London Museums: London holds at least three museums of particular interest to miniaturists. The Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood shows a very large number of old dollshouses many of which are featured in the books we read. The Geffrye Museum which is just five minutes or so away, so you could do both in one day, which is full of real size domestic interiors, fantastic for inspiration. And of course the Victoria and Albert Museum which has just about every item of beauty one could imagine from silver and gold, to fine porcelain, to needlework samplers, and period clothing.

Karon

Literary scene/Henry James house: when you're ready to tackle a Jamesian house, maybe Edith Wharton's interior design books would be helpful -- since they were such great friends, it's likely their tastes were similar (On the Decoration of Houses; Italian Villas & Their Gardens).

Loretta.Sniarowski

Edwardian ladies bedroom: I have several pieces of Bespaq bedroom furniture, and want to do a Edwardian ladies bedroom with a separate dressing room. In that dressing room will be a armoire, and, because it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture, with beautifully fitted drawers and shelves, I want it to be open, and brim full of the things a lady would have...lots of lace...gloves, etc. So, now I've got to actually use some of these patterns that I have...and some of the tiny lace I've collected for years. (Never throw anything away!)

I may have to have a maid, too...trying to tidy up after the women of the house, a famous diva in the opera, leaves for rehearsal. (I already know who lives in the room, and a diva would give me a good excuse to make wonderful hats and clothes...if I can!)

So, that's the 1" scale that I have going...I need to paint and antique the furniture...dress the bed and the caned chaise lounge, make clothes..etc. Maybe take me, oh, ten years or so.

Kaye in L.A.

Literary scene: My all time favorite book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. A scene I'd like to replicate is in the beginning of the book. It's the one where Marmee is sitting in her easy chair reading aloud a newly arrived letter from her husband. Beth is sitting at her feet. Meg and Amy are sitting on their arms of the chair on either side of her. Jo is standing behind the chair. There is a fire blazing in the fireplace. There would be knitting and stitching projects from that day scattered here and there about the room. This would be a busy scene but with a very warm and homey feel to it.

The dolls in this scene would have to be very special. They would have to clearly project the distinct personalities of each character. I don't make dolls so I think I'll start looking very carefully for just the right ones. It will probably cost me a fortune. (which I don't have) I can see this whole scene in my head right now. Wow! Thunderboltitis! This could take up my whole day. Nothing is going to get done around here today. Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened. LOL

Lorri in Manassas, VA

Period Interiors: I came across an absolutely fabulous book to use when looking for inspiration to decorate an 'authentic' period interior for your dollshouse. I was blown away when I saw all the detailed drawings and watercolour paintings. Now I know just want I want my Regency Library to look like. If you're interested, I would highly recommend it: "Authentic Decor, the Domestic Interior 1620-1920" by Peter Thornton, (408 pages!!, paperback @£19.99, but I got it for £9.95)
I checked in Amazon.com and it's still in print/available @£15.99.

Cardiff

On the subject of helpful books on decorating styles, I have two on Victorian that are both wonderful. One is "Victorian Style" by Judith and Martin Miller, and the other one is "Victorian Home" by Ellen Plante. Loads of pictures, and massive amounts of information.

Deena in Miami

Archaic Fitness Devices: When I read your message I was reminded of a movie which took place in a Health Spa or Sanitarium (not sanatorium) owned by Mr. Kellog. It is called "The Road to Wellville". They had many interesting archaic fitness devices and watching it may be of some help to you. It was a satire on the "American cults of hygiene, nutrition and cleanliness" at that time. I also remembered all the different contraptions in my old Sears Roebuck and other catalogs that would also be good reference books for older exercise devices.

