L'Hotel Mame a Tours

Hello, I've been quite silent lately but I have started working on a new project called l'Hotel Mame. In French, the word Hotel may apply to a private house as long as it is a big, elegant house.                   We even say " Hotels Particuliers" for swanky residences in Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux.

Anyway, l'Hotel Mame was built in 1768 for Gilles Lefevre de Montifray, a rich merchant. So it's an example of an XVIIIth Century construction, with a classic architecture.
I decided to build the backside because it is more elegant than the front side overlooking the garden.

when I was in Tours at Christmas I took some pictures and some measures with the owner's agreement. She was delighted to hear about my hobby.

First, let me tell you that although it is a 1/12 replica, it's BIG, it's HUGE. I couldn't imagined it would be such a big project.  But it's been a pleasure to build as the architecture is so elegant. I am halfway now. The facade i almost done and I am working on the sides now. Next the roof, then the painting and weathering.

The picture below shows the project done with Galad, a software program. 

The house has two floors, a large hallway, two salons downstairs with fireplaces. Very high windows and high ceilings. The windows on the right side of the house have grids. Balconies and railings for every window. I did all the moldings with the router.

The balcony, railings are brass, processed by chemical etching. The window grids are laser cut made by Arjen Spinhoven I met at the SIMP who did an excellent work.

The ground floor:

The right part of the ground floor:

The 6 windows for the roof are ready

I hope you will like my  project. More pictures soon.

I am also working on a new order: A Ladure macaron shop :)