When I first joined the miniatures club they were building Victorian shops to be displayed at their next show and I was asked if I'd like to build one too. I said 'yes' and was given the pre-cut pieces of wood to build the shop. One of the ladies from the club helped me with the building and wallpapering - it was a great way to learn the basics.
The bricks were the most tedious part. They're made of sandpaper that I added a little grey paint to before I cut it up into bricks. I can't say I ever want to brick anything again!
I made the upstairs shop a Victorian photography studio called 'Liberty Art Portrait Studio'.
The downstairs was a toyshop called 'Noah's Arkade'.
But that was five years ago...and I've grown tired of looking at these shops and thinking how much better I could do things now that I (almost) know what I'm doing...
So I've been renovating and here's the downstairs shop now.
All shabbied up of course! It's not quite finished yet.
I had to make a new front window which turned out to be quite a challenge - the weather was so humid the glue wouldn't dry.
I love that wallpaper (Roosevelt Rose by MiniGraphics).
The flooring and ceiling are scrapbooking papers.
The newly shabbied brass light.
It's not a toyshop any more...soon I'll show you what it's going to be.
I'm having so much fun with this little renovation!
Mercedes
It looks great...looking forward to seeing what you do with it :)
ReplyDeleteA new project, what fun! It looked lovely before, love all the toys, and the darling little dollshouses in there, where do you find such an array of tiny goodies ! I need lots of little things for my antique shop, think it will take some time to source and fill that one! So a new shop, hmmmm what will it be! Excited to see! Kate xx
ReplyDeleteNice renovation Mercedes! it is aboslutely charming with these new wall paper and colors inside and outside as well... And now I am really curious to know the next step and for what will be all this... Doei, Claude
ReplyDeleteWow! What a beautiful renovation. I love your flooring. Did you age that paper or did it already look like that?
ReplyDeleteI've such a house too. One that I made about 10 years ago and it's not exactly what I want anymore. Perhaps its time for a renovation too ;-)
I love shabby style...so I can´t wait to see your work!!!
ReplyDeleteMini-kiss
Marina
The renovation is so posh and girly, even just with the wallpapers. I can't wait to see the fully renovated house. I will never get tired of seeing your works. Seeing those small yet beautiful things relieves the little stress I encounter everyday. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteyour new house so wonderful! It's real city house!
ReplyDeleteWow. That's a LOT of little bricks! All perfect too! Love how you changed the window and added another door. The colors are so pretty. Can't wait to see what this house will be.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kathi
I love Renovations and that is a great little house! I too can't wait to see what you've come up with!
ReplyDeleteI always admire your courage. You have a lovely little shop and you bash it regardless of hat you have done before. And you make it even prettier! The Roosevelt Rose paper is the same I had in my first dollhouse, I still love it. I truli love the floor as well, fab paper!hugs Rosanna
ReplyDeleteWhat will it be??????? I know, but will not tell anybody,lol!
ReplyDeleteKnow it will be very very nice...can't wait to see more!
Sabihax
El cambio va a ser importante y más actual, seguiré los progresos que hace ya que me encanta el estilo shabby. Un saludo, Eva
ReplyDeleteI love the papers you used for the floors and the wall! Can't wait to see what you do next!
ReplyDeleteI love the new look is full of light now.
ReplyDeleteMini regards.ñ
HOLA MERCEDES ¡ me parece uno de tus mejores proyectos, claro está que todos tus trabajos me parecen maravillosos...un saudo ,. y felicidades por todo ,todo tu blog...disfruto mucho cada vez que lo visito ¡¡¡ besos. Angeles.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting project to follow - I'm looking forward to seeing it progress.
ReplyDeleteBTW - we don't have problems with glue drying here - lol
Mercedes, you're so talented when it comes to picking wallpaper. Thank you for sharing where it comes from. I just love the colours of the paper you selected for the floor. Glad to see you're having fun. It's good for the soul. I'm so happy whenever I see you have a new post because your creations bring me so much joy. I often come to your site just to look around and get away from everything. So cute that you had named the shops after your children. I must say I love the dark blue colour scheme you had selected for the camera shop. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.
ReplyDeletewow~ so much detail!
ReplyDeleteMercedes- I am excited to see what this will become! That paper for the floor looks amazing! I've just ordered a gold light fixture that I hope to paint white and shabby like you have done- hope mine turns out half as pretty!
ReplyDeleteLovely renovation! I must say I prefer the way it looks now, the colours are great and I love the floor.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
Love it so far Mercedes. The floor paper you picked looks amazing my friend. I agree with Kate it looked awesome before too, Mini hugs~ Kim
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Can't wait to see what it will be. I love the flooring! =)
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the photos from the shop before you started the renovation and you did a wonderful job on that too as a beginner :)
ReplyDeleteBut I love your renovation project much more (more my kind of style too ;) so I am very curious what you will be making of it now.
I love the wallpaper, it looks more lovely now with the sweet roses :)
Hugs, Jollie
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was lovely...but I understand about taste/style preferences changing. How fun you are to re-do it! Looking forward to the new one!
ReplyDeleteI loved the shop how it was, but i think it is going to look more nicer.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely looooove the floring. I am also curious what shop it is going to be.
Hugs
Maria
I'm loving the transformation. So happy that we are a part of the journey. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteik vind het erg mooi worden ,ik blijf je volgen
ReplyDeletegroetjes adrie
How fun to do a renovation! I love the colors and how the different patterns work together. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see!
ReplyDeleteI love what you've done so far, although the original was very nice, too. I love your blog, in general! Everything's so pretty!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of fun, the papers in the ground floor space are super gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteMe encanta, menudo cambio le estas dando.
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Gema.
Oh you have done a marvelous job of renovating the toy store. I just cant wait to see it done. They have brick kits so easy to do today that my house is made of brick and it was no sweat. You take a stensil, lay it over the wood, slather on the grout that comes with the kit, it drys for a bit and then remove the stensil and there you have the brick. easy peasy...
ReplyDeleteI love it, it looks great with these wallpaper, lovely colors.
ReplyDeleteregards
Eli
Very impressive and amazing. I love your creations.
ReplyDelete--
Seattle Real Estate
O yes Mercedes, I remember this shop well and somehow I knew it was only a matter of time you would want to bash it and make something that is more signature you.
ReplyDeleteA great job so far!
I liked the toy store but the photostudio I thought a little to dark for my liking but of course quite right for the period it was set in. Now I'm curious how the new interior will turn out.
ReplyDeleteAurora
would you be so kind as to share where the floor and ceiling papers are from and the name if you have it. I know it is a long-shot, but I'd love to find some for a project I am working on!! Thanks so very much. hugs, barb
ReplyDelete