About This Scene:
By Roy S.
Once in a while, a project comes along that really blows us away. Such was the case with The Rusty Rose Floral and Nursery, by Roy S.. Set in the late 1920s, The Rusty Rose began as a simple dollhouse kit, Lisa's Country Cottage, but evolved into one of the most elaborately detailed miniature scenes we've ever come across.
"I began by closing up the end and eliminating the loft. This made it possible to make the roof removable and add the rafters and ceiling joists," Roy explains. "The windows were replaced with 24-light units from Houseworks, and the door was also replaced with a Houseworks door. The roof is corrugated cardboard; the bricks are authentic. A restroom was added in the corner and furnished with Chrysnbon fixtures."
Roy's attention to detail shines through every nuance of the Rusty Rose. He wired the building to look like old "tube and knob" wiring, which is visible through the opening in the roof. There is recessed lighting for the porch and sign, the greenhouse is lit, and the security light next to the windmill is also illuminated.
The interior of the shop has an inlaid floor with the hand carved Rusty Rose logo proudly displayed. The checkout counter, seed bins and seed packet racks are all built from scratch. The walls are adorned with period posters advertising gardening products and shelves of various potted plants. On the counter are a cash register, telephone, coffee cup, eyeglasses, pencil with order pad, and money. The seed bins are labeled as to type of grass seed, and the racks contain individual seed packets reproduced from originals.
The delivery truck was scratch built, using parts from a 1928 Lincoln kit. The greenhouse also has a removable roof, with flats of seedlings and even a water faucet and hose on the exterior wall.
The windmill and water tank are completely handmade of wood, with metal blades. There are utility poles with electric wires and phone lines, which continue into the shop. Even the trash barrel is wired and filled with glowing embers.
Roy set his masterpiece on a base covered with Styrofoam and adorned it with handcrafted trees, made from wire and solder. There is a drip system surrounding the trees with little puddles of water.
Last, but not least, are the animals. Colby the miniature Schnauzer (modeled after Roy's own dog) guards the front porch, and Peaches the cat is trying to slip up on the mice he has found on top of the flowerpots by the greenhouse.
Roy relates that his goal in creating the Rusty Rose was to make a scene that folks of every age could look at time and time again, finding new details with each visit. I think it's safe to say that he succeeded. I know that I have gazed at his photos at least a dozen times, never failing to discover yet another thoughtfully placed element.
Thank you Roy for sharing the truly amazing project with us and for allowing us to share it with our mini friends. Your talent and creativity are nothing short of breathtaking.