The Sub-Basement

My darling husband (he paid me to say that LOL!) and our friend Greg worked on building the sub-basement for Pennethorne Manor yesterday.  They did a great job on the majority of it and today, Brian and I finished it.  It was a bit scary when Brian cut out the opening in the ceiling of the basement for the staircase, but he nailed it.  Then he cut a hole in the sub-basement to line up with the basement and voila', a staircase opening!

Keep in mind these two gents were busy all morning doing heavy farm work, so they look a bit bedraggled.  They're sweethearts for making this woman happy!

After a few measuring mishaps, we finally got it right and it went together beautifully.  I'm really happy with how it turned out and can't wait to get started on the decorating!

The sub-basement houses from left to right - the butler's pantry, stairwell, Reg's bedroom, a bathroom, cook's bedroom, and Aoife's bedroom.  There will be windows in each of the bedrooms.  We decided to wait until the windows arrive (on a slow boat from China - due September 21st - can you believe it?  But at half the cost the wait might be worth it) to cut out the holes so we get it right.

Here we cut out two windows that look into the scullery in the basement.  These windows sit just above ground level.

The stairwell opening from the basement to the sub-basement.

Poor 'ol stairwell/office area has been ransacked by the contractors.

  Left side of the basements.

Right side of the basements.  I had to put a brick on the kitchen tiles because they became unglued because of the humidity.

I'm waiting for the glue to dry and then I'll give it a coat of primer.  We'll likely bring the basements in the house later tonight or tomorrow depending on when I get the primer on.  Right now I'm feeling like it's a good idea to stay cool, watch a movie and eat some Cheetos . . .

Basement Redo - Again!

So I had a change of plans for the basement - again!  Instead of the cook's bedroom next to the kitchen, it's going to be the scullery.  So the basement will have the wine cellar, stairwell/office, kitchen and scullery.  The sub-basement will include a butler's pantry, stairwell, Reg's room (his room and the butler's pantry may switch, as I'm not sure Victorian decorum allows for men's and ladies rooms to be so close together ;-}), a bathroom, cook's room, and finally Aoife's room.

I'm quite excited by the sub-basement because I've laid out an interesting floor plan that will allow for a hallway to get to the bedrooms.  Hopefully, it will work out in wood how I see it in my mind's eye.  So, while I'm waiting for supplies and for hubby to build the sub-basement, I worked on this today . . .

A console table for the Breakfast Room.  I needed something small to fit in the space next to the wall and still allow ease of movement.  This sweet little table "fit" the bill!  It is by Arjen Spinhoven on Etsy.

I have a few other kits to work on that include roses, a fern and some balcony furniture.  I'm quite daunted by the furniture as it's made out of metal and you need to use epoxy to glue it together.  Then I'll have to paint it.  Hopefully it too will turn out how I picture it in my mind's eye!

A Clawfoot Table

Remember the surprise I spoke about yesterday?  Well here it is!  I found this table on Craig's List and it happened to be the perfect size to anchor the manor.

Now you can get an idea of how everything is going to fit together.  The table, the basement, a sub-basement on top of the basement, and then the manor itself.  I've got about 8 or 9 inches to play with for the sub-basement so it should all sit just below the ceiling!  LOL!

The basement interior is facing outwards.  When I'm finished and we put it all together, all the interiors will face the back.

I love the detailing on the table and will likely give it a coat of paint when all is said and done.  I'm quite pleased and it just goes to show, be patient and the right thing will come!

It's the Small Things

I worked on the basement stairwell today, but before I get to that I'd like to share some smalls that arrived today.

First up is a pair of pillows that will go on the wicker furniture in the gazebo (if it e-v-e-r arrives).

And then we have a couple of bags and boxes from a very exclusive boutique in Paris.  Adelaide had quite an exhausting day of shopping and afternoon tea at Mariage Freres.  Founded in 1854, Mariage Freres is a high-end, elegant tea shop carrying unique blends, and is the best place in Paris to buy tea.  Interestingly, her room at the George V looks just like her one back home.

