Here is the build log for one of my favorite builds from 2019. I had been meaning to make a modern interior at this sort of scale for a few years, and jumped at the chance to do so for Brick Fanatics magazine.
Bricks and plates made a very simple, yet solid base. And then I started experimenting with angling the side walls.
I quickly realized the scene I had in mind would require more space, so I had to enlarge the base footprint significantly. This hinged wall setup ended up being what I used in the final model. Each wall is connected at the back with hinge bricks, and at the front locks onto a jumper plate so it can’t shift out of position. A SNOT tile fills the gap between angled and standard sections.
I wanted to include some nice detailing in the floor, and experimented with quite a few options for carpet.
All of these seemed a bit busy, so I knew I had to keep looking for a better alternative.
In the meantime I started making some furniture and was able to come up with these designs quite quickly.
Having some chairs and a couch in hand helped me get a better idea of how to compose the living room. And here you can also see the carpet technique I settled on. On the left is a modern clock that I figured would help add detail to a wall somewhere.
‘Floating’ stairs added a lot to the ultra modern aesthetic, and are one of my favorite sections of the build. You’ll notice the walls aren’t really started yet, as I wanted to figure out the stairway length and spacing first. A long string with studs on both ends was used as the handrail.
Next up was the fireplace! Large SNOT tiles simulated concrete slabs, and just like the walls, I used this SNOT technique to get a flush fit between studs up and sideways sections.
A low perspective shot to help establish framing of the final build. Placeholder staircase taken apart, and proper stairway being incorporated into the actual wall.
Then it was back to more furniture design! This time trying to find a good looking side table that didn’t look like a commercial filing cabinet.
By this point I was starting to get pretty excited about how the build was coming together! Fire in the fireplace, some nice deep shelving incorporated into the back walls, clock placed, and even some windows on the right! Those curtains ended up being replaced though.
My first clock placement was too low, so I shifted it up two studs which looked much better. The black frame of the artwork on the left is actually sunk into the wall, so that the pattern didn’t stick out to far into the room. The top of the staircase gave me some issues for a bit, as I originally planned on the landing being at second floor level. With the wall height I needed I ended up sneaking an extra two steps after the landing going off to the side. They’re not actually the same depth as the other stairs, but I think the illusion of a continued stair flight was effective.
Walls nearly complete! Just needed to figure out what to add in the back right side. Also put a wood mantel on the fireplace, and roller blind in the window instead of traditional curtains.
And here is where the scene really came to life! Adding a variety of small details was a lot of fun, and I experimented with quite a few different things trying to keep the room stylish, yet still make it look lived in. For the record, those are dog statues, not real live animals…
In this rather out of focus shot you can see my experiment with a closet. Didn’t like the look at all.
Next some wall mounted shelving using the same design as the fireplace mantel. Still didn’t like it.
Finally after some looking at real shelving designs online, I settled on this combination cupboard/shelf.
Looks like the build is done!
Not quite though, as I wanted to include some shrubs visible through the windows.
The duplo bushes didn’t fit with what I was imagining.
So then I tried some pine trees and palm leaves.
Palm leaves won out as you can see in this backside view of the complete build.
Wondering what that random box hanging on a string is? Well the stairway railing string was much longer than I needed, so I just ran it through the wall and put the box on as a counterweight to keep the string tight.
I hope you enjoyed that rather long build log, and stay tuned for more Brickbuilt content! At the rate John is building these days, you likely won’t have to wait long…
Modern Living Room: Build Log
Here is the build log for one of my favorite builds from 2019.
I had been meaning to make a modern interior at this sort of scale for a few years, and jumped at the chance to do so for Brick Fanatics magazine.
Bricks and plates made a very simple, yet solid base. And then I started experimenting with angling the side walls.
I quickly realized the scene I had in mind would require more space, so I had to enlarge the base footprint significantly. This hinged wall setup ended up being what I used in the final model. Each wall is connected at the back with hinge bricks, and at the front locks onto a jumper plate so it can’t shift out of position. A SNOT tile fills the gap between angled and standard sections.
I wanted to include some nice detailing in the floor, and experimented with quite a few options for carpet.
All of these seemed a bit busy, so I knew I had to keep looking for a better alternative.
In the meantime I started making some furniture and was able to come up with these designs quite quickly.
Having some chairs and a couch in hand helped me get a better idea of how to compose the living room. And here you can also see the carpet technique I settled on. On the left is a modern clock that I figured would help add detail to a wall somewhere.
‘Floating’ stairs added a lot to the ultra modern aesthetic, and are one of my favorite sections of the build. You’ll notice the walls aren’t really started yet, as I wanted to figure out the stairway length and spacing first. A long string with studs on both ends was used as the handrail.
Next up was the fireplace! Large SNOT tiles simulated concrete slabs, and just like the walls, I used this SNOT technique to get a flush fit between studs up and sideways sections.
A low perspective shot to help establish framing of the final build. Placeholder staircase taken apart, and proper stairway being incorporated into the actual wall.
Then it was back to more furniture design! This time trying to find a good looking side table that didn’t look like a commercial filing cabinet.
By this point I was starting to get pretty excited about how the build was coming together! Fire in the fireplace, some nice deep shelving incorporated into the back walls, clock placed, and even some windows on the right! Those curtains ended up being replaced though.
My first clock placement was too low, so I shifted it up two studs which looked much better. The black frame of the artwork on the left is actually sunk into the wall, so that the pattern didn’t stick out to far into the room. The top of the staircase gave me some issues for a bit, as I originally planned on the landing being at second floor level. With the wall height I needed I ended up sneaking an extra two steps after the landing going off to the side. They’re not actually the same depth as the other stairs, but I think the illusion of a continued stair flight was effective.
Walls nearly complete! Just needed to figure out what to add in the back right side. Also put a wood mantel on the fireplace, and roller blind in the window instead of traditional curtains.
And here is where the scene really came to life! Adding a variety of small details was a lot of fun, and I experimented with quite a few different things trying to keep the room stylish, yet still make it look lived in.
For the record, those are dog statues, not real live animals…
In this rather out of focus shot you can see my experiment with a closet. Didn’t like the look at all.
Next some wall mounted shelving using the same design as the fireplace mantel. Still didn’t like it.
Finally after some looking at real shelving designs online, I settled on this combination cupboard/shelf.
Looks like the build is done!
Not quite though, as I wanted to include some shrubs visible through the windows.
The duplo bushes didn’t fit with what I was imagining.
So then I tried some pine trees and palm leaves.
Palm leaves won out as you can see in this backside view of the complete build.
Wondering what that random box hanging on a string is? Well the stairway railing string was much longer than I needed, so I just ran it through the wall and put the box on as a counterweight to keep the string tight.
I hope you enjoyed that rather long build log, and stay tuned for more Brickbuilt content!
At the rate John is building these days, you likely won’t have to wait long…