Friday, September 18, 2015

Not all change is good!

There have been a lot of life changes since my last post. Both of us are now retired, we've moved out of our Sydney apartment, disposed of all of our furniture and so on, put personal belongings in storage and are now full-time house/petsitting.  Of course most people who live this type of nomadic lifestyle don't have to move a three level dollhouse and mini-making equipment with them so that aspect is a little challenging but otherwise we're enjoying the experience. 

In regard to my many many boxes of mini stuff working out what to store and what to take was a bit of a challenge and I did make a few mistakes (like forgetting the box of door handles) but mostly I have with me what I need for the moment. I'm concentrating on finalising lighting decisions and finishing the walls and floors on the third floor (hallway, bathroom and double width bedroom). 

Below left is a mock-up of the bedroom interior. The grey door has had more coats of paint on it than most of us have had hot dinners! It was previously green on both sides (with multiple shades and coats involved in that too) but I decided to change to grey on the bedroom side. Quite liked the result (left) after a few coats, washes and sanding but decided this morning to give it a final coat of 50/50 pale grey paint and matte glaze to soften it, result on the right. 


I think it still needs just a hint of dry brushing with a little bit of green on the lower panels so that it looks like the grey has worn and allowed a little of a previous coat of paint to show through, but otherwise I'm pleased with the softer look and will try to resist playing with it again.

However, sometimes change is not a good thing and I really should leave well enough alone!! I don't know why I thought for even a second that it was a good idea to put a coat of the light grey 50/50 glaze on the cream hallway side of the door as well, but I did. Now, keeping in mind that it took me AGES to get this side of the door (which was also green) to pretty much match the cupboard door which was done months and months ago, this is clearly one of the stupidest and logic defying changes I've ever made. Honestly, sometimes I should be supervised!!


Given the number of times I do and redo, and redo again (and again!) it's no wonder it takes me so long to complete a project! 


8 comments:

elizabeth s said...

Hi Norma, I hear you LOUD AND CLEAR! It's that old "less is more" adage that often gets forgotten until AFTER the fact. But on a good note, the door doesn't look bad to me at all, so from my end it doesn't appear to be an Epic Fail; but I am curious as what you will propose to do next; leave it as is or attempt to change it back?
I don't think that I could lead the life of a vagabond such as what you have chosen to do, but so long as you, your hubby and the doll's house are happy, then that is all that really matters! Meanwhile, it has been a Real Treat to hear from you via your blog again, after your long hiatus and hope that another up-date on your French house, is soon to follow.

Margaret said...

I am sure you are worrying too much Norma, I have seen it 'in person' and I know you will have it looking perfectly aged. I also had a 'brainwave' regarding that problem you had with making the back rooms accessible, but of course you may have already ruled out what I have in mind ...

PILAR6373 said...

A veces somos demasiado críticos con nosotros mismos!! La puerta se ve muy bien y combina perfectamente con la pared,eso si,si no te convence del todo,la cambiarás y también estoy segura que la dejarás perfecta!!!
Besos.

Pepper said...

Aww bless. I think everyone reading your blog will identify with your dilema. You have my upmost sympathy because I hate painting and sanding. I hope you find a solution that won't take months to do =0/

Claudia said...

I would venture that all of us have 'been there, done that!' Hang in there, Norma. You'll figure it all out, I know you will.
xo
Claudia

Irene said...

Oh dear, poor you! There's nothing worse that putting time and effort into something only to find when it's finished that it's not what you really want in the end. You'll get there. Oh, and happy retirement!

onbeingaminimum said...

Good luck with your new ventures Norma. Looks like you and your dolls houses will be having a lot of fun!

Fabulously Small said...

that are a lot of lifechanges, I hope you enjoy this new life ahead of you! Haha, should be supervised, maybe not such a crazy idea, haha ;). It happens sometimes and we would like to hit the control Z (I sometimes think that's an invention worthwile, a RL 'undo-button', something I use so often on my laptop, but you just can't in reallife.. The other door does look great and I was happy to read in your next post you managed to get the failed door back to it's colour, well done!