Cozy Cottage - 3

It's the unusual roof that gives this cottage its character.

I use "N" scale shingles and add weathering with watercolor pencils.

I'm working on furniture now; landscaping and exterior details are always last.

Cozy Cotttage - 2

I have been putting shingles on the roof - not a fun job in any scale!

The cottage will look much better with it's "hat" on. New photos tomorrow.

Cozy Cottage

This is a much smaller piece than the last one - a two room cottage of half timber with stone infill.

The stone technique is the same I used for the castle. The plaster walls are achieved with acrylic gesso, stippled on to add texture. The timbers are milled wood, stained with Minwax pens because it's less messy.

I usually finish the interiors as I go up, as I am doing here.

New House in Progress

I've started a new house after a bout of the flu.

"Cozy Cottage" is a design I've done before, so I'm working from notes. First photos tonight or tomorrow.

The Tower House is finished.

I use model railroad materials and natural stones for the landscaping; the "flowers" are tiny pieces of bunka.

You can see the whole process of building this house, "from concept to completion," by reviewing the blog archive from the oldest to the most recent posting.




See the Tower House in person at the Chicago International miniature show, April 3 - 5, Marriott Chicago O'Hare, 8535 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL. Visit the web sire at http://www.bishopshow.com/ for more information.

Tower House in Progress

The furnishings are finished. As I mentioned, I decided on the early 2oth century as the period for the interior, so I could include many different styles, reflecting the fact that the building has been lived in for hundreds of years.

Pieces in the late 15th Century style (when the tower would have been built) include the sideboard and small cabinet near the door on the second floor. There is a 17th century cabinet on the back wall of the third floor; the dining table on the second floor and the chairs in the kitchen would also be of that period. Furniture from the 1700's is scattered throughout the house. There is a Victorian style cabinet on the left wall of the third floor and a chair in the bedroom. The upholstered chair and table in the half timber addition would be early 20th century.

I have a tendency to imagine that artists live in my houses, so someone has been working on a waterolor painting in the addition. Some finished pieces are propped against the wall.

I have left a space in front of the fireplace on the second floor for a porcelain dog by Sylvia Mobley, which is due to arrive in March.

Now for the landscaping!

Tower House - interior

The interior of the Tower House is almost finished. New pictures will be posted this weekend.