jaxenro Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 (edited) So I haven't been doing much lately dollhouse related as I have just so many other things going on but I recently reconnected with a friend and found out that she collects dollhouse miniatures in 1:12 and is doing a Victorian house. I had been kicking this idea around in my head for a while, not sure what to do with it, and offered to do the bedroom set for her. My thinking is I will do a sort of "colonial revival" set but bring it into the 1880's by ebonizing (or Japanning) the frames and covering select parts with madrone burl veneer and round brass door pulls. I think the black cases with madrone burl veneer and a glossy lacquer finish will look really striking. I have a few pictures by Evelyn De Morgan to round out the exotic look and would set them in matching frames to coordinate it all. I usually prefer a hand rubbed oil finish but I think glossy lacquer is a key on "Japanned" wood. Also I think the madrone burl is light enough to offer a good contrast. I haven't decided on the fabric yet although leather might be an interesting option and add another touch of the unique. Leather is a bold choice for a bedroom but offset by the burl I think it might be distinctive and play off the ebonized frames. It is really only one stool and three chair seats. Thoughts? Anyone want to follow along as I work it through? Offer advice? Victorians loved to clutter things up so I might add in two burl pedestals with ebonized spacers and ??? on top. Some sulptures to compliment the paintings would be good maybe in bronze. And a good "oriental" carpet to add to the theme. The burl: Madrone Burl Closeup Madrone Burl All Drawer Pulls: And the paintings: De Morgan The Guilded Cage De Morgan The Love Potion De Morgan Helen of Troy De Morgan Cassandra Edited January 3 by jaxenro 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 (edited) These are the kits I am proposing to use (although I reserve the right to alter them to my hearts content): HOM Bed HOM Chairs - 2 HOM Corner Chair HOM Stool HOM Chest HOM Chest on Chest HOM Desk HOM Desk Cabinet Top HOM Dry Sink HOM Night Stand - 2 HOM Round Table Edited January 3 by jaxenro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 Hit your local thrift stores to see if you can score a few of the old, wide polyester neckties with tiny designs; they make wonderful Victorian upholstery! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 One tie would do the whole set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 3 Author Share Posted January 3 Just a quick test to see how the black and burl will go together - going to need to watch for bleed over of the black onto the burl For the actual one I am getting some good India ink which is formulated not to bleed through this was just some black I had on hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 4 Share Posted January 4 Dry fit, then blacken the parts before you add the burl. No bleed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 4 Author Share Posted January 4 (edited) I plan to do the black first yes. Then veneer. But I often glue the burl on slightly oversize and cut and sand back to the edge which will sand away some of the blacking. I think if I am careful and use good India Ink (which has shellac in it to prevent bleed through) I can really minimize it. I am at the hardest stage now waiting for everything I bought to come in so I can start work I am using this for ink Edited January 4 by jaxenro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 5 Author Share Posted January 5 ok slight change in plans she has enough bedroom furniture so i will use the same concept and do a different room - not sure what yet living room or dining room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Oh, dining room! That black and burl just screams out to be a dining room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 6 Author Share Posted January 6 With a break front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 7 Author Share Posted January 7 I needed something to test the finish on first so I grabbed one of these. I almost forgot how good/bad these kits are. The drawer sides/back/bottom are hopelessly out of scale and the milling on the top when done cross grain (the sides) is rough and pitted, but all the parts are there and the proportions are right. I plan to veneer the top, sides, and drawer fronts, and stain the balance black then finish with multiple coats of gloss lacquer. I will sand the drawer fronts flat for veneering so they sit flush in the case and replace the pulls with brass knobs, but leave the molding intact on the top and bottom. Probably. Possibly. (I keep toying with a ebonized pedestal base instead) I will leave the drawer construction alone it is overly thick but doesn't show and this is really just a finish test case. But the back piece of ply has to go I know it doesn't show but it is at least a scale 1 1/2" thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 (edited) So I am patiently (ya right) waiting for my India Ink to show up in the mail so I can pre stain some of the parts and begin veneering. I bought it off eBay but the seller used one of those third party USPS reshippers and they just sit on it for a week or more. So frustrating. The burl arrived and it is beautiful the drawers are glued together but nothing can move until the ink arrives Edited January 19 by jaxenro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 This is when it would be nice to have a Utrecht's handy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 The ink finally arrived wow. Soaks in to basswood better than stain and dead black perfect for ebonizing wood. Can’t wait to see it under lacquer will post some pics as I get the pieces done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted January 31 Author Share Posted January 31 (edited) still need to make the base trim but this gives an idea of how the burl/ebonized wood looks will be better with the lacquer needs some finish sanding as well Edited January 31 by jaxenro 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FurMama Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 Gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 31 Share Posted January 31 2 hours ago, FurMama said: Gorgeous! Oh, that's Joel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted February 1 Author Share Posted February 1 A little touch up to the black - a little sanding - drill the holes for the knobs - and on to clear - I think the base sets the top off look just like the kit photo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 Going to pick up a can of spray gloss lacquer tomorrow to finish this off but I do admit sitting on my desk it is growing on me. I didn’t intend it but the black and burl gives it an almost Art Deco vibe anyway it is a throwaway test for someone who doesn’t want it so it will be up for grabs if anyone has a corner to tuck it into just let me know I still might do the bedroom. I bought all the burl and the project would be really fun. Be another give away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted February 3 Author Share Posted February 3 Sorry if that wasn't clear. If you want this when it is done let me know I will mail it to you (USA only unless you want to pay for shipping) If you want the bedroom set let me know we can work something out which pieces Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 As a test piece it came out ok It was a new lacquer seems a little heavy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 5 Share Posted February 5 It really makes the burl & ebonized wood pop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 It does. I like the combination but need to work with it a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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