Unbelievable 17 Room Dolls House Castle Handmade One Of A Kind fully furnished

  

The ultimate fairy tale castle, dolls' house. This is no normal dolls' house.

The dolls' house comes with it's full set of architectural drawings, design boards, a book that explains the story of the castle and lots of other paperwork including news-paper cuttings. I will add more photographs to the listing over the next few days. I will first give a description, followed by a detailed explanation of the story behind this incredible dolls' house and its contents. M a i n F e a t u r e s.

Designed by a respected architect, comes with full architectural drawings. Interior Design by top British interior designer - Built by well respected master craftsman.

Textured & Painted by respected decorator. Handmade furniture, carpets, rugs, curtains etc. A Baronial-style Castle with 17 rooms over 3 floors and a turret room. The Castle measure: Lenght - 109cm Width - 93.5cm Height - 135cm The roof can be removed in three pieces. The main castle can then split into two pieces. 11 rooms are accessed from the sides. 6 rooms are accessed from the top once the roof has been removed. T h e S t o r y of The C a s t l e. The idea to build a dolls' house was first conceived in the summer of 1992 by a group of crafters at the Aboyne Craft Club.

They thought it would make a nice centrepiece for their annual craft exhibition the following year. Little did they know, the journey this dolls' house would take them on.

The first step was to obtain plans. After feeling dissapointed by the plans available in shops at the time. The team approached local and well respected architect, Michael Rasmussen who was known for his interest in traditional Scottish architecture.

Michael was very interested in the idea and not only agreed to draw up some plans, but helped in many other ways. Michael had previously worked with interior designer Sylvia Lawson Johnstone, and he asked her if she would be interested in helping to plan the interior of the dolls' house. Sylvia, too was enthusiastic about the idea. Michael produced some preliminary drawings for the team to look at. They initially weren't sure weather to be delighted or dismayed. He had planned a magnificent 17th century tower house with 17 rooms, partly based on the Scottish Baronial-style Craigievar Castle near Aberdeen. The project was starting to look a lot larger than what was originally planned.

Unperturbed, the team decided to go ahead with Michaels design. Michael went off to draw up more detailed architectural plans while the team looked for someone to build the house. After struggling to find the right person to build the house they approached Aberdeen building firm Hall & Tawse. They hoped that the firm may be interested in having one of their apprentices build it as an apprentice piece. Unfortunately they were unable to do so, but they did give a donation towards having it professionally built.

The team next approached Tom Ironside (of Tom S Ironside Furniture Group) a master craftsman from Finzean. Tom agreed to build the dolls house despite the fact that the avaiable funds were a tiny fraction of how much it would have cost, had he charged the full rate at the time. It would take Tom over 200 hours of work just to construct the basic shell. Meanwhile, work was continuing on a number of fronts. After several meetings to discuss styles and colours, Sylvia Lawson Johnston produced design boards for the main rooms, showing photographs of furniture styles, lay-out and samples of wall paper and fabrics.

After much discussion, a scale of 1:12 had been agreed on - the scale most commonly used in dolls' houses. All was not going entirely smoothly however. The sheer size of the dolls house was a problem as the team realised that it would not fit though an average doorway.

Tom Ironside managed eventually to devise a way of splitting the dolls' house into two parts without compromising the stability of the structure. Alex Masson had initially agreed to make a dressing table stool. His wife Sheila Masson, an enthusiastic and talented embroidere, was keen to try to design and stitch a tapestry top for the stool and, in fact went on to design and stitch several more stools and an ottoman. From these small beginnings, Alex was drawn in more and more. The team decided to install electric lighting and electric socket points in the dolls' house and Alex offered to install the wiring for it.

He was able to do this as the house was being constructed. Alex and Tom worked together, Tom drilling the holes and Alex installing the circuitry.

This ment that a lighting scheme for the whole house needed to be decided upon and once again Sylvia Lawson Johnstone stepped in to help. By 1995 the team were able to show the finished shell of the dolls' house at their exhibition, together with Sylvia's design boards and one or two pieces of furniture and some carpets that had been completed.

