Category: "The Haunted Heritage"

Painting the bow front dresser - leaves added

by brae  

As much as I loved the bare branches, I decided to go ahead with more painted details on the bow front dresser for the Heritage bedroom.

I added a smattering of leaves.

It softened the look a little.

Painting the bow front dresser for the Heritage bedroom

by brae  

It has been some time since I worked on the Heritage, and since it's one build I can show you, I figured I'd start working on some of the remaining items.  Here is the bow front dresser with its Vintage White base coat.

This is made from a kit I picked up in a furniture lot.  I made no changes to the base kit, though I did add a mirror made of frame strip wood.

I wanted a painted finish with branches, flowers and birds, so I bought some small detailing brushes for fine painting.

I added an aging wash and then painted on the branches.  The nice thing about making a vintage painted dresser is if you mess it up, you just wipe away the paint.  And residue just adds to the age and depth of painting.

To paint the front, I added the drawers.

The kit didn't fit all that well in the front - the drawers were too recessed in comparison to the dividing panels.  I added a shim of veneer to the inside back.  This helped level the drawers in front by pushing them forward slightly.

Once I had the branches painted, I masked off the top.

I painted it to look like stained wood.  There are a few imperfections in the wood that I could not sand out in the initial construction, but it works well for a vintage piece.

With the mirror propped in place, it looks like we're getting somewhere.

I rather like it with just the branches, but I wonder if it looks too incomplete like this...hmm...

Heritage chimney ivy and lawn ornaments

by brae  

While I didn't want to cover up all the lovely egg carton brickwork of the massive chimney, I did think some ivy was in order.  You know I don't shy away from cutting and shaping individual leaves, but I found something that not only looked realistic but made life easier.  :D  This is O-Scale (1:45) English Ivy from Scenic Express (Silflor Summer Ivy by Mininatur).

There are three sheets in the box.  The leaves might be small for direct 1:12 scale, but it worked very well.  You cut and stretch it to create long vines.

I thought this store was called Scenery Express since I first started buying their landscaping materials, and that's one of the web addresses that will get you there...but I just noticed that it is in fact Scenic Express.  Maybe I always had it wrong or they changed the name or they just have two domain names for the same place.  Regardless, they have a great selection of landscaping materials.

I didn't overdo it and used just under one sheet of the ivy for the project, using Aleene's clear gel glue to attach it to the house and chimney.

It disguises the awkward edge trim around the chimney.

Here's the back side of the chimney.

The chimney is now complete!  :D

I have a small amount of landscaping left to do, but I added a beautiful aged metal birdbath by Island Crafts & Miniatures to the front lawn.  The last time I made an aquarium, I used some leftover Acrylic Water resin to fill the bowl.  The birdbath is from Dejoux Miniatures.

I also planted the shepherd's hook on the side of the stairs to hang one of my birdfeeders.  :]

It amazes me how each little thing changes the look of the build.

Happy Easter from The Haunted Heritage

by brae  

Presto!  No more Halloween and on to Easter...as long as I don't show the big autumn tree out front.  :D

Mr. Rabbit is by K. Kuti Designs.  The large basket is from Lidi at Basketcase Miniatures, and I made the flower stems from Bonnie Lavish kits.  The white basket was purchased and holds eggs I made for The Aero Squadron Lounge.

The purple flowers in the blue pot are from Michelle of Little Rabbit Minis, and the hydrangeas were purchased.

The stuffed rabbit is from Sisters Dreams.

The shutter garden I made for The Artist's Studio fits well on the Heritage, too.  :D

Happy Easter!!!!  :D

Vintage suitcases

by brae  

Stacks of vintage suitcases are all over the design blogs and Pinterest.  They combine nostalgia and beauty.  I knew I wanted a set for grandma's attic, and there is no better artisan to turn to than Fran at FranMadeMinis.  I sent her some of my favorite pictures of vintage suitcases, and she knocked it out of the park once again!

They have the most delightful tactile sensation and the perfect weight.

She added wonderful hardware and aged detailing.

Here's a penny to show the scale.

They look perfect in the nook by the chimney, though I need to finish the rest of the rafters and beams to do them and the other recent acquisitions justice.  :D

Thank you, Fran, for adding some wonderful nostalgia and realism to grandma's attic!

You can see her wonderful vintage umbrellas in the Heritage entryway.

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