BARBIEOLDNEWGREENREDO--JUST A GRANNY HAVING FUN WITH DOLLS< DIORAMAS STORIES AND DIY

BARBIEOLDNEWGREENREDO

Boxes, Planks, and Paint---oh my!

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SUPER EASY, and More ideas for utilizing things you have. I had several of those little boxes that Michael's and now--the $$ Stores sell for so cheap. I had stolen some hinges from some of them, so I have many of these small boxes as well as their lids to use. They are perfect for a wall display and maybe some future drawers?

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I wanted either art or shelves on the one wall in the great room. This wall goes up to the second floor which will be a two story open ceiling over the eating area. Taking some of the wood my Hubby cut for me, I cut in a miter box the shelf pieces to fit the plywood wall piece I had 'stained' with gray paint and water. I wanted the grain to show and also make the foam core (drywall) wall look more permanent.

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On the lower right are the 'benches' found in a thrift store that I'm using for seating under the old HFIM table. 

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The dining area will be adjacent to this wall unit. This is just laid out to see the most desirable design for my space

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I've decided to install everything with double stick foam tape. Sturdy yet flexible and easily removable.

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Here's the wall installed next to the dining area. I decided to add a final shelf to the top.

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After installation with lots of double stick foam tape, I raised the unit to above the bench height. The benches slide right under the table as well as one under the shelves.

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For a very narrow area, this works for dolls moving about the dining area


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Here's the 'bones' of the great room now! Really a huge change. Above you can see the poster board pattern I have made for the second floor extension. 
The weather is warm enough today, for Hubby to go to  the garage and rough cut the new floor. Meanwhile, what will hold it up? 

Next:  I need to decide the walls and supports for the second floor for  this level of the Townhouse Remodel.

Materials needed for this project:

5 small wood boxes with hardware removed (I used only the box backs and not the lids)
wood filler -to fill holes left from removing hinges-and      edges of the wood
sandpaper/sanding block-sand and soften all edges.
acrylic sealer- on all surfaces
acrylic craft paint-white and gray or your choice
3/16" luan plywood, or any thin wood you have. Light-weigh masonite might be too thin. (I used-1 pc. 131/2" x 9" and 5 -2"x8 1/2") pc, but cut wood to your size.
Flexible multi-surface glue, like E-6000
Double stick foam tape ( I use $$ store tape)

Tools needed---
pencil
square measure, (trust me you won't be able to eye-ball      this.)
miter box and a coping or small hack saw
    (Or you could use multi cuts with an Exacto knife-blade through the soft plywood-definitely not for kids)

mini screw driver to remove hardware from boxes
paint brushes
plastic plate or cup for paint (reuseable)
scissors to cut double stick foam tape

For kids: You could also use foam core to make boxes with tape or glue and cover in contact paper to hold their shape.

Pre-cut the pieces needed with an Exacto knife and a metal square, for your kids.  The pieces can be glued together and then covered with contact paper and assembled.

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DIY Custom Cabinetry for the Townhome Great Room Remodel

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This past week has been busy with the remodels. I'm calling the first floor in the townhouse, a great room. since it is now a totally open floor plan: with dining, kitchen, family room, and with a study corner being planned.

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Since I want to put a more contemporary spin on the townhome, I had to work in some custom cabinetry to utilize the space efficiently. I used the measurements of the kitchen cabinets and the space I had available...so if you do constructions, make them fit your own spaces.


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The left white wall screams for cabinetry, but since there is a fireplace on the second floor I decided against one on the first floor.

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Hubby cut some 3/8" plywood and masonite strips and pieces for me.  I had lots of small wood pieces of mini-lumber to use for construction braces to square up the 'box' that would be the pantry cabinet next to the kitchen.

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We've designed and put together 3 IKEA kitchens in the last 5 years, I wish mini cabinets were that easy. LOL, anyway. Construction was pretty simple. I did have to 
notch the back top of the cabinets to slide into the house. I did glue and nail the three main cross braces at the top, center and bottom.

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I used an E600 type glue which sets up pretty quickly to hold and then cures in 24 hours. This flexible type glue work pretty well, as you can adjust a bit before it begins to set up. I had so many issues with the small bookshelf---I wasn't real interested in pounding more nails that failed and split the plywood shelves from the side.
So I used glue.