Another exhibitor was Michael Zappert, a local stained-glass artist. He was approached about making a stained glass window for the doll's house and he agreed. The Marquis of Huntly, who lives in Aboyne Castle, kindly gave permission to use his coat-of-arms. Michael Zappert became more and more interested in the project and, when he realised that the team were having difficulty in finding someone to make the rest of the windows, offered to take on the task. (He said that he didn't know then that there were 47 windows of all different sizes and shapes).

Several local artists heard of the project and offered to paint original miniature works of art - oil paintings and watercolours - portraits, still lives and landscapes - which greatly enhance the house. Michael Rasmussen arranged for the dolls' house to be painted by Mr Eric Rasmussen (no relation) of Kynoch & Robertson, an Aberdeen decorating firm. He did a wonderful job with the harling (pebble-dash) effect and the colour was just right. Now that the basic shell was complete, the rest of the team set to work.

The team leader, Mrs Daisy Kennedy, offered the use of her house as a store and a place to work on the dolls' house. The team started installing flooring, wallpapering, fitting skirting boards and coving, etc. Problems minor and not so minor, arose and were solved.

One of the worst was when a large consignment of very expensive custom made doors arrived from a specialist in York. Due to a mix up in measurements, the doors were all too large to fit the openings. Joiner, William Kennedy gave up a great deal of free time to enlarge the openings. As the dolls' house gradually took shape the team started to feel pride in their achievement. Several pieces were real collectors items - the wonderful Persian carpets, each with over 47,000 stitches, worked by Daisy Kennedy and Anne Pirie, the Library carpet in a new tartan, designed and stitched by Catherine Slater, the exquisite little tiger skin rug, lovingly fashioned by Sheila Masson, the rocking horse hand-carved in deer horn by Jim Simpson, the fine hunting shotguns made by John Mee, the stunning bedspread in My Lord's dressing room, embroidered by Jennifer Walkinshaw and the magnificent curtains in the drawing room, sewn by Sheila Milne using patterns and stitches which were authentically Jacobean and which would have been familiar to Mary Queen of Scots, to name but a few.

What had started off as a one year project was now approaching the 5 year mark. In 1997 the dolls' house went on display to the general public at Ballindalloch Castle. The dolls' house was presented to Mrs Grant by Princess Anne, as can be seen in the newspaper cuttings.

W h o d i d w h a t? D e s i g n - Michael Rasmussen, Architect.

C o n s t r u c t i o n - Tom Ironside, Cabinetmaker. I n t e r i o r D e s i g n - Sylvia Lawson Johnson. W i n d o w s - Made & Installed by Michael Zappert. E l e c t r i c L i g h t s - Supplied by Mr and Mrs Manwaring, Carnforth, Lancs.

Memories in Miniature, Somerset & The singing tree London. H o u s e E l e c t r i c s - Wiring and installation by Alex Masson. E x t e r i o r P a i n t i n g - Eric Rasmussen, Kynoch & Robertson, Aberdeen. R o o f S l a t e s - Michael Rasmussen. D o o r s - Made by J.

Shuttleworth, York & Pomona Allen, Lumphana. S t a i r c a s e - Built & Installed by Daisy Kennedy & Alex Masson. I n t e r i o r P a i n t i n g & Wallpapering - Daisy Kennedy & Sheila Masson. Flagstone F l o o r s - Painted by Daisy Kennedy & Alison Ewan. W o o d e n F l o o r s & C a r p e t s - Laid by Sheila Milne & Catherine Slater. S k i r t i n g B o a r d s & Coving - By Sheila Milne & Catherine Slater. F i r e p l a c e s - Made by Isobel MacDonald & Catherine Slater. Marbling on drawing room & library fireplaces by Anne Mee. C a r p e t s & R u g s - Designed and made by Anne Pirie, Daisy Kennedy, Catherine Slater, Sheila Masson, Sabrina Humphrey, Jessie McKay, Irene Mitchell & Betty Murray. C u r t a i n s - Designed and made by Sheila Milne, Isobel MacDonald, Catherine Slater, Sheila Masson & Pomona Allen. F u r n i t u r e - Designed and made by Alex Masson, Pomona Allen, Janice Elam, Isobel Macdonald, Eddie Riddle, Sheila Masson, Margaret Morrison, Anne Mee, Mary Boyd, Pauline Gedds, Sheila Milne, Jessie McKay, John Mee, Catherine Slater, Audrey Mcholm, Joan Harper, Richard Smith, Jennifer Walkinshaw, Irene Mitchell, Jim Simpson, Ruth Salthouse, Hilda Hopper & John Hopper.

