Petrified Wood Floors

I've had several requests to know what I used for the floors in The Citadel, so I'm going to tell you what I used and how to get it.

 I get the "Petrified Wood" pattern from Formica.com  It comes in 12x12" samples.  No two samples are the same which makes for great varied colors.

 On the web site it's under their 180 FX grouping.  Note:  they will only send one sample per request so, if you need more, you may want to wait a couple of days then request another.  They will ship the sample at no charge.  

 Then I just use my Proxxon table saw to cut the sample into 1"  wide strips then into random lengths.

 Then I just glue it down.  I try to mix up the colors to give it a more varied look. 

Citadel Update

Over a year and a half ago thanks to Brae from Otterine's Miniatures, I was able to purchase the Citadel Dollhouse kit.  It's a modern dollhouse from Lolly's near Chicago. You can read more about it here and here.  It was discontinued some time ago.  I put it together a little over a year ago and it sat for a long time.  I finally did some work on it!

 The front is nearly finished.  I just need to install one more window, paint it and trim around the windows.

It he largest room, I did the same flooring as I did in the Butterfly House on the bottom floor and bamboo on the loft floor. I added a plexiglass railing and aluminum trim which is held on with little socket head screws. I also installed the trim (metal eyelets) for the LED pot lights that I will be putting in.

I made the tall wall a feature wall by adding beech wood panels with brushed aluminum in between to pick up on the aluminum trim on the railing. I also used the beech for the trim around the windows and base boards.

  I did something that I don't usually do even in real life and that is I painted the walls white.  Last weekend I went to a fabulous mid-century home tour and was inspired by the light walls and medium to light wood trim in several houses of the houses.  This house will have a classic modern vibe with mid-century influence.

I did the bamboo flooring at an angle in the loft and left the door and trim raw wood.  This door is not glued in yet because I still need to make a more modern door handle.

I also wallpapered one of the downstairs rooms with this colorful Orla Kiely inspired wallpaper from JJ Wallpapers on Etsy.  Doesn't the bed I got from Carol (Mitchy Moo Miniatures) fit in perfectly?

Wood Floors

When I posted the pics of the Groovy 70's Pad, I was asked to go a tutorial on how I do my wood floors.

To start, whenever I see bamboo mats at discount stores like Home Goods or TJ Maxx I typically scoop them up.  This also works with bamboo place mats. They come in various shades.

 This is what the bamboo floor mat looks like.  This one is about  3 ft X 2 ft.  It cost around $7.00 so you get a lot for your money.

They usually have some kind of binding and a backing.

 I tear off the backing  and the binding which leaves a light mesh that holds the bamboo pieces together.  The glue can penetrate and it will glue the floor directly to your base. Another good thing is that you can cut the entire floor at once and not have to glue down a zillion pieces of wood individually.

Then I cut it to size and use hot glue.  The only things I typically use hot glue for are siding and the wood floors. I use it because it sets up quickly and I don't have to worry about water based glue warping the wood.

Voila! Wood flooring. 

Better Late Than Being Kept By Customs!

Today is a day I was very happy to work from home...so that I was there to sign for this international package.

Recently, Carol (aka Pepper) from Mitchymoo Miniatures (The blog and the Etsy shop) and I decided to to a mini swap.  The items I sent to her arrived in good time, but what she sent me was detained by customs for a short while.

But it finally made it's way here.  I know the "custom" is to open an item a day or something like that, but does anyone really do that?  I couldn't wait to get into that box!

 Here is what she sent.

 Some great mini patterned fabrics.

 A replica of a Mid-century modern set of shelves I favorited on Etsy and an Ikea Poang chair replica.

This luxurious bed with a tufted head board and bedding.

 Here's the bed naked...still gorgeous!

This beautiful lamp and table.  I love the blue tint in the plexiglass.

A totally retro room divider and sculpture.

and personalized pillows.

Thank you soooo much,Carol.  I love and treasure every piece!