Peacock Room Chapter VII

On the large rug is a Biedermeier chair.

The back is beautifully decorated and the seat made of soft moss green Alcantara.

On the small sewing table is a piece of fabric, needle, thread, bobbin thread, scissors and a bowl with pearl buttons and little white opal are waiting to be picked up by skilled fingers.

On the ground, a sewing box with the finest threads and buttons.

You would almost think that this is a unique creation.

But is this true?

The answer is: Yes, wholeheartedly yes!

She has outdone herself this time.

I’m going to tell you......

It is clear that this is a room from a very fashionable lady.

Paris fashion is followed closely.

If she is going out, she always looks perfectly dressed.

She just has an eye for beautiful things and knows sublime to combine.

At this moment she is busy with the creation of an extravagant evening gown.

Extravagant but still simplicity to amaze on another area.

Another area?

Well yes: her sparkling personality and her wonderful qualities are reflected in this dress.

The skirt of the dress falls, partly through the thin fabric, like a waterfall gently downwards.

Apparently splashing water droplets sticking like small crystals onto bottom of the skirt, just above the thin lace.

The hip area is accentuated by little white opals.

On the front there is a large satin bow with an agate

(one of the birthstones of the Virgin).

At the rear, tiny pearl buttons are visible.

The whole is a perfect beauty and shines serenity and elegance.

Still ... .. the dress is not finished:

a few little opals are to be attached, there are now over 110.

Never mind........., there will be time enough.

Peacock Room Chapter VI

Next to the bed is a suitcase filled with treasures:
pictures of her family:
husband, child, grandchild, mother, sisters and brother,
they are all present and give her a daily smile around her mouth.
The warmth, the solidarity with each other and love makes her a rich person.
She knows this and she cherish this.

On the high bust on the dresser shines a beautiful necklace of small crystals.
A matching bracelet, carelessly lay down at the base of the bust.
The earrings, hidden behind her diary, makes this set complete.
They have little sapphires and are her birth stones.
She attaches great importance to the meaning of these stones as sapphire means hope.
In the ring box is a precious jewel. It was from her mother’s side of the family and is an antique ring with a peridot.

On the right side of the dresser is also a tableau with family heirlooms.
This time from the family of her husband's side: a bracelet of amethyst with matching ring and earrings.
All true showpieces that would have to be stored in a safe
if the sparkle, given by the daily sunlight, wouldn’t give so much pleasure.



If you look closely you can see on the left
a delicate antique French lace shawl almost slip off the table.
Ofcourse the perfume bottles are a must on this beautiful table.

The roses, next to the dresser, are beautiful but on their return.

Occasionally there's a petal swirling onto the ground.

Ms. loves roses. They smell delicious.

The soft petals are carefully picked up and stored to dry.

Some of them are laying down on special spots,

so that they can spread the last perfume that they still carry, throughout the room.

On the diary, which she carefully kept, is also a petal laying down.

Above the dresser there are three portraits of her children, all smiling at their mother.

She has her children given a safe and warm nest and the opportunity to really be a child.

This has greatly strengthened their self-esteem and the three become great adults.

The love she always gave, she gets back from them daily.

The Peacock Room Chapter V

The Peacock Room Chapter V

On the nightstand on the left side of the bed,

there is a picture of her husband.

So if he is away for business,

he still can whisper sweet words before she is going to sleep.

He is her support and anchor and her tower of strength.

And when he's away?

Then she cherishes his letters and read them again and again.

When he returns home, love will be celebrating.

Love should be celebrated at any age

for the heart knows no wrinkles!

Both on the cap of the perfume bottle as on the ladies eyeglasses,

are small crystals twinkling.

 

On the other nightstand there is is a "crystal" decanter with a glass of water,

a few books and a small ladies handkerchief with roses motif.

On the footboard of the bed is carelessly tossed a fur stole:

Last night she went out for dinner and was too tired to clean up everything neatly.

Her golden shoes she put out also quickly to be able to go to bed.

She is so happy with her ​​gold shoes. Once, during an unexpected visit to the city of Gouda,

did she saw that kind of shoes and she was blown away by them.

However there was no time to look carefully and to fit them,

she couldn't get the picture of those beautiful shoes not out of her head.

Eventually she asked her own shoemaker whether he could make that kind of shoes.

Look at the result: they fit her perfectly and together with her ​​going out creations,

it looks completely royal.

The Peacock Room Chapter IV

This is chapter IV of the story of the Peacock Room:

Can you imagine a little bit already who this woman is and how she looks like?

Can you see her all parading on a boulevard?

Furtive looks of passers-by will be thrown over the shoulders

and they will think: "Oh, What a beautiful lady!".