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I glued smaller braces in for the shelves, front and back, and then glued the shelves in also. Trickiest part was the hinges. I stole some extra hinges from some folding picture frames which matched some in my stashes. 

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It's hard to see, but I used an Exacto knife to score around the edges of the hinges on the front door. Then I carefully chiseled out one layer of the wood so the hinge would fit flush into the front door.  The tips of the hinges poke through the door, but are easily filed/sanded off, and will be covered with paint.

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I'm still considering more trim, but decided to finish as is, and if needed later I can always add something.

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I used glue bottles to weight down the shelves overnight to set the whole thing up. I finished the top door the next day!

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I filled/sanded all the edges, and did a paint blitz of the rest of the pieces being used in the room. Two coats of acrylic satin gray paint worked well. I happen to love white insides in cabinets so I did that in the pantry. The open box will be for appliances, either a microwave or a coffee pot? 

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The color difference is the light streaming into the house. It looks like a well-balanced useful kitchen area.

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The box in the middle was was the perfect size as is, so I just painted and added some nice quartz counter top. It's proportions worked so well with the other pieces. The small upright shelf on the left was a nightmare to make---and I will never take closeups of it, LOL. Filled with useful items, this wall will be a great addition for the home and great room.

And now to the Next Custom Project!

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Odds and Ends: Moving forward in the Mansion Remodel

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Odds and ends: moving forward in the Mansion Remodel.

Last post we were working on the bathroom, and I was looking through my stuff for something to use for a sink. I have vintage sinks, but they are all too large for the small area. And, I wanted something a bit contemporary, or current at least.

I went through all my minis, bowls, and little cabinets to use for the new bathroom in the Victorian and I found this cabinet.


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This little waffle breakfast cabinet is recent and from Mattel. I had picked it up from a thrift store for $.99. 

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I popped the top off with a screw driver and will be able to use the top and the side extension table for for something else.

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I had a brain fart and went to Crate and Barrel for some little porcelain dipping dishes. There were four styles, all of which would work for sinks. This one is modern and sleek and perfect for a small bathroom for $1.95. I bought two...I'm not going out much and well, you never know when you will drop something.

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I laid out a piece of wood for a counter and checked the space---Perfect!!!

Now, what could I use for a medicine cabinet.
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Remember this wall with the faux cabinet with doors that opened...ta-da- I managed to pry it off, and then I Dremel sawed the pegs off, for some closet space.

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Using the Dremel saw...I rough cut through the softer plastic.

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Not wanting to slice myself, I hand sawed the sides off. 

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Ta-Da! All I needed to do was sand the bottom, ...
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Along with the corners of the wood piece. 


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Other than the Darn PINK this is perfect. Old and New and a Redo...!





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I painted the wood and then shiny contact papered the top and secured the top with double sticky foam from the $$ store. It's not permanent which will allow for future alterations, but will stay secure.  When I find my aluminum pipe I will make the faucet and decide on some creative handles.

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It really does fit well, and has storage, now to temporarily cover that pink cabinet!! And make some shower surround?--back to scrounging in the house, I know I have acrylic and even maybe some channeling??


What projects have you been up to?


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Moving on to the Victorian Mansion Remodel

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BarbieOLDNEWGREENREDO

Hi, for those of you hanging with me during this mess...

Tuesday, I got stuck a bit on the townhouse, so I just moved on to work with the Victorian Mansion. ALL the dolls are upset at being displaced and the whining has reached a monstrous level.

The Mansion kitchen...trying to get a really workable kitchen with the cabinets I have was tricky.

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This was the original configuration of the kitchen as Mattel designed it, way back in 1990's. NOT much cooking going on here.

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Swinging the wall out...you got this, which is why I extended the bottom floor, and extended the second floor.

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Planning, today with the wall to the left added, you can see the fridge covered the windows, so I tried again and again, working with furniture I had.

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I kept digging in my cabinet stashes and came up with this configuration which doesn't block the windows...tricky corner shelf is needed 
behind the sink--I made one with foam core and covered in contact paper.

I envision the windows with clear shelves and plants, now. Notice the windows are still summer, lol. Also I'm planning a small work area under the right window, (eventually).

The stove cabinet island screams for a great pot rack hanging from the ceiling for storage and a vent? The yellow fridge was a high-end doll fridge. Wait until you see all the goodies inside. 

