Warm light, cool light..

In November all the lamps of my first Canal House suddenly started giving a very feeble light.  Pretty though it was, it meant there was something wrong in the electrical circuit.   In order to get to the root of the problem, I had to turn my house so I could reach the back where all the wiring comes together.  Quite a big job and I didn't have time for that until last week.

After a time consuming process of elimination, I found the defective light on the upper landing and was able to fix it.  While I was able to reach the back with my soldering iron, I added a couple of new lamps to the system.

In my electrics drawer I found the table lamp with the two hearts.  I'm not sure where I got this from, but it was a cheap light which I bought online I think.  It fits perfectly in my Arts & Crafts room with the heart shapes reflected in the chair backs and the shape of the foot of the lamp reflected in the little Moroccan table.




I still have to remove the white sticker pad underneath the lamp, I don't like those at all.  



In the kitchen I finally plugged in the small refrigerator I made ten years ago, it still works!  So that is now ready for use.  



Looks good!  At last we can see what's in the fridge at night too.



There is not much in the fridge.  I think a food shopping trip is in order.



Ah, there's the basket with groceries.  Some white wine and...hang on, what's going on there??



It's that rat again!  The one who stole my radishes in the garden.  And now he's got a sausage!  Cheeky little bugger.   I think I need another cat!


Comments

  1. Dear Josje,
    What a jewel is your doll house.
    Hugs Dorien

    ReplyDelete
  2. So pretty...well, all except the rat, that is. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, yes, that rat...I wonder how it got in ;-)

      Delete
  3. Aside from the beautiful items in your miniature scenes, I have to say I love the different light you captured in your first photo. Crisp daylight flooding the window, the warm glow of the fire and the soft light of the lamp. Just beautiful =0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pepper. I must say I am really pleased with my small Canon camera. I've had it for years now but it still surprises me what it can do.

      Delete
  4. Hi Josje,
    Glad you where able to fix the "light problem".
    Although you don't want rats in your house these little ones do look cute.
    As long as he doesn't eats his way through your wickerbaskets that would upset me! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeffry, oh those lights...they look wonderful and really help the house to come alive, but it is always something it seems. That rat must have come from the canal of course. ♪♫ There's a rat in mi kitchen, what am I gonna do? ♫♪

      Delete
  5. Good Morning Josje, How nice to wake this morning and find your posting. I always look forward to seeing what you have been doing. I do sympathize with elusive electrical problems but adding more lighting is always a positive.
    Interesting how the lamp that you bought some time ago reflects the shapes in the existing scene. I guess the adage that you should buy what appeals as you will always find the appropriate place for it is true.
    As always, Josje, wonderful warm atmosphere.
    regards Janine

    PS. The wallpaper is still one of my favourites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Janine. You are right! Maybe subconsciously I knew this would fit the room I wanted to make. Yes, stay true to what you really like...

      Delete
  6. Wonderful post, these pictures are stunning. I watch them with big pleasure, thank you for sharing Josje!

    Magda

    ReplyDelete
  7. Knap dat je dat elektra probleem zelf hebt weten op te lossen, ik denk dat ik er wel hulp bij zou moeten halen. Die rat, daar heb je gif voor hoor haha, wat is die mand mooi gewickerd trouwens, zo strak kan ik het niet. Mooie keuken heb je!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ik had een idee in welke hoek ik moest zoeken voor die storing hoor Inge, en daarna was het een kwestie van elimineren. Wat dat gif betreft, ik geloof dat dat niet meer mag vanaf 2015. Volgens mij had de ongediertebestrijder die vorig jaar bij ons kwam om echte ratten uit te roeien (niet in huis hoor, buiten bij onze beestjes) het daarover. Maar goed. Alleen in miniatuur zijn ze echt leuk ;-)

      Delete
  8. El arreglo de la luz perfecto, esa luz..esas sombras, la mesa marroquí y la chimenea.. una luz calida que invita a relajarse.
    esa lámpara guardada hace años ha hecho un buen servicio y las ratas me encantan.
    Un abrazo
    Maite

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Maite! Oh I don't mind rats either, as long as they stay far away from me and my house ;-)

      Delete
  9. The lights look great! Your photography skills flatter your house even more. Did the refrigerator come with a light or you installed it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I made the refrigerator about ten years ago and added the light back then as well. I think the plans for the fridge came from a dolls house magazine.

      Delete
  10. Me encanta el estilo que le has dado a la casa. Me gusta mucho como queda la nevera. Ah!!! y ese ratoncito es muy lindo, ¡ cuidado con el gato!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias Isabel! Espero encontrar un gato que ama cazar ...

      Delete
  11. Oh Josje, your Canal House is SO Fantastic!!! The lighted refrigerator is Awesome!!! (I now have to add learning to wire a refrigerator to my list of projects! LOL!) And the problem with the lighting, while annoying, has had Great results! The new lamp with the hearts is so appropriate and fitting for that room... and the refrigerator is just a Show stopper! As for the four legged thief,,,, as unpleasant as rodents are in RL.... in this case he is Adorable! And so well made!!! I am always so impressed with the level of craftsmanship in your projects..... your work is Very inspiring for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah thank you Betsy! Well, wiring a miniature fridge couldn't be simpler...just drill a small hole in the back of it and put in a small bulb on a wire. The you have to plug it in of course, which in my case took about ten years, haha!

