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Morgan Smith Picture 1


Mini Man

About Chimley Cottage

The center portion of Chimley Cottage first appeared in 1502. An inn for weary travelers in the English countryside, the 220 square foot brick building remained unchanged for over 100 years.

In the early 1600's the longer, angled wing was added so the inn could provide lodgings for something rather new and controversial. Actors.

When the second wing was added in the late 1700's the now 720 square foot dwelling became a business and family home. It wasn't until a century later it started being only a family home and known as 'Chimley Cottage'. At this time indoor plumbing was added, the stucco in the kitchen and bathroom was covered with bead board as had recently become popular and the entire exterior received a thick new coat of stucco. The brick remains inside the center portion of the cottage interior as well as the inside walls of the nursery and living room. The cottage became electrified at this time as well.

The Story

After staying in the same family over 500 years Chimley Cottage has a new owner. Clover, her Son and Grandaughter arrive in England to find the cottage has been boarded up for 50 years. They open it, clean it and restore the home until it is full of light, love and happiness.

My story, 'The Cottage of Happy Endings' tells the history of the cottage in a fun and interesting way. It explains why every detail of the cottage has been included and what it means to England and in many cases how it ties England and the United States together. Researching historical trivia for this project was extremely interesting. From Rip Van Winkle to Pinkie and Blue Boy, from Fiesta Ware to the lawn mower, much of what you see is included for a reason which Clover and her family enjoy discovering.

My comments

Every moment of building Chimley Cottage was an honor and pleasure. I have built countless dollhouses in my life of every brand and many of my own design. The component system that brought this project to life is the most inspiring dollhouse I have ever worked with. It bashes like butter, becoming whatever you can possibly imagine it to be and then some. I thank Greenleaf so very much for that.

A few details

In the center portion second story I deleted the windows and used that piece, shortened on each side, as the bathroom dormer front. The dormer in the second story center is created using the same small windows as in the attic on the sides. The attic is an addition, duh, because it is my favorite room in a house. (A great place to write and create)

The stained glass cabinets in the entry hall are the key inspiration in the direction I took with this project. The first cabinet is from the Gavin and Patti Macleod collection, as are different items in each and every room and showcasing that collection was my first objective in decorating. A lucky eBay find of the twin cabinet, and then 'stained glass' windows to fit, completed the color inspiration for the entire cottage. To fit those cabinets I made the entry hall a step higher than the dining area and reversed the front entry to go out instead of into the room to give the cabinets more attention.

The living room/nursery wing is the two window addition, stretched to accommodate the fireplace/bookcase unit I had to have sitting just perfect below the windows. The kitchen, at the other end, is the three window addition with the three windows cut out and angled into a garden window.

The end, for now:

Due to the many technical difficulties at the end I only took a few photos on July 4/5 just when I gave up on the camera. Another good reason to have a camera phone :) I will be doing my best over the next few days and weeks to upload as many beautiful photos as possible to the album I started here. Another great part of the contest :) the finishing of the house after, at a more relaxed pace. I will be doing that for months! I don't ever want to stop playing with this house.

Thank you again,

Morgan Smith

From the category:

2011 Spring Fling Contest

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