The Ballet Studio

The ballet studio is a reality!  Even though it is not completely finished, Kassandra considers it ready to be used.  Here is the construction process.

We started installing the wood floor.  Kassandra was very particular on which kind of floor she wanted for the space, and I think it looks very nice:

Another lovely creation of Jessica Cloe.  And indeed, even though Kassandra is not very fond of pink, she wanted no other color for the wallpapers on the studio; so we bought yet another design from Jessica.  And the wallpapering started:

We had to cut a template first so the wallpaper would fit on the wall

It was no fun to cut the wallpaper so it would fit all the nooks and crannies of the ceiling, but we are happy with how it turned out.  Then, the wallpaper for the back wall.  It was very big, and it took almost two A4 put together:

It wasn't easy to glue it.  Too many angles and the ceiling beam!

And then the last wall, which had the round window.  We used the same template from the first wall, turned around, and tried several sizes of circles to cut out the window:

It is not perfect, but the missing millimiter is barely noticeable...

And then, the windows.  They needed painting, which we spray-painted in white, and then we installed a couple of blinds in the same pink and white stripped pattern:

Still missing some wallpaper on this wall, but very soon...

The blinds are the lovely creation of Mini Maison Miniatures.  The only things that we are lacking are the electric lights - which are on their way from Canada at the moment - and mirrors, that Kassandra has still not found.  But she was very excited to put up the decoration, and so she didn't lose a second to do it:

The *almost* finished studio!

I am in love with the record player and the speakers!

Two posters of Kassandra's most recent performances: The Nutcraker and Jewels: Diamonds

Some dance magazines and a box with vinyl records

How delightful are the round box and the pointe shoes?

Kassandra is so so happy with her studio.  She says she still has some stuff that needs to bring.  "But I am in no hurry.  It will come here, in time."

It is incredible that with so little decoration a scene can communicate so much! Unlike some dollhouse scenes, that tend to be a bit crowded with adornments, this one is perfect just almost empty!  It just lacks the little details, such as more pointe shoes in their boxes, and maybe even a tiara.  I even have the intention of getting a ballet barre.  But, as Kassandra says, all in good time...

Working in the conservatory

Remember that Kassandra was very excited about her conservatory?  She wanted it to be one of the first things to be redone, because "it was very exposed, and it looked awful".  Well, the renovations started some weeks ago, but they just finished yesterday.

We started getting rid of the old handrail in the terrace.  Kassandra said that it took too much space, and it was very bulky.

See the conservatory and the terrace on the left

Before renovations started

Kassandra chose a wrought iron decorative fence to replace the old handrail.  I think it is an exquisite selection:

Bye, old handrail; hello, beauty!

I made holes in the terrace floor so the fence could be installed:

One of the pieces had to be cut to fit on the front...

... although I did not make a very good job of it

Before installing the fence definitely, Kassandra had to choose a flooring.  She was doubtful among several choices:

Two types of terracotta floor...

and a grey tile pattern

She finally opted for this one in earthy tones...

... and the fences were installed

However, since she was not very happy with the cut fence, I enlisted the help of a specialist - my husband, of course! -, who was happy to help her.  Yesterday he cut a new fence exactly right, and Kassandra was over the moon with the final result:

The windows got installed without much difficulty, and now was the time to pick some flooring for the inside.  Kassandra wanted to use the grey tile pattern she rejected for the terrace:

But she was not convinced, so she opted instead for a wonderful white marble floor:

Very regal indeed!

We bought the floor from Jessica Cloe Miniatures, who has a wonderful array of floors and wallpapers that Kassandra liked, so we will be installing some more pieces from her very soon.

The inside walls still need some wallpaper, but the terrace is complete, and I asked if she was ready to start decorating.

"Oh, no.  I would rather wait until the weather gets better.  We will make the terrace nice and cozy, but when the summer is nearer.  I would prefer to concentrate on the inside for now.  I want to have the ballet studio first of all, so I can have a place to rehearse."

Now you know what comes next...

Creating a new floor

Since Kassandra is so excited with her new house, I started doing the renovations she wanted so badly.  There has been a lot of work done, but it is so much here and there I'll start with the only thing I have already finished.