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The center cabinet on the left was a stray piece found at a thrift store for 99cents, it was also pink, has wine storage, glass rack, and glass doored cabinet, and I will paint in Spring. For now it's papered like the rest. The doors work on this piece, though none of the other cabinets doors work except for the appliances/dishwasher and oven.

Once I decided what to use---I started covering the cabinets and appliances with white contact paper---since it will be months before I can paint. Upside it isn't permanent, but the yellow fridge and pink cabinets had to go at least for me to enjoy looking at it. 

The countertops are pale white veined pink, I'm pretty sure I will repaint these after the cabinets are painted. The remodel is to make the home 'sellable' for BMR Ltd. to a new family?

THIS kitchen took the better part of a whole day! I hit all the knobs and handles with silver paint pen. The hint of table there is a possibility. I want to do something that has a vintage vibe, of course not RED???.

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Wednesday---I moved upstairs and finally settled on some furniture configurations. I'm planning on working on those eaves, too! (piece of foam core set on the roof.)

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This little bedroom utilizes some furniture I have had for a few years and never found a place for. It really is adorable. The armoire will hold some clothes. Upside there will be no built-ins here, and I can always change the room. The floor depth is 16" which was extended on the original remodel. The brown floor is a temporary fix to cover the old floor and cutout on the left front corner.

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Belle: How about some calmer wall paper? Just get this over already...I really need a shower and miss having a bathroom. And, there still are no lights or electricity downstairs!

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So, at Belle's request, I moved on to the upstairs walls, foam core covered in white contact paper all fitted into the crazy walls and eaves. Then, I tackled the new bathroom, now in the middle of the second floor.  

I have 4 different Mattel tubs in my stash, none of which I could cram into this space and also save room for the laundry facilities. It was just two tight. 

So, the Dollar$tore tub with the Victorian vibe was chosen. Combined with a 21st century built-in shower THIS should work!

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I also decided to make it raised...just a healthy step up---to increase the scale of the bathtub. I took a box---and cut off one end and then slipped the cut piece back in to 
reinforce the cardboard shape. It has to hold the 'old' antique tub...LOL.

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I slit a hole to slide the platform into the  door frame. Originally that door led out onto the second floor porch, I removed. I still have it, and will someday utilize it again.

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A thick piece of foam core is inserted to fill the gap on the wall and give a 'ledge for the 'tiling to go. I'm going to add a bit more to this.

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After doing the back wall---I set some papers in to be tiling and wall paper. Installing the shower hardware should be fun and a 'curtain' or glass panels...not sure yet.

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The colors are crisp and clean...it really will make a great floor and tiled walls. 

The wall paper on the left will be used on the 'untiled' spaces. I purchase paper books at thrift stores and these sheets are from two different sources. The sink is still in the thought process. I'm longing to use an OLD cabinet and do a bowl sink. A real -FixerUpper-REDO.

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By using the smaller tub, I'm able to create this laundry space in the hall. A clerestory window will let in light and allow steam to escape into the home--a natural ventilation system. Victorian homes had high ceilings and often clerestory areas over the doors and interior windows.
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 I've cut two shelves for decorating and storage. 

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Construction. I had originally wallpapered (bright pattern) over the cardboard walls covering the Mansion. I removed the pieces from the back wall, which to the left is the arch in the now bathroom, and the right window was covered up in the second bedroom.

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I was confident if I transferred this to foam core the piece would just slip-in with no problems...well.... This took about 3 hours to fit and then cover with contact paper. Under the eaves are cross beam supports that made fitting a nightmare. I finally got it re-pieced several times and then the replaced bits to the walls were covered with the contact paper.

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TIP: covering things with contact paper gives you a nice base for adding papered walls with double stick tape that are easily removable.

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Furniture replaced...this is a tight room, also, but a second bedroom. I'm thinking the cabinet on the right may be perfect for the bathroom sink. The bunkbeds won't be in the final showing --For Sale!

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Mulan (sans makeup-she still needs her repaint) says: Get on with it, all this racket is interfering with my thesis. The noise is totally annoying. Get the lights on downstairs, and I can work there. And, please finish the plumbing and remember I DO WANT EYEBROWS and a bit of blush and lipstick!


SO---NEXT - BATHROOM/SHOWER/TILING
And, the Ceiling Lights down stairs!!! 

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