Sunday, March 31, 2019

Miniature Laduree French Patisserie project

I am obsessed with the French Patisserie Laduree. Every since my first visit to Paris 10 years ago I have collected boxes, visited and gorged in every Ladurees I could get to. I have visited and photographed every restaurant in Paris including Versailles (not technically Paris, but close enough). I have also visited their location in Covent Gardens in England and most recently the new restaurant that opened up in Vancouver Canada. So now I need my own little Ladurees in miniature.

I have chosen to do it as a room box which I ordered from Victoria Miniland.  Unfortunately they did not my first choice for store front, but this one I think will serve the purpose and be just as lovely.
I am wanted to do this little project simply and have selected little battery operated lighting so I don't need to wire it. Really I just want a simple project to play in.
This will be my counter,  although this picture is not it quite in it's finished state. See all my tiny macarons?? Aren't they sweet??

I wanted the look of the Laduree counter with the glass guard and lamps and that took some thinking on how I could achieve it simply using my limited skill set and brain power. I settled on glass slides and brass 1/8" angle plus curved round brass and glass beads for the lamps. The original plan was to add little shades, but I kind of like the look of the bare bulbs.  I used free counter top samples from the hardware store to mimic the look of the marble slabs.
I am working on creating all the tiny little boxes and ribbon rolls.

Had to share pics of SOME of the Laduree boxes I have collected in my travels at the end of this post.
Laduree Vancouver in January of this year with my long suffering husband who literally follows me to wherever I want to go. Luckily he is well fed for all his efforts. 

Now I am thinking that I may add a tea room over the top of my little Ladurees in the future.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

I know it has been awhile but work continues on the little French doll house.  The first of the three mansard roof windows is installed and the other two are ready to be assembled. All their components are ready to go. I could finish the exterior of the house quite quickly if I just buckle down and make time to get it done. I am looking forward to that bit.

I did work on another miniature project over the Christmas break. It was a little 1:44th scale house I picked up a few years ago at the Kensington Dollhouse Festival in England. It is the Georgian Rectory from Templewood Miniatures, www.fineflowersinminiature.com
It it such a lovely little project and I am thoroughly pleased with the results, but it was a challenge. It actually took 3 full days to complete.
The kit came complete with miniature, wee tiny painting and frames, little rugs and lino for hallways and kitchen. I must admit, I used many bright coloured paints and every accessory the kit provided. 

You may notice that you are seeing the front parts of the staircase in one view and the back in the other. That is because the house open on both sides so you can see a full view of your work.


 This is the view from the other side, notice the wee little fireplaces.