Hello Followers! I'm sorry it's been such a while since I last posted any progress of my current project and profuse apologies to all of you who's blogs I follow for not posting comments. I'll rectify that soon - honest! I just lost my mini oomph but it's back now and I've been able to complete another room - the Smoking Room - in my Silk Weaver's property.
Unfortunately, from where the majority of photographs are taken, I was having difficulty finding out what's in the spaces behind or in corners and because of lockdown, the property was closed for the foreseeable so I couldn't contact anyone regarding this.
Pouring through hundreds of pictures was exceedingly time consuming and as a lot of the photos are quite dark, it was tricky to see exactly what was in the corners of that room, so I searched around and contacted an Illustrator who had done some drawings of the rooms and asked if she had any sketches/photos that I may be able to use for research purposes and she very kindly obliged. Rebecca Wright Her work was very helpful in enabling me to work out what was where so "thank you" Rebecca.
* Posted with the kind permission of the Dennis Sever House
There's a lot of brown in this room and a few gentlemen's coats scattered around. Anyone looking closely will see that the room is set up as a copy of the Hogarth painting above the fireplace. When you enter the room, you enter the painting,
The floor has a chequerboard design - getting the scale of that correct was going to be tricky and it was!.
So, after all that, the room is finally finished.
I hope I've done the original justice.
As it's a tricky building to recreate in miniature where the mini rooms are all face on, they don't really correspond to the original building especially in relation to the windows so I've taken a bit of a liberty with those.
Finally, I've just decorated all three windows on the facade to correspond with the original because once the door is open it doesn't really matter!
* Taken from Flikr - Folgate Street
I hope everyone is keeping well, safe and busy.
Hi Irene! Nice to see you back and busy! Funny as I was just wondering last week how your minis were going. The smoking room looks great and very close to the original. How kind of Rebecca to help you out with information too! And lastly, I am happy to hear you just finished the front facade as per the house, regardless of room layout. I get so hung up on these things sometimes that I make no progress at all, so it’s heartening to see other miniaturists accepting that sometimes we just have to compromise. Take care! X
ReplyDeleteThanks for your nice comment Shannon. I just lost the mini mojo so thought it best to step away for a while but it's back now. The real house is a tricky thing to replicate so I have to take some license with windows etc. but it's a fun project to work on.
DeleteIt's great to see you back. You've indeed done the original justice. Your smoking room is full of details and they create a warm atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
Thank you Genevieve. I've been very bad at not commenting on Blog posts for a while now but I'm trying to catch up.
DeleteGood Morning Irene, so nice to see your post. Now that the weather is cooling I hope we will see more from the Northern Hemisphere.
ReplyDeleteAs always your room is full of small details that require attention. I felt particularly drawn to all the items of clothing you have hung on the walls.
Thank you.
Janine
Nice of you to say so Janine. I'm pleased you like what I'm doing with this. Each room has so much stuff, just when I think I've got it all I spot something else that needs adding.
DeleteOh goodness. My comment posted,! I should also like to mention how good the checkered floor looks and I loved your mention of entering the room was like being drawn into the painting above the fireplace.
ReplyDeleteSo evocative of the atmosphere.
Janine
The "entering the painting" comment was made by the House Tour Guide so I pinched it as I think it draws attention to the point of the room especially as not everyone can visit. Check out Google images for the Dennis Sever house and you'll see where I'm going with this. Victorian Parlour next.
DeleteThe smoking room is simply amazing, Irene! What a challenge you have given yourself, and what a victory you are accomplishing with this historically accurate replica! It must be so fulfilling each time you solve how to replicate each item, and to imagine what you'll use or how you'll source things! If you can scan the photos into the computer, or if they are already digital, there are many free photo processing software choices available for download which should be very helpful. Just by playing with things like shadow, contrast, exposure and clarity, you may be able to see clearly what is otherwise dubious. Just watch a couple YouTube videos and you'll know what to do. Can't wait to see you back again with updates!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodi and for the tip re photos. The rooms are very dark so it's tricky to see what's where and there is so much stuff. You're quite right about the smug feeling I get when finding exactly the right piece for the job!
DeleteHi Irene! It's wonderful to see you back in the mini mode with this wonderful project! It is challenging enough just to find period accurate mini furniture, let alone all the accessories! You have done a fantastic job on yet another fascinating "window" into the past! This room is just packed with great details! I Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comment Betsy. I'm slowly catching up with everyone's blogs. Each room in this property takes an age as I hunt for the right pieces - I feel like I'm on a mission.
DeleteWow! That is so fabulous on so many levels. Just as a piece on its own it is fabulous but when you realise it is capturing a real place so accurately it is even more stunning. You are the queen of details and every little item is lovely. I also admire the patience and persistence needed to garner these things. The painting within a room within a painting is so clever and slightly spooky.
ReplyDelete