Day of a Lifetime

This scene evolved from a moody lounge into one about a dear friend who is taking the leap next week and is getting hitched. She met the man of her dreams and I am so happy for her. And, I am so happy that my husband and I will be on hand for the big day.

Perhaps this captures that moment when she is alone, preparing to dress, contemplating all the good that lies ahead.

How about a close-up of those little chocolates...??!

Credits: Mies van der Rohe daybed by Reac; chairs, sideboard, and plant are vintage German; side table is Lil' Bratz; wooden sculpture, vases on windowsill, and artwork on sideboard are Bozart; pouf is AG Minis; rugs are by Peppercorn Minis; car is by Schuco; lamp is vintage Lundby; box of chocolates, laptop, champagne glass, coffee cup, plant, and black cosmetics box are Re-ment; wedding dress is a scrapbook craft from Michaels; birch painting is a mini original from Gigi Studio.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The chocolate box is from Elegant Sweets #2 "Chocolate Lovers," and is a bit large for 1:12. The coffee cup is from Megahouse Cafe de Cake, #4, and is a bit large for 1:12. The glass on the windowsill is from Princess Tea Party #3 "You're Invited to a Champagne Party," and is large for 1:12.

My Newest Vintage

Can you guess what has made it into my collection...??

Here's some teaser shots of it coming out of its box.

And then, a telling mark!

Yes, it's a lovely vintage Brio house. I was told by the seller, who had it for ten years, that it is from 1966. The seller intended to restore it a bit, but never got around to it. The house has most of the original details intact, including the wallpapers, stairwell, and banisters. I love the wallpapers and might even scan them for my large VERO.

There were some repairs, dusting, gluing, and cleaning to do...

And then one big flaw that I don't quite know how to address...a fault line in the upper room.

I covered it with a rug for now, but need to figure out how to reinforce it. I tried gluing it, but the crack did not come together enough.

I furnished the whole house -- fun!

Also fun: I just came back from Chicago and made it to Three Blind Mice, a miniature fair, on the way home to O'Hare. I met up with Amy of Amy's Miniatures and Smalls (waves, Amy!) and we made our way around the mostly overpriced vendors. A few nice finds, though. Also in Chicago, I picked up a magazine on my lunch hour that I had never seen or heard of before: Atomic Ranch. It's all about classic mid-century modern (MCM) ranches and how people have decorated them, and love them. Very inspiring photos, and it made me want to set up the whole Brio. Perhaps they'd consider a feature on mini MCM? :)

Credits: There's a lot of vintage German pieces in these rooms: bedroom desk, bed, side lamps, bedding, sitting room chair and side tables, toilet, kitchen sink, and all the flower pots and the two window boxes! The sitting room coffee table is Ryan's Room; sitting room rug is AG Minis, as is the hanging lamp in the kitchen; amazing hanging globe light is by minimodernistas; the living room swan chair is Reac, as is the desk chair in the bedroom; side table and white bookcase are Re-ment; rug is The House That Jacq Built; bathroom sink is from the Dolls House Emporium; bathroom pouf is Lundby; kitchen table is Wolverine; stove, refrigerator, and two chairs are vintage Topper Toys. Accessories are Re-ment, eBay finds, MAR Toys, Three Blind Mice fair finds, Bozart, and Playmobil.

Re-ment: I have written about all the Re-ment in these scenes with two exceptions. The dish soap and sponge are from Is Dinner Ready Yet? #10, and are good for 1:12.

Instant Doll House!

Again, I am swayed by the portable, collapsible doll house. I recently posted on the vintage Fold-Away doll house from1949, and I have added a similar house (in concept), but more "house-like" and from the 1960s. This gem was made by an American company, Winthrop Toys, and is in excellent condition, purchased for $29.99 (BIN on eBay). It is constructed of heavy duty fiberboard that is coated in lovely, vibrant colors with fun designs of the time. The house comes with matching, pop-up furniture and all but one piece looked like it was barely used. I added a few accents and then took a spin around the house.

The sitting room/dressing area...love how the mirror is framed by the recessed objects

A dancing/grooving entertainment room...check out the jiving couple!

And a kitchen...ahhh, the retro clock!

As well as a lovely outdoor area...dig the lamp!

The house came in its original box, too:

So...dress up, party, eat, and rest. And then fold it up and put it away!

Credits: All flower pots are vintage German and accessories are Re-ment, Topper Toys, and from eBay.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene except for the record in the entertainment room. It is from Natalie's French Goods #5 and is great for 1:12.

The Rest of My New VERO

I have set up the other side of my new VERO as a bedroom and kitchen. I definitely know I will replace the flowered wallpaper -- it just doesn't blend with the original paper on the back wall and is a bit too "plain vanilla" for me. I have been searching for vintage papers and will continue to do so. If you see anything you think would work, drop me an email from my profile page!

