An Introduction

The 1930's ..... long before my time but it was the decade in which my maternal grandparents were married and set up home in a traditional 1930's semi-detached house. A house in which I spent the majority of my childhood and which was the hub of our family life. It was a safe-haven where my Granny and Papa would indulge us, a place where family members came and went ... and the kettle was always on!

The house was sold when my Grandmother died in 1995 but I often visualise myself walking through the house and remembering every little detail from the front porch, to the art deco inspired bathroom, to the shell shaped wall lights and fly-catcher lampshades and the understair cupboard where we used to hide and where my Papa kept our bowls of hyacinths in the dark for the annual school competition!

I drove past the house recently and it has changed beyond all recognition. I fully understand the new owners wanting to update the house but part of me wanted it to be preserved as it was and as how I remember it.

My name is Allison and this is the story of my endeavour to recreate a piece of family history and a nostalgic return to the home known as 'Annfield.'

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Sunday, 1 August 2010

Grand Designs!

I'm more than a little excited about this project for some reason...perhaps because it will be more personal being modelled on an actual family home, perhaps because it's my first dolls house with a layout like a real house and definitely because it's something new!

My mind is racing with ideas for this house but I need to rein myself in and work in a methodical fashion so the first thing to plan is the layout.

I know straight away that having an external door off the dining room is not going to work neither is the side window. But the kitchen needs a back door and window so that solves that problem. Hopefully it will simply be a case of swapping over the panels because I so dislike having to cut MDF!

I don't want an open-plan kitchen and dining room so that will have to be partitioned off - perhaps with a serving hatch?

And my Granny's house had glass sliding doors between the living room and dining room so that's what we'll have too! I remember the glass as being like a washboard, with ridges running horizontally - that might be challenging to make or find in 12th scale. Oh, and she always had loads of ornaments on a shelf above the doors - must remember that!

Upstairs, there are four rooms and a landing. The bathroom will be at the back of the house, above the kitchen (to keep the plumbing simple!) and the other three rooms will be bedrooms.

And finally...the chimney will be repositioned to sit above the actual fireplace. It drives me crazy to see chimneys sat on top of dolls houses when there is no obvious fireplace beneath them.

I think I'll make a sketch to help you visualise this house. Back soon x

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3 comments:

  1. Gill Bayes Miniatures8 August 2010 at 20:24

    Aah, a girl after my own heart! I also run many projects along side of each other, and I love the Annfield house you've bought.
    I can't warrant buying another house yet as I have some still in boxes, waiting to be put together but I've been collecting 1930s style miniatures to fill it when I get it, and have a box full, with a three piece suite, fireplace, sideboard, cushions and ornaments. I'm very excited for you and shall watch your blog with interest!

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  2. Allison8 August 2010 at 20:31

    Thanks Gillian - I'd love to see photos of your '30s miniatures, although I've a long way to go with Annfield before I'll be ready to start filling it!

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  3. Piikko13 August 2010 at 17:12

    I think that Annfield will be something very special♥
    Greetings, piikko

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