The pillows, bags and boxes were purchased from Modina Dollhouse on Etsy.

Next are some Boston ferns that I purchased from Tolly's Treasures on Etsy.  Don't they look cute perched on top of the brick pillars at the entrance of the manor?

I also received this big gold frame and plan on putting a picture of Mr. Darcy in it.  It's from Worn Elegance on Etsy.

And lastly, these topiary balls in copper urns look lovely in front of the gazebo.  They are from Otterine on Etsy.

And now to the stairwell/office area in the basement of Pennethorne Manor . . .

I made good progress the last two days cutting, staining and installing the crown molding, the wallpaper and baseboards.  I decided rather than a faux opening for the top of the staircase, we're going to cut through so that it goes up into the sub-basement hall.  So another hole to cut.  The basement is going to look like Swiss cheese before I'm through!  LOL!

All that's left to do is install the lighting, a bit of trim and all the do-dads.  I'm pleased with how this turned out and am looking forward to starting on the kitchen.

The door (which is always locked) leads into the wine cellar.
Only Reginauuld has a key.

Reginauld checking on the workmanship after the contractors have left for the day.
He seems pleased, but will it pass closer inspection?

Reginauld is quite pleased with the wallaper.

And that is it for now.  I'm at a stale mate until my lighting supplies arrive.

Working on the Basement

I know I said I was going to take the summer off, but the basement has been calling my name!  Well, not really, but I am inspired and excited to start working on it.

Yesterday I laid everything out and created my plan.  It's good to have a plan, but it's also good to be flexible, of which I'm not . . . oooo my aching muscles!  Seriously though, I made up a plan and to the best of my ability (and pocket book) I will stick to the plan.  I'm always open though for a better idea or to take hubby's suggestions, as long as I think they're better than mine, and most of the time they are . . . hmphhh!

Anyway, this is the plan . . .

I closed in where the door to the cook's bedroom (previously the sewing/laundry room) used to be and moved it closer to the front in alignment with the other doors on this level (it kind of creates a hallway effect).  The ovens will go on this wall.  On the back wall will be, from right to left, a base cabinet, sink, tall work table, and more base cabinets.  Also on this back wall will be two windows.  On the wall to the right is the ice box and pantry shelves.  That wood piece in the middle of the room is so I could visualize where the work tables will go.

Ovens to the right, base cabinet, sink, work table.  In front will be two work tables.

On the left of the work table will be more base cabinets, the ice box and pantry shelves.

The servants will eat in the kitchen.  I put this table and chairs here to visualize, but Brian says they're too fancy for a kitchen, so he's approved a shopping trip (via Etsy or ebay - LOL!).

There will be two chandeliers over the work tables and sconces on the wall next to the doors.

Chandeliers for above the work tables.

The plan for the space next to the kitchen has changed from the butler's pantry to a stairwell that houses an office for Reginauld to keep track of expenses and for the cook to look over recipes and prepare her lists.  The staircase used to be in the kitchen on the left, but I felt it took up too much space.  And with the addition of a sub-basement, I'll have more room to create the other rooms on that level.

I had papered all the ceilings yesterday, so I was able to move on to papering the walls today.  I can't finish a few walls because I'll be installing the sconces next to the doors, but I got some done.  I had to add some foam board on the right of this room because the door is thicker than the walls and this makes for a nice clean transition and will make the door trim neater.

Stairwell/Office layout.

I added the crown molding and papered two walls.
The other wall will be papered once the sconce is installed next to the door to the wine cellar.

Ready for base boards and door trim.

I'm really excited about this light fixture I found on Etsy.  It's perfect for this room!

The staircase will fit snug up to the ceiling and I'll create a faux opening in the ceiling.

Most everything is on order and as the mail is moving ever so s-l-o-w-l-y, work will continue as items arrive.  And tomorrow, a surprise I got from Craig's List.  I am well pleased!  LOL!

