The Hall

At last, I can now show you all pictures of the Hall in Netherton.   It's taken quite a while to get to this point and the final items to be added will be some floral decorations.   Hopefully my forthcoming trip to York will sort that out.

On passing through the front door we enter the Vestibule

For this I purchased an identical front door and surround, removed the top decoration and added foamboard sides.   Stained glass was added to the front and side windows.    It has a black and white tiled floor and a mat well.

On either side of the Vestibule sit two upholstered chairs

Chair detail

The first thing you see on entering is the Grand Staircase with it's sumptuous red carpet

The grand staircase has ironwork spindles and two newel posts with lights from Ray Storey.    The flooring is from Susan Bembridge.    The Hall tables and pictures were created by me.    The door to the left leads to the Dining Room and the door to the right, to the Drawing Room.

Upstairs we reach the first floor landing complete with stained glass window and more artwork.

On arriving at first floor level there will be the Morning Room to the left and a Study/Library to the right.   The staircase on the right hand side leads to the Second Floor and bedrooms right and left.    The pediments are from Sue Cook.

Below is the view from the Bathroom to the Second Floor landing and staircase to the Housemaid's Closet and Strong Room.    There are two further rooms on the Third Floor level as yet to be determined.

With lights

Ground and First Floor

This is the "fourth wall" showing the French doors to balcony.   Curtain fabric from Susan Bembridge.

View from balcony

French doors and vestibule (the "fourth wall")

Picture Frames and a Picture Book

Firstly, thank you for all your lovely comments regarding my previous post.    It's really nice to know that you like what I'm doing with this.

Secondly, I'm no further forward with posting pictures of the Hall.   I had to wait on a small delivery then I had to look for paintings and finally I need some floral decorations but these will have to wait until my trip to York Fair next month.

I decided to do something about the paintings and thought I'd have a go at making my own as I will be needing quite a few for this property.

After an online hunt I came across a little video Antique Picture Frames and just followed her instructions.      I didn't take any photos of the basic constructions - it's just four pieces of lolly stick joined at right angles and when dry, lace is attached -

then a bit more trim to bulk it up -

I forgot to take a photo of the above frame painted but here is another I've been working on -

Once dry (I gave them two coats) add the pictures.   

I need quite a few more before I'm ready to hang them and finally take some photos but that should definitely be my next post here!

This morning I went to a local Antique & Collectables Fair with my sister Valerie.    It was quite a successful morning (a small cut glass decanter and six matching liqueur glasses) when on the way out I spotted this little item -

There's nothing on it to say when this particular edition was printed

Most of the photos are black and white

with a few in colour but there's quite a lot to read.   I've already got the other two  more up to date publications of Queen Mary's Dolls House but I thought this would be another nice little addition to my ever growing collection of "books for research".

Finally, my new blog Marsh Hall has gone live.   If you'd like to pop over and have a little look at my new project I'll be really pleased to see you there - thank you!