So… remember how this blog’s name is Project Doll House? Mainly because I started it thinking I would make a doll house (I am an architect by day… really, this should be easy). Turns out that when you do your job during the day, its harder to do it as a hobby, which by the way, turned out to be totally silly because making a doll house is ONE THOUSAND TIMES awesome fun compared to normal work – and this week, a girl arrived that made me kinda go crazy and decide that it was time for Project Doll House to earn its name.
So, meet Birdie, and her little study.
I finished a layaway last week. I lasted for 6 weeks (which is a record for me, last time I did a layaway – for Ruby – I lasted 2 days before I paid everything off). It took phenomenal restraint, but, when she was paid off and Gwen, her previous mum, said that she would be travelling express from Singapore to Melbourne, I got excited.
So, fast forward Monday this week.
O.M.G – I was at work so I’ll give you a play-by-play of my thoughts when the box arrived.
Trying not to rip everything….
The squealing and ooohing probably got to the boys at work at this stage (my studio is me and 3 boys), and they be like, “Jann, what is… oh, its a doll”
Not just a doll!!!!!!!!!!!!
She came to me without a name, and I posted this picture quickly on my Instagram, and lo-and-behold, Cupcake Curio herself messaged me and said, when she was making her, her secret name was Birdie.
So Birdie it is.
“LOOK” I said, brandishing my doll at EVERYONE at work.
“Cute”, said Mikey, Employee 01. Matt, Employee 02, had a more satisfactory reaction to her cuteness. These two make up Jannmakesthings and Sons, where we make kitsch stuff at work.
“Mikey!” I exclaimed. “I think it is time. We will make a doll house!” A second of blank stare ensued, before I attacked a Pinterest Board looking for ideas. Mikey quickly contributed, making appropriate pins to the board.
We decided to make a beginner diorama first, just with a floor and two walls, to see how it would go. Although I am not quite sure what we were thinking here, we literally make models for a living. We should manage 2 walls. There is slight regret for not being more grandiose.
So I 3D modelled and cut this small diorama – 25cm deep, 40cm wide, 50cm tall. Mikey told me my windows weren’t detailed enough and changed it. I stayed back at work one night and painted the back wall an aged blue, and the long wall a creamy white, and then started one-by one gluing on veneer floorboards.
Added skirting boards for a finishing touch.
Mikey had decided that Birdie and Ruby would need a desk for their new room, so, we got to work.
After 3D modelling the desk, we then laser-cut it from ply and basswood. Here it is before it is painted.
Painting time! Before I finished painting this, Mikey decided it wasn’t studious enough, so we made the desk taller with a shelf.
Time to fill that desk after painting!
Made some miniature books
Some maps of Westeros and Middle Earth, and a miniature photograph of Ruby.
And here it is all finished!
(All the drawers are functional as well – heh – What if Birdie needs to store stuff?!)
I bought the little structure outside so I could get some natural light for the shots 🙂
Little detail shot 😀
Re-emnt is great!
Birdie: Let me help you style my desk!
“Why did you only make me a study desk, can’t I have a play area too!”
“I’m working, I swear!”
Probably my favourite shot of her… with the golden light pouring in and catching the corners of little eyechips. I just love her.
Also, she totally deserves this doll room.
But now the others are jealous and I really need to rectify that somehow. Can’t show favouritism!
But. Cuuuute.
Be still, my heart.
Project Doll House 