Saturday 19 January 2013

"IF THE WALLS COULD TALK....!"

I LOVE PAPER!  I'm a paper junkie and when it comes to wallpaper, I'm a wallpaper  fanatic.  It can change Everything and set the mood for what's to follow.  Since I decided to dress this bed the way I did, it changed the "PLANS" of how I had originally decided to finish the ARTHUR.  As Janine observed in one of her comments, it was no longer looking like ''Made in America."  The following are just being considered as possibilities, nothing is finalized but I do have some front runners.

Not as clear a pic as I would wish(sigh)  still gives an indication .  This is a tiny green on green repeat.  There is nice contrast here.  By the way, the paper is just propped up in the light box so if it looks to be leaning, It Is!  This could be a contender, because there are a fair number of American Country pieces that carry this muted green in their finish. (see blog American Country Retrospective) The scale is right and the green make the red ' 'redder' and the bed looks bigger.  The room is small but the walls will be more open with this as a lighter color on them. Do I want airy or cosy?  Or both!


Here is something unusual, don't you think?  These all are from a scrap booking pad by K & Company which I picked up at Wal-mart.  I find lots of good craft supplies there at a decent price.  Anyway, it didn't hurt to pull this weird one out and photograph it.  The camera usually has the final word.  I want to Love it in person but I want the camera to tell me the truth about it. 

This one is cute, but I don't think so.  The colors are right but the mood is too playful.  With the bed being as strong as it is the wallpaper looses painfully and confuses the viewer, confusion encourages the viewer to leave early. Also, there are too many competing patterns with no clear direction; stripes, cheques, toiles, florals, all visually fighting for attention.

This is not bad, but maybe for a different room in the doll's house.   The scale is  fine but  that is not the problem.  It doesn't have the WOW factor that I'm looking for. Plus, the color reads more orangey  than the red/coral that is on the bed

This to me is really good.  Good scale, nice harmony with the other elements in the space.  you see it but you don,t just focus on IT.  The eye moves around to all the different things in the space smoothly and without a herky -jerky stop and go movement.  This make the room feel restful even though the colors are highly active and bold.

This is very discreet with the pattern barely discernible.   There are possibilities perhaps with this paper but I"m still not sure?? Just so you know, the black and white area rug is also paper that I will transfer eventually onto fabric.  I got the idea from a designer named 'TOMMY SMYTHE ' from a Canadian design magazine feature spread where he had a blue and white striped rug.  He had stark white walls with very graphic detail embellishments using blue and black with a touch of red, threaded throughout.  Tommy was/is the right hand man of Sarah Richardson who has had a very successful design career both in print and esp. on television.  I was inspired by his less is more approach to his own home.  I think that in miniatures, unless your intent is for minimalism, that the doll's house NEEDS to be full of indicators of 'who' and 'what', with a liberal dose of accessories all related to the STORY that you are trying to tell.  That doesn't mean load it with stuff just because you own it but JUDICIOUSLY choose accessories to compliment the composition.  I seek to make the room a 'home' not just a doll's house with cool stuff in it. Does that make sense to you?


Look at this photo!  Look at how deep the wall color is!   This is the same pattern as the photo above but see how the mood has changed!  There is less contrast with the walls, so the bed dressings are accentuated and the accessories stand out more and the bed looks smaller.  This is the same paper as in the first shot that I opened with but I wanted you to see that the wallpaper choices I am considering all have their plusses and minuses and can make you see the same set of elements in very different ways.  I really like this paper  even though the over-all pattern is HUGE and I mean HUGE!  I will have to take into consideration how it will repeat and tie in with the rest of the house.  But it is a beginning at least.  Ah,... IF the walls could talk, which of the papers, would THEY choose?  

14 comments:

  1. Hi Elizabeth, I like the last two patterns. I know they are the same but different intensities. I look forward to seeing which one you choose.
    Great to see the selection, really helps to compare the overall look. Also helps you to discard something quickly. Re the scrap booking papers - do they give enough quantity to paper or do you photocopy the paper for the not so exposed walls?
    As always Janine