P a i n t i n g s - Original works of art by Anne Blake, Wendy Cooper, Alison Ewan, David Wright & Anne Barnes. C a s h D o n a t i o n s - Hall & Tawse, Aboyne Rotary & John Milne. F u n d R a i s i n g - Aboyne Crafts Club with kind assistance of Aboyne W. C o a t o f A r m s - At front door by Brian Hart (kind permission from Marquis of Huntly for use of his coat-of-arms). P r o j e c t C o - ordinated - by Catherine Slater.

C o n t e n t s L i s t F u r n i t u r e , C a r p e t s , R u g s , C u r t a i n s & P a i n t i n g s. The team had several sources.

Most were designed and made entirely by hand. Some were donated by Little Treasures of Kemany & Some were donated by Team members and members of the public, some of which where re-upholstered to suit the room. Entrance H a l l (ground floor, front, centre). 1 x Grandfather clock - Pomona Allen 1 x Red velvet chair - Sheila Masson 1 x Red silk chair - Isobel MacDonald 1 x Small side table - Marbled by Anne Mee 1 x Small writing table 1 x Upright chair 1 x Double ceiling lamp 1 x Vase of flowers 1 x Stair carpet - Designed by Sheila Masson. Stitched by Daisy Kennedy 1 x Pink & green rug - Catherine Slater 1 x Watercolour painting of country scene.

K i t c h e n (ground floor, left). 1 x Kitchen table - Alex Masson 6 x Kitchen chairs - Pamona Allen & Janice Elam 2 x Dressers with jars, tins of food & plates etc - Pomona Allen 1 x Cast iron stove - Donated by Isobel MacDonald 1 x Set of copper pans, measures & implements - Donated by Eddie Riddell 1 x Mouse - Made at Oban Doll's House Museum & Donated by Margaret Morrison, Crathie 1 x Plate of bread, dish of vegetables, apple pie on board with rolling pin, chopping board with vegetables etc - Made by various team members. 1 x Inglenook - Alex Masson 1 x Rocking chair with cushion 1 x Sink with 2 cups, 1 saucer on draining board 1 x Laundry basket with knitted blanket - Sheila Masson 1 x Tin bath 2 x Tin buckets 1 x Set of mops & brushes in a container 1 x Carpet beater on wall 1 x Basket of vegetables 1 x Empty shopping basket 1 x Ceiling light 2 x Table lamps.

D i n n i n g R o o m (ground floor, right). 1 x Dinning table - Alex Masson 8 x Dinning chairs - Alex Masson & Sheila Masson 1 x Dinner set - Donated by May Boyd & Pauline Geddes 1 x Cutlery set - Donated by May Boyd 1 x Pair of Wedgewood candlesticks - Donated by Sheila Milne 1 x Fireplace - Alex Masson 1 x Victorian fruit dome - Isobel MacDonald 1 x Grate with flickering log fire - Mini Mansions, Middlesbrough 1 x Small round footstool 1 x Sideboard with large cake on plate, plate of small cakes & 6 side plates 1 x Turkey on slaver, dish of sprouts, gravy boat & saucer, vegetable dish with lid & saucer, open vegtable dish & saucer 6 x Dinner plates 1 x Iron 3 candle chandelier 1 x Blue and rust embroidered carpet - Anne Pirie (over 47,000 stitches) 1 x Oil on board portrait of a blond lady. B a c k H a l l (ground floor, rear tower). 1 x Wooden settee 1 x Wooden table 1 x Basket of logs 2 x Paper shopping bags 1 x Umbrella stand with 1 umbrella & 3 walking sticks.

