Tuesday 21 January 2014

And So It Begins.......Honeydukes My Project For 2014

I have finally started my project for 2014, Honeydukes, which will be a mixed inspiration from the film and the theme park shop at Universal. This is the exterior I am hoping to recreate as far as possible. I love the tall bay windows and steeply sloping roof.
I eventually came up with a design that would include the features I really liked but in a manageable size. I drew up the plans on graph paper and made a cardboard model in the dimensions I wanted. After a lot of tweaking I found a model company that were able to cut out the MDF pieces to my plans. I asked for 6mm MDF following the very helpful advice of Jo Medvics, which will hopefully cut down on the finished weight of the shop.
 I spent a long time hunting for a model company who could cut out this kit and it is not a cheap option but I just don't have to appropriate power tools to enable me to do this at home. For anyone who is a confident user of power tools I would really recommend this route rather than buying a kit, it is great fun working everything out and the end result is exactly what you want.
 The first thing I did was sticky tape the ground floor together to see if my measurements worked!! Then I sealed all the pieces with a mix of emulsion paint, PVA and water. The whole of the interior will be off-white so I sorted out my inside and outside and painted all the interior sides before assembling for real. My son's Beano collection came in very handy for weighing down the floor and creating sturdy right angles for the basic ground floor structure.
The structure has a much taller ground floor than usual because of the very deep cornice/wall signage that goes around the shop. 
Once I had a play with the shop fittings I decided that the ceiling was too high, so I have trimmed the top floor piece to sit lower and it will rest on the over sized cornice. Like all building projects it is evolving as I am playing with it.
 The gap in the back wall is where the Bertie Botts display will be placed......eventually!! 
 The wall units are the generic type you see everywhere, I bought mine on Ebay, but the counter I designed and had made by the lovely Rob Lucas. It is a copy of the counter from the flim version of Honeydukes sized to match the wall units. As usual Rob has made a lovely piece that fits perfectly.
The spiral staircase will fit through the gap and I want it to simply appear in the upper floor so I am not too worried as to where it is finally placed. I will probably make the gap smaller once I know exactly where I want the staircase to go.
At the moment I am going to concentrate on the lower level, starting with the interior fittings. So tomorrow I am planning to lay the ground floor tiles and start painting the wooden cabinets, cornice, door, panelling and staircase. 
Plus, mix the colours........I am dreading this bit as the colours are the heart of this project and I am terrible at making decisions about colour. I am going to prepare lots of wooden strips and mix and match. Wish me luck!!
The photos of Honeydukes are from the websites Orlando Inside and Hughes Reviews.

32 comments:

  1. This looks to be a amazing project!

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  2. I am really looking forward to putting it all together Jane. Lots of colours for a change!

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  3. So looking forward to seeing your version of Honeydukes, Janice! You have so much more space in yours than mine and I do regret not having mine slightly bigger as I wasn't able to fit a spiral staircase in like the fantastic one you have!!
    The shelving looks great, and the counter rob has made you is perfect and just like the one in the film!
    Really looking forward to seeing how you fill/ decorate it and the pieces you'll have inside it!

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    1. Hi Micheal, there is a lot of space on the back wall but it is not very wide plus floor space will be taken up by the circular windows so I can't put too much in the shop itself.

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  4. I loved making my "Honeydukes", Janice its a fun project. You be busy filling all those Glass Jars full of Sweeties..

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    1. You are so right Debbie. I think this will be a fun project to do. I need to buy all the jars as well Debbie!!

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  5. Looking forward to watching your progress - it looks great so far!

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    1. Thanks Troy, I am hoping it will be a very smooth project without too many problems apart from the windows that I go to bed dreaming about.

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  6. It is already looking fabulous and showing such promise. I love the spiral staircase.

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    1. Isn't it fabulous. Once I saw the pink one I knew I had to have one!!

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  7. Hello Janice,
    This is so exciting. It might have been pricey to have the pieces cut, but your project will be unique and original. I cannot wait to see it progress.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. You are right Giac once it is done I will have my very own piece which will be very special. To be honest I have paid more for kits of the same size so I shouldn't be picky and at least I still have all my fingers!!

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  8. Looks fantastic! can't wait to see how it goes...

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    1. Thank you, I am really looking forward to playing with it over the next few months.

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  9. I always wanted to do this after my visit to universal studios...but settled with a tray of honeydukes candies. I can't wait to see this project come together. It will be amazing- no doubt!!

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    1. I really want to visit Universal and hoped I would be able to this year but I have discovered there is not a Harry Potter Land in the California theme park!! I will have to continue stalking other bloggers holiday photos!!

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  10. What great find, finding a company to cut the wood to size! And that's a brilliant idea about using the 6mm ply, you've reduced the weight by a third!! fab!
    I can't wait to see how this project comes along.
    Best wishes
    Simin

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    1. Hi Simon, yes it seems much lighter and thinner than my other kits which is just as well as it is going to be covered in stone and slate!

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  11. Wow, this is going to be amazing, Janice, great ideas! Good luck!
    Ilona

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    1. I think I might need it, lots of tiling to do!!

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  12. Oh wow....this is going to be amazing. Good idea getting it all cut out for you, Love the staircase in there. Will be nice to do something so colorful for a change I bet :-) Can't wait to see more x

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    1. Hi Jayne, it is a much more fun and light-hearted project which will be a nice change. I am sure just as much cursing will go on though once I start tiling!!

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  13. Wow what a great project and I love the spiral staircase.

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  14. great idea to have it made for you, never even knew that there were companies that would do that for you. Cant wait to see what you come up with.

    Jenn

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    1. Hi Jenn, I contacted quite a few model companies who seem to do things like this quite regularly for train hobbyists and architects. I must try and find out the company's name in my old emails. They were very helpful. Essentially anyone with a good table saw or jigsaw could do this, it is working out all the measurements that I found really hard.

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  15. Not sure if I lost my comment or not? lol

    Jenn

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  16. I don't blame you for getting it made! If you can't do it yourself and you have no one close by who can...then yes go for it! The overall shape and design of the shops aren't easy to do at all, ole J K Rowling's imagination has a lot to answer to! lol I agree, some kits are just too big (especially for Harry Potter shops and they take a ton of stuff to fill them too, your's is the perfect size.


    Welcome back to Blogland..it's been while Janice. ;o))

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    1. Hi Michelle, I love the grey slate and stone effect they have used in Universal and am looking forward to cladding my building. I have gone for lots of Richard Stacey's products as I can't kid myself I will be able to paper clay it.

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  17. I just love the start of a new project and it was a good idea of yours to get outside help with the cutting. I'm sure a lot of folk have been put off creating their own projects simply because they didn't have the correct tools.

    I can see you're having lots of fun playing and I know from doing The Tenement that it can get really intense when trying to find just the right item if you're recreating something that has already been done. I really enjoyed that bit and I'm looking forward to following you on this journey.

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    1. Hi Irene, the measuring of it all was a nightmare and I am dreading the roof! Plus all the hardware to put it together as a working model.....but, it will work in the end!!

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  18. I love the idea of having only 1 project for 2014!

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