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    1. Hi Janine Guess what, I am really partial to the red wallpaper too, because it Is different and the big pattern would be a challenge to work with. It actually has a somewhat Tuscan, mottled look that is really drifting further and further away from Am. Country! If I can get the 2 styles to reconcile and work together, then I will use this paper. The scrap-booking papers can come in different sizes, these are 12x12in (aprox.30x30cm) and the sheets are very durable and acid free. This pack the sheets are double sided but not all are. There are usually 3 of the same pattern and color in one book in different color series. I always check the number of the pages that are available in the book before I buy because I ALWAYS mis-cut so I need back-up. They say measure twice cut once; I measure and measure and still get it wrong?!! So, now I just eye-ball it and take a chance that is why I need to make sure I have enough sheets. I have used it in my "Drama Queen" roombox and I was very pleased with the end product. Take a guess at the glue I used to adhere it to the foam core walls...
      GLUE N' SEAL!!!!

      elizabeth

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  2. Hi Elizabeth! The red gives an overall richness to the room while the green gives it a more subdued, home sweet home not so rich country feel! I used to find selecting wallpaper and fabric difficult until I learned how to do it. I realized today that I need more plain fabric in my stash. I don't have any. I went to Walmart today and they had plain fabric but I was not willing to pay the price because their packaged fabric contained more fabric than I needed. So, tomorrow I'll bus down to Fabric Land and get what I need. Just small pieces of plain fabric in the colours I need to add to my stash. Then, I'll be able to assemble something. Are you familiar with Lorraine Scuderi Dollhouse Miniatures, an online store? Google it when you have a minute. She has such nice beds. It really is very inspiring to look at all those beautifully dressed beds of hers. I've just recently discovered her site. I've concluded that I actually prefer a bed without a foot. Unless the bed has a foot that permits the fabric of the skirt to slip easily through. Some of them don't.

    I've been a long time fiddling around with this house that I have. For over a decade, I never even bothered with it after the shell was completed. That's because I don't like it. If I had to do it over again, knowing what I know from looking at blogs and what other bloggers do, I would enlarge it before building it. Also, when I purchased it, I had no idea what else was out there. I did like it when I bought it but I knew nothing of the dollhouse market in those days. Back in the 90s, there were no dollhouse blogs. I bought it from a dollhouse store in Ottawa which has since closed. But now it's built and it's too late for that. Two years ago, I did the siding and the tiles on the roof. I've built furniture kits and have made stuff from scratch. I know I could finish it fairly quickly if I put my mind to it. I guess I'm just in a place right now where I can't seem to be able to move forward with it. Time will tell what will happen. In the meantime, I'm not getting any younger. I just hope that I will finish it. I have all the lights and all the wiring which I purchased a few years ago. Hope everything is still working.

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  3. LUCILLE! Thank you for the comment and the information. Yes, I have heard of Lorraine Scuderi, she was published in both Nutshell News (boy, I miss that Magazine) and Miniature Collector. Her beds are very very well done. I like the way she combines her prints. You need to have the solids to enable the prints to be the most effective. She has a good eye for color too. I shall check out her store as suggested. Your doll's house sound interesting. How many rooms does it have? It can't be smaller than the Arthur??? I think everyone who gets involved in this hobby eventually feels that they have made purchasing errors. I have and still do. Fats, started out buying things at her first miniature show that she is now trying to sell, because her taste and skill level has changed over time. We have all done it so, I'm not surprised to learn that you have too. The nice things about blogs is that there is now so much exposure and so much to aspire to. When I bought the Arthur from the thrift store it was with the idea that I could finish it quickly and also that it would be a good way to practice my rusty skills. But it sat and sat until I began this blog, because I didn't know what I really wanted to do with it. Now, having done one thing(the bed) it has lifted the blockage in my head and so perhaps once you start with your bed project the rest will come. As to enlarging the house; you don't always have to have a 'mansion' when you have a' Jewel Box!' Keep going, Lucille, every little bit counts!
    elizabeth

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  4. Like you, I prefer the first. This is the one that puts more value the fabrics.This vibrant and dull red is very original.
    Beautifull combination!

