Upstairs landing...



I don't think I have ever shown you a photo of the upstairs landing.  Maybe that's because it isn't finished yet ;-)   The photo shows you the right side of the landing, with the door at the front opening into the bedroom and another door in the back, opening into...well, nowhere.   In fact, it doesn't open at all as it is a false door.

A few years ago, on an impulse,  I added a box to the back of the bedroom and the landing.  I just cut out part of the back wall and stuck on an old wine box, giving me space for a small ensuite bathroom leading off the bedroom.



With additional space on the landing and after I decided to remove the stairs going up to the attic, I liked the idea of adding false doors (there are two more false doors on the left).   One of the doors in the back leads to the imaginary stairs to the attic (more on that in a next post).


I have put some of my 'pretties'  on the landing,  a few of my miniatures which do not have a permanent  home yet but which look quite pretty grouped together.  
The chair (by Masters Miniatures)  was my first ever Internet purchase, around eight or nine years ago.  The porcelain plate was painted by me.



Chinese figure blue and white porcelain vase (by Henny Staring?) with a Parrot Tulip.  The beautiful marquetry chest of drawers was made by Chris Malcolmson.



' Flowers in a Vase'  after Ambrosius Bosschaert (1573-1621)  by Leslie Smith  
(3 x 4.2 cm without frame, 6 x 7.2 cm with frame)

Comments

  1. You make me dream...
    Best wishes,Rosanna

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    1. “Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” (Poe) ;-)

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  2. When I first saw the thumbnail photo on my dashboard, I thought you were showing a photo of the inside of your RL house.

    It is a great idea to add interest with false doors and these are such beautiful ones.

    The pieces are all gorgeous! Your painting on porcelian is lovely. You are always doing something I wish I could see in person. :-) I am astonished by that tulip, it is fantastic!!! I have never seen one painted so well.

    I hate paint and it is mutual. I can't get the bottle/tin open without making a big mess.

    I am thrilled to tell you I am waiting for a chest by Chris Malcolmson in the mail. Something I have wanted for a very loooog time.

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    1. I could never have guessed you don't like paint. Maybe it is similar to me and clay, I hate the stuff and will only use it when I have to.

      Oh Catherine, have you bought yourself a nice little Christmas present? How exciting! I hope you will post photos of it on your blog!

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  3. What a lovely setting for all your special minis - the inlaid chest is stunning as is the painting. I too thought it was an RL scene I love the door frames, in fact the whole scene is marvellous.

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    1. Thank you Irene! No not RL, my RL doors are not as pretty as these ;-)

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  4. I thought this was your R/L house, what a great idea to use false doors.

    Merry Christmas
    Love
    Marisa

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    1. Thank you Marisa. In real canal houses they used false doors sometimes to create symmetry, so that's where I got the idea from!

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  5. As usual you've taken my breath away. I too thought it was your RL house until I read the bit about the false door (mind you that could be a decor idea that could catch on in a tiny house in RL as well!). It's the perfect way to display these special pieces, as you say they live very well together and they deserve a plain background to be properly appreciated. The chest is truly a masterpiece and the tulip absolutely stunning. Pretty plate - you're so clever Josje!!

    The idea of adding an box extension is something I'm going to store away at the back of my mind, thanks for the tip :)

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    1. Absolutely Norma, it is a decorating idea used in big canal houses 300 or 400 years ago! The most expensive canal houses were double fronted with the front door in the middle and a long hall behind it, with doors on both sides leading into the rooms. The narrower canal houses only had rooms on one side of the house, so the hall would only need doors on one side. To make the hall looks symmetrical they sometimes added doors on both sides. Added bonus of course was that unsuspecting guests would think your house was much bigger!

      The box idea came from one of the famouse old Dutch dolls houses (from the Rijksmuseum I believe). I had seen photos of the back with boxes added on there. I thought it was intriguing.

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  6. Wonderful, wonderful Josje ! I did not recognize the chest as one of Chris, since I have one looking much like it made by Barry Hipwell . The hall is great and I love all pieces.

