Having had this house for almost 2 years, it really was about time that I attempted to restore it a little.....As you can see it had been over painted and redecorated at some stage in the past 40 or 50 years. Sadly none of the original wallpapers remain, so I decided to strip off the modern papers (that took a few hours!)
The front of the house is in pretty good condition with its lovely big metal framed windows and original metal door.
I have chosen vintage papers for the restoration, they are mainly hand-blocked and from France. Despite being an English dolls house, I feel it has a slightly continental feel to it.
I have decided to leave the cream internal paintwork as it is far too big a project to remove it, and it has yellowed with age.. which helps.
The house is in the 1915 catalogue, described as Number 61, 33 1/2 ins high, 24 ins wide and 16 ins deep. Interestingly it is described as "Elizabethan Type House with staircase and fireplaces in rooms". Having attached some old lace as curtains I feel it is beginning to feel like a home. More later on the interior.....
Lovely! I particularly like the wallpaper on the bottom left (in the room with the stairs). It has a great support for the dormer window, too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting that my sister's Lines Letchworth, ca 1912-1914, has also been painted white with a blue mansard roof! Maybe at some point people thought they were, or ought to be, blue-roof houses like the ones thought to be French. Our Letchworth has signs of red and green paint under the white on the balusters, and lines painted around the edges of the internal doors and staircase - any sign of that on this house?
Thank you so much for your interest & comment, I will take a closer look to see if anything shows underneath. Lizzie
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely old house! I especially like the large windows and the shape of the balcony. Looking forward to seeing it decorated! Flo
ReplyDeletethanks Flo, I will keep you posted with my progress! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a a treasure! It has the same windows as my Triang and I love the fire places. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteNice progress! I have been trying to scrape the layers of wallpaper and paint from a house and it is taking forever. I think I need to come to terms with the fact that every scrap won't come off and just paper it over! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments, sorry I have not been to "visit", I am organising a vintage bazaar & it has slightly taken over my life for the time being!!! xx
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
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