MORE ENGLISH INFLUENCE

I have written about my first dollhouse which I found in a miniature shop in New Jersey. It seemed to have a farmhouse look about it, but when I was trying to decide how to decorate the interior, I went with Victorian....that period that so fascinates many miniaturists. I did quite a bit of research on the Victorian decor and also that of the Edwardian and decided that the 'new' house would be fun to do in period style. The furniture in this house was made from kits. In the dining room alone, all three major kit manufacturers - House of Miniatures, Chrysnbon and Real Live Miniatures - were used. The dining room rug was one that was painted using colored pens. I was very pleased with how that rug turned out although the one in the Master Bedroom was not as well done. I also should mention that the dishes in the dining room were hand painted by me, all 54 pieces, and I did not use a pattern. All of the design was done free hand. Would that I could do as well now!!

ENGLISH INFLUENCE

I love all things English; French, too having lived in France for two years. However, once we began travelling in Enland, I fell in love with the way the English have preserved their history and wish we could travel every year as there is so much to see in that beautiful countryside. The study of English history is one of my hobbies, if one can call that a hobby, but it is truly amazing to tour a castle that has been inhabited by the same family for more than 900 years. Some time ago I fell in love with the Greenleaf cottage called "The Glencroft" because it is a Tudor style cottage. The mystery is that I did not decorate it in Elizabethan style. but perhaps it will one day get a redo and be that Tudor cottage that I so admire. My Glencroft has its own story: It is occupied by a Widowed Grandmother who has her cats for company and an occasional visit from her grandchildren. She tends her garden and lives the simple life in her small cottage.