The Grand Dining Room

After talking with Brian today, he is set to build me a sub-basement for the manor.  I decided there needed to be bedrooms for Aoife, Reginauld, and a newcomer (who will be revealed at a later date) since they are needed to manage the household.  Other servants will be hired from the village.  So the sub-basement will house two bedrooms, a hall and a butler's pantry.  The basement will house the wine cellar, servant's hall, kitchen and a bedroom.  All the bedrooms will have their own bathroom (a novel idea back in the late 1800s early 1900s, but what the heck!).  I've set a monumental task for this basement!

So while I'm dreaming away at what the basement will hopefully become, I worked on some details in the Grand Dining Room.  I was thinking of grand chairs for the host and hostess so I made one of the two kits I ordered (see the big red chair in the photo below), but I decided they're just too big for this room.  One would hide the china hutch and the other the French doors.

See it there hogging all the space?!

So I opted instead to build the same chairs as the ones already at the table, except the arm chair version . . .

Arm chairs and a regular chair from the dining room made from
House of Miniatures kits.

And here they are stained and varnished with red velvet seat cushions.
The varnish was still a tad wet, but I'm an impatient crafter.

I had ordered two Chrysnbon china sets and yesterday I set about prepping them and then painting the edges with silver metallic paint.  The laser cut placemats are from Jeannetta Kendall Miniatures on ebay.  I think I have the silver settings wrong, they should be reversed, so at some point I'll have to rearrange them so they meet Grand Dining Room standards.  The pink champagne glasses are from Global Miniatures on Etsy.

I still need to add water and sherry glasses (on order from Global Miniatures on Etsy) and a big, beautiful Victorian center piece.  Oh . . . and food!

Won't you take a seat?  Dinner is being served.

First course will be Queen Victoria's Brown Windsor Soup . . .

Queen Victoria's Brown Windsor Soup
Serves 4

The very soup reputed to have built the British Empire and one that was oh-so-fashionable in Victorian and Edwardian times!  This soup was served daily, until recently, in the dining cars of British Rail.  This classic hearty soup was also very popular at the castle (Windsor) in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  Queen Victoria was particularly fond of it, and it regularly appeared on state banquet menus.  However, this recipe has not had very good press over recent years - drab tinned brands and indifferent, greasy soups served in some lower end restaurants have given it a bad culinary name!  However, this authentic recipe is from Windsor in Berkshire, England - home to the Royal Windsor Castle.  A rich and hearty soup, this makes a meal in itself when served with crusty bread, scones or bread rolls.

13 Ingredients

Meat ~ 1/4 lb lamb, 1/4 lb stewing beef

Produce ~ 1 carrot, 1 medium onion, 1 parsnip

Canned Goods ~ 4 cups good beef stock

Pasta and Grains ~ 1/2 cup cooked rice

Baking & Spices ~ 1/4 tsp chili power,

2 tbsp flour, 1 tsp salt and pepper

Dairy ~ 2 tbsp butter
1 Bouquet Garni

1/4 cup Madeira wine

Directions

1. Cut the lam and beef into 1 inch cubes and roll in the flour.
2. Place the butter in a large saucepan over a low to medium heat.
3. Fry the meat for 3 minutes and then add the rest of the flour and fry for a minute longer until the butter/flour is golden brown.
4. Add the sliced vegetables and stir in the stock.  Throw in the Bouquet Garni, partially cover the saucepan and simmer for 2 hours.
5. Puree the soup before adding the cooked rice if using.  Serve the soup piping hot with assorted breads and rolls.
6. Traditionally a tablespoon of Madeira would be stirred into the soup at the table.

The above information, recipe and picture are from Food.com

An evening of fine dining in the Grand Dining Room of Pennethorne Manor . . .

One of the new chairs in position in front of the French doors.
These are much better suited to the room.

That was a fine dinner with excellent conversation.  Shall we withdraw to the parlor for a game of Bridge?