If you can't stand the heat...

                                                 .....get out of the kitchen!

Well that's just what I did today,  I am enjoying the summer (which has finally arrived) in the shade of  my garden.   I'm doing a little bit of work on the fireplace for the reception room of my second canal house.  I will show it to you when it is finished, it is almost done!

In the mean time I will show you what I have been working on the first half of this year:  a 17th century miniature kitchen.  For those of you who are thinking they are experiencing a déjà vu, you are right in thinking you have seen this before.  Well almost anyway.  This kitchen is based on the one I made two years ago, with just a few adjustments. 



 The beautiful tilt top table was made for me by Colin Bird.  I put in the accessories (silver by Jens Torp)  and the chairs (by John Hodgson) just for the photo. 




 The kitchen cabinet is different from the first kitchen I made.   This one is placed against the back wall allowing for a slightly better view of miniatures which will be put into the top part.  The door closes with a little latch on the inside, which is rather fun.  


 This kitchen is much higher than the first kitchen, so I had to make many, many, many more tiles....phew!  That was quite a big job.  But I love the way they look.  For the readers who have recently joined me, I make these tiles from paper to look like the 17th century Dutch tiles (which were very common in kitchens of that era) called 'witjes', which translates to little whites.  As you can see these tiles were not actually white at all but had hues of blue, pink, green, yellow...


 I painted a marble imitation on the counter top and floor.   Again, the accessories are just  there for the photo,  I don't think they had bottles of balsamic vinegar in the 17th century  ;-).  Silver is by Jens Torp and the cheese board was made by Hanna Lindroth ( Miniature Chef ) and won by me in her giveaway last year.


 The pump and sink.  Delft wall plate by Cocky Wildschut, silver basket by Jens Torp, glass cup and cover by Gerd Felka.  This kitchen has found a new owner, I now still have to make something similar for myself.  I need a little break from the tiles and sinks though, so maybe this winter...
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Comments

  1. You've chosen the best possible title for your blog. Your miniature world is most beautiful. I love the tiles, the cupboard, the table... I love everything here.

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    1. Thank you Gosia! I just visited your site, you make beautiful things yourself!

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  2. realmente se traslada uno a otra época mirando esta maravillosa cocina, me encanta la bomba de agua es perfecta.
    un abrazo

    actually moves one to another time watching this wonderful cuisine, I love the water pump is perfect.
    a hug

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    1. Ah thank you contar! It is based on real 17th century kitchens and the ones which are found in the Dutch Cabinet Houses.

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  3. Hello Josje,
    Superb! The kitchen is just superb. The tiles really look fantastic and really make the counters stand out. I love the pump and great idea relocating the cabinet so as to be able to see some of your beautiful collection through the glass.
    You always impress! Fantastic woirk Josje.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thank you Giac! But I didn't make this kitchen for myself, so it will be someone elses beautiful collection in that cabinet ;-)

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  4. I loved this kitchen the first time you made it. The tiles are gorgeous, so real with the variations in colors. I can only imagine how much work those were. Your marbling for the floor and counter top is perfect! I am sure it looks a lot better then what real marble would.

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    1. Hi Catherine! I also love the look of these tiles but yes, they are a LOT of work. The floor gave me problems because for some reason I still don't understand the varnish would not dry. I waited for weeks before I glued them down but they still got damaged, so I had to redo the floor and the marbling. A kitchen with 'hurdles' as we say here.

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  5. Hallo Josje,

    Wat een prachtige keuken heb je gemaakt.Het zilverwerk is ook erg mooi. Ik ben meteen op het internet gaan zoeken naar meer informatie over Jens Torp.. Als mijn poppenhuis in de vitrinekast klaar is wil ik gaan sparen voor mooie miniaturen en hoop ik iets te kunnen kopen van Jens Torp.

    Groeten Xandra

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    1. Hallo Xandra, ja mooi he dat zilver van Jens, ik ben er ook helemaal weg van! Wel sparen ja, maar ik denk altijd maar: liever één stuk dat heel mooi is dan meerdere stuks van mindere kwaliteit. De rest probeer ik zelf te maken of moet gewoon maar wachten, haha! Vordert je vitrinekast al een beetje?

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  6. Oh Josje
    It's beautiful, and you can really appreciate the amount of hard work you have put into it. All those tiles!! I love the window with its panes, and the corner edge to the sink cabinet.
    Just wonderful - I'm off to re-read some of your older posts again.
    Best wishes
    Simon x

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    1. Hi Simon, I'm glad the hard work shows, haha! I just calculated there must be something like 4000 tiles in there, all hand cut and glued one by one....It's a good thing I have a lousy long term memory or I'd never do it again ;-)

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  7. The kithen is amazing and I love the table and those chairs.

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    1. Thank you Margaret! Colin Bird did such beautiful work on the table!

