Debsrand56 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I have my Merrimack kit! There is still work to be done on the Fairfield (foundation, roof, a gazillion accessories), but I could not resist poking at the new house and did a dry fit last week. Since I haven’t been able to find much on this forum on the Merrimack, I will try to document the build as carefully as I can, in case the information is useful to others down the line. Here is a picture of the house as designed (although keep in mind I am building the half-scale, so its dimensions will be half what is shown here): http://s7.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/50381EE8.jpg I have started an album and will add to it as I go. I intend to build it fairly close to the original plans (I’m not much of a basher). The instructions call for nailing some of the pieces, which is a first for me. I got both the house itself and the finishing kit that provides the custom windows, doors, siding, etc. The Web site says “siding not included,” but the cedar strips used on the exterior are definitely there. I was astonished that it even included a faux-stone-making kit for the exterior stone! The three sets of exterior doors are included, but no interior doors. It also includes wood strips for the floors, but, oddly, not the wood for making the exterior steps that are obviously needed. I think I can handle that on my own, though. It’s also designed to have a circular staircase from the first to the second floor. There’s not much out there in ready-to-use or kit form, and I didn’t trust that I would be able to do a good job on my own, so during the Cyber Monday sale at Shapeways, I bought a 1:24 circular stair that I think will work well. The materials are good quality—some plywood, most composition board. All the little windows are beautifully made; the “glass” is covered with paper for now and can be slid out for painting. The exterior doors appear to be Houseworks French doors without grids. My grandparents owned a beautiful ranch home they built in 1955, based on a Frank Lloyd Wright house they had seen, and decorated by a professional decorator, and I also hope to incorporate some elements from their home when decorating the Merrimack. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussieguy84 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Wow! What a great kit. I've never seen it before! Looking forward to seeing your build pictures :-) it's such an endearing design I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun with it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyole Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Very cool kit. Did you get it directly from the Earth and Tree? Merrimack NH is a nice town not far from me. Have fun! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsrand56 Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 Thanks! Yes, directly from Earth and Tree. They were very nice to deal with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapchap73 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I'm excited to see your progress as this house is on my wish list for sure. The folks at Earth and Tree are also super helpful if you run into any issues while building it...just ask 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 What a gorgeous house! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary11 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Love that house. That's my next purchase!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashlie Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 The Merrimack is one of my favorite houses... surprisingly, we don't sell a bunch of them. I put a bug in my bosses ear about making a scaled down version without the bottom floor and room furthest from the fireplace. Looking around, there aren't a lot of modern dollhouses available, so having one at a smaller size and cost would be amazing. On 1/4/2017, 6:40:47, Debsrand56 said: It’s also designed to have a circular staircase from the first to the second floor. There’s not much out there in ready-to-use or kit form, and I didn’t trust that I would be able to do a good job on my own, so during the Cyber Monday sale at Shapeways, I bought a 1:24 circular stair that I think will work well. I'm really glad you've found shapeways- 1/2 scale furnishings are hard enough to find in traditional styles much less modern. On 1/4/2017, 6:40:47, Debsrand56 said: I got both the house itself and the finishing kit that provides the custom windows, doors, siding, etc. The Web site says “siding not included,” but the cedar strips used on the exterior are definitely there. I was astonished that it even included a faux-stone-making kit for the exterior stone! The three sets of exterior doors are included, but no interior doors. It also includes wood strips for the floors, but, oddly, not the wood for making the exterior steps that are obviously needed. I'm looking at the finishing kit now on our website and it actually lists the siding as something you get in the kit and then at the bottom that it isn't included! whoops, we will definatly fix that You received flooring? like interior flooring? Now that is something you shouldn't have got in the kit... are you sure they aren't edge trims? I'm really glad you are enjoying making the Merrimack! I can't wait to see your progress! :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsrand56 Posted January 13, 2017 Author Share Posted January 13, 2017 53 minutes ago, Ashlie said: You received flooring? like interior flooring? Now that is something you shouldn't have got in the kit... are you sure they aren't edge trims? Ah! The wood was bundled together with a note wrapped around it. All I saw was "floors and walls." Now that I've completely unwrapped the note, it says, "Trim out the roof line ends of floors and walls." Makes more sense . The wood seemed a little thick to be used for flooring. 59 minutes ago, Ashlie said: I'm really glad you are enjoying making the Merrimack! I can't wait to see your progress! :) I can barely wait to start. I really need to finish shingling the Fairfield first, but I've already started collecting things to go in it, picking out wallpaper, etc. It's such a great house, and from the dry fit, it should go together really well. I'm very impressed with how clear the instructions are and how beautifully cut the pieces are. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 10 hours ago, Debsrand56 said: ...I'm very impressed with how clear the instructions are and how beautifully cut the pieces are. That's Tom's legacy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashlie Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 21 hours ago, Debsrand56 said: Ah! The wood was bundled together with a note wrapped around it. All I saw was "floors and walls." Now that I've completely unwrapped the note, it says, "Trim out the roof line ends of floors and walls." Makes more sense . The wood seemed a little thick to be used for flooring. Aha! Mystery solved! I can't wait to see more photos of your progress. 11 hours ago, havanaholly said: That's Tom's legacy. I owe that man a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2017 Share Posted January 15, 2017 Great House! I'm interested in doing a modern house myself, so I'll be watching with interest. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsrand56 Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Over President’s Day weekend, I finally got to start the half-scale Merrimack. I have to say, it is a dream to work on. The pieces are so sturdy and well cut that I was doing a second dry fit of the parts I was going to assemble without tape. They just butted up against each other perfectly and stayed in position. The only drawback (and it is a very small one) is that the wood is so thick that my magnetic right-angle clamps don’t work on it. I’ll survive. I have gotten up to the point where I am supposed to add the second floor, and I now have to decide if I’m going to electrify this one. I did with the bungalow; didn’t with the Fairifield. The instructions say to add wiring after completing the structure, but I think it will work better to run my tape up to the second story before adding the floor. Am trying to work out a wiring plan that takes into account the vestibule. I may have to run my tape across the floor to get to the living room, which should be OK, as I am cutting a template for the floors anyway. The pictures can be found here: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=browse&album=7884 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Lucky you! The day we visited Earth & Tree Keri was building a door for the Nottingham, and inspired me when the time came for me to make my first dollhouse door. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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