Next to the door is a nice drying rack.
The newest bed linen is hanging to dry.
It is the latest collection, it is called : Regina Margaretha.

On the ground, with the band around it, is a matching bedspread.

The two gas lamps are filling the room with a dim light and
caressing the soft tones of all the accessories.
A warm light for a warm room.

Next to the cabinet is a femininity seat located.
It was from of a distant family member and has stood the test of time.
At first sight it looks disorderly on the table,
but if you look closely it appears that everything has it's place.
For a little relaxation the latest fashion magazines can be read before going to bed.
The tulips were given by her beloved husband.
And what a man!
He is a special, interesting man and there is so much to tell about him.
But ... .... that story I will save for another time.

For my dearest friend Marga

It has been a long time ago that I have written on my blog. From this day on I hope I will have time again to write some and keep you all informed what I have been doing and making.
The last few month I have made a room for my dearest friend Marga.
I promised her to finish a complete room for her enormous dollhouse.
So......this is what I have been doing the last few months.
It is not only a complete furnished room, but there is also a story that fits with the room.
And that story I want to share with you, together with the pictures, so you can see what I have made for her. It is a long story, so every time I will publish a part of it.
Imagine that during the telling of the story there was harpsichord music on the background.

Here is beginning of the story:

The Peacock Room

Tonight everything is all about sharing happiness and friendship with each other.
I hope I can give with this room a little bit of happiness to you.
Happiness I feel in my heart when I think of you.
 This room, my dear friend, is completely custom made with lots of love for you.

I will take you by my hand and let you carry away in the story about this room.

In a rather extravagant interior, filled with patinated furniture,
old and handmade ornaments and embellishments,
everything remains still surprisingly clear.
You could say that the room is furnished with atmosphere.
An atmosphere where you curious enough feel at "home ".
 The room is a celebration,
a breathless celebration of joy and delightful sights,
a room of softness and beauty.

Today it's a beautiful day,
the sun is shining and there are small pieces blue sky.
It is a day one feels happy.
It's spring, you smell it, you taste it, feel it,
new life is in the air!

Let us first try to imagine who this woman is from whom we may visit her room?
Is she elegant, arrogant or is she posturing like a duchess?
The answer is: No.
Although these qualities you may expect a little bit from any person who lives in this house,
but nothing is less true: it is a distinctly friendly, slightly naughty wife with an charming personality.

We are going to push open the door of her room and we're going to surprise her!
Are you coming with me?

At this time I opened the dollhouse so she could see the room for the first time.

Tailor of Glouchester

Always busy, always working, almost no time to read the newspaper.......



I have poured the tailor and thought he would fit perfectly into a sewing "basket" .
I have made several for a fair, but couldn't help keeping one for myself. I adore him.
One day....if I'll find the time to make it.........it will be in my own miniature sewingroom.
The photo is not perfect, but you will get an idea how he/it looks like.
And...Irene: the little saucer with the pins and blue ribbon is finally coming your way!! So sorry it took so long!!

Shabby Table

These are the things I like to do: making furniture looks like it has been a long time in the family and it is cherished by the lady of the house. Slowly I dream away and make a story:
The sound of chirping of the birds is gently comming through the open windows. A lady is relexed reading in the fashion magazines and is sipping of her morning cup of tea.  
With a languid feeling, she thinks: "Life is so beautiful." 
And...you know waht?
She is totally right!

Baskets with scented sachets

As in my own house, I like all kinds of baskets filled with gorgeous smelly things. You too? Baskets decorated with anique lace and different (matching) kinds of scented sachets, I have them all over my house and now.....also in miniature! I love them! I have made different kinds, so one can choose just one or put them together.

Little vintage cabinets

Sometimes I wish I was miniature women.
Of course I'm enjoying the little treasures now also, but when I would be the right size for these cabinets I would open them frequently and would smell the gorgeous soaps, perfumes, roses and clean linen.  I would also dream away with all the lovely letters with romantic secrets, photo's and announcments.
Oh, if only I could make a wish......

Sweet dreams

I have made this old bed for my own Charles Dickens house. It will come in one of the rooms on the attic. It is very "old" and has a lot of tiny miniatures in it, In the closet are a lot of stacks with real antique lace, a lot of toys, soaps and so on. The matress looks like if some one has just sleep on it. It is not "very clean", worn and the straw is on several places comming out. Overall: just perfect for my dollhouse!

Hard gewerkt / Hard work...

I have worked so hard to make new miniatures for the comming fair in October in Arnhem. My intention was to create a "home and garden" or antique/flea market scene. Only ... the stock on my website was running low, so I had to add these miniatures to the existing range. Oh, I have come up with something new now....