generous! It is just as magical as you are! So anxious to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hello Fats! :D
    I am So Glad to see you and Thank YOU for your generous comment! :D
    Writing this post was a Whole lot of Fun and went quickly; much faster than the making of the hood.
    Even so, it all ended on a high note and it is another room to cross off the to-do list.
    Would you believe it Fats- I have one entire floor Completed and only 5 rooms to go!
    I might just make the deadline for the next show! ;D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, yes....I shall send you lots and lots of energy so that you may be able to complete it. Perhaps it shall be your Italian and Janine's Sweedish house. What a treat it would be to have the amazing duo at the show in 2019.
      fats
      fats

      Delete
    2. Please don’t make me compete with Elizabeth again! J.

      Delete
    3. Hey Janine, I was thinking the same thing about YOU!

      Delete
    4. Yikes...really only thought of what I said after I said it...
      Don't know how it feels except that I was thankful Elizabeth was not competing against me at the 2017 show...Whewwww!

      Delete
  37. It looks really great Elizabeth, so busy and full of life just popped out for a minute! And although I never thought it looked like a hat, I do like that the bulkhead could have been created in order to bring the upstairs plumbing down when the bathroom was installed retrospectively! It adds interest and realism. Hoping to see more soon! Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Shannon! :D
      I'd forgotten that they were called "Bulkheads" but your reasoning re: the upstairs plumbing is Sound- so THAT settles it for both me and Betsy- Thank YOu! :D
      I think that other than making an apron to hang in the kitchen ( re: Giac comment), and perhaps an accessory here or there, I am DONE with this room, but Jodi has encouraged me to be BRAVE and get started on the second floor staircase, and so to quote a popular t.v. theme, I'm outta the kitchen and " Movin' On UP! " :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  38. I LOVE reading your posts. You are so funny, I would read it just for laughs. I know that conversation going on in one's head, as you madly invent and change things in the mini world, so well. But not only that, I'm learning so much from your posts about making things from scratch, and hunting in one's stash for suitable bits and pieces. I have a huge stash, and not enough imagination. You keep inspiring me to try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings Megan!:D
      Thank YOu Very Much for enjoying the contents of this post! :D
      I do believe that we as miniaturists have these kinds of "conversations" with ourselves all the time, and for me it is usually out loud as well as inside my head.
      Inspiration works both ways, and after reading through and Admiring the results of your wood floor tutorial, I am now considering it for the second floor of the Villa - so Thank You Megan for your Inspiration too! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  39. Only you can put so much music in a post... including timing, rhythm, pleasure and the feeling that visiting this concert performing "The ballad of a stove hood" was the best decision ever! But I must admit... so far I only knew "Patricia the stripper" which is a very funny song by Irish singer Chris de Burgh. Now I have to add "Elizabeth the stripper" to my repertoire of songs that make me smile. ;O) You never stop to amaze me, especially when it comes to conjure simple items into magical miniatures... even a hat of a nightlight in its undies. And once more I need to say that the pictures showing the decorated kitchen (ah, the relaxing cat in the background... how I envy this kitty) are a feast for the eye. I would for sure come over for a meal... we'll pass the apron to Giac!

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    Replies
    1. Greetings Birgit! :D
      They say that "timing is everything" and rhythm comes naturally, but the Truth is that I also suffer from acute Stage Fright! :(
      Nevertheless, your SUPER FUN comment has calmed my performance jitters and given me the 'Courage to Go On!' :D
      I am Definitely going to google up "Patricia the Stripper" but to expand your repertoire Brigit, have a listen to"Lydia the tattooed lady" by Kermit the Frog and " You gotta Have a Gimmick" from the movie GYPSY - because
      "If you want to make it; Twinkle while you Shake It" ;D

      elizabeth

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  40. Como me gusta tu cocina, es tan auténtica !!!!!
    Como siempre un trabajo minucioso y genial.
    Gracias por las explicaciones

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hello Eloisa! :D
      Thank You Very Much for liking my kitchen!
      There were many trials during the course of putting it all together however, It makes me feel that it's all been worth it after reading your Very Sweet comment! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  41. Brilliant! This is fabulous and looks absolutely amazing.
    Whenever I see that you have posted something, I go and make a cup of tea and sit down to read your very interesting and funny stories. I always have a good laugh and then I spend a long time looking at your gorgeous pictures. Thanks for the lovely tea break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Howdy Sam! :D
      I LOVE my cups of tea too Sam, and what a Terrific way to end the day- reading you Very Kind words with a hot cup of tea of my own Thank YOu!