I began the work to install the new floor - a kind of attic - that, in my opnion, the house needed; the ceiling was too high for the second floor, and there was too much empty space.  So since this the first time I was altering the blueprints of a dollhouse, I opted for something simple.  I purchased some embellished cornices that would be the support for the attic's floor.  I measured the sizes, and my coworker Carlos used a professional lathe to cut them for me - better than sawing by hand!

Trying some colors in a spare piece

It was untreated wood, so I painted them with a dark brown acrylic color, let them dry, and sprayed them with matte varnish.  Then I glued them to their final places:

I wanted to keep the windows to let the light enter the attic

The base for the attic's floor was set!  The complicated part started.  I asked Carlos again for help to trim a sheet of wood, which he did easily and beautifully.  I tried them, and after some sanding they were perfect!

I glued them down, and the attic is now a reality!

Kassandra was so pleased that she was quick in reclaiming the space as hers:

The ballet studio starts to look like one: a tutu dress, a record player and two speakers...

"But Kassandra, I still have not finished. I have yet to install the flooring and the wallpapers..."

"Oh, I know, but these couple of things will not bother you.  If they do, just move them while you are working, and then put them back.  I do not mind."

"Whatever you wish, as always."

Renovations have started

Kassandra tells me that the repairs of her newly acquired house have started.  She has taken off her nice clothes, and is ready to work on her house, which amazes me.  I never took her for a woman that gets her hands dirty, but I guess she is all excited about her new home.  We already gave the house a good wash to remove the dust, and let it dry well.  Now the roof is being given a new coat of paint:

A work in progress

I paint 3 rows at a time, so as to not get tired - I hate painting!

Also, she said that some required materials for the renovations have been delivered, so yesterday we started the work together.

"Were should we start?", I asked.

"I think we should start by putting the glass in the windows.  Not having glass on them makes the house too open."

"OK, let's do that".

So, we measured the windows and took the plastic sheets to cut them to measure.  It was very easy to cut them; I started with a cutter for straight lines, but scissors work perfectly well too:

And we installed them with some narrow double-sided tape (because everything is easier with double-sided tape!).  

Getting the tape in place

All done!

One down, several more to go.  We did the other window from the first floor:  

It looks very nice from outside!

Then, we moved to the two round windows:

And then the ones in the attic:

But then...

"What's this?  We are out of material!", she said.

"Already?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I wanted to make sure that we would be able to work with it, before spending too much money on it.  But it works well, and the results are perfect.  I guess I will have to order more..."

"Indeed".

"Well, no matter.  In the meantime, we will put the new rails in the terrace, and install the floor of the attic".

"For the floor we need the help of your friend Charles to cut the wood..."

"I know, but that has been arranged.  I´ll have the wood cut in a couple of days.  Before we'll put the cornices to sustain the new floor".

"OK".

"I really like how well the windows look.  Don't you?"

"Of course!  They look fantastic!"

You can see which windows now have panels due to the reflection

A new acquisition

Today it was Kassandra the one that came looking for me.

"You are going to love this!", she said.

"What is it?"

"I have purchased a new house!  Well, it is not really new, but you'll see..."

And indeed she has.  She was all excited about showing it to me, because...

"After all, you are going to remodel it for me."

"I am very glad to see that you trust my knowledge in these matters".

"Oh, don't worry, I have very clear ideas about what I want for it.  Take a look!"

"Isn't it lovely?  I am thinking about adding an attic.  The ceilings in the first floor are too high.  And I could use some extra rooms..."

"What are you thinking in terms of decoration?"

"In the ground floor, a drawing room and a cellar.  And of course, a library on the first floor.  And I think I need a bedroom too, just in case..."

"So what do you need the attic for?"

"I want a ballet studio.  I need to rehearse.  And did you see it has a conservatory, and a deck?"

"Very nice".

"I cannot wait to start the renovations!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fantasy apart, I came across this house by chance, and I bought it locally.  I used some gift money my mother-in-law gave me for my birthday, and I could not be more happy.  I have so many plans for it!