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...

Metal stairs in industrial loft

If I thought that the steps were a challenge I was a little blue-eyed...
The handrails were just as difficult!

I worked with polystyrol profiles again because it is easier to glue the same two materials together. For a minute, I thought about using wood but quickly dropped that idea.
I wanted to have them all glued and completed before I spray-painted - so that I could fix them to the landing and it was all done. The plan was a good one... but then once in it still needed adjustments and tiny spacers.
Well, it is done now and I am mighty proud of it!!

I have even put some screws into the steel construction to make it look as real as possible.

And the spotlights for the lower floor are well hidden in the real balsa flooring. The back of the room box looks a little adventurous... hihi

The rear wall warped a little - so, I got some picture rails (the metal ones that are fastened to the top of the walls) and glued them with epoxy to the back. It did the trick...

And the entrance door is in as well. Do you think I should put an EXIT sign on it?

I spent last weekend in Paris with a friend and we scouted mini shops as well. The best one was La Boîte au Joujoux where I found the bike for this scene. They have the 'regular' dollhouse stuff but the odd 'fine scale' goods as well.

wonderful detail work - and all this for € 14 !!!!

I have completed the roof already - well, the inside of it. This is an old building but when renovating something like this it definitely needs an insulated roof and all... not just bare corrugated iron!

cutting the stryol curvy to fit the roof shape

spray-painted and drilled 0.8mm holes for the jewelry wire

Structure held together with jewelry wire

But before putting the roof on, I have to complete the inside because I need easy access. So, I guess next will be a stainless-steel kitchen to fit the style...

And BTW: the video of Farmhouse Room Box is now online - complete with Swiss sound :-)

Enjoy summer!
Marion

Creating additional kitchen space

You probably all come to the same point as you go along: heck, if only I had a little more space in that house!

Same thing here: I realized that I did not have space for the laundry dryer!
But the house construction is already given - no way I could make it larger.
And all inside space is pretty much allocated ...
Ok, I could make this a major art feature in the living room or so ;-)

I decided to add three 3cm by extending an exterior wall.
This meant that the facade of the house would have to be adapted as well.
Mh...

This is the only place I could extend to the outside (this is a wall that is removable)

... too little space in the back under the staircase.

Well, I took the knife and was hoping for the best!

3cm more make a BIG difference!

The logic looked right at this stage.
I couldn't wait to now get going on the facade to find out if this really looked great...

Yeah! I like:-)

This is what I love about builidng models - finding solutions that look great!