      AND for liking the photos too! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  42. 'This was THE moment my career as a stripper began'

    Ahahaha, oh that's too much! XD

    I'd never have thought of lowering the ceiling to cover up the top part but it works a treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine!:D
      I kinda liked that line too! hahaha
      But seriously- desperate times call for desperate measures and as my hubby used to say- sometimes you have to "think outside the box"...
      and just make another one ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  43. Hi Elizabeth. You have done a wonderful job on that kitchen. To me it looked wonderful from the beginning, but what do I know! right? I am not glad you struggled but the silver lining here is that we get to watch you finding the most amazing solutions and learn a few tricks in the process. My next project will be a big kitchen and I find lots of inspiration in yours, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alexandra! :D
      Inspiring each other is what it is all about, isn' it? ;D
      But I am really Flattered by you Generous compliment, and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing and being inspired by YOUR Big Kitchen too! ♥

      elizabeth

      Delete
  44. You wrote about all sorts of different headwear, but one thing is sure: your stove hat/hood is awesome, as all you do, lady E. :D!! I LOVE reading your blogs, not just because it's very informative, but it's joy and laughter for me. No, it wasn't that for you, you must have gone by a "deep valley of misere" before you found out the egg of Columbus (as we say here in The Netherlands ;O), but as always: you DID it again!! Your stove hood is excellent work and it fits in this Italian kitchen if it has always been there for decades.
    Before I forget: my best wishes for you and your in 2018, Elizabeth. During this new year I hope to see lots of new and gorgeous miniature works, which will be created by your talented hands. And don't forget......write lots about your miniature adventures, nice for us for learning, but for a good laugh too: I absolutely LOVE reading your blogs!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    Replies
    1. It ALWAYS puts a BIG SMILE on my face whenever I read your comments Ilona-Thank YOu! :D
      Your observation that the stove hood "looks like it has always been there for decades" was particularly gratifying to read and touches on exactly the final effect I am aiming towards.
      But I don't think that you have anything to worry about when it comes to "Writing Lots" in 2018 since I am constantly making mistakes in the pursuit of my objectives and although they may not feel much fun at the time, I know that they can be very entertaining... in retrospect! ;D

      elizabeth

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  45. Dear Elizabeth, thanks for all the new interesting infos, but especially for the hilarious story. It's always a pleasure to read your posts :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ersilia! :D
      You are Most Welcomed for the info and I am DELIGHTED that you enjoyed the story that went along with it as well.
      It is Always Encouraging to me, to know that others enjoy reading what I have really enjoyed writing, so A Very Big Thank You Ersilia! :D

      elizabeth

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  46. Hello, Elizabeth - Reading (and re-reading) this post was sheer pleasure from beginning to end. I knew, after seeing the first half of Villa Leone's kitchen, that I would love the second half as well. I am so happy that you have that magnificent Italian stove. I would be happier if I had that magnificent Italian stove, but I'm trying hard to be ungreedy and unenvious here. I concede that it's better that you have it, because I could NEVER have created that perfectly wonderful hood from a plastic "witch hat!" I had such a good time following along as you built up, tore down, rebuilt, rearranged, disarranged, and finally ended up with a work of art that could not possibly be improved upon. Dropping the ceiling was a brilliant move that provided the forward momentum in the creation of this masterpiece. The tiles, the lights, the copper pots, and the spice box all add to the Old World beauty of this perfect kitchen. What a delight! I'm planning to arrive for dinner wearing my fanciest hat - and I'll keep it on!
    Marjorie

