Wednesday, February 16, 2011

French facade - finished!!

Well, almost... just a few final touches yet to do like attaching doorknobs, cleaning windows, adding the shop name ...




I'm not sure if I've over-done the dirt and grime, just a little :)

It certainly looks rather less pristine than it did in this pic posted last May

It's been a good project to work on recently when it's been too hot to work on pieces that need concentration and precision in measurement and putting together (although I must admit the French windows and doors fall into this category but most of those were completed a while ago) but it's way past time to tackle the 'bistro' style table and chair set that I promised Marie Jose way back in July - she must have entirely given up hope of ever receiving it by now. I might be slow but I do deliver ... eventually :)


47 comments:

Glenda said...

Woo hoo!! It looks absolutely gorgeous, Norma!!
The pink and grey is perfect, and the aging looks great.
Do you have a name for it?

Maria said...

Very nicely painted and made, i love the colors.
Hugs
Maria

Inês Paiva Raposo said...

Norma, eu não conhecia o seu blog porque sou nova neste mini mundo, mas agora que vi o seu trabalho adorei!
Este ultimo projecto da casa parisiense está lindíssimo, parabéns!
Tem uma fã e mais uma seguidora.
Deixo-lhe aqui o meu blog para se quiser ver o meu "começo".
www.liliputthings.blogspot.com
Beijinho

Anonymous said...

Norma this is beautiful. I really admire your talent, and patience. I could live there.

It's really hot here today. Not doing too much.

Cheers,
Lisa x

Daydreamer said...

Norma, it's looking FANTASTIC! The dirtying up looks just right.... it is amazing how dirty the real world is sometimes...!

Restyled Vintage said...

that is stunning, Norma. I love the dirt and 'grunge' and don't think it is overdone at all, just very authentic (not that I have ever been to France, lol!)

Catherine said...

YIPPEE!!! I am so glad to see it finsihed. It looks WONDERFUL!!!! I love how you have aged it, the colors and the way the iron bends around the balcony. FANTASTIC!!!:-)

Cheryl said...

Magnificent! You are inspiring me. I have been debating with myself on making windows or resyling already made.

My Shabby Streamside Studio said...

Norma, if only I was small enough to live there!

Thmini2 said...

Very well done!! I also love the way the balcony curves. The dirting up looks perfect. I am so envious of your talent.

Marie-Laure said...

Oh ! That is just wonderful ! What a lovely building !
BRAVO !!!

sylvia said...

Wonderful, I love it very much!!!!!

Sans! said...

Perfectly aged if you ask me! I love it, Norma! Good to see you have time for your own minis again.

miniacollection said...

It's fantastic.
Geneviève

Susan@minicrochetmad said...

Oh, it's fabulous! Love the faded colours and the centuries of patina and the simple stylish lines!

The Old Maid said...

Fantastic!!!! There is not too much dirt for sure!:) Beautiful work, Norma!

Ana said...

It is a perfect job and has become very real fantastico.te spectacular I love the result. Congratulations¡¡¡

Garden of Miniatures said...

It looks great,I love it !Jeannette

Piikko said...

Norma, the fasad is perfect! So beautiful♥ Is there going to be rooms to rent?:D
Greetings, piikko

Lena said...

Beutiful work! I love the colour that you create, with the perfect shabby style!

Lena!

Jollie said...

Dear Norma,

I love it to be slow because I don't like it when I need to hurry all the time... lol! ;)

My gosh your French house is soooo beautiful!!
And I think that you did not over-do it with the dirt and grim.
Well everyone has their own taste, but I just love it!!! :)

Hugs, Jollie

Lotte said...

It´s perfect! So beautiful!

Lara said...

It looks fabulous.
You did a great job!

Sylvia said...

Fantastic! The colours, form,style, all beautifull!

Sylvia said...

Fantastic! The colours, form,style, all beautifull!

Irene said...

Well done! It looks lovely and not too grungy! Love the curved balcony too - that's a nice touch.

Susanne said...

It´s great, Norma!
Love, Susanne

rudoo said...

It is absolutely gorgeous!!!! I think it's just right "dirty"! Can you tell me who the maker is? Or where I can get the building shell? I'll go back and read through your blog also to see if I can find info.

Linda said...

fantabulous!!! love the 'dirt' its just right :D Linda x

temari by the sea said...

Norma, its perfect! Just the right dirtying, well done!
hugs
Michelle

Claudia said...

Oh Norma, it looks beautiful. Your work is just gorgeous.

xo
Claudia

KORONKA said...

This is beautiful! I'm impressed!
Regards from Poland Norma :-)
Monika

Kim said...

Oh my goodness- it's so beautiful! I think you have done just the right amount of dirtying- I think I want to move in! Very nice work :)

cockerina said...

oh! Norma! This building is beautiful! perfectly Parisian-style
it is also nice the color of the windows of the store! What host inside the store? I really like the sills, a meticulous work!
many, many compliments!
Caterina

Patty said...

Norma, This facade looks incredible! I really love it and it looks very French!!!! You have done such a wonderful job on the details and the "grime". Where did you find your wrought iron railing? I love it!!

Carol Kubrican said...

Wow, Norma! Amazing! It is the perfect amount of grime to add character. I love the ironwork!

Angela said...

Very nice, I like very much ... you were very good at recreating that something romantic ...
congratulations, I can not wait to see the rest ...
a kiss
Angelina

Francy said...

Oh dear Norma, this little house is very very beautiful.
Many compliments
A kiss
Francy

Josje said...

Love it! Beautiful colours and just the right amount of dirt. Funny how in the French style even dirt can have a certain 'chique'.

Flora said...

Very late, I congratulate you for the new developments brocante shop: I love it! The influence of Lea Frisoni is present but discreet, and this is my favorite style for elegance and sobriety.
Lucky you, having a son with the art of woodworking :-)
In Italy we say "who goes slowly, and steady wins the race" so you do well to take it easy...
Mini hugs, Flora

Garden said...

Excellent et magnifique ouvrage, mon cher !!! Very nice grubby finish there I can almost smell the grime .. lovely work ..Paul

Kathy said...

Fantastic!!!! I love the color!

C.J. said...

I just found your blog, and it's wonderful! I'm in love with your French Facade. The aging is fabulous...I wish you'd write a post about how you did it :-)

Ironically, I'm working on a similar project, myself, and had just discovered your blog after I posted a few debut pictures of it--a Parisian Patisserie among a sea of fantasy and tudor projects :-)

Margaret said...

Wow Norma, your shop is just superb. I have been tied up in other things lately so haven't kept up with blogging. Of course my thoughts are with you and all the NZ bloggers since the Christchurch disaster, it is so sad and difficult to comprehend. I hope your family and friends are safe and well.

Monica said...

Norma ... everything’s coming along wonderfully! It all looks so perfectly authentic ... the patina, the understated simplicity and your colour choices all complimenting the whole. Hope this finds you on the mend, and out and about enjoying your, hopefully cooler, autumn weather.

Monica said...

Norma ... everything’s coming along wonderfully! It all looks so perfectly authentic ... the years of benign neglect, the understated simplicity and your colour choices all complimenting the whole. Can't wait to see what goes inside. May this finds you on the mend, and out and about enjoying your, hopefully, cooler autumn weather.

Léa said...

I'm even further behind everyone ... But I must congratulate you, Norma, for this wonderful Parisian facade, it looks like a postcard and it is very realistic ... I will now comment on the article that introduced me to it. ^ ^