This is the second dollhouse with a French theme, to complete my summer obcession with all things French. It seems that the French influence is everywhere right now, especially in the shelter magazines showing all the lovely decorated feminine rooms. I stayed with my white "stone" for the simple reason that it is fresh, clean and crisp, and as a decorative accessory in your home you never tire of it. I had considered the tan tones, but as my first priority is to make dollhouses that are happy, the tan, I feel one would tire of, and for me does not inspire the joy.
I love using the natural peat for the roofs. it just gives the most wonderful earthy textures. The shingles are hand cut, paint washed and then hand applied, but well worth that extra effort.
With this house having the strong black fence, the flower color choices were more carefully considered. The pinks needed to be stronger pinks, even into the raspberry tones, to stand up to the background of the fence. More white presence was also needed to keep the balance with the house. There are mostly rounded edged flowers in the beds, so the sharp pointed petals of the lilies really are a stand out in the urns as well as nice visual contrast to the beds.
The window boxes were kept mostly with all white flowers . By keeping them white they gave an extra dimension to the white of the house, kind of bringing it forward, and also not taking away from the gardens where we want the focal energy to be. I added just a touch of a trailing pink vine look to give that light blush of pink against the all white house. It just needed a touch of color.
Now to the inside! I used many of the same papers as the other French house, and I did that because, well, they are just beautiful and I love them. Kind of like the old expression about if it isn't broke, don't fix it.
The first floor rooms.
The Kitchen
Second floor
Third floor
This was a great house to work on. It started out as a Georgie kit, sturdy well made wood parts for the structure. Working with black inside and out is a challenge, as it can quickly overpower. You want just enough to be an elegant addition. Happy Dollhousing! Robin
