jaxenro Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 I threatened to share my furniture experiments with the group here so this is my first one. I work slow so don't expect a lot of updates quickly What I am trying is a simplified version of a Duncan Phyfe inspired window seat in American Empire style. It is mostly based on the couch below with the overall style from the window seat in the Met but simplified. This is my inspiration: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Very pretty and the grain is in scale, but I hadn't heard of calling a day-bed or sofa a window seat before; the window seat in my parents' house was a built-in box under our dining room window with a lid that lifted for storage after the seat cushions were removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyole Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 46 minutes ago, havanaholly said: Very pretty and the grain is in scale, but I hadn't heard of calling a day-bed or sofa a window seat before; the window seat in my parents' house was a built-in box under our dining room window with a lid that lifted for storage after the seat cushions were removed. Maybe the difference is a built-in window seat vs. a piece of furniture that is meant to be placed in front of any window? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 2, 2019 Author Share Posted September 2, 2019 Those are full size originals I am using for inspiration Google Duncan Phyfe window seat and you will various types. Even the HoM made one http://www.houseofminiatures.info/images/40078.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 I wasn't familiar with the general application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 2, 2019 Author Share Posted September 2, 2019 This is a rough sketch of what I am planning. The first build is just proof of concept more for wood sizes than building Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 Basswood finishes nicely and the grain is in scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatFord Posted September 2, 2019 Share Posted September 2, 2019 2 hours ago, havanaholly said: Very pretty and the grain is in scale, but I hadn't heard of calling a day-bed or sofa a window seat before; the window seat in my parents' house was a built-in box under our dining room window with a lid that lifted for storage after the seat cushions were removed. Same here. I've always thought of a window seat as a built-in box under the window with cushions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 2, 2019 Author Share Posted September 2, 2019 5 hours ago, havanaholly said: Basswood finishes nicely and the grain is in scale. Walnut and Walnut Burl Veneer. The main thing I am testing on this is how to do the veneer on such a piece. Making a lot of mistakes but it is a learning experience Next one will be mahogany them I am going to try one of the couches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 For the frame I was able to laminate the burl to the rails prior to assembly. On the leg corner posts I veneered them in place and am now trimming and shaping the tops. Burl veneer can be a bit of a pain as it chips easily. Then I will add a second layer around the base of the legs before adding the feet. This will (hopefully) replicate the look of the base of the couch above. I made the frame rails too thick (3/32) I thought a scale 1 1/8" would be good but it is a bit overpowering. On the next one I will use 1/16" mahogany for the frame. I have some homemade alkanet oil (alkanet root powder dissolved in linseed oil) which is an old English formula for walnut gun stocks that should really make the burl grain pop out. As I said it is rough more to see how the veneer would work laminating in place and work out the details of the base of the leg and feet. I think with thinner frame rails and laminating the tops of the rails (I didn't with this one) it will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 3, 2019 Author Share Posted September 3, 2019 Bad photo but it shows how I am using the veneer to build up the base of the leg to match the drawing. When I do the actual window seat I think this will work 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaJKK Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 It looks like it will be amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapaJKK Posted September 4, 2019 Share Posted September 4, 2019 What scale are you making your window seat in? I see your shapeways items are all in 1/3 scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 1:12 - I make miniature knives, handgonnes, and longbows in 1:3 it is the traditional miniature weaponry scale sort of like 1:12 for dollhouse is the most common Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 4, 2019 Author Share Posted September 4, 2019 Some more pics the leg tops are mostly shaped. I think the 1/16 is too thick and will go thinner next time. Aldo some chipping of the veneer when sanding but I have some ideas for that i have one of the leg bases done and a couple more started. I figured out I need to do the four sides in a specific order so they look correct I messed the first one up but that’s what this test is for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 9, 2019 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 Not really happy with any of this one but it is letting me work out the details on how to build one. I would just toss it but I want to finish it to work out the balance of the building kinks Waiting on some varnish to finish the painting figured I would finish the base of the legs. Some chipping of the burl and I am not happy with how thick the wood is but I finished the base and added a quick coat of linseed oil alkanet root mixture. Need to finish sanding then work out the details of the feet. And the cushion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 9, 2019 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 Could use some advice on fabric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debsrand56 Posted September 9, 2019 Share Posted September 9, 2019 What kind of look are you going for? Something similar to your inspiration photo or . . . ? General advice on fabric: Natural fabrics (silk and cotton) are easier to work with than polyester. Men's neckties are a good source if you are looking for small prints (check your local Salvation Army or Goodwill). Other good sources of miniature fabrics: Dragonfly International and Miniature Luxuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 9, 2019 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 Should have thought of ties I should ask someone at the tie factory to send me a box of scraps. I will try goodwill for this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keifer Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Another great source for old ties is estate sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 I have a closet full but they are all Brooks Brothers I can’t just cut them up for a test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 If it were me I would invest in some pieces of 1/8' and 1/16" basswood, since you're going to laminate burl veneer over it anyway. As for upholstery, the old wide polyester neckties make excellent upholstery for miniature furniture; I use them all the time. This is one I used on a 1:24 Knowle settee: and this pair of 1:12 armchairs: and this is the upholstered window seat I made in my Magnolia: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 This eBay seller is fantastic, she ships quickly as well. https://www.ebay.com/usr/frenchfashions All her fabric is for small scale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxenro Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 I didn't forget this one. I had some Damaar varnish for oil painting which I figured since it was compatible with the alkanet root oil I used I would try as a varnish. Days later it still wouldn't dry just gummed up and sat there. I have been slowly removing it with sanding, drying, and turpentine and it is mostly stripped off. It is too gummy to sand and when the surface dries sanding just reveals more gummy. And I didn't put it on thick at all. Anyway I have it about 90% stripped off and will continue on soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 It doesn't sound too compatible to me... That's how we learn things, in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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