Wednesday 7 February 2018

The Silk Weaver's House

A new project has landed in Irene's Hobby Room and I'm calling it The Silk Weaver's House.

Background

In May 2017 my sister and I visited London for the Kensington Miniature Fair (and various other little excursions).    One of these was to The Dennis Sever House in Spitalfields, an area well known for all the Silk Weavers operating from there in the 1700s.

The Dennis Sever House is unique in the fact that it is purely the creation of Mr Sever (who believed he was born in the wrong century) and charts the rise and fall of an imaginary Silk Merchant in the one five storey building.  


The aim was to make it look as though the family had just left the room.   There was peeled fruit on the table, a fan on the dressing table, a wig on the chair and spilt wine.    There were sounds and smells - all very obvious as visitors are instructed not to speak during their visit.  It is more of an "experience" than a museum.   Mr Sever's mantra was "You either get it, or you don't".   (Click the link below).


The Property

We had no sooner left the building after a fascinating visit and our purchases of the DVD and book, looked at one another and said, simultaneously, "what a great mini that would make".     So, on my return home with all that in mind, I set about hunting for a property that could fit the bill.    The best one, in my eyes, was The Kensington by Barbara's Mouldings.





The Details

I mentioned in my previous post that I was awaiting permission to use a couple of images and that has now come through.    I am very grateful to Ben Rea* for allowing me to use his drawings in this blog as I think they explain the exterior/interior of my new project far better than I could by just describing it.     Thanks Ben.



* Copyright Ben Rea

Progress to date

Work has already started on the basement area and I have removed the front six inches (15.24cms) to bring it more in line with the style of the RL building.   (It also fits better on my cabinet!).   The railings, porch and balcony will also go.    So far I've paved the front area and created two cellars below.








This project will run along the lines of my take on a previous project The Tenement where I recreated an original building in 12th scale using, mainly, the Guide Book as reference and the fact that I was a Volunteer at the property and able to nip round and check details.   If you click on the image of Gladstone's Land to the right of that blog page you will see the original.

One of the best bits involved in recreating an existing building is in trying to track down an exact 12th scale piece as found in the original - I'm really looking forward to that.   So far, I've got the kitchen chair!






18 comments:

  1. Hi Irene! This new project looks like it will be loads of fun to follow! I am sure you will be on the trail of many fantastic minis that most of us would never think to need! LOL! I think the 17th century items will be fascinating to see! I can't wait to see each step... so far you have made a great start!

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  2. Oh this is going to be so much fun! Can't wait to see how you do and I'm so going to watch for your 17th century items.

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  3. Hi Irene. This is going to be an interesting build! Love your paving. X

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  4. Bonjour Irene,
    je me suis inscrit à votre nouveau blog et je me réjoui de suivre vos nouvelles aventures dans The Silk Weaver's House.

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  5. I will follow with pleasure and interest everything concerning this new house.
    Geneviève

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  6. Hello Irene,
    This is a fantastic new project. I cannot wait to see it come to life. I think the Kensington house is a great starting point. I am so excited to follow you on a new adventure.
    Big hug
    Giac

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  7. I am so excited about this new project, Irene. I've always thought that kit house had "good bones" and I can't wait to see how you transform it. I haven't been to the Sever house but I have always gone back to the Dan Cruickshank videos I never YouTube and been completely transported back in time.
    I love the changes you have already made, the paving looks great as do the holes for the basement windows.
    This will be in my top blogs to watch this year...
    Best wishes
    Simon

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  8. Irene, copy and paste this link and then scroll down and click on the Brochure - it's a beautiful house that was for sale in the Spitalfields area a while back. The brochure has amazing pictures and floor plans that might be of interest.
    Hugs
    Simon

    http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-19950528.html

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    1. Wow! Thanks for that Simon. What an impressive property and the detail is excellent, right down to the tail coat displayed. You should really make time to visit the DS house next time you're in London, it's well worth it. There is a website that gives opening times. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy my journey with this. Ix

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    2. Hi
      Glad you liked the property - it's on my "lottery win" list!
      I'm heading up to "town" to go to the wonderful Wallace Collection soon so might get over to the DS house too.
      Hope you're keeping cool x

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    3. Oh, how exciting! I hope you do manage to find time for the DS house. It's really interesting and quite different from any other house tour I've been on. If you do manage it, I'd love to know what you thought. Just remember "you either get it or you don't"! Ix

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  9. Hurrah, you are up and running. Itching to see every little step of the way. Think of all the expertise you can bring to this next project. We learn so much on each one we do. You are especially clever at capturing a real building and this one, real and mini, is stuffed full of interesting cameos. As you say the challenge will be in finding just the 'right' whatnot. Can't wait. Marilyn

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  10. Ho letto e seguito tutti i tuoi blog, non farò fatica a seguire quest'altro che si prospetta già molto interessante. Auguri Irene!!!

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  11. Greetings Irene, What a wonderful project. So many wonderful rooms to replicate. A challenge for you to interpret in mini. What fun you will have with this build. I am looking forward to seeing you bring it to life.
    Regards and many thanks for dropping by my blog.
    Janine

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  12. Hi Irene, I have just spent a lovely hour on U-tube watching the BBC Series If these Walls could Talk that included a visit to the Silk Weavers House. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
    Janine

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    1. I'm pleased you enjoyed it Janine. If you enter Dennis Sever into "Google Images" you'll see lots of pictures that will give an idea of where I'm hoping to go with this. Ten rooms over five floors!

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  13. oooh this is exciting, what a great project. I will be following your progress.

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  14. wow this is amazing dear i like it,thanks for sharing & keep posting..

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