    ReplyDelete
  47. Hello Marjorie! :D
    I must say there is something Special about receiving a Great Compliment from someone who is working in the same general vernacular as yourself; it brings a sense of closeness and camaraderie., so I Thank You Very Much! :D
    We have chosen 2 vastly different climates to translate into miniature which I think, gives both of us a greater appreciation for each others projects.
    Your Tuscan Villa del Vignetto and my Villa Leone have the same old world vibe yet yours is DRY and mine couldn't get any WETTER. :D
    Even so, I Treasure your making mention of the various elements in the kitchen and that you've enjoyed the Trash to Treasure Hood tutorial.
    However I am glad that it is all over; all that is, except for your Standing Dinner Invitation Marjorie - literally, as there is no table in the kitchen we'll have to eat- Standing Up! ;D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  48. Dear Elizabeth,
    One of your greatest lessons to me reading your blog is to see things with different eyes. I am now spending a great deal of time scouring the dollar store to find shapes - not 'stuff' that will work as additions to my dollhouse. And my recent cataract surgery didn't hurt either. Ha! Hope you are doing well and look forward to more wizardry from you!
    Lindy

    ReplyDelete
  49. My Dear Lindy!
    I think that you are definitely on the right path.:D
    That's an ongoing challenge for me too,; finding the potential in shapes which can be discovered in the object itself,in the packaging or what is best is when it is Both!
    Looking with new eyes is something which comes with practice, but Seeing with new eyes is Even BETTER! :D
    So have Fun discovering a Whole New World within the dollars stores my friend!
    they are an Aladdin's Cave filled with potential "Treasures" -

    'Open Says-Me!' ;D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wonderful, wonderful stove hood. Who would have thought to use a night light for a stove hood! You would that's who. Fantastic ingenuity and a great mini eye to spot the resemblance with all that crazy colour on it. :) The magic you worked on that ugly light to turn it into a masterpiece is inspiring. I'm going to hunt some down myself to perhaps make one for the San Franciscan. Putting in the bulkhead was a great idea, it changed the whole shape of the hood making it look much more solid and appropriate with the added bonus of adding interest to the ceiling of an old house. Well done! *claps*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sam! :D
      I Really Appreciate your Compliments because it took a while to get the stove hood to See The Light! hehehe
      For the last few years, the dollar stores around here are becoming very popular and they are springing up EVERYWHERE. But I've found that even the same chain will carry different merchandise from store to store, so if you don't see what you are looking for at one- try at another!
      Building the bulkhead was a Life Saver for me, as it addressed several different problems that at the time seemed insurmountable; yet once the new hat was on, the difficulties were ALL easily resolved. So Thank You Sam for the "claps"- I humbly take my bows and gracefully exit Stage Left! ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  51. Elizabeth, I have already installed the google translator on the blog. I thought I had it on already. I hope you enjoy the blog more now.

    Thanks for your words.

    I love the fireplace. A great job. It is very my lioncourt castle.
    Besujis!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Virginia! :D
      Thanks for your lovely comment and also for informing me about the translator widget. on your blog. I looked for it, couldn't find it but now I KNOW it is there- HOORAY! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  52. En mi ciudad no tengo la posibilidad de comprar muchos materiales, así que no conozco muchos de ellos. si pudieras decir la marca del epoxy Clay te lo agradecería. Le echare un vistazo.

    Besujis!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Привет Элизабет!
    Вы удивительный художник. Ваши фотографии радуют глаз. Они как дверь в реальный мир. Мне кажется, что если я сделаю шаг, то буду стоять посередине вашей кухни и задыхаться от восторга. Ваша фантазия является огромным стимулом. Я благодарна вам за то, что вы есть в блоге.