Jean Day

Chinese vs. Japanese: About telling Chinese things from Japanese things: Well, since I'm Chinese, I can usually tell the two apart on sight. But it's harder to come up with general RULES about it! Here goes: - Chinese shoes: Depending on the era, they may be simple sandals (like bedroom slippers, with the toe area covered, not thongs), simple black cloth shoes (no laces... think of a ballet slipper, but with a flat sole). This is for both men and women. If you are doing a pre-1920 china scene AND if your scene is of non-peasant people, the women's shoes should be VERY small. Bound feet were common on for almost all women (except peasant women--bound feet prevented work in the fields). For anyone that doesn't know, this involved breaking the foot across the instep and folding it back so that the toes were under the heel. The shoes would have been sort of triangular, 3"-4" on a side, and often had tall wooden heels in the center of the sole (think stilts). I remember seeing shoes of the royal women in the Forbidden City in Beijing. However, if you are doing a peasant scene, it is not inconceivable that the people would simply go barefoot. The men's shoes of this era would probably be the plain black ones described above. For a modern Chinese scene, almost anything goes. But the sandals on two little wood blocks are definitely Japanese. Also, Japanese socks sometimes have a separation for the toe (like the thumb on mittens) to make thongs easier to wear. - Chinese dress: Again, I don't know much about the Japanese side, but I can say a few things about the Chinese side. Chinese "formal" wear for women is a long embroidered silk gown, with a stand-up collar and "frog" fasteners (those knotted silk button-and-loop things). It would either have no sleeves or long sleeves, and should go down to the floor. These are still sometimes worn today (I have one in gold, which was my grandmother's, which I wear on certain special occasions.) As far as I know, these have been popular for a long time. Depending on how far back you are going (Imperial ages, etc) headdresses may be common as well. Be sure to check the internet to see what kind of headdress is appropriate for the woman, as well as what hairstyle is appropriate for the men of the time. When watching "Crouching Tiger," my mother could identify the time period by the men's hairstyle! I think the men would have worn long, probably black tunics over pants (like those described below, only with fancier frogs). Peasants would have worn plain-colored (not patterned) tunic-style shirts with simple frog closures instead of buttons and long sleeves, over pants. This is true for both men and women. I think those cone-shaped straw hats were worn at one time, but I don't know if they are still worn, or when they disappeared. - Chinese furnishings: Back in the day, the furniture would be ornately (but not flamboyantly) carved and possible inlaid with mother of pearl. Common colors are black and reddish-brown. They would be made of wood, and not cushioned. Tables are typically round, with barrel-shaped stools around them. Symmetry is often used in noble/royal rooms, so keep this in mind when making/buying furniture! As in most cultures, the richer/more elite the person, the more decorated the room. I'm sure there are lots of books out there about this. - Japanese furnishings: Fewer or no chairs; more cushions to sit on. Beds are also usually on the floor (futons, which can be rolled up and stored). Tables should be appropriate heights for a person sitting on the ground. Straw mats are definitely Japanese. For some inspiration, try the children's book "Miss Happiness and Miss Flower," by Rumer Godden. - One last thing: White is a color of mourning for the Chinese. Traditionally, clothing is not white. Black does not have the same connotations for the Chinese as it does for the West. Red is the color of celebration and festivity; this is why most Chinese new year decorations are red, and a historical Chinese bride would wear a red dress with a red veil over a headpiece.

Celeste in Boston

Jigsaw puzzles: The May 2001 issue of Reader's Digest says: "...In Britain, where the first puzzles were created in the 1760's. Called dissected Maps, they were used toteach the children of King George III. . . . They moved out of the nursery in the early 1900s when a few enterprising women puzzle makers began appealing to adults by cutting up magazine covers containing portraits and landscapes." Apparently at first they were enjoyed only by the well-to-do. The article goes on to say that the New York Times in 1908 reported that "manufacturers couldn't keep up with the demand from college professors, millionaires, ministers and lawyers who were infected with 'the new puzzle germ' and could afford them. It wasn't until 1932 when machine-stamped cardboard versions began selling for just a quarter each, that the masses got hooked."

Minnie

Reference resource for DIY Victorian bathroom fixtures: http://www.victoriancrapper.com/index.htmlYes, the URL is a bit, er, risqué, but it is a rather serious page on Victorian toilet bowls, with lots of pictures, and some history.   I found it while looking for ref materials for my own DIY project's bathroom.

Maura Bass

Turn of the Century Immigration Costuming: Lorrie asked about costuming immigrant dolls and what an inspector of immigrants might look like. Years ago I made dolls to portray a scene from Ellis Island. It would have been around the turn of the century, and the immigrants were all fairly poor. The women all had long skirts, with shawls and scarves around their heads. The men wore suits or jackets of some kind. The children would be wearing something similar to what other children were wearing at that time - a little boy I did had on knickers with a shirt, jacket and hat. The little girls had dresses with pinafores over the top - everyone wore high top boots. There are a lot of pictures out there of groups of immigrants passing through Ellis Island. Go to www.Google.com and enter Immigrants Ellis Island and see what you find.

About the inspector: I'd put him in a tweed suit, or he might very well have been a Dr. because they were all subjected to some kinds of physical exams. In that case, he could be wearing pants with a shirt and vest, with armbands. He might be wearing glasses and would have a clipboard in his hand. In my family, we have the original certificate from Immigrations on Ellis Island listing my great grandfather and his family who had just come over from Czechoslovakia. My grandmother is listed as an infant. (I was told she was born on the ship on the way over) So you should definitely do a mother with a baby in her arms. Have fun.

Paulette in IN

Immigration Inspector: I believe they wore navy or black uniforms.   I think a search on the Ellis Island web page, would show some pictures.

Annie

Ellis Island Inspectors:  here's a web page on Ellis Island inspections (I'm guessing the rest of the site might be interesting, too):   http://www.ellisisland.com/inspection.htmlIt describes the inspectors as "wearing starched collars and heavy serge jackets"

Lee

Peddler Dolls: Female Peddlers wore standard women's clothing for the time. Notable additions to the costume would be a warm, woolen cape with a hood, a white mob cap and under it all...the famous red, flannel petticoat. (That's how you can tell an "authentic" peddler.)

