Three days in the life of a mad woman.

To the left of the dining room portion of the main drawing room there is a niche that cried out for a hutch/dresser to put all the gorgeous china I do not yet have. I add that it is a corner that no one will see unless you are ten centimètres high or have a long neck and small head! That wasn't going to stop me making something and in my mind it was a case of one day start to finish. This is also a way of learning and it's all about learning and progressing. I did look for one already made but found nothing I either liked or could afford.

As the corner is not very accessible I made a copy of the space with white foam board as I have done in previous projects. This allows me to set it aside, check the fit, turn it this way and that etc.

The contruction, wood glue and kraft gum tape to make sure it keeps its shape.

I used strong card for the back, economy oblige. The rest of the build came from four wine box lids my friend found in the street so all in all a super economical build. This piece was going to become part of the build and not a separate piece of furniture. I was inspired by Georgian china cupboards as Ramasy House is an old Georgian manor house.

The sides are 'stepped' with shelves getting smaller as you climb. The inside I used F&B green with some ochre yellow and white to lighten it. I lined the cupboards with an early 19th century wallpaper and added a shelf. Something else no one will ever see. I did think of doing fake doors and then fake drawers in the middle and then thought 'oh go for it' !  

The shelves all different and smaller as you go. I used wood from the old blind I was given.

I trimmed the door opening with coffee stirrers pinched from Starbigbucks.

I wanted the top to be marble as this is also a dessert, a place to put hot dishes and clear the table. It makes sense to have a hutch/dresser where you actually eat as it saves you taking everything from the kitchen each time. The cupboards will hold linen and place settings etc.

I didn't want classic marble so I dabbed and dabbed and voila ! Fake marble is either something that 'happens' or doesn't and you end up swishing on layers and layers of paint in an effort to get it right. This one took two minutes tops ! 3 coats of varnish, wire wool and wax.

Yes! Somewhere to put all my flatware. Making the compartments was tricky but in the end.

I used my usual technique for the doors and at the last minute chickened out and used cloth hinges, for doors that will never open they are perfect. No hard licquor needed.

Doors and drawer and marble top fitted, paintwork patinated and given a coat of clear mat varnish.

A quick try out. This is the view from the hallway in front of the kitchen door into the dining room and the hutch/dresser. 

I said that I don't have nice china, it will happen one day and meanwhile some plates from 'Twelvetimesteeny' via Etsy. The bottom niche takes salad bowls and could also hold a basket with napkins. I have yet to begin learning basket making. 

This is how you would see it if you were hanging from the ceiling. Just saying.

I dropped this drawer twice !

Another fly on the ceiling view showing all the different shelves.

Showing the maquette during the final photoshoot. I cannot install it until I receive and fit the scenic wallpaper from Alison Davies. The ceiling in the dining room is lower by a few centimètres than the rest of the room. 

I am sort of rushing this as I will be taking a short break.  This week end I will be losing someone young who has spent the past six months fighting and losing. I keep busy to forget that my heart is broken again and my family is getting smaller. 

God bless you all, life is short, make it count.