NEAT HOUSES

I love the fairy tale type houses.  I have always wanted to build one.  I want to live in the Hobbit house.  I found a cool site for you all to look at and plan your next project.    aboveallhouseplans.com
On the left side of the site, scroll down in the reddish/purplish margin, find the "Designer's Planning E-Book".  Right below that is a list of the house designs.  I can't remember which category the "Gretel" is in, but it's so cute.  Kris

THANK YOU

Everyone needs to go to FabSabbyRoses and see the kitchen cabinets she made.

That's the best "thank  you" any follower can give me!  To see one of my projects recreated so beautifully shows me that I am writing the tutorials so that my projects can be made.
My followers just keep me going . . . . . . Kris

NERVOUS

This is what is great about mat board, time is invested but not a lot of money.  Not discounting your time, but miniatures do take time and if you don't like what you did you can do it over without spending a lot more money.
Yes, applying a coat of varnish is fine for the sink and at least the edges of the mat board.  Go back and re-read the instructions I address the coating of the edges.  Take a breath and just go back and read, go step by step and slow down.  It's exciting to see this happen, you are creating your own miniature, something to be proud of!
With a blog name like yours I would think you are very well acquainted with chabby chic.  Do you keep note books on things you like?  I do, I go over them all of the time.  Go back and pick something.  You can always re-paint the cabinets.
This is supposed to be fun.  Funny I tell you all that, I would over think, over discuss (with any family member that was in ear shot) worry and just plain get mad over my scenes.  My family would learn to find ways to avoid me during these times.  They would tell me, "I thought this was your hobby and it was supposed to be fun."  "Blah, blah, blah, just tell me what you think!"  They are so happy now that I just make furniture and write the blog.
Really, just relax, it's just mat board.  TTYL  Kris 

VICTORIAN

Looking for hints on period design?  The UK has a great miniatures magazine that has articles by Jane Kubiesa, she researches period design for miniatures.  This magazine is DollsHouse and Miniature Scene.  In the August of 2011, issue 206, there is an article on the Victorian period.

GOOD LUCK !

I am glad this tutorial got all of your creative juices flowing!  Be sure to look up the other way to antique the cabinets.  IT DOESN'T CALL FOR WAX.  I believe it's under Making a kitchen dresser from mat board.

For 1/2 scale, I would use the mat board for the cabinets.  For the doors try to find something thinner, poster board?  You don't have to make the whole thing, try making a door first, use a couple of layers of card stock for the second layer on the doors.  I wouldn't worry about sanding the shape on the poster board or card stock, I don't think it could be done with satisfaction.  Finish the door to see if it will take the paint and other finishes.   Be sure to seal the edges of the poster board.  If this works than I would go ahead and  make your 1/2 scale kitchen cabinets.

Kris

Jane Graber Pottery

No, I didn't make the pottery.  I love pottery, miniature and full-size.  Went to the St.Louis show and spent like crazy when I was planning this kitchen.  Kris

MAT BOARD

Yes, the mat board I use is the same that would be used for matting a picture in a frame.  Don't be afraid to try this out.  It's just mat board.
Kris