    С уважением
    Татьяна

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. My Dear Tatiana- Thank You! :D
      I am Deeply Flattered by your generous words of Praise and Encouragement! ♥
      The saying "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words" keeps me striving to improve my photos each time I blog, as I try to focus on making them look as real as possible.
      Therefore, it is Always Gratifying when I read comments such as yours, which both appreciates them, and that you feel included within them=
      Happiness! :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  54. whaouuuuuuuu ! je hurle avec la foule , en délire !!!! haha !

    une expression française est " je suis scotchée " cela vaut dire que je ne peux plus bouger , que je ne sais pas quoi dire .
    vous êtes combien dans votre tête ??? beaucoup ! haha ! .

    j 'aime vous lire et découvrir tous vos tours de magiciene . quand c'est terminé j 'applaudis et je cris"encore".
    le résultat est incroyable . j 'aimerai avoir votre cerveau et pouvoir transformer toutes les petits trucs de rien du tout qui trainent dans mes tiroirs .
    je vous souhaite une bonne Année et vivement le deuxième étage .
    je vous embrasse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hello Catherine! :D
      Your question "How much are you in your head?" Gave me a fit of the giggles!
      The answer is: All The Time!
      Which is why I periodically force myself to step away from whatever I am struggling with because I know that I tend to over-think things, and there IS limit to how much exercise my old brain can take! hahaha
      But regarding having my brain; it is filled with so much detritus and clutter that I don't wish it on anyone. I am desperately attempting to empty my head and clear my thoughts, which is why I do these tutorials but the more I put out, the more it fills back up again! :/
      Nevertheless, I Gratefully Thank You for your Enthusiastic Applause! ♥

      Second Act: the second floor-
      waiting nervously in the wings.....

      elizabeth

      Delete
  55. To think of all things - a night light!!! Elizabeth you are the dollar store miniature shop QUEEN. I love the progression of the hood. The highlights are my favourite part, I like how life-like and aged they look. The the little hooks for pans etc? Such a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hello Kristine and Thank You for liking the Hood with its Highlights! :D
    Adding the highlights of gold nail polish over the flat black gave it just enough of a "old world finish" and helped to define the shape of the hood without going too far overboard.
    The hooks are very thin lengths of brass wire from the hobby store,
    Very Easy to bend then cut and slide onto the bar.
    I'm glad that I decided to hang things over the stove because for me, the more opportunity I have for displaying mini kitchen ware; the Better ;D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  57. Elizabeth, The new oven is fabulous, like the whole kitchen! Thank you for the great pictures. I'm building a kitchen right now, and it's nice to see pictures of different miniature kitchens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Greetings Mina and Thank You for your compliment regarding my new oven and kitchen! :D
      This kitchen which was previously a Big Problem for me, has now become my favorite room in the villa, thus far!
      And I agree with you that it IS Nice to see the variety of how each miniaturist builds their kitchen to suit themselves, and their own particular needs!
      Have a Great weekend Mina :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  58. Great hood, Elizabeth. You could make a fortune as a stripper....:)
    Best wishes
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TOO FUNNY Andrea and I am STILL LAUGHING!!!! :D

      Delete
  59. Brilliant and clever!!! And so much character! Cant wait to see more!! Cheers Carriexx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gooday Carrie!:D
      I am so glad that you've stopped by and that you've enjoyed this episode of my Italian kitchen, which has certainly been quite "the Character" during its process of becoming. I hope you noticed YOUR ITALIAN CANISTERS which were proudly featured in my previous post. They have made themselves quite at home here, so another Big "THANK YOU" to you for your
      Oh So Lovely, artistry! ♥

      elizabeth

      Delete
  60. Hi Elizabeth, You Villa Leone is progressing in passionate pace! When you do things you do a lot and results are gorgeaus. Plus you have energy to entertain us with all the steps of the project. I'm green with envy about the gas cooker too!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hello Ritta and Thank You very much for your Passionate comment! :D
    I had fun when working on Villa Leone's kitchen and the results were a bit of a surprise to me as it steadily progressed but I'm satisfied with how it all ended.
    I am also happy that you've enjoyed seeing all the steps towards the finish line and that you approve my choice of the MollySue gas cooker-
    because I LOVE it too! :D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hi Elizabeth - have you seen my 2 latest posts?
    Farmor

