This house began as a BMC "Gettysburg Frontier House." Its basic style made it a perfect candidate for time travel to the 18th Century, but a few changes were required.
First, the covered porch was not attached. Instead, a stone step (originally a flooring sample) was installed.
The walls were assembled and the house received a cream-colored interior coat of paint, as well as a black wash outside. Interior windows and both sides of the door were accented with half-round plastic sprue (visible if you click on the top image).
The roof itself received very few changes, aside from shaving one edge slightly to accommodate the chimney.
The shutters were popsicle sticks that were embossed into the shutter pattern and painted. They were then glued onto the building. Most were glued open, but the window at the top does not have enough room for that. Therefore, that window was permanently shut.
The chimney was an interesting and enjoyable piece of work. Beginning with a piece of pink insulation foam, the shape was traced from a book and cut out. Brick pattern was embossed using a pen. The entire chimney was then painted in several different coats of red, and the mortar was painted after that. Finally, a wash of black paint was applied to tone down the "fire engine red" color and give it a weathered look.
The interior was deliberately left plain to allow for the addition of any furniture desired.
However, I did add a fireplace (a wooden dollhouse accessory from Joann's). The stone hearth was formed from Sculpey pressed into a rocky texture plate. The hearth was painted gray, the mortar was painted beige, then washed with black wash.
It makes a perfect setting for the lovely Marx Colonial accessories, as well as Barzso's relaxed American Revolution camp figures.
Now this house is furnished inside and out, ready for any action that may arise!
