A Fitting Start

While I'm waiting for other things to happen with the carpet shop, I decided to start prepping the other two, using odd moments here and there to sand or patch instead of knitting, or perhaps writing the dozen or so letters I owe.  Anyway, I was tempted to re-title this post "Fits and Starts" -- I'm afraid that I'm not as impressed with these two Street of Shops kits as I was with the first one, as they are rather indifferently cut, and in places very sloppily put together.  It's clear, too, that these two either a much-later addition to the line or a different designer altogether, or perhaps both, as they are noticeably less finished-looking.  The fluting on the columns in the two-window shop are narrow and rounded, quite elegant, where these are wide and flat, simply grooves cut into the board, and in some cases not very well.

Pieces that were glued on straight have come loose, while the kit languished in its box, and pieces that were glued poorly, alas, are immovable.

So I have been doing a lot of filling and sanding, which would have annoyed me no end if I had actually shelled out money for this, but it was a hand-me-down -- and a generous one, to be sure -- so I'm calling it training for future scratch-builds and repairs, and (really) keeping my grumbling to a minimum.

The bay is on so crookedly that I glued a piece of strip wood in the gap to fill it.  The crookedness also means that the pre-cut Plexiglas doesn't fit -- luckily, too big, not too small.  You can see from the shadow on the side window's protective cover how bowed it is in order to fit, and the other side is even tighter so I didn't even try, for fear of breaking it.

The inside of this bay window also needed a piece of stripwood to cover up the very large jog between the lower wall and the flat shelf inside the window.  I still have a bit more sanding to do to get it smooth.

We are already calling this "subsidence -- from the bombing" in honor of Mrs. Wilberforce at the beginning of "The Ladykillers".  ("It's no use trying.  None of the pictures will hang straight ..." she says, regretfully but resigned.)

What on earth --? 

But this will be a charming little shop -- the windows are very appealing!  I love the generosity of the corner door.  And as you can see, I've already had a go at the other shop's window lettering -- yes, as much as I resisted the cliché of a 1:12 tea room, it did not want to be anything else, so tea room it will be!  I like the font and the arrangement of the lettering, but the results are more than a bit wobbly in person, so I will probably wash it off and try again after a bit more practice.

Comments

[Susan D]

Nevertheless, she persisted.

I did a quick comparison with your carpet shop post, and yes, what a difference in quality. A challenge, but I'm sure you're up to making it work.

Crampton & Hodnet, eh? Perfect spot for Wilmet and Mildred and Dulcie to meet for tea?

[Toffeeapple]

Silly me, I looked up Crampton & Hodnet - my memory is really giving me trouble recently - I re-read the book not two months ago!

I was shocked at the state of that building, pleased that it had been a gift and not a purchase.

[juliet brown]

I am shaking my head along with Mrs Wilberforce, still I am sure the tea and buns served will be delicious