Laurie Sisson

Log Cabin Floor:  I have done many floors including Log Cabin and have used random sizes from 1/4 inch, half inch and up to 3/4 Inch.  Follow a pattern   when laying them.   You can even cut at random lengths and fill in on the sides.   Follow the same size after so many strips. After floor is laid and glue dries, sand the top.  Stain with a Minwax stain to match your walls. For a finish, use a matte finish NOT GLOSSY. It will give it the rather rustic look you want for the cabin.

Ann Weiner

Log Cabin Floor:  An alternative for the floor. It works well for me. If you are lucky enough to have a store that sells handmade paper (paper store, stationary, art supply) see what they have. Years ago I bought a very large piece that is brown and fibrous, It can be torn or ripped and makes a great floor.

Melissa Cookman

Log Cabin Floor:   Unfortunately, there aren't many options - either dirt, stone or tile.   The latter two don't really work with log cabins, so I'd still go with wood, but not oak or anything fancy.  Use basswood strips about 1/2" x 1/16 or even thinner.  You can also use strips of different widths for a random look, but make sure they are all the same thickness. Depending on the look you want, sand them a bit with the coarsest sandpaper (going with the grain), to make them look hand hewn, or just use them as is.   Lay them like a regular wood floor, but if you leave some gaps here and there, it will look more rustic.   Since you don't want the floor to be too pretty, don't finish it with glossy polyurethane - use a matte sealer instead just to protect it.   You could even rub some dirt into the floor before sealing, so that it wont look too new.

As for other ideas, how about a chimney and fireplace faced with pebbles to simulate "river stones".     Use tartan plaids for curtains and/or upholstery, or even just as blankets.   An old-fashioned cook stove, like the one that Chrysnbon makes, would be very appropriate.  I would recommend the Realife "Country Kitchen" kit, as the furnishings would be perfect for a log cabin, and are not large: an old fashioned stove, Hoosier cabinet, sink with pump and icebox.  These kits are no longer made, but they appear on ebay all the time.  Expect to pay between $10 and $20 - which is a great price for these excellent kits.   The only problem is finding the kit on ebay.   Usually, you can do a search for "Realife" and most of their kits will come up.   But some sellers misspell it as Reallife or Real Life, while others list it only as Country Kitchen Kit or something else entirely.   So, try several searches.

Jonathan in Israel

Pocket Doors: Someone asked about pocket doors. We had a set in a vintage house, Nathaniel Crosby House, our club made and donated to the City of Tumwater in Washington State. The doors divided the dining room from the room that had been the kitchen, but had since been used as more of a family room. The panels of the doors were not moveable. They just had the appearance of being all the way open, except for about 1/4 inch. Doubt if anyone knew they didn't really work.

MAP in Puyallup

Fimo Baskets: Another thing I love to do, and I can't claim that it's my idea. If you feel reasonably happy with Fimo (I suppose you might be able to do this with all the other poly clays, although Sculpy 3 might be too soft) try making a mini basket by making long, very thin, sausages from it and plaiting them (flat on the table). Then you can make a super mini basket by just winding this plait around itself in whatever shape you want -

makes nice rustic style baskets for logs or bread. Last year I made Easter baskets like this and filled them with eggs and flowers (all made of Fimo) Such fun!

Florida Gill

old seaside fishing towns are full of weathered buildings like that! As for what else would be in them... besides piratey stuff, there'd be plenty of seashore/ship/fishing related items, too. My mom's family have always been sailors & fishermen (and opium smugglers in the 1600's in Cornwall - that's supposedly why they ended up here in the USA - I wouldn't go as far as pirates, though. Though I wouldn't go as far as to say they weren't, either). Decor has included pictures of ships, lights made out of ship lanterns, old harpoons hanging on the wall, lobster traps piled outside, fishing nets (outside with the traps and inside on the walls), floats, buoys, bells, pictures of ancestors, pictures of the ocean, barometers, fishing poles & tackle, small boats at the dock outside (rowboats ,canoes), extra oars ,oarlocks, broken oars, rope hammocks (rope EVERYTHING!!), and lots of macramé. My grandfather actually managed to combine every one of these items into his den - plus he used to macramé anything that held still more than 30 seconds; the rest of the family eventually came to refer to this style as Owen Decor.

A pub would be serving some sort of food - stew, bread, lobster, clams, actual beef maybe. Crates stacked up here & there, or being used as seats or tables. A fireplace. Where there's pirates I'd expect to find gambling, so any card or dice games appropriate to the era of your pub; guns, swords, knives,booty- gold, jewels, cloth, clothing, carpets, perfumes, spices, (opium!), etc. - I expect they'd be using much of it to gamble or just plain display. Maybe a lost and found section of wooden legs, parrots,eye Patches! And of course the MAIN reason the men eventually come ashore (besides the alcohol) - WOMEN!

Grace