Finally! The beginning of No. 35 Leah's

Hello folks,

Here we are once again. I hope you all mummy ladies had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine was a bit unusual compared to the other years. I spent most of the morning running more blood tests at hospital but then I got to spend the afternoon with the kids and my husband. I am still looking at the situation positively. The last few weeks have been tough but I am quiet persistent and I don't give up that easily. Now I am just hoping for the better days.

I wanted to welcome 3 new followers to my blog; Eneha, Collette Garland and Ellie Stevens WELCOME! I am very happy as over the weekend My Miniature World on Face book has reached over 1,025 Likes. I am so thankful. My Miniature World Group on Face Book is also growing and in the last 9 months we have over 265 members. This is a friendly group where everyone can join in and share their miniatures and projects. Also we get to make new friends, share tips and inspiration. 

I also wanted to show my appreciation to you followers both on the blog and Face Book by giving away 5 book kits which is the 'Love Quotes'. So to get a chance to win one of the kits you have to follow my blog and write a comment on this post. Winners will be announce after 20th May.  

5 Love Quotes Book Kit Give Aways

 Like I promised, finally we come to the new project. No 35 Leah's. Some of you already know the story about Miss Leah and her wonderful boutique. Miss Leah was fortunate enough to get her own little property No. 35 in Regent Street just next to her Boutique.

 Last Christmas, my husband has gotten me the Barn Kit by the Dolls House Emporium which was just right to transform it into a small living quarters for Miss Leah.

Christmas present from my husband.

All in all it has quite a good size and it is just right for what I need. The barn itself does look like a barn but I had to make some significant alterations to the kit. I am not going to let our dear Miss Leah living in a barn.

 This is how the barn kit looks like finished out side and inside.

 The first thing that I did was to dry built the kit just next to the boutique to study it and to see what would be ideal to add. The first alteration was definitely the front. The barn door had to go for sure. 

The Barn kit next to the boutique

Starting some of the alterations

The inside of the barn

For some reason I still wasn't happy with the door or windows. I needed something richer especially when it is going to be right next to the Boutique and let's face it Miss Leah deserves much better. I wanted something to match a bit more to the boutique. Another thing that had to be changed was the stair case. So I went for the normal type which I will be adding to it posts and a railing. 

New Staircase

I gave an undercoat paint to the whole building and also started stenciling the sides and the front of the building to match the boutique. I still need to shade the brick work and add some more trimmings to give it a nicer finish. I also decided to add the chimney pots with base to go on top of the roof. Miss Leah will be having a range and a fire place so a chimney  was a must.

Started stenciling the walls

Painting the inside

Chimney posts and base on top of the roof

After the sides where bricked, I was still concerned about the front. I wasn't sure about a simple door and a window. It just didn't add up especially when you see the two properties together. I wanted the door on the right hand side which would come just in front of the stair case. Then a better idea came to mind and I went for a Victorian bay window to put instead of the barn door. I had to add more wood to close the open space of the barn door and I had to make the window opening wider so the door will fit. I had chosen a nicer door for the front with stained glass and a matching toothed coving trimming.  It looked much richer and added some more character to the whole building. Just like the boutique I also added the Toothed coving trimming to the front. To add a little bit more I also ordered a name plaque for the building  with "35 Leah's". Finally I painted the door and the window in the same color as the boutique. So far I am happy how it looks. Here is the little property and how it looks so far.

No 35 Leah's

The side walls

The front door with stained glass

The Bay Window

The front.

There is still lots of work to do on the outside but so far I am just thrilled. At least it doesn't look like a barn anymore. I am taking it a bit slowly due to my health and I don't want to over do it. I am looking forward to do more. Next time we will meet hopefully I will complete the outside and we will get to meet Miss Leah in one of her diary posts, so keep tuned for more updates.

Take Care and See you real soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx