My Victorian Bed Is Complete... or Is It?

[Mountain Geo]

I'm pleased to say I have completed work on building and finishing my fancy Victorian bed for Sara's dollhouse. I say, "Is it complete?" because I'm still wrestling with whether or not I'm fully satisfied with how it looks in the room. I used off-white fabric, and as a result, I feel like there's something missing. If you have a minute to pop over to my blog to view it and give me some feedback about ideas you might have for how to bring it alive in the room, I welcome your thoughts!

George

[Admin]

George,

The bed looks beautiful. I'm really impressed by you and other miniaturists who work in such a wide range of materials and techniques.

My grandmother had a guest bed with a beautiful white cover similar to what you've used in your design. I remember she had woven some colored ribbons into the lacing around the edges of the pillows.

Jim

[nobleday]

George,
It's wonderful. Great job! It does look crisp and clean.

Perhaps a smaller throw pillow resting between the bed pillows in a color from the carpet or wallpaper.There seems to be a blue tinge in the ceiling and carpet, or is that from the lighting? A little round pillow maybe???

[Janice Lee Smith]

The bed is really beautiful. Have you decided against doing shows? I know an immense amount of time goes into each of your wonderful creations.

About color on the bed--possibly a light blue or rose shawl, wrap, or throw "tossed on the bed?" Attaching aluminum foil to the back of material will let you get a great draped look. You could also do a bed tray with roses and breakfast--although you'd have to turn the bedclothes down. A tray with wine and cheese would let you leave the bed made. Depending on how much you want on the bed, you could place a carpet bag in the process of being packed with clothes strewn around. And surely, some Victorian ladies were messy with candy boxes, shoes, purses, clothes scattered across the covers. Books. Needlepoint. Mail and a portable writing desk. Children playing. A baby taking a nap. I really like the idea of cats/dogs napping. A mother cat with kittens would be fun.
Sorry to rattle on--people learn that it's dangerous to ask my advice because I can't stop!

The bed is just a gorgeous piece!

[Mountain Geo]

Maybe after I'm retired I'll do some shows. I attended the show in Davenport, Iowa recently, and showed some of the folks my Victorian bed. Jackie Dieber was there, and encouraged me to make some things for sale. "You could help finance your hobby that way," she said. Truth is, I work slowly. And, until I finish off this project (and maybe one more - an animated, haunted dollhouse), I feel like I have things I "should" do for myself before I start making and selling to others.:)

[nobleday]

About color on the bed--possibly a light blue or rose shawl, wrap, or throw "tossed on the bed?" Attaching aluminum foil to the back of material will let you get a great draped look. You could also do a bed tray with roses and breakfast--although you'd have to turn the bedclothes down. A tray with wine and cheese would let you leave the bed made. Depending on how much you want on the bed, you could place a carpet bag in the process of being packed with clothes strewn around. And surely, some Victorian ladies were messy with candy boxes, shoes, purses, clothes scattered across the covers. Books. Needlepoint. Mail and a portable writing desk. Children playing. A baby taking a nap. I really like the idea of cats/dogs napping. A mother cat with kittens would be fun.
Sorry to rattle on--people learn that it's dangerous to ask my advice because I can't stop!

The bed is just a gorgeous piece!


I really like the suggestion Janice made. The tray is good. It reminded me of one I made for a swap. It was a laser cut kit. I thought I got the kit from Bonnie Lavish or Cynthia Howe but I don't see it on teir web page. It is like the tray on http://karenbensonminiatures.com/ search tray.

Maybe this html code will work:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c143/nobleday/MorningBreak.jpg

[nobleday]

I emailed Bonnie Lavish, it was her web page I purchased the tray from. She said they discontinued it but can still make it in basewood. Special order.