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Showing results for tags 'the pierce'.
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Hello, my name is Sarah. I am about to embark on my first build, The Pierce. So much to think about. I have found so many of your posts helpful in gathering tools, planning and preparing for this moment, so thank you. My second coffee and I may be procrastinating just a little bit, lol. Anyway Happy New Year everyone.
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Hi I have completed the 'dry-fit' of my first Doll's House- The Greenleaf Pierce, which was quite straightforward- I have decided not to include the stairs (any stairs, apart from the loft ladder). I have now 'deconstructed' the house & am now ready to start decorating, before piecing back together ! I live in Southern England, UK - I understand that traditionally, American Doll Houses are open at the back, not opening from the front- I was deliberating if I should make some alterations to my house, in order for it to open from the front & 'board' the back...has anyone tried/done this? Thanks Heather
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Hi I'm a Dolls House newbie- just recvd the Greenleaf Pierce (in kit form) from Wisconsin (I'm in Portsmouth England, UK)- so looking forward to building/decorating/furnishing etc etc etc- so any hints/tips/images welcome... I'm sort of thinking of American Colonial style? Trying to clear out my spare room of all my old crafting/jewellery making stuff, so that I can turn my desk around & clear some floor space to actually start building the Pierce! (at the moment, the box (huge!) is lying on the floor of our lounge...). There are so many talented miniaturists in the world, I would love to be able to recreate some of the unbelievably brilliant & realistic miniature stuff out there! Many thanks H -
Hi, we have just started to put together the Pierce House. And we're already running into problems. The instructions are completely lacking and the lack of step by step pictures leaves a lot to be desired. Are there any step-by-step instructions with pictures available anywhere? I'm ready to throw it away, so I'm desperate. Thank you for any help you can provide.
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I now realize the benefits of the dry build - I didn't know to do this on the first two - just one of the many things learned the past two weeks. I have decided after playing around with the furniture I plan on using : the kitchen is way too small & that it will become the sewing room, the stairs - grrrrr - were a real doozy to build and after fighting with them , breaking off the top piece trying to fit them in, and then dropping them - they will be replaced with a spiral staircase that doesn't take up as much room. I found the tutorial here and have them halfway done already. The blank end wall is the perfect place for an addition that will be the kitchen , half bath , laundry & mudroom , with a back door entrance. I'm thinking of doing a flat roof with a roof top garden / seating area. Still figuring out all the little details , but so much fun !
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From the album: The Shadeland Mansion ( The Pierce)
The spiral staircase - dowels , beads, foam board,yarn & paint. -
From the album: The Shadeland Mansion ( The Pierce)
Coming to life -
I have used a total of nine 16oz packs of Paper Clay on this house!! The entire outside of this house has been clayed!! It took me a total of 15.5 hours just to roll, glue & sculpt the paperclay onto the roofs & walls. This is a pretty big house. Now the fun part (Painting) will begin!! I have to paint before I can add the porch. Here are the pictures of things so far:
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I started the Brick painting. I watered down "brown Iron Oxide" on my paint brush to start the first coat. Now this brick will have a "fallen Plaster" look (except on the tower). I paint all of the bricks because sometimes the "plaster" peeks through so I'll need all of the bricks painted correctly so that they will look accurate and realistic. The brick work will give a bit more charecter to this house. I could stay up all night a paint!! This is my favorite part!!
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I added a Burnt Umber wash over EVERYTHING (Shingles & Stone) and wanted you to see what it looks like with that added. This blends all of the colors together:
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The porch has been added and so have the tower brackets. I used some upgraded brackets for the tower roof.
