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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Adding a Basement.


Hello everybody.
Yesterday was a very productive day for my Victorian dollhouse as my boyfriend and I started making the first part of the basement.

After much investigation on Google I came up with the beginning of my design. The main part of the house will have a two (possibly 3) room basement that connects to the upper part of the house. As the house was not built with a basement in mind it is going to have to be adapted.

If you look at the base of the original house it sits on a 2-3 inch plinth. This plinth is integral as it allows the details of the veranda.

Ideally I wanted to try and use this plinth as part of the basement but with lots of thinking I couldn't make it work. So I created a separate room box of sorts to be the basement. I had pre purchased a set of stairs so they have dictated the height of the basement. (12 inch) The stairs have posed a little bit of a dilemma as they won't actually be going anywhere. I'm planing on making it seam like they go up to under the stairs of the top part of the house.
The next picture is the beginning of the chimney.  I have made it so that the fireplace and range can sit inside the alcove. After looking at many blogs they also inspired me to make it slightly bigger to allow for the wiring of the dollhouse to go through the chimney stack. I haven't attached it yet as it will need lots of work done on the inside.
 The stairs from the top of the house will run onto the top of the basement. I plan to make a detachable front that then has another set of stairs leading to the ground.


Phoenix Kitchener in its new home.

The next part I will build is a basement for the tower. The tower has been proving to be a difficult addition so I have changed some things with it. Instead of it being physically attached to the main house I will now have it so it can be placed side by side. I have also decided to add a back to it. I had thought that it would be strange to have a house that you can see all around but has an open area. The tower can then be slid across to see the contents of it.

So now some questions for you!
Q1 : Should I have windows in the basement? Many kits I have seen do...some don't. If yes...what would you suggest.
Q2: Should I use real bricks or brick stencil for the basement?
Q3: Should the doors in the basement be the same quality as the main house or should they be more simple to reflect the rooms being servants quarters?

I'd love to hear from you to see what you suggest..
IndyPoppy

24 comments:

  1. Hi Indy_Poppy! Your Victorian house project has take a good leap forward and I like what you are doing so far! The alcove for that wonderful stove is going to be great and I am glad that you have factored in the wiring now at this early stage because it will make your work all the easier, the more progress you make. As to your questions, My opinion is yes there should be windows in your basement but you will have to decide how far above ground you want it to be and then place your windows accordingly. I have no experience with stenciled brick but have seen it used. Real brick would be nice but what about bricks from egg carton. There is little additional weight and it is a lot cheaper and very easy to install. For your doors I think that you already have researched that the doors were plainer than the main floors. The movie " The Remains of the day" has some great references to the English servants quarters that may help you decide and narrow down your choices. I know that you will be having lots of fun with this and I look forward to seeing how you resolve the next steps! Good work Indy-Poppy!

    elizabeth

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    1. I admire your commitment to this project, even adding a basement! Lookin' good, keep up the good work my friend.
      XOXO
      Ruth

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    2. Hi Elizabeth,
      What a great idea to watch "The Remains of the day"...don't mind having an excuse to watch some Telly. I think your idea of egg carton is a great idea as it wouldn't add too much weight. Thanks for your ideas. IndyPoppy

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    3. Hi Ruth,
      Thanks for your kind comments. I've got to stop adding rooms though...this house is getting HUGE!

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  2. El basamento queda perfecto!!! la casa cobra importancia,es un proyecto fantástico!!!!
    Besos.

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  3. Hi Indy&Poppy, you did a lot of work and it's looking good. Now about your questions; I think Otterine did a great job on the basement of her own Haunted Hertitage. If you look for ideas (like windows in the basement) I can recommend a visit to her post about it. If I were in your place, I would keep the basement windows more simple than the main windows, so the attention is drawn to the main part of the house first and only next to the basement....
    Have fun and I am looking forward to see your progress,
    Hugs, Liduina

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    1. Hi Liduina,
      Otterine's blog is fabulous. I actually was inspired by her chimney and decided to add one to my kit because of how wonderful hers turned out. I think its a good idea to make the windows plainer. I was worried that they would detract from the main house.

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  4. I love basements! Added one to my Sea Side Villa and my Glenwood

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  5. Hello Indy Poppy,
    The structure is just great! I cannot wait to see it progress...I love the kitchen stove!

    Since the servants worked in the basement I think windows are a must. if the kitchen will be in the basement even more so to let the heat out.

    Real bricks are great but incredibly heavy. I use the magic brick system, but have also seen some great 3d brick papers.

    The basement doors would have been good solid doors, but much simpler and ornate.

    This project is going to be wonderful and I am very excited about it.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thanks Giac for your wonderful comment. I think that I'm definately going to add windows. My boyfriend has said "oh no!" when I suggested it. So I'll probably look for something that is simple to put in. I've been researching doors....and I am getting a little frustrated as there is a huge price difference in them...I'll keep looking though.

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  6. Great work so far! I'm interested in seeing what you decide to do. xo Jennifer

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    1. Thanks Jennifer for your lovely comment...Decisions...Decisions...

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  7. Ciao Indy Poppy, ottimo il progetto che stai realizzando.
    Per quanto riguarda i suggerimenti nelle nostre case e ville ci sono sempre le finestre nel seminterrato e sono piccole situate in alto e in lungo orizzontalmente. In genere hanno anche le sbarre. Per quanto riguarda le porte sono molto più semplici rispetto alla zona patronale.Spero di esserti stata d'aiuto..
    Un caro abbraccio, Manu

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    1. Thanks Manu, I think your idea of having smaller windows would add to the basement feel.

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  8. Your project is really exciting. I am voting for windows, so there may be light in the basement, they should probably sit a little high.
    I look forward to seeing what you choose.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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    1. It looks like everyone is agreeing as well. The basements got to have windows.

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  9. Hi again Indy_Poppy! I have just been watching Upstairs/ Downstairs from the 1960's on You tube and it features lots of details of the servants kitchen, which has a stove that looks very much like yours and a lot of doors to the various downstairs rooms that the servants occupy! I thought I'd pass it on because the series is good and the detail are abundant!

    elizabeth

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    1. I loved this show! I used to watch re runs with my Grandfather. Any excuse to watch it again is great.

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  10. Everything is looking amazing, I do love a handcrafted original house and the fact that you are building it together make this piece all the more wonderful!

    I think a basement would look fantastic as well, as Elizabeth said egg carton really looks wonderful and it is usually a free resource.

    Small windows peeking out a raised foundation would look lovely ;)

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    1. Thanks for your comment. It has been fun working with my boyfriend on the project (even when he doesn't share my enthusiasm for the tiny details!) I think it's something that we can always say in the future was "our" project, which is kinda nice!

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