      Delete
  12. I love the different light effects. It adds so much to the realism to the scene.
    How wonderful to find that lamp in your stash. It really looks perfect with everything in the room. I'm glad you figured out your lighting problem.
    What a great fridge! What an interesting project to create. That is a tutorial I would love to see.
    As for the rat! It reminds me of your yellow rubber gloves that suffered loosing a couple of fingers due to a RL mouse. Perhaps the rat will be happy just chewing on the sausage. ;-)
    Beautiful photos as always. XXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those electrical problems are the least fun part of dolls houses. When I had located the problem light ficture, I nearly ripped the wall sconce off the wall (as it is stuck down with glue!). I was cutting round it with a knife to do as little damage to the wall as I could, when I felt a tiny bump in the wire a few inches away from the wall. I thought I might as well take a chance at cutting the wire off at that point and take a chance at that bump being a break in the wiring. Lo and behold, it was! So problem easily solved by attaching a new length of wiring, light fixture and wall saved!
      I'm fairly certain I made that fridge with plans from a dolls house magazine Catherine. Although knowing myself, I probably made some changes here and there ;-)
      That rat had better not chew on anything else! I think I need a Kilmousky (and a Kilratsky) in my house...;-)

      Delete
  13. I Love the light emitting from the fridge because I can really relate to that! I am often making midnight raids to the kitchen and the light from the fridge is all that there is to see by.
    Anyway, that rat in the kitchen, is both cute and horrible.

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhhh! The midnight snacker! Maybe that's what happened to my fridge, it being so empty. It was you and not the rat's fault at all ;-)

      Delete
  14. Lighting adds so much to a miniature scene, plus I adore you fridge with the light.....such an original idea! I too loved waking to your post....I look forward to the next!!
    Regards....Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to hear it wasn't a bad start of the day ;-) Thank you Linda!

      Delete
  15. So sweet, made me smile :)! Love your house, beautiful and full of atmosphere. Pam x

    ReplyDelete
  16. There's always a sinking feeling when a light in the house doesn't perform, isn't there? You know that ahead of you is a time consuming process to discover the little blighter and then the exercise in bad language that follows as the thing has to be fixed! So glad to hear it wasn't too major an operation and your new lamp has added a little extra to the room. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes exactly Irene, even the bad language. ;-)

      Delete
  17. Hello Josje,
    What wonderful pictures. I'm glad you were able to fix the problem. The rooms have so much charm and character, and the fridge is just wonderful! I really am a HUGE admirer of your work.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Giac! And thank you for inviting me to take part in the challenge, I felt very honored even though I'm not taking part!

      Delete
  18. Hi Josje,

    I sure love that refrigerator, and the way the light plays out of it into your kitchen scene. I am quite impressed with the precision of your work! Everything in the rooms is so perfect.

    Have a great day!

    Doug

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Doug! I like the light too, it's fun to have a light at a different level in the room.

      Delete
  19. Josie, the lights look wonderful now. I'm glad that you were able to fix them. The rat made my morning!LOL just be happy that he was kept busy with the sausage. We wouldn't want him chewing on the beautiful basket!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well that rat still hasn't left, I saw it again this morning! He's still chewing on that sausage, so thankfully the basket is still in one piece.

      Delete
  20. I admire your taste for details. Everything is amazing and so beautiful. Your work always make me dream.
    Geneviève

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very sweet of you Geneviève, thank you!

      Delete
  21. Wat een pracht van een lamp en die mand geweldig!
    groetjes van Marijke

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ricordo ancora quando un topo vero è entrato in questa casa, rosicchiandoti i guanti da cucina! :-D
    Meglio un innocente topino in miniatura! La tua casa è sempre più realistica ed è sempre una gioia guardarla.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes I much rather have this one in my house. I'm still a bit sad about my lovely gloves :-)
      Thanks Blanche!

      Delete
  23. You make me dream each time you show your work.Thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  24. Its such a pretty little lamp :) Great photos love the cheeky little rat


    Mario.

    ReplyDelete
  25. The lights look so wonderful now and everything is always perfect 💕💕💕

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Josje, and Happy New Year!

    I love the new little lamp - I love the base, because it is not just the usual plain brass you see repeated everywhere, good choice!

    And a rat in your kitchen? yes, I think an army of cats is in order!

    Jonquil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jonquil, Happy New Year to you too! It is not easy to stay away from the mass produced lamps, if you have to work to a budget. But I customize many cheaper lights so they become 'mine'. In this case that was not necessary I think.
      I think I have to get a cat with kittens ;-)

      Delete
  27. The contrast of cool light from the window and the warm firelight looks beautifully realistic. I agree the little lamp goes perfectly in that room, and love the little rat stealing the salami. The kitchen looks very cosy and livable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Margaret! The working fridge certainly helps making it livable ;-)

      Delete
  28. wat mooi en leuk allemaal
    gr adrie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dank je Adrie. Ik hoop dat het goed met je gaat!

      Delete
  29. Preciosa casa y muy bien colocadas las fuentes de luz.
    Dan ganas de habitarla

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your miniature work is absolutely gorgeous! I'm new to the mini world, having just bought my first dollhouse, and I've spent hours perusing your blog -- so fascinating! Thank you for taking the time to share your craft!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words Rhonda. Have fun with your dollhouse!

      Delete
  31. I just love the small spaces you create! Hope that you are doing well. XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alessandra! Yes I'm fine, Ive just been busy with other things. Thank you though!

      Delete
  32. Always great stories, and as ever, excellent pictures. Yes, play with light!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Debora. Without light, we don't see anything. With it, we can play, manipulate what we see. Lovely.

      Delete

Post a Comment