Tuesday 10 August 2021

Into the loft

I have been tinkering. 

In fact the loft room has been looking kind of finished for some time. As you would know, there are always little details that can be added, played with and changed, but overall it now looks and feels how I had imagined.

It is a basic room. Karl Johan who lives here is not home much. He is a bright lad and came to town to study, so is lodging in the attic room of T. Tjørngren - the thing is, Karl Johan would much rather be out bird watching than spend time studying and it looks like he was down in marsh again this morning before class because is old pants have been hung to dry in front of the stove.


At the back of room, under the rafters is the sleeping quarters. Karl Johan is quite untidy, and making the bed is not a priority, but I do wish he would stop just slinging his nightshirt onto the bed when getting dressed in the morning. 

Modeled on traditional Danish beds, the little bed is the first piece of furniture I made from scratch for this house. 


I didn't take any photos while making the bed or bedding. The bed itself is made mostly from card stocks, with bits of turned banister for the legs and a length of fine wooden molding for the trim one the side. 
the bedding is made from old hankies - the lightweigth, well-washed cotton lending itself perfectly to old linen. Not sure if I was slightly mad when  spending an evening stitching the pulled thread border on the quilt cover. 
To be able to shape the messy quilt, I knitted the inner in thick soft wool, mixed with a length of super fine beading wire. It seems to do the trick. 

The little chest at the end of the bed is a really special piece. It was made as a special gift for Karl Johan from his 'uncle' Sam (Samantha Burns of Blueprint Minis) to house his collection of eggs and feathers. 

At one side of the small room is the 'kitchen' quarters. The table is a super cheap from the dollar shop, aged and roughed up. The accessories still need a bit of work but amongst the stuff is a little golden cup and blue frying pan from my childhood.


The stove is a Chrysnbon kit that I had great fun aging and wiring up. It was my first attempt at this kind of work and I was so thankful to find Brea's great tutorials on Otterine


Anything electrical still scares me, so no need to tell you how excited I was when the flickering lights actually worked.


At the opposite side of the room, is a small chest of drawers. This side of the room still needs a bit of work; it needs a mirror, perhaps a small stool...  


The chest is built from scratch. I had another, really pretty chest that was the perfect size but fare to 'nice looking' for the loft and I soon realized that finding a smallish chest kit was not easy so I built this one based on the same measurements. I have plans for one of the small top drawers...

The latest and last addition to the loft room is outside the window.

As I mentioned, Karl Johan is an eager bird watcher so of course he will do anything to attract them to his humble abode. 

I have come the conclusion that as much as I love trying my hand at almost anything, I might leave any kind of food making to all of those amazingly talented miniature food artists out there. I felt terrible 'butchering' a beautiful apple made Maria of SolsCreationsAU and tasty looking slice of bread by Bella of belladOllas (both on Etsy) but I think it looks inviting enough so that, hopefully, a bird or two will find its way to the feeder.  


I hope you are all keeping well and safe, and thank you for stopping by. 

Anna X

12 comments:

  1. Absolutely CHARMING!
    I'm immediately transported into Karl Johan little world and his deep interest in bird watching.
    I LOVE the messy bed and what treat seeing his old pants drying close to the fire which is yet ANOTHER SUPER detail you've included.
    The transformation of the stove with the fire along with the removable pan, gives such a warm cozy feel to this tiny attic room and is PERFECT!!!
    And I get the impression that Karl feels content with his space and able to pursue his passion without the encumbrance of too many possessions, although I do think that perhaps a mirror on the wall, would save his face a few nicks!
    BEAUTIFUL WORK and Marvellous storytelling!

    elizabeth

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    1. When I visit Stueio E, I am always in awe of the incredible atmosphere you create in your scenes Elizabeth and your your kind and encouraging words.

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  2. Oh Anna! It is a wonderful room filled with so many creative details and every element is aged to perfection! I just love the woodstove, and the bed is marvelous, too! You really can do anything you set your mind to, and you do it incredibly well! Sam's chest is awesome! What a thoughtful and nicely made gift! Thanks so much for sharing this inspirational room!

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    1. Thanks Jodi, my mini journey would not be a happening thing if I hadn't discovered fabulous mini makers, like you, you so generously share they tips, tricks and discoveries.
      Thank you.

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  3. Dear Anna, I feel as though I could sit there by that stove reading on a chilly night! And the bed and bedding are perfect! Well done for a first piece of self made furniture! The stove transformed is a super addition... the glow really adds to the effect! I, too, treasure the few pieces of dishes and dolls I have from my childhood! Your room is so well thought out and the details you have included are wonderful! And the chest with the little collection of bird treasures is awesome!! I look forward to seeing what goes in the dresser! :):)

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    1. Dear Betsy, thank you so much. What is going into the top drawer of the dresser, might not be what you expect....
      Anna X

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  4. Love it Anna! In all its simplicity, it really tells a story. Each piece is well thought out. Great work on your scratch built furniture too!

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    1. Thanks Shannon, it is funny how this little world takes on a life of its own.

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  5. I absolutely have to have 'real' characters with the lives in my projects so love it when someone does the same. I am never sure whether my minis bring my stories to life to whether it is the other way round. I adore your loft and it’s tale. You must find a teeny mouse to tuck in somewhere taking advantage of Karl's absence

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Marilyn. For me the minis and the story is a little like the chicken and the egg - you can't have one without the other.
      Look closely in pic 2... I think the mouse is contemplating how to get to the salami on the top shelf LOL

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  6. Hello Anna, adding a lodger to mister tjongren's house gives the story a nice twist. The room is not just an attic bedroom but it becomes a little appartment on its own. And you have woven a great story around it. I am impressed with the bed! My first miniature piece of furniture was a stool. wobly and rickety. :-)

    You have added some great details to this room. It is a joy to look at the pictures. I am very curious about the contents of the top drawer. I think it is linked to birds...

    Huibrecht

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    1. Hello Huibrecht - I am so pleased you can see the attic room as the little one room apartment it is meant to be.
      You are spot on with your thinking about the top drawer...
      Anna

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