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    1. You know Catherine, I have looked at these photos again and again, and the one that makes me feel the happiest is the red pattern. I once read in a design magazine that red should NEVER be used in the bedroom because it would make a person too restless to sleep! What makes me hesitate, is the scale of the pattern and the repeat. But that is also what intrigues me most. So far the red is the most favored, and I am glad that I am not alone in preferring it!
      Thanks Catherine for the thumbs up!
      elizabeth

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  5. Hello Elizabeth,
    First off, I love the first last paper. When Jo and I were looking for wallpaper I noticed a lot of huge patterns so I think it could work beautifully.
    I totally agree with you about making a dollhouse a home. That';s why I built from scratch. So many miniaturists have wonderful colelctions, but they cram it all into such a small space that the beauty and uniqueness of each piece is totally lost.
    I say go for the pattern that makes your heart smile!
    Big hug my friend,
    Giac
    By the way, if my walls could talk I would be in so much trouble! ;)

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    1. Thank you once again Giac for your contribution to this blog. I admire ANYONE who can build from scratch. Bruce and Janine fall into this category as well as so many others such as yourself. have never had the patience or the ability to be able to measure accurately which is a MUST if you want success. I've always opted for the Make-over. There is vision required for both only I can only take credit for some instead of for all, like you can. But I'm okay with that! ( smiles) The red paper seems to be getting the most hits. Lucille says the green is more subdued and home sweet home and I agree. Janine and Catherine also vote red although Janine also likes the more pinky color above the red and that also has a big repeat but is so much lighter and fresher,both in real and on film. Sometimes I wish it were more cut and dry, either be INCREDIBLE or be HORRID but there are too many that are possibilities that this is going to hold up production for a while. I just know it. One other thing Giac, I have 4 rooms to do the bedroom is only one so I have to choose transitional and additional papers to make the entire house harmonious. So many things to consider for such a tiny project. Whoever said that miniatures was relaxing?? hahahah But it is!!! If my walls could talk they would tell me to get on with it as it is not rocket science or brain surgery!
      Big hug back, my freind,

      elizabeth

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    2. Hello Elizabeth, i like the first one. Love the rich colour and the pattern. It looks like a wallpaper we had in a Tuscan villa we hired last summer when holidaying in Italy. Goodluck choosing, looking forward to the end result! gr. AM

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    3. Hello Am! Thank you for confirming that this paper does have a "Tuscan" flavor to it! I've never been to Tuscany, mind you but I am an armchair traveller and love Italian history. With so many in favor of the red, how would people react if I chose Picture #4 ???!!! I might end up with a riot on my hands. haha By the way, I have to tell you again that I am totally enjoying what you are doing on "SouthHampton Grey"! I am swooning over the tile floor which I think is ingenious and looks just like weathered tile. Forget the Arthur, I want to do a Beach House!
      I'll stay tuned and I hope you will too!
      elizabeth

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  6. Hi Elizabeth,

    I like the first and last also, I don't mind the large pattern, I think the intensity of the red works. The other one I like is the one you said was a little weird, it looks like it has a little patina which I like.

    I look forward to seeing which one you choose!

    Fi xx

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    1. Hello Fi, It looks like the red one is going to be the winner as it has my vote as well. I now have to do something more than just think about it and actually BEGIN. You know Fi, I also like the weird one; at least I like what is visible though the camera lens. That pattern is somewhat erratic but cut carefully it might be calmed down and workable. Isn't it amazing how there can be so many directions and moods with just a change of wallpaper? Being an artist I know that you would understand and appreciate, the power of color and placement and it's effect on the viewer. I still have time to decide and now that I've finally sanded down the Arthur, I have to prime it again and decide on the stair placement and Yada Yada Yada ...BEFORE the wall get dressed. How long did your lovely kitchen take from beginning to end? Did you already know what you were going to do or was it as 'agonizing' for you to come to a decision as well?

      Thank you for the comment and the new' possibility' to consider.
      elizabeth

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  7. Hi Elizabeth,

    My kitchen took way to long!! I explained in another post I had a difficult year and wasn't able to give it my full attention. I do tend to have an idea of what I want to achieve but I always allow creative flow and instinct to guide me. Which is exactly what you're doing!

    I think the red is definitely the go!

    Fi xx

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  8. Hey Fi, 2012 was not my favorite year either, but I thank God that He answered prayers because there was a lot of illness in my family which some are still struggling with, and all are touched by. I hope that you are over the worst of your difficulties. Miniatures are a great way to loose yourself and forget the real world in favor of the world of make-believe. Every project that I get involved with always takes an unexpected turn and as you say you have to allow the creative instinct to flow and guide, otherwise there is a 'fight' and if you go against the creative current, it takes longer and I don't think that you have the same satisfaction and fulfillment. When I think of the direction I started to go towards and the unexpected fork in the road that I am now on.... well, I wouldn't even consider my original ideas anymore. I'm re-evaluating and reinventing the procedures and who knows what the end result will be!
    elizabeth

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