Mini mania!

Mini got hold of me again! And I started my next project: a Parisian pied-à-terre on the top two floors of a typical building in Boulevard Haussmann in Paris.
This totally different and new style really tempted me....

Here the design I made for the house. I focus on the apartment right now - whether I do the three remaining levels below this ... not sure yet.

Walls: I decided not to paint but rather use a nice color paper.

Windows: we recently got a fablab (public space with laser cutters, 3d printers, felt-press, etc.) in our town. So, I decided to laser the windows with cardstock. But first I had to learn the software (Inkscape) and get to know how the laser works. This took a while but it was fun because I got to know new people and techniques. Learning something new is sooo important!

miniature Window handles

But only two of the windows on this floor open - didn't want to stress myself too much ;-)
I am so please with the hardware from my shop at Shapeways... it looks perfect.

Floor: popsicle sticks with a tinted waxing.

The holes in the wall are for lights up to staircase...

Panels for the walls: cardstock, combination of laser and hand-cut. But I had to order the quarter-round dowels for the top from the U.K. - and of course all these other wall trimmings.

Entrance and staircase: space is a little cramped there and I really had to figure our which step to take first. I wanted to use the space under the staircase and recessed part of the kitchen into it.

And there was a small space for a laundry room as well :-) I did not furnish this because I cannot get to it and just used a photo.

While the apartment is old, the furnishing and interior decorating will be contemporary. Shabby chic or antique is just not my style. So, I saw this sofa 'Major Tom' in Dezeen and made a replica. It turned out beautiful but I think it is a little too big for this room - might have to make a different one.

Major Tom in miniature

As you know lamps and lighting is my passion! First I had this idea for the two in the entrance hall.
Then I wanted a Belux Twilight for the lounge. And of course a reading light: copy of Fez from Baltenschweiler. And I laid enough cables for a few more ;-)

Entrance Hall with downlights (Nalladris bulbs)

Miniatures Belux Twilight floor lamp

And the kitchen is nearly complete as well:

Ah, nearly forgot the radiator - it can be cold in Paris in winter, too ;-)

oh, just see that the door handls are at a different height... mh. Some things you only notice on a photo...

Well, this is what the project looks today. Seems as it I calculated the stairscase correctly: just enough space for the flooring :-)

A looong blog - but there was so much to share!
And either I now get busy with the floor above or I do the front first - there is still plenty to make me happy :-)

Keep you posted...

Kitchen Loft Style

Going to the 1:12 Fair in Rheda, Germany, and seeing my mini friends has inspired me again!
So, I finally completed the kitchen in my loft.

I thought that this kind of apartment does not need a kitchen fan - enough air circulating ;-)
I found these handles in a shop for model airplanes.

Here some details...

Note the light in this cupboard and I managed to put rails for the shutter on the sides. Bending the brass without losing the grove of the rail was the challenge...
The toaster and kettle are from Minifanaberia - just perfect as always!

I even fround garlic, onions and potatoes for the basekt!

Oops, the soap seems to fall over just now! But the industrial look faucet from Mini Arquitect Fransciso is super realistic!

The tools on the wall are from various sources: Minifanaberia, Pierluigi and the brush I made myself.

And the bathroom is now fully equiped with toothbruh, towels and all. I have not managed to find a shaver as yet, since Ulus Miniatures does not sell online any longer... just at fairs ;-(.

Next up: making furniture for the lounge...

Marion

1:1 renovation completed

I promised to show some before/after photos... here they are!

before

after

Fireplace before

Fireplace and lounge after 

Kitchen before

Kitchen after: movable bar counter, and a dishwash drawer (!) at working height 

before; TV corner

after : dining area

Entrance before

Entrance after - with a open closet for ALL my shoes, coats and handbags!!!

Before, my office

After, my bedroom with en suite bath

Before: sun room and where I stored my mini houses (round the corner on the left..)

After: sun room with foldable guest bed.. and I just love this wallpaper!

After: making one room out of the kids bedrooms for minis and office

Building can be painless with the right workmen: mine were tremendous, they worked hand-in-hand with each other. They were done in 9 weeks with all the new floors, walls, false ceilings, electrical wiring, new bathrooms, custom made kitchen, plumbing and all. I was afraid that all this indirect LED lighting would not be homely - but, boy, the technology today is just fantastic!

Moved in mid December again - love the wood and bright-airy look. My mini models certainly inspired me to design this concept. And - cleaning out loads of stuff was such a relief! 

So, now I am walking around with a constant smile :-))))

Still need to make a few curtains and things and then I am back into mini-building again.

Marion

Success with the kitchen!

It is starting to look like a home...

But first about the kitchen - it worked out: no more metal sheeting left! I made both of them twice .. but I really wanted counter tops without scratches or dents..

Just wondered whether there is a foil that looks as good as real metal.. for next time.

The sink is from Evi because she is the only one that has them with the real stainless steel look.
It seems she uses some sort of metal covered styrene...

In case you are wondering where the extractor hood is: the latest development here is Bora!

In my next real life kitchen I definitely want one like that...

And I finally could show off Minifanaberia's dishwasher and Ikea racks on the walls! Yeah!!

And all the other treasures I found at the various fairs. Pots of course from Yukio Kaway in Tokyo. Nearly ready to make the Spaghetti dinner....

I had to scrap the idea of having floor-length white curtains in the house 😢:
There was no space next to the TV area.
The advantage: I can now add indirect light on the ceiling.. still to come.
And I hope that Ingrid will help me with assembling a real working clock on the wall (Ingrid, did you get that?? 😍).

I planned to use two black industrial lightshades above the dining table. But with this rather colorful and bold painting it looked too much. So I made a much simpler lamp.

This is the original lamp from Prandina... 

mirror inside..

It took me some time until I found a way to point the light upwards and get the reflection on the table: I used a mirror covered styrene and added a rim. .

First tried it with making a mould - but when I put the material in the oven the result made me laugh..

And: so pleased that my Provence house made it to the Frontpage of Miniaturas!

But why on earth did I give her that photo where the window hinge has become loose??? grr