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  8. Hoi Josje
    Het is weer genieten als je weer foto,s plaats,erg mooi hoor.
    groetjes adrie

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    1. Hoi Adrie! Blij dat het gewaardeerd wordt! Ik wilde eerst de foto's niet plaatsen omdat het zo lijkt op het vorige keukentje. Toch goed dat ik het wel gedaan heb, haha!

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  9. Ma sono miniature??? Non ci credoooo!!! Sono delle Meraviglie!!!! Sono un SOGNO!!!! Wow!!!
    Complimenti!!!!

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  10. Hi Josje,

    I love your kitchen so much, and particularly the glazing on the windows - it has inspired me!

    Well done for cutting out all those tiles, I don't know where you get the patience from! I shall have to go back through your posts to find your original method, because I think that it might come in useful for making Delft tiles.

    As usual, your photos are fantastic!

    Jonquil

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    1. Hi Jonquil, great! I look forward to seeing what it has inspired you to make!
      Oh those tiles...I don't know where I got the patience from either, it just had to be done. I think I must have cut at least 7000 and actually used about 4000, so I still have a few left over for a next project (my own miniature kitchen, yeah!) .

      On my website is a description of how I make these tiles, I have translated it into English: http://josje.bouwt.com/start/linkoverzicht.php3?userid=39770&pass=jggZW4K8GiuLk&updatepass=&update= (if you can't find it via this link, then go to my website, click on 'Workshops' and then on 'Wandtegeltjes'. Scroll down for the English text.

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  11. Your kitchen is amazing. I like the silver accessories.
    Bye Faby

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  12. You are doing everything that I aspire to do.
    The tile is just what I was looking to learn. Perfect work!

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  13. What a beautiful kitchen! So detailed, even the grouting around the sink is darker, as it would be in RL or am I imagining that? I just wondered how did you make the window with the 'bubbly' glass?

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    1. Thank you Idske. No you're not imagining things, the grout is purposely darker around the sink area. I made the bubbly glass with glue on an acrylic sheet. There are several glues which will dry clear, but I did a test with different glues I had and the nicest one was called Sobo (by Delta). You'll have to do a few tests first to try out the bubbly effect because the way you put it on determines the final look.

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  14. Como siempre, interesantes comentarios y buenas fotos.
    Me encantan tus trabajos

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  15. Ik kan genieten van al dit moois!

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    1. Hoi Fenny! Fijn dat je nog steeds geniet! ;-)

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  16. Oooh, een droom van een keuken blok (en je hebt hem weggedaan)lekker ouderwets en prachtig met die oude pomp.
    Leuke oude kast in de hoek en de kleur...heel mooi,zo'n kleur heb ik ook in mijn echte keuken. Het bedje hier ook zo mooi, je bent een vakvrouw!

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    1. Dank je wel Gonda! Ik wist al dat 'ie weg zou gaan hoor, dus dan is het wat makkelijker ;-)

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  17. Petje af voor het engelengeduld! Het resultaat is weer een feest om te bekijken, leuk dat je de foto's toch hebt geplaatst!

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  18. Hi Josje,

    Another beautiful kitchen by you. Unlike some others I remember your posts regarding your kitchen as I was so inspired. To make all those tiles is nothing short of pains taking and that huge window is stunning. I am curious to know what you fill/grout your tiles, they have such a great finish. The marbling effect is wonderful too.

    You usual high standard.

    Fi xx

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    1. Hi Fi, I did a small tutorial on my website a while ago, you can read it here (scroll down the English translation): http://josje.bouwt.com/start/linkoverzicht.php3?userid=39770&pass=gbAaEdWPlVWIc&updatepass=&update=0

      I use spackling paste for grouting my tiles (it may be called something else in your part of the world). Make sure to clean it before it dries because you won't get it off. Go for it Fi!!! ;-)

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  19. This is so marvelous! The marble counter, the little silver basket, they puncuate your minis with such a delightful upscale look! Bravo!!! A job very well done!

    Cheers!
    Jackie

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    1. Hi Jackie! Thank you for your lovely comment. Sorry I am so very late publishing and answering it, but I only just discovered it in my Spam inbox! ~Josje~

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  20. Thanks Josje, I'll check it out!

    xx

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  21. Outstanding work !!! So many wonderful details, I'm blown away. Jeannette

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  22. This photo is so real looking and I love those chairs. The kitchen is so well done and unlike anything we have over here. I'd quite like one myself in RL!

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    1. Haha, yes so would I. With a dishwasher of course, and an oven, and hot water, and a fridge, and, and....

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  23. The test of a good miniature for me is if you can't really be sure whether you are looking at a full-sized room or not. And your miniatures always pass that test - they are soooo realistic! Magnificent work as always, and I take my hat off to you for your persistence and perfectionism in getting things so beautifully finished!

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    1. Thank you Sandie for your wonderful comment!

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