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    1. Thank you Elly! Ah yes, Barry....I have such good memories of him. I don't have any pieces made by him unfortunately, but he was instrumental in my development as a miniaturist! He was the best! I think I caught a glimpse of your chest (the little wooden one ;-) last summer.

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  7. Love your doors! All the pieces in the hall is beautiful, the chest is wonderful.
    Mona

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  8. What a beautiful setting and pieces/landing and stunning photography---

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    1. Thanks Linda! Oh the photography...While I was taking these photos I thought how funny it would be to show a photo of me trying to take these photos... I've got several lamps perching on top and laying inside the house to provide a nice and interesting lighting situation. It is a narrow space so difficult to get your hands inside with the camera as well as trying not to create a shadow. And then trying to keep it still when taking the photo...

      Thank heavens for digital photography, take ten shots, use only one! LOL!

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  9. Hi Josje
    It looks great, and you have some wonderful pieces of furniture and objects.
    The painting is lovely.
    Have a great Christmas
    Simon x

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    1. Thank you Simon! I love that painting too. In reality it looks even better. Leslie is very good at capturing the essence of the original painting.
      Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  10. It really is astounding how you are able to create real spaces in such minute scale, Josje. Your talent is peerless.

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    1. Ah thank you Shelley! I think a lot of it has to do with camera perspective and light, which I'm sure you'll agree on! I love working with these things as well. I should really study photography more. I know a little bit about it, but I mostly just go by what I see and feel.

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  11. Well, I didn't think it was your RL house, but it all certainly does look real :-)

    A wonderful grouping of beautiful furniture and accessories, I just love everything but if I could have only one thing from this grouping the painting would win hands down.

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    1. Ah, but you have been to my real house so you know what it looks like!
      But thank you. Yes, the painting is a favourite of mine as well!

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  12. Your work and your photos are always amazing. Real treasures!
    Geneviève

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  13. I, too, thought this was your 1:1 house! Wow.

    My dolls' house has no false doors, but a couple of room boxes I've done have them. When in doubt, I always add more detail.

    I might have to buy some Henny Staring pieces at some point (I assume it's her work as a similar piece is on her website) - that vase is just divine.

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    1. Thank you Anna. I agree with you, detail adds interest.

      Henny makes her own porcelain, that's why her pieces are so wonderful. I still would love to buy one of her big tulip vases. One day...
      By the way, it is a vase by Henny Staring. I just remembered to look underneath for her signature. Clever me. Hahahaha!

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  14. Your spaces are always so elegant and serenely calm, thank you for sharing them.
    Happy Holidays,
    Philip

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    1. Thank you Philip for a wonderful compliment.
      Happy Holidays!

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  15. Hello Josje,
    It's hard to believe that is not a real life hallway because everything looks so perfect. I love the hall and I have to say you have some incredible little treasures...that chest is beautiful.
    Absolutely stunning!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thank you Giac! How is your furniture collecting coming along? You need an awful lot to fill that beautiful house of yours!

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  16. Beautiful pieces. I like this atmosphere.
    Bye Faby

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  17. Hi Josge! This scene looks like a real house. I look and I look and it really does seem like a real house. The furniture is superb. I love that plate you painted.

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    1. Thank you Lucille. The plate is one I painted during one of my yearly porcelain painting classes. I was looking at the picture when writing my post and thought 'where did I get that plate from?', only to realise it was one I had painted myself. I thought that was quite funny.

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  18. Your 'pretties' look superb grouped together and I love those doors leading to nowwhere, they add interest. And you have a fine selection of items you have made in classes, the bookbinding and gilding is fabulous. Have a lovely Christmas.

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    1. Thank you! Oh I know I keep going on about these classes I take, but I so enjoy them! Maybe I'll make some more books during the Christmas holiday.
      Have a wonderful Christmas Margaret!

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  19. Ce palier et vraiment très réussi. BRAVO!!
    Muriellisa
    www.montoutpetitmonde2.blogspot.fr
    www.montoutpetitmonde.kazeo.com

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  20. The details here are just wonderful. It all looks so realistic.

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    1. Thank you Maria! Of course I can't take credit for it all, as most of these pieces were made by other people ;-)

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