Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A little building renovation...

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

39 comments:

Lori said...

It looks great...looking forward to seeing what you do with it :)

Whittaker's Miniatures said...

A 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

rose cat cottage said...

Nice 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

monique said...

Wow! What a beautiful renovation. I love your flooring. Did you age that paper or did it already look like that?
I'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 ;-)

La Belle Cuisine by...Marina said...

I love shabby style...so I can´t wait to see your work!!!
Mini-kiss
Marina

Diane Writes said...

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!

Lumara said...

your new house so wonderful! It's real city house!

Kathi said...

Wow. 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.
Hugs,
Kathi

Marisa Stein said...

I love Renovations and that is a great little house! I too can't wait to see what you've come up with!

rosanna said...

I 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

Sabiha Barkey said...

What will it be??????? I know, but will not tell anybody,lol!

Know it will be very very nice...can't wait to see more!

Sabihax

Eva said...

El cambio va a ser importante y más actual, seguiré los progresos que hace ya que me encanta el estilo shabby. Un saludo, Eva

Katie said...

I love the papers you used for the floors and the wall! Can't wait to see what you do next!

TINK-SONIA said...

I love the new look is full of light now.
Mini regards.ñ

ANGELES said...

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.

MALINIK said...

Looks great!

Irene said...

What an interesting project to follow - I'm looking forward to seeing it progress.

BTW - we don't have problems with glue drying here - lol

Lucille said...

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.

Minnie Kitchen said...

wow~ so much detail!

Kim said...

Mercedes- 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!

miniacollection said...

Lovely renovation! I must say I prefer the way it looks now, the colours are great and I love the floor.
Geneviève

kimsminiatures said...

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

Lataina said...

How exciting! Can't wait to see what it will be. I love the flooring! =)

Jollie said...

I clicked on the photos from the shop before you started the renovation and you did a wonderful job on that too as a beginner :)
But 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

sylvia said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Lynne said...

I was lovely...but I understand about taste/style preferences changing. How fun you are to re-do it! Looking forward to the new one!

maria said...

I loved the shop how it was, but i think it is going to look more nicer.
I absolutely looooove the floring. I am also curious what shop it is going to be.
Hugs
Maria

Sewn With Grace said...

I'm loving the transformation. So happy that we are a part of the journey. Can't wait to see more!

adrie said...

ik vind het erg mooi worden ,ik blijf je volgen
groetjes adrie

Heather said...

How fun to do a renovation! I love the colors and how the different patterns work together. Can't wait to see more!

it's the little things... said...

Can't wait to see!

Elizabeth said...

I love what you've done so far, although the original was very nice, too. I love your blog, in general! Everything's so pretty!

Norma said...

Looks like a lot of fun, the papers in the ground floor space are super gorgeous :)

Gema-Cyberarpía said...

Me encanta, menudo cambio le estas dando.
Besos.
Gema.

Lady Jane said...

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...

moti said...

I love it, it looks great with these wallpaper, lovely colors.
regards

Eli

Jose said...

Very impressive and amazing. I love your creations.
--
Seattle Real Estate

Sans! said...

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.

A great job so far!

Kleine Vingers said...

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.

Aurora