Under construction...

This is the first of hopefully several little Imari plates I have painted for a new room in my canal house Herengracht.  I took this photo when it was nearly finished, but not fired yet.  

The idea for the new room came to me when I finally started work on the staircase I wanted for my house. The space behind the staircase was intended to be a courtyard, but as it would be almost impossible to see it without sticking your head into the kitchen, I decided to do something different and make a little tea room or tea cabinet. 

I built the staircase from oak following a template I designed.  It wasn't easy but I now have the bare bones of the staircase.  Next I have to build the sides and make stair furniture.  I want to try and make it myself, maybe do some metal casting or have it cast for me.  That may take a while ;-)  

Next to the staircase is the entrance to the dining room.  I made two sets of double doors for this room, which of course means twelve hinges to fix.  Never a job I look forward to.  But this time, apart from losing a hinge (and despite the crawling on hands and knees with a flashlight I didn't find it again) hanging the doors went well.  I have few more jobs to do on them. 

Nothing is finished or attached yet as you can see.  

View from the dining room to the hall with the staircase.  To the left of the fireplace is the second set of doors, leading to the tea cabinet.  

A cabinet room (in Dutch:  kabinet) is described on Wikipedia as: "A cabinet (also known by other terms) was a private room in the houses and palaces of early modern Europe, a room serving as a study or a retreat, usually for a man."

In Dutch houses however, a cabinet was a little or secret room used as a work room or to house an art collection and could be anywhere in the house.   My room will be filled with oriental porcelain and be used as a little tea room.  

The wallpaper I used was given to me by a friend.  I think the colour is perfect with the Imari porcelain and forms a nice contrast with the colour in the dining room.  

The floor was made by me years ago for another house and with a tiny adjustment, was a perfect fit for this room.  I think the wood I used for it is walnut.  

View of the tea cabinet from the dining room.  It really is a tiny room.  It will just about hold a table and two chairs.  It will be lit by candles or wall sconces and maybe, I'm still thinking about it, I will make a roof light in the ceiling.  

But, lots af work to do yet.  And paint and collect more porcelain.