Friday, June 15, 2012

Plumbing and Paint


I love my "goose neck" tap set in the French kitchen - but it created a frustrating problem I hadn't anticipated. 


As you can see (below) there isn't enough clearance between the bottom of the window frame and the tap lever.  I confess I said several rude words when I discovered my mistake! 


I considered a few different options to solve the problem but decided on the easiest fix and out came the sandpaper.  The bottom of the window frame is no longer a tight fit on the window sill but at least it clears the taps.  The gap isn't noticeable from the inside.  I added an extra strip to the exterior framing to cover the gap that certainly was visible from the outside but it's not really necessary in the long run because a window box will be added  later.   However, in the meantime it'll keep Emily safe from cold draughts when she's washing the dishes ;)


Also I've overcoated the green on the cabinet with a coat of chalky pale grey as I decided the original colour was too strong in such a tiny kitchen, especially when there was no other similar green to link it to.  I think this new colour sits much more happily with the surrounding grey shades.  

Since taking these photos I've also added a touch of off white to the sink to diminish the pristine look of it. 

The last couple of days I've been busy fitting out the bathroom - more plumbing, but at least no troublesome taps - photos to come soon.


The kitchen tap set was purchased from www.miniatures.com - click here to go directly to the set on their web site.



34 comments:

Nina in Germany said...

Congratulations to your problem solving.
I still admire the kitchen wall, I am in love with !!!
Nina

Sans! said...

This mini kitchen is so realistic, I had to blink twice and it still looks life size!

I can totally appreciate your frustration. Glad the sanding helped!

ISABELLE said...

J'ai eu le même problème en vrai!!!!!Votre cuisine est superbe!
Isabelle

beachcomber said...

very clever! i'd love a life size version :)
x

Ilona said...

Any miniaturist has sometimes this frustration, Norma, me too! But your problem is now solved on a good way! I love your kitchen very much, the colors are looking excellent to me!
Greetings, Ilona

Eliana said...

I'm glad to know that you easily solve this little problem.
The kitchen is getting awesome!
Hugs

Flora said...

Wow Norma ...
First, I literally love the new picture on your profile: you are always more beautiful :-)
Besides, I love every single detail of the kitchen of Emily. The faucet is fantastic and certainly worth the trouble of sanding the doors of the window, to make room ... The new color of dust, fits perfectly with the style of the whole project, I think ...
In short, you're a legend :-)
I embrace you and I go to register to your extraction of Australians grocery: would be a honor to have an international undersink :-)
Mini lovely hugs
Flora

Wanda said...

Great job Norma!

Cote said...

Me alegro que resolvieras de forma fácil el problema. Te está quedando fantástica!!
Besitos

LaLaLand said...

Brilliant fix, Norma! My first thought was to make the windows open outward but your fix is much more sensible.
Love the grey.

sognatriceabordo said...

Love your furniture. Happy that you are solved the problem.

Ascension said...

Un precioso trabajo!!!
Enhorabuen apor resolver los problemas.
besitos ascension

C said...

I think this whole kitchen is looking fantastic. Well done on finding a solution. Like Sans I had to look twice - that sink is beautiful. Great job. Also love the grey colour - you are giving me second thoughts now about a project I am working on with quite strong green. Mmmmmmm. Best wishes, Carol :)

Ana said...

Hello Norma, I just love the colours and the texture you achieved with this project. It´s funny but I have the same problem in my real Kitchen, and I´ve never been able to solve it. When I want to clean the window I´ve have to do it from the outside.
Best regards,
Ana

Fabiola said...

I like this small kitchen and the color.
Bye Faby

Susanne said...

Hello Norma,
I just adore your kitchen and the colors you chose. Here in Denmark all windows opens to the outside, I even think it is regulated by law. And that is of course made to avoid problems around the sink ;-)
Love, Susanne

Kathi said...

Nicely done! I love the "new" colors. Great job finding a solution to your little problem. Mini problems seem huge at times! :D

Lucille said...

Hi Norma! I do love the taps and thank you for the link. I like how you solved the problem of the window. So ingenious! I also prefer the grey paint to the green in that kitchen. I'm sure Emily will be very happy there.

Lucille said...

It's me again, Norma. I just want to say that I love your new profile photo. You're looking so pretty!

Helena said...

Hola!!
La cocina va ha quedar muy bien!! Menos mal que has podido solucionar el problema con los grifos y la ventana. Tengo ganas de ver la cocina entera!! Felicidades por tu trabajo!!
Un saludo, Helena.

lamina@do a bit said...

Love that kitchen... it's looking gorgeous!!!

Unknown said...

I think your idea is the right way.
I love the new colour.
Hugs from Craftland

Virginia isabel said...

Bush! Que problema! Pero lo has solucionado y muy bien.
Siempre da rabia cuando pasa.
Te esta quedando genial la cocina.
Besujis!

Anonymous said...

this is looking fantastic!! well done. Doris

Begoña said...

Hola Norma,la cocina te está quedando muy bonita, menos mal que has podido encontrar una solución al problema de la grifería, y ha sido una buena solución.

miniacollection said...

Absolutely great! I love the colour. You're full of ideas facing a problem. Bravo!
Geneviève

Unknown said...

This kitchen is amazing,just my style!mini hugs my friend ;)

Sylvia said...

I'm glad the problem was resolved, the kitchen have atmosphere very special
Hugs

luisa said...

tante volte capitano questi piccoli guai..... ma l'importante è riuscire a risolverli bene come hai fatto tu!!!!! La tua cucina mi piace moltissimo, è in linea con "l'aria" che si respira in tutto il resto della casa, splendida!!!!!
Luisa

Unknown said...

Good job on improvising, Norma. That's a clever idea to use a sandpaper to make the handle of the faucet smoother. Now, you don't seem to have any problem opening the windows upfront. Why didn't you just transfer the faucet and sink to another area? I think it would be easier that way, and no damage will be done in that process as well.

Earlene Mroz

Sandra said...

I love everything you are doing with this French house Norma! Sandie

Gill said...

Norma, you've been so busy with your cottage! I love what you've done with the sink and unit, the wall is lovely as is the window, can I move in? Gill x

Althea Tumlin said...

Whoa! That is an amazing French kitchen you got there! It looks like a real life-size kitchen. I think I know where to get the inspiration for my next kitchen make-over, hehe! Anyway, sanding the windows is a clever idea, though I hope it didn’t ruin the wood that much.

Carmella Vancil said...
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