L i b r a r y (first floor, left). 1 x Library steps - Richard Smith 1 x Clock - Pomona Allen 1 x Yellow knoll settee - Isobel MacDonald 1 x Yellow tub chair with cushion - Isobel MacDonald 1 x Green & yellow tartan carpet - designed & stitched by Catherine Slater. 1 x Tiger skin rug - Sheila Masson 2 x Sets of curtains - Isobel MacDonald 3 x Tartan cushions - Isobel MacDonald 1 x Small round footstool 3 x Bookcase full of books 1 x Round table with Monopoly set & book 2 x Upright chairs 1 x Brass fire gaurd 1 x Lamp table 1 x White lamp 1 x Metal figure on mantelpiece 1 x Round gold clock 1 x Silver candlestick & candle 1 x Brass chandelier 1 x Heavy gold mirror above the mantelpiece. Ladies' S i t t i n g R o o m (first floor, front centre). 1 x China cabinet with 9 plates inside 1 x Turquoise settee 1 x Turquoise chair 1 x Embroidered rug - designed & stitched by Jesse McKay 1 x Embroidered rectangular footstool 2 x Decorated plates 1 x Small round footstool 1 x Small painted fire screen 2 x Small lamp tables 2 x Turquoise lamps 1 x Turquoise plate & 2 turquoise vases 1 x Vase of flowers in fireplace 1 x Painting of Invercauld Bridge - Alison Ewen 1 x Painting of flowers in a vase.

D r a w i n g R o o m (first floor, right). 1 x Green knoll settee - Isobel MacDonald 2 x Green armchairs - Isobel MacDonald 3 x Tartan cushions - Isobel MacDonald 2 x Tartan upright chairs - Sheila Masson 1 x Large tapestry footstool - Designed & stitched Sheila Masson 1 x Small side table - Marbled by Anne Mee 1 x Gold mantle clock - Pomona Allen 1 x Silver tea service - Donated by Eddie Riddell 1 x Embroidered carpet - Daisy Kennedy (over 47,000 stitches) 1 x Set of curtains adapted from an original Jacobean design and hand embroidered by Sheila Milne 1 x Sideboard with case of flowers & 2 photos 1 x Small round footstool 1 x Round table with plate of chocolate Swiss rolls, plate of cucumber sandwiches & pot of geraniums 1 x Small green table with photo 2 x Table lamps 1 x Brass fireguard 2 x Brass candlesticks 1 x Crystal chandelier 1 x Watercolour landscape painting - Peter Wright. L a i r d' s S t u d y (first floor, rear tower). 1 x Silver desk set - Donated by Jessie McKay 1 x Set of 3 hunting shotguns - John Mee, Isle of White 1 x Leather topped desk with black telephone, silver writing set, "Times" news-paper & 2 Photos 1 x Chair 1 x Green embroidered rug - Jesse MacKay 1 x Set of curtains - Catherine Slater 1 x Radio 1 x Pine bookcase 1 x Ceiling light. M a i d' s B e d r o o m (second floor, rear tower).

1 x Bed & bedding - Pomona Allen 1 x Chair - Pomona Allen 1 x Embroidered sampler - Catherine Slater 1 x Chamber pot - made in Johannesburg, South Africa by Audrey Mcholm, Joan Harper 1 x Set of curtains - Catherine Slater 1 x Plate with slice of cake. N i g h t Nurs e r y (top floor, back, right). 1 x Cot 1 x Cot bedding - Sheila Milne 1 x Rag doll - Sheila Milne 1 x Chair & Cushion - Pomona Allen 1 x Chamber pot - Joan Harper, South Africa 1 x Rocking horse - Carved from dear horn by Jim Simpson 1 x Dresser - Pomona Allen and given distressed effect by Anne Mee 1 x Knitted christening robe - Made & Donated by Mrs Ruth Salthouse. This piece was a prize a The Highland Show 1 x Articulated Teddy 1 x Upright wooden chair 1 x Rocking chair & cushion 1 x Small wooden table with lamp 1 x Navaho rug - Sabrina Humphery, Dinnet 1 x Curtain set - Pomona Allen 1 x Ewer & basin 1 x Teddy on parcel 1 x Pair of knitting needles on blue knitting 1 x Painting of elves on toadstools. B o x R o o m (top floor, rear tower).

1 x Patchwork quilt - Hilda Hopper 1 x Wooden Chest 2 x Leather Suitcases 1 x Armchair 2 x Cast iron bed ends (1 broken) 1 x Guilt picture frame 1 x Rocking horse. P l a y r o o m (top floor, back, centre).

