Hopalong Hollow Gazette

Transforming UGLY... part 1 of a bathroom renovation

2012-02-04T21:57:00.000-08:00

Whilst I have been sequestered in my studio painting "the book", the Lord of the Manor has been transforming UGLY. I am talking about the worst room in our house, an upstairs bathroom which had UGLY written all over it. He started with the doors...

The transformed door leading into UGLY bathroom .

Our house was built in 1890 and has beautiful woodwork, but these upstairs doors had been beat to heck over the years and needed a facelift. All four doors at the top of the landing, he removed, sanded, re-stained and varnished.

Below is transformed door leading into Master boudoir.

AND he restored 2 others! ( I think he is wonderful)

These door brasses were so tarnished, they were nearly black.

Now, just look at them sparkle!

And now, into Ugly land...

And this is AFTER all the old wallpaper was removed, the walls were repaired, one wall was removed completely and the bead board had been applied. But, this room has great bones: the brick chimney is charming, the ceilings are 10ft, the pine floor has that 100 year old patina and faded antique stenciling AND the room is huge for a bathroom! (About 150 sq. feet)

Here are some of the pieces of a Butlers Pantry circa 1850's rescued from a Philadelphia row house. (It's amazing what you can find on E-bay)

BEFORE and After on the drawers

The frame had more nooks and crannies than Methuselah's face! It took James countless hours to restore it's beauty.

He is going to turn it into a 9 ft. long closet against this wall.

This open area will have shelves for towels and linens.

I can't tell you how happy I will be to have a large closet. This olde house has only 2 closets. They are only 1 1/2 ft deep! My gosh, how is anyone with a wardrobe of more than 4 garments supposed to live with that??!

Another salvage find, floor registers needing a good coat of paint. The black cast iron piece has a date of 1900 imprinted on it.

Today, I was called into service to transform this:

The cast iron tub, already moved from it's former corner...and waiting for it's freshly painted claws feet.

and this:

a antique utility sink we salvaged, soon to become a bathroom beauty.

I am going to stencil both items.

My base coat is also the ceiling paint. It is called "Honey Pot"

Don't you just love that name??

I have painted only the outside of the tub and the sink.

I painted with the Honey Pot and then I used a shade darker to sponge a texture here and there on the surface.

(The faucets will be replaced and the porcelain will be refurbished by James... you know, the Lord of the Manor, he can do anything.

Here is new tub faucet.

I have chosen my stencils and brushes are at the ready.

If you have never stenciled, you should give it a try, it is an easy and quick way to create a lovely look on your walls or furniture....or bathtub.

Position your stencil and dip into an acrylic paint. I use a fairly dry brush to create a faint look... and then I tap, tap, tap away with the brush.

Stenciling gives you instant gratification. And believe me, after spending 10 hours a day working on fastidious, detailed painting in "the book", I NEED some instant gratification!

I tap away, until I have the look that I want.

;

All the way round the tub.

I tried to mirror the colors from the wallpaper and the painted bead board.The bead board paint is called "Thyme" (another great paint name)... I would really enjoy naming paint colors.

Now, my help is no longer required and James will continue the work without me, till it is time to wallpaper, at which time I will emerge from the studio once again to hang said wallpaper, my specialty.

Okay back to my studio to decorate the rooms in Mamseys house...

She likes "honey pot" yellow

as much as I do.

Next week, I will show you everything James has done in his quest for transforming UGLY in that bathroom. It will be simply marvelous!

Where bears dwell....

2012-01-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

Deep into the woods...

of Hopalong Hollow,

There is path that you can follow;

Winding neath cool canopies,

Of leafy, gnarled Chestnut trees,

Past river-bend and crystal spring,

Where woodland Thrushes nest and sing;

Just up and over the Blackberry fell....

Where Mamsey Bear and Mopkin dwell.

Come with me....

Back to the book...

2012-01-05T16:40:00.000-08:00

For two years I have been working on these drawings, at every available moment... at last they are finished.

This pile of pencil drawings represents 36 pages (12"x12") , end paper art, and a book jacket (front, back, flaps) for my third Storybook.

I am so happy, at long last, to line up the paintbrushes, the pens and watercolors, to begin the last step in finishing this book....

by painting each and every one of these persnickety drawings.

I would love to show you a few bits and pieces of some of these drawings. I 'll present a few full pages when they are completely painted.

Above, is a "slice" of the book cover...

and below is a "piece" from an inside page, Mopkin's garden.

And here is a "glimpse" of dear Fiona, Goosefeathers.. you do remember Fiona, don't you?

She is so excited about being painted in full Technicolor... well, watercolor actually.

another "peek" at Mamsey and Mopkin at bedtime.

Oh, and I must show you a few of the little wood folk...

Gathering acorns, of course.

And here is look at Mamsey's kitchen, where she whips up bowls and bowls of "bangers and mash",

brews pots and pots of Irish Breakfast tea,

and is sometimes surprised by a little guest in the pantry.

Perhaps you recognize this fellow? Sir Percival... a dapper, but landless gentleman.

He looks somewhat short without his top hat.

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you will recognize these little creatures. It is the only piece I had painted thus far. It is the title page.

Now, I am working on painting the copyright and dedication pages. Here you will see the house in which the two bear dwell.

This should be complete in a few days, and I will show you my process from start to finish.

I have loads of movies to "listen to" as I work.

I am really trying to stay on task. I must finish this book in the next few months.

We here in the Hollow will keep you posted. Mavis Mudd (head chicken lady) may have to take over the Gazette for a wee bit!

In the meantime, I thank those of you who visit me here, and a special thanks to those who leave comments!

See you soon, IN COLOR!

Winter Greetings from the Hollow

2011-12-22T16:15:00.000-08:00

We send out our warmest and most fuzzy hugs to all our friends out there in the wide, wild world, and bid you the best of winter.

"Hopalong Hollow Productions"

presents our very amateurish but heartfelt greetings from all who dwell in the Hollow.

(Be sure your volume is turned up loud.)

From

The Donkeys: Ursula, Jemima,
The Peabody Boys: Hans and Moses,
The goats: Opal, Rosebud, Cecily , Naomi
The Sheep: Sophia, Beatrix, Margaret,
The Geese: Hamish, Ivan, Attila, Fiona,
The Ducks: Jangles, Mia, Jeremiah Fisher, Trudy, Pittypat,Winston, Popeye,
The Chickens: Mavis Mudd, Jimmy, Demelza, Rusty, Euel, Esmeralda, Monet, Prudi, Conan... and a few miscellaneous chicksters
The Cats: Peepers, Aretha, Sasha, Moby and Claudette
The DOG: EZRA
The People: Jeri and the Lord of the Manor, James

Filmed in the Hollow (by amateur Movie makin- mogul Jeri )
All movie making tips will be most appreciated!