Sunday 23 May 2010

The Finished Kitchen

The right hand side of The Kitchen. I've already posted how I achieved the finishes in this room but I'll point out anything that's new. The rocking cradle was the last item to be added and was purchased from Ashwood Designs.


The left hand side of The Kitchen. The settle and close stool were both purchases from ebay and I've yet to add one or two finishing touches to the shelf.

With regard to the close stool: According to a Town Council Minute circa 1687 the muck was removed to "muck carts" between the hours of 10pm and 12pm in Winter and between 11pm and 1am in Summer. Throwing the filth out of the window was considered a nuisance and again, according to the Town Council Minute "proclamation to be made that the windows shall be inspected and closed with tirlies (trellises) or otherwise, to prevent the outcasting of filth. Housemasters offending shall be fined. Servants shall be liable to be pilloried, scourged and banished".*


An overhead view of the whole room. The chair was another purchase from Ashwood Designs. The enclosed back of the chair was designed to protect the individual from draughts.

A close up of the fire grate. There was no oven at this time and meat was usually boiled and fish grilled. Oatmeal in various forms was a staple. The long utensils are from Olde Charm Miniatures. The jam pan (or jelly pan) and trivet that it sits on are from Sussex Crafts as are the hinges on the shutters shown on the full width picture below.


The completed Kitchen. The room measures approximately 11" x 11" x 8.5" 27.94 x 27.94 x 21.59cms). If I can catch the room at dusk, I'll post more pictures with lighting.

The little item at the window is a "rush light". These provided artificial lighting for the poorest folk. They were inexpensive to make, being made of rushes gathered locally and dipped in fat or grease. The stands would be made by a local craftsman or blacksmith.


The average rush was approximately 12" long (30cms) and burned for 10 - 15 minutes. These particular lights were commissioned by me from Olde Charm Miniatures.





* Quoted from NTS Guide Book 1983 and 2008

15 comments:

  1. Of all the dollhouse settings that I've seen, this one for some reason gets to me emotionally - if I can achieve such a standard in my own, I'll be very proud indeed!
    Irene, it's inspiring - beautifully conceived and executed, and your notes on the historical features are so enjoyable!
    10 out of 10!! Can't praise it enough, it 'feels' right.

    Glenda

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  2. I can just bow, and agree with Glenda!!
    Synnøve :)

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  3. It's fabulous Irene, such attention to historical detail is to be admired.

    Just thinking about the rush light, it must have been very smelly and smokey considering fat was being burned - it'd make you want to go to bed early just to avoid it! And probably the least said about the 'stool' the better ;)

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  4. It is beautiful and so clean!:) Nice work! Congrats!

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  5. This is such a wonderful room Irene,I loved reading the history, no wonder they kept those rush lights near the window ! You have done such a great job,the room looks beautifully authentic .
    julie xxx

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  6. It's just perfect. It's like going back to the past. It is a museum piece, I love the history side of your room.
    Geneviève

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  7. As if I'm in a museum visiting a historical exhibition! This scene is perfect and realistic, an amazing artwork.

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  8. Hi Irene,

    I love this, it's exactly like the real Gladstone's Land. I didn't know about rush lamps. Can't see them giving off much light!
    Where's the dishwasher?

    V

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  9. Hola.
    Dando vueltas por Internet te he encontrado y me ha hecho mucha ilusión porque en octubre estuve de vacaciones en escocia y me vine encantada. Sobre todo de Edimburgo. Es una preciosidad de ciudad. Me enamore.
    http://lasmanosdesca.blogspot.com/2010/03/higlander.html
    http://lasmanosdesca.blogspot.com/2009/10/scotland.html
    Te sigo la pista.
    Por cierto me encanta la cocina.
    Besujis!!!

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  10. Your fabulous roombox and its history took me to a time and place I would never have thought to go. Congratulations Irene, this really is a wonderful work of art.

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  11. Thank you everyone for your encouraging comments. I'm getting a lot of pleasure doing this project and am completely sucked into it all. Trying to get as many stories as I can to back up the pictures is tricky as it's so far back in time but hopefully I'll be able to come up with something of interest each time.

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  12. Irene,
    I too am recreating Gladstone's Land, although not as faithfully as you are. I have never been there, but a niece did visit it and brought me back the guide book. I have just acquired a Gerry Welsh house that worked well for the room settings. I see you do not have any of the red ware jugs that they display. If you are interested, there is an artisan here in the States that makes them. Jane Graber…she hand throws her pots and she had just the jugs you would need. I have several and they are exactly like the ones in my booklet. Her email address is janegraber@aol.com. I will continue to watch your progress, it is very impressive.

    Christine

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  13. Christine - thank you for your nice comments and also the contact for the redware pots. I don't have any to date as I haven't seen any that were suitable but I'll be sure to check Jane Graber out.

    Gerry Welsh houses are really nice and if you have any pics of your work, I'd love to see them. Good luck with your project too!

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  14. Irene,
    I just posted my pictures of my Gladstone's Land on my Facebook page. If you are interested you can search for me on Facebook and see my pictures. There are pictures of my other houses as well.
    Christine Zurowski

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  15. Christine - thank you for the invite to view your pictures of Gladstone's Land. I really like the property you've chosen - the little balcony is a nice touch. You've caught the essence of Gladstone's Land very well and have some lovely pieces.

    I had a look at your other work as well and again, you have some lovely furniture and I was very taken with your Williamsburg room. it was also nice to "meet" Mr Nicolson!

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