1 x Wooden toy box - Alex Masson 1 x Ball, teddy & golly - Sheila Milne 1 x Clown - Pomona Allen 1 x Kite - Hilda Hopper 1 x Sofa - Catherine Slater 1 x Armchair - Catherine Slater 3 x Cushions - Anne Pirie 1 x Scrap book - Sheila Milne 1 x Pine table 2 x Pine chairs 1 x Sheep picture on wall 1 x Circular rag rug - Sheila Masson 1 x Beige crochet rug with embroidered sheep - Daisy Kennedy 1 x Pine bookcase with books 1 x Table Lamp. M y L a d y' s Bedchamber (top floor, left). 1 x 4-poster bed, mattress, sheets, blankets & bedcover - Pomona Allen 1 x Ottoman, constructed, top designed & stitched by Sheila Masson 1 x Dressing table - Alex Masson 1 x Stool - Alex Masson, Top stitched by Sheila Masson 1 x Chaise longue - Pomona Allen 1 x Prie dieu chair- Pomona Allen 1 x Embroidered cushion - Sheila Masson 1 x Dressing table set - Donated by Jessie McKay 1 x Cast iron grate 1 x Wardrobe 1 x Straw hat 1 x Fan 1 x Pink & white rug - Sheila Milne 2 x bedside tables 2 x Pink bedside lamps 1 x Pewter oval mirror 2 x Candle lamps 2 x Candlestickes 1 x Bible 1 x Pot of flowers 2 x Oval flower paintings. M y L o r d' s D r e s s i n g R o o m s (top floor, front, centre). 1 x Washstand - Alex Masson 1 x Wine silk bedspread with coat-of-arms embroidered by Jennifer Walkinshaw (with kind permission from the Marquis of Huntly to use his coat-of-arms) 1 x Wardrobe 1 x Bed 1 x Ewer & Basin 1 x Chest of Drawers with Wooden Mirror 1 x Silver Candlestick 1 x Ivory Elephant 1 x Cast iron fender 1 x Cast iron grate 1 x Pink & white rug - Irene Mitchell, Banchory 1 x Portrait of dark-haired lady 2 x Wall lights at head of bed.

B a t h r o o m (top floor, front, right). 1 x Bath - Donated, Daisy Kennedy 1 x Wash hand basin - Donated, Daisy Kennedy 1 x Toilet - Donated, Daisy Kennedy 2 x Lace cushions - Irene Mitchell 1 x Screen & towel rail - Donated, Sheila Milne 1 x Wooden settee 1 x Small Cabinet 1 x Table lamp 2 x Towels 1 x Dolphin rug - Sheila Masson 1 x Wood framed mirror. T o i l e t (ground floor, next to back door). 1 x Wash hand basin 1 x Toilet 1 x Red & black rug - Betty Murray.

L a n d i n g (first floor, centre, back). A set of boxes have been made to store the furniture, carpets, lighting, etc.

The boxes have been painted green and a cut of tartan has been added to the top of each lid. The name of the room that the furniture belongs to is written on the side of each box. Attached under the lid, is a list of contents and photographs to show how each room should be set-up according to Sylvia Lawson Johnson's design.

The castle has been very well constructed out of solid materials. Its is very heavy and takes at least two strong adults to lift each half. It was last painted and wallpapered 25 years ago and therefore does have some minor imperfections. Nothing that could not be easily touched up.

A ny inte r e s t e d b u y e r s a r e welco m e t o vie w T h e Castle o n a r r a n g e m e n t. P l e a s e s e n d m e a m e s s a g e i f y o u h a v e a n y q u e s t i o n s. The item "Unbelievable 17 Room Dolls House Castle Handmade One Of A Kind fully furnished" is in sale since Friday, December 11, 2020. This item is in the category "Dolls & Bears\Dolls' Miniatures & Houses\Dolls' Houses". The seller is "truntastic" and is located in Dundee.

This item can be shipped to United Kingdom.

• Type: Castle
• Characteristics: Handmade
• Brand: Unbranded
• Custom Bundle: Yes
• Building/ Room: Tower House Castle
• Number of Stories: 3
• Material: Wood
• Style: Baronail
• Scale: 12th
• Number of Rooms: 17