    ReplyDelete
  63. Well aren't you the clever one! You are in a league of your own for sure. I strive to someday achieve such perfection. But for now I'm just happy coming over and seeing your genius at work.
    hugs,
    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THank You Caroline, for your visit and for your Lovely Comment too! :D
      I firmly believe that when it comes to our hobby, "Perfection" is always in the eye of the beholder, AND that imperfection can also be equally rewarding. ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  64. Oh my goodness, you certainly had some challenges but you won through in the end, it looks wonderful! And that stove is absolutely amazing!! It's been a VERY long time since I've been active in the blog world so I've a lot to catching up to do - Linda told me you've been making awesome progress so I thought this is the perfect place to start to finding out on what's been happening.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Hello Norma!!! :D
    So nice to hear from you again and YES it has been a VERY LONG TIME since I've seen you in blog world. I know through Linda, that you have been on the go for quite a while in Europe as well as in New Zealand so no worries Madame Gypsy! Even so, it is ALWAYS a great pleasure when you do come a calling Norma and I am Very Happy that you are starting here as you begin catching up on the various "happenings" in blogland.
    Welcome back! :D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gypsy is certainy right, and we'll still be moving around a lot over the next few months house-sitting in and around Sydney and then off to New Zealand for a month or so. The plan is to actually get an apartment when we get back from there and 'settle down' in an apartment again so I might even get a bit more reliably productive lol

      Delete
  66. I'm eagerly looking forward to the time of your "settling down" again Norma, so don't let go of your Make Mine Mini dreams. :D

    ReplyDelete
  67. Thanks for your greeting
    Happy Easter!
    I couldn't send you a greeting before because my computer crashed in the graphic card. But now I am on blogging again!

    Britt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Easter Greetings to you too Britt! and I'm happy to hear that your computer is up and running again. :D

      Delete
  68. Thank you so much for showing how you made that stove hood. I often wondered about it. It looks so very nice!!! Some things just take a little time to work out the details.
    Conny

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    Replies
    1. Hi Conny! :D
      Sometimes the struggles are worth it, but despite all of the effort that went into this, I wasn't very confident about the stove hood until the very end, so I suppose the moral of the story is to Never Give Up! ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  69. Very nice kitchen and stove hood, and interesting to see the progress of making hte hood with all the back and forth, but the end result was lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Pubdoll and Thank you for your comment on the progress and the end results. :D
      In retrospect, it was an interesting adventure, full of unexpected twists and turns, yet in the end, it was just as exciting for Me to see how it eventually turned out, as I hope it was for you. :D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  70. Wow, this kitchen is really beautiful! And so you're building an Italian villa, right?
    I like the name you chose for the house, because Leone is the maiden name of my grandmother!
    I like this Mediterranean atmosphere you've created, and the hood is perfect above the stove!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hello Elene!:D
    Thank You for your generous comment! :D
    Yes, this is supposed to be a Venetian Villa which has been slightly up-dated in the 50's, but still has some of its original features.
    I chose the name "Leone" because of a lion's head which I attached to the front facade of the house and so have built up a "history" of the Leone's regarding this family property. But How Fun is this- that your grandmother has Leone as her maiden name!
    I would love to learn more about her and also any suggestions you could make regarding the authenticity of what I'm trying to do.
    Most of my ideas are gathered from old movies and ONE book a friend found for me on Italian Interiors, but otherwise, as the saying goes-I'm "flying by the seat of my pants" :D

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The surname Leone is widespread throughout Italy, so you have made a good choice.
      Now I will look for your old post to see the facade of the house and the lion ... ^ _ ^
      What is the period you imagine for your Italian home?

      Delete
    2. The time is today but with a nod to family tradition and a desire to hold on to the past, therefore peeling paint, cracks and imperfections are rarely repaired and usually cherished.

      Delete
  72. Your kitchen looks fantastic! All the small details... I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THank You Merja! :D
      I had fun finding places for all of those little details, and then filling up the shelves- however, there NEVER seems to be enough room to fit in ALL the intended details, so I may have to think about ANOTHER dollhouse for many of the leftovers! ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete
  73. admirable su trabajo, me encanta ver todo lo que su imaginación y sus manos crean.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Very Much Loly! :D
      It was a Blessing to finally be able to get the stove hood to cooperate and I am glad that it turned out as well as it did rather than the idea go "up in smoke" ;D

      elizabeth

      Delete

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...