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Hello All - Ever since I received Petes catalog of '1930's Giant Coconuts' a few years ago I've been intrigued by the '1930s Giant Two Story Villa'. So I started a build a few weeks ago. I'm not nearly as design-minded or talented as most of the enthusiasts on this forum but I do manage to hack my way thru things LoL. Pete provides some basic dimensions in the catalog that are helpful for a repro blueprint but most have to be extrapolated. There was one photo from the rear of the house with a penny stood up against the back of the base which helped with some of the dimensions.
Anyway, attached is the work-in-progress. The base is too green so Im going to have to spray some light primer on it tone it down a bit. I've also purchased some modeling clay and screen to try to build the balcony - my first time at something like that - I'll probably hack that one up also
I'll post more as I make progress. Thanks for looking!
Your building project doesn't look like a "hack job" to me!...I'd say it's going to be a faithful reproduction of the vintage original...please continue to build and post progress reports...I know there are a few other followers of this forum that enjoy seeing "work in progress" pictures...
My very best regards...
PS...haven't seen the word "extrapolate" in a long time!...
John, you are doing a great job with your repro!!! I know how tricky it can be to make a pattern from pictures even with some measuments. I always try to resize the picture using the doors and windows as a gauge. Using the penny is a great idea, i will have to remember that one.
Your mesurments look right on the mark!
Please keep sending us pictures as you move along with your project I am anxious to see your balcony.
If your screen and clay efforts work out as well as the rest of the house, you have the balcony well in control. I did have a few thoughts to share just in case you want to look at alternative sources. Check out cheap plastic napkin rings. I'm not sure about the size compatibility but you might find something close. And plastic can be gently heated over a candle and reshaped to get a more appropriate diameter if needed. Plastic bracelets might also be worth looking at. Thinking way out of the box, maybe notice bottle lids on products as you browse through a grocery store. I love finding components in unexpected places.
Best of luck with your great looking Big Brown!
John, you're nailing it!!! I'm so excited as the others are to see it completed. You really picked a wonderful house for a project!! Thank you for posting progress pics, I'm with Howard on that, it really puts a project into perspective.
Happy putzing!!
-Brian
Thanks for the encouraging comments all! I wish I had took and posted more 'in progress' photos as I moved along. Will definitely do that in the future. Love the suggestions on alternative ideas for the balcony, will have to turn up the 'creative eye'!
I managed to whip up some coco today for the roof. The catalog says blue but it looks a bit purple to me. The RIT dye I used is denim blue so we'll see how that works. Will was kind enough to send me some white coco last month so I am definitely going to use that on the peaks of the roof (thanks Will!).
This thing is huge! The name 'giant villa' certainly fits.
Hi Steve - Yes, the corrugated cardboard is simply a section of a cardboard box from some home delivery. I think most already know, but I simply let the cardboard soak in hot water for about 30 minutes which dissolves the glue on the 'skin' which then can easily be peeled away. After that it just needs to dry. Typically it warps after drying so it needs flattened thru the normal techniques.
I think it was a box from Amazon prime, which I have way TOO many since my wife cant seem to help herself LoL.