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I started adding the Gray paint to the stones, bricks and roof: I took this picture before I painted the tower roof here. I just wanted you to be able to see and notice the differance it makes by adding another color to the roof: I also added brown on the stones & bricks
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Well today I added the Dirty Wash. I used a HUGE cup from Mcdonalds and filled it with water because I was afraid I would run out of dirty wash and I wanted the entire house to be a consistant color. I added 15 drops of black, 15 drops of Hippo Gray, 15 drop of Dolphin Gray and 15 drops of Burnt Umber. I mixed it all together in the water and that is my recipe for the "dirty Wash". It took two coatings of it and it took 1.5 hours to get all stones, brick and base. I love this part because NOW the transformation begins. :whistle: The dirty wash is only the first step to bringing the Paperclay to life. I will start painting the roof tonight too. <_<
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I added the first coat of paint on the roof. It's watered down Burnt Umber. I use a very wet brush when I add the burnt umber to the house. This took 1.5 hours. Yeap I will NOT paperclay the Garfield (that's what I say now right <_< ) It's really Starting to take shape!! :whistle:
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You may have noticed that the front tower roof is "Pointy" on my Pierce because I Altered it. To add to the uniformity, I altered the back tower roof to make it "pointy" also: I also started adding the paperclay to the roof:
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I started adding clay to the foundation and then decided to add the base. I don't know why but I am avoiding the start of the shingle process . I guess it is because I want to do square Butt Wood Shingles But then again, I like the Clay ones. Doing the foundation and base gave me more time to think about it. I added and applique to each side of the stairs and then one above where the circular trim pice fit in. I am not sure if I am going to keep it that color though: I also made a peacock fireplace screen for the 2nd floor fireplace:
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Well, I was so excited to think that maybe, just maybe I would not have to put together the widows that came with the kit. I had decided to upgrade to the wonderful windows that Greenleaf sells for this kit. This was my plan ALL along . I got them in last week and Ohhhhh Noooooo! They are too modern!! I don't know why they did not look modern to me from the picture on the site (Sheesh, I even blew up the picture so I could see the details ). The timberbook windows are perfect if you are gonna do anything but a CASTLE theme and I highly recomend them because they will save you time and they are WORKING windows which makes it extra special Well, After I slept on it (to give myself some good ideas) I decided it would be better for me to make my windows (that came with the kit) and use the diamond printed window inserts that I had made a little bit ago. They turned out wonderful! I am so excited about them too. The kit windows take some time to build because there are 5 pieces for each exterior window & 4 for the interior ones. They really, REALLY look good with this house though. It's amazing how the windows change the look of the house. I can totally see this house complete in my minds eye and I am so anxious to get it done. Here are the Pictures:
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Well Henry had a problem putting in doors and decided to get more help! These are the windows for the dinning room door. since I know Lena & her mom LOVES peacocks, I thought I would add a couple here. This is Chuck, he installed the porch light: Henry brought in some extra help. Chuck is the young construction worker and the guy with the construction hat on is Steve These soft sculptured dolls were made by ebay name mariaskid
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I added the porch roof to the outside of the house. It was simple to do. I used Quick Grip glue because of the Fast hold. Henry here, also started the masonry on the outside of the house and the main tower. I am thinking I should use the upgraded windows for this house and those will be installed after all the bricks and stones are finished. I also made the roof to the tower pointed. The clay is drying on this side while I do the other side.
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I have painted the attic walls and installed the wall torches and fireplace glowing embers: Henry had his nephew over helping him with the attic space & attic tower I laid a strip of tape wire underneath the base floors. I attached all wires from the lights to this strip of tape wire by use of the solder iron and solder flux coil All lights are working (Even the porch light is installed) Now I can add the rest of the inside trim work and paperclay stones!!
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The floors are added and Stained & Varnished. I have now added stone to the attic room. My customer wants the attic to have a Castle feel to it: This is the fireplace and tower room. Henry is in the process of cleaning up his mess. He has his tools everywhere
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The Kitchen back wall is in. Henry just need to glue in the crown molding it the top. The Third floor is in This is the tower with one wall missing on each side. It's easier to furnish and see into it. but it's up to you to make the decision. I was thinking a wall torch should go in here. I am leaving this opened so that Lena, my customer, will be able to reach in here with her hands and see the full room This is the Pink flower vine wall paper and the iron glass globe hanging light that Henry picked for this room. This is the Bathroom light and wallpaper. The light shade is real glass. The tile floor is white but the wallpaper is green and lavendar stripes.The trim is a very pale lavendar. This is the electrical wires taped down after being fed through the 3rd floor. I will next add the hardwood floors on top and then stain them.
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This is a better shot of Bedroom #1. Now, I see how the wall is wrapped around the stairs. The banister still peeks through the floor though at first, I could not tell from reading the instructions. This is the room with carpet and wallpaper installed This is the Main Tower. It went together very easily. I only had one stubborn tab :wub: but I cut it down some so it could fit into the slot This is the other side of the tower This is where one of the window seats will be. It will be covered in a burgandy & gold print
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You can see how the dining room is tuning out. Henry, called in sick so his father is here helping me today. We added the 1st floor lights and the dinning room curtains Well, After Henry got the call from his father, he decided to come to work and Henry is up and working full force tonight! First, he fed the wire from the Kitchen light to the second floor. He drew a line where he would like to cut so that he could create a Channel for the wire to go. This is for the kitchen light. He made a V shaped channel (Don't cut too deep because this is thin plywood). This wire was then fed through a hole in the front wall to go out. Henry laid down some masking tape on top of the wire to make if stay flat and flush. Henry is now installing the bathroom wall. He looks thin but, he has muscles under that sweater Henry installed the hardwood floors for the 2nd bedroom. He is so proud of himself. I put to coats of clear varnish on the floor.
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The tape is holding everything together while the glue dries. I added ceiling paper so that this room would look upclass Now the next 2 walls need to be put on. The pipcture shows these walls added. Of course there will be trim but that always goes on last :wub: The kitchen is pretty much almost finished (missing the back wall but I can't do that until I start the 3rd floor). I used wood at the bottom of the walls because I think it makes the walls look even taller Laura picked the floor for the kitchen. This is the entryway under the stairs that lead from the front door.
