Though the Newport was sold eventually, I’ve compiled some of the posts I made when I first started building it.
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Continuing work on the study with fireplace. The first step of installing the flooring was to make a template of the room. I cut a rough outline and then taped bits of paper to cover any open areas. This method makes up for any warping there may be along the edges of the room.
I used dark wood flooring by Handley House; it comes on a paper backing so you can cut a single piece of flooring using a template instead of laying the wood down strip by strip. I did have to piece the wood a bit by the fireplace wall since the sheet was not wide enough to cover the entire width of the room.
The flooring isn’t permanently affixed yet. There are a few gaps from the wall, but I think it turned out well for my first attempt at wood flooring. I painted the edges where the base floor will show to make the gaps less obvious, and there will be a baseboard around the perimeter as well.
I drilled holes in the chimney breast for the sconces and then glued the assembly to the wall. I used Yes! paste to attach the wallpaper (scrapbook paper by The Paper Company called Parchment Tan). There are three separate pieces. The first one I glued in place was on the angled wall with the window. I cut it with roughly 1/4″ edges on either side to go under the other two pieces to prevent gaps along the seams. (Note: I no longer recommend Yes paste – I use Wallpaper Mucilage instead. Yes paste has problems with longevity.)
Once the wallpaper was done, I ran the wires for the sconces through the chimney breast. I plan to pull the wires up through the ceiling and run them along the floor of the second story to the power strip.
I think I am getting the hang of electrification! :D
The painting above the fireplace is a cutout from a catalog I had years ago. Unfortunately, when I ripped it out, I didn’t get the full name of the artist, only the first name of Leigh. From what text is there, I think the title of the work is called Jeweled Cove (or at least begins with those words), though I haven’t been able to turn up anything on the internet about it.
I glued the paper image to a thin piece of balsa then cut and painted a wood frame to surround it. I bought the clock on eBay, and the elephants I’ve had for over twenty years.
The fireplace fence is by Town Square Miniatures and was originally brass that I painted with acrylic paint to make it look like wrought iron.
