Antique Lace Bedroom in Victorian Style

This bedroom includes a four poster bed and night stand that I made from kits.  I have been collecting antique lace and fabric for years and found the perfect piece for the look I was going after.  Bedding, curtains and even the lamp shade came from that lace.

The artwork is made from  graphics I found online and the frames made from bits of moulding.

The bedspread is silk and lace.

The art work and embellishments were made from bits of things.

My Laurel Creek Collection

The inspiration for this collection came from the book cover of a 1900 publication of Mary E. Wilkin's 'Heart's Highway'.  The story is a romance set in 17th century Virginia.

However, it was not the story, but the design of the cover that gave way to the line.

It was black and grey with a classic look.  I cut out the shape with my skill saw and used it for the top of the hall tree, but also created a template to incorporate into several other pieces.

The heroine of the tale was Mary Cavendish, from a wealthy tobacco family,  and the name of one of her estates was Laurel Creek; hence the name.  The furniture design is not of the 17th century, but rather that, that might be seen in the author's lifetime.  I chose a neutral palette since Mary Cavendish was no prima dona, trading in her feminine fancies for guns and ammunition.

I chose four rooms:  dining room, kitchen, sitting room and entrance hall.  There are also many single items available to compliment the design, including:graphic trunk, dog bed, umbrella and stand. 

The stain used was special walnut, offset with a light grey paint.  The graphics are colonial in style, harvested from an American art book.  

They  help to break up the monotony of the plain colors, and provide a place for the eyes.

With the extra checkered wool, I added blankets, throws, cushions, etc.  The mats and rugs are dyed homespun, that came from a large piece that I bought several years ago at an antique fair.  The design on the homespun was done with permanent fabric markers.

  

The graphics used on the pillows and cushions were transferred to fabric using printable transfers.

Charles P. Limbert Miniature Replicas

Charles P. Limbert was born in Lyonsville, Pennsylvania in 1854 and died at his home outside Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1923. Charles was the son of a furniture dealer and cabinet maker, Levi H. Limbert, first joining the furniture industry as a salesman and later making chairs.   However, like many of his contemporaries he became interested in the British Arts and Crafts movement, and turned his attention to creating furniture with an emphasis on the quality of the raw material and construction. 

There was a large Dutch population in the Grand Rapids area, and Limbert was inspired by the culture, even visiting the Netherlands to study Dutch peasant furniture.  He opened his factory in Grand Rapids in 1902, specializing in  "Dutch Arts and Crafts" style furniture and lighting.  Later another factory was constructed in Holland Michigan.


Other influences were the American Prairie School and Scottish designer and architect, Charles Rennie MacKintosh.

Like Gustav Stickley, Limbert detested the term Mission Furniture, always referring to his work as "Arts and Crafts"

Replica Limbert Cafe Chairs

These miniature chairs are copied from a design by Charles P. Limbert.  Stickley is remaking this chair in a variety of finishes (see second last image), listing it in their catalog as 'Limbert's cafe chair'.

Mine are 2 1/2" high, 1 3/4" deep and 2 1/4" across the front.  I used white oak, gave them a cherry stain and then a hand rubbed finish.  I used a magenta leather for the seats.  The image on the left is the original chair.

Limbert Tabouret

 

This is my interpretation of a Charles P. Tabouret in solid oak with cutouts.  

This is in 1:12 scale standing 2" high, is 1 1/2" wide with a 2" x 2" top.

Limbert Bench or Window Seat

This is a miniature replica of a Charles P. Limbert Window Seat in 1:24 scale.  It is made of solid oak with cutouts.

The seat is 2 1/4" wide, 1" deep and 2" high.

I've included an image of the original piece that I scaled down.

Charles Limbert Daybed c1908

  

The design for this three cushion couch (daybed) is scaled down from a 1908 Charles Limbert piece. (Last image is original Limbert daybed) I have made several of these in a variety of woods and leather colours.  

This one is oak and cranberry leather.

They measure 4 1/4" x 2" and stand 2" high at the head.  Original daybed below.

Charles Limbert Cafe Table

The design for this cafe table is scaled down from a Charles P. Limbert piece.  It is made of cherry and measures 3 1/4" across the top and stands 3 1/2" high.  Below is the original table.

Pink Attitude Miniature Dollhouse Bedroom

This little girl's bedroom is made from the boards of one book and scraps of contrasting pink cotton


  This and other creations can be viewed on my website.



 I started with the boards of one book which I painted to seal and provide a light coloured surface, since the boards were dark green. I then drew my patterns and cut them out with an Exacto knife. Next, I made the feet for the bed by cutting off the ends of two spindles. This gave me all the pieces I needed for the entire bedroom set. I sanded the edges and painted the pieces. A latticework framework was made for the headboard, a piece of sponge cut to size and the piece covered with fabric. The latticework allowed for quilting. The footboard was covered with a slip on cover with three pockets for tucking in treasures. The mattress is sponge, covered with contrasting fabric and quilted. All of the bedding is made up from fabric scraps.

 

The trunk is created in a similar way, except that I covered all pieces before assembling. The removable lid was latticed and quilted. The chair made up the same way. I added the striped contrast ribbon and bows to add a bit of character.

The mat is made of printable cotton.