Here are some pictures of the bedroom:

The kitchen is here; note on the front door -- I am working with Elizabeth over at Elf Miniatures to fabricate one like the original. I just need to sand down the sides to get the frame even enough so that she can do her magic:

And the whole house:

Speaking of wallpapering, I did more in the Citadel, and decided to focus on the interior wall that runs the height of the house. Here is what it looked like before:

I found some very nice neutral brown and silver papers on UK eBay and pasted them in sections, here:

You see my challenge with the remaining walls on this side of the house -- they were painted (over two layers of paper) in a terra cotta that does not work for me at all. I think I might try for a creme or something that picks up on the silvery gray in the new brown papers. Because I had to paste it in sections, you can see seams, which is not ideal. I am somewhat comforted by the fact that the very large three-section stairwell (now in pieces, needing repair) will join to this wall, so I think it will conceal the flaws.

Credits: Bedroom set is vintage German and came with the house; coverlet is Bozart; pillow is handmade by Tarkus; red lamps are vintage German; hexagon rugs are by Peppercorn Minis (thanks, Glenda!); Eames chair and ottoman are Reac; dress form is by Manor House Miniatures; kitchen pieces came with my Citadel House; table is vintage Modella; lucite chairs are vintage eBay finds; plant is vintage TOMY; cat is Playmobil City; accessories are Re-ment, AG Minis, eBay, and DRAP in Spain.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. In the kitchen, the coffee pot and box of coffee are from Megahouse Pop 'N Kitchen #7, and are good for 1:12. The gold mirror in the bedroom is from Pretty Placement #10, and is good for 1:12.

Vintage Fold-Away Doll House

Oh, if only we could take our dolls houses with us wherever we go, just like George Jetson and his (flying) car-that-folds-into-a-suitcase. :)

Well, now I can! I found this very neat vintage "Fold-Away Doll House," made in 1949, through a US eBay seller ($5.99). Published by Rudolph J. Gutmann (New York), the book states that the rooms were designed by a Catherine Barnes. Made of heavy cardboard, the "house" is fashioned as a book, but opens into a tri-fold that reveals panels of brightly-colored rooms that prop up into a kitchen, dining/living room, and a bedroom.

Here is the cover and the back:

And the inside:

You'll see from the cover illustration that it originally came with "punch-out" furniture, none of which survives here. A little bit of internet searching showed that ones in very good condition with the furniture go for $120 or so. Given the lack of said punch-out furniture, I had to use some of my own:

It was fun and challenging to work off a two dimensional backdrop that represents three dimensional objects. I used all different scales, but 1:16 worked best. Storage is easy on this one...makes me want to add more to my collection. I'd love to find a similar one from the 1960s.

Credits: Kitchen: table, chairs, and side table are vintage Jean of West Germany; sink is vintage German; plates, dish soap and treats are Re-ment; bowl is an eBay find. Living room: chair is a vintage eBay find; table is vintage Petite Princess; marble bust is my husband's; sideboard and pink pot with flower are vintage German; books are handmade by Oese; vase is Manor House Miniatures. Bedroom: bed and rocking horse are vintage German; cradle is vintage Fisher Price; toys are Re-ment and Japanese erasers.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in these scenes with a few exceptions. In the kitchen, the treats and white plates are from Bread & Butter #10, "Elegant Muffins and Scones," and are slightly large for 1:12. The flowered tray is from Princess Tea Party #4, and is large for 1:12. The soap on the sink is from Is Dinner Ready Yet #10, "Clean Kitchen," and is good for 1:12.

Kitchenette

I like the neat confines of the IKEA room box -- it inspired a quickly arranged scene (the accessories on the shelf and sink took the most time) that is long on satisfaction! Also, every time I use it or look at it, it evokes sun. Perhaps it is the lacy backdrop, or the handy fluorescents in our basement, or my own wishes for summer amidst the gray March days.

On a sunny note: a big "Hello!" to my new followers, and to the ones who have followed from the beginning. I really appreciate your interest, comments, and support - THANKS! :)

Credits: Light is a Playmobil City floor torchiere turned upside down; sink is vintage Bodo Hennig; shelf is IKEA; chop block is an eBay find; stools are Lil' Bratz; dog is from a children's game called Lucky Puppy Math; doll is Bozart; rug is handmade by Oese; accessories are Re-ment, Manor House Miniatures, eBay, MAR Toys, and from Spain!

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with some exceptions. The hot sauce on the top shelf is from Black Cat Italian Restaurant #3, and is good for 1:12. The pizza cheese and pepper shakers and green pepper on the sink are from Puchi Fun Meals #1, "Pizza Night," and are good for 1:12. The Palmolive-looking dish soap and paper towels on floor are from Disney Go! Go! Grocery #4, and are large for 1:12. The tomato can on the sink is from Black Cat Italian Restaurant #7, and is good for 1:12. The blue flowered bowl on the second shelf and the cooking pot on the bottom shelf are from I Love Kyoto #1, and are good for 1:12.

Cars

OK, I admit it...this scene is merely an excuse to use some amazing little HO scale 1:87 cars by the German maker Schuco. I found them in my local toy store last week and they ranged in price from $6-7, very affordable given the quality. They are so incredibly well-made --the detail and finishings are phenomenal.

I bought three: the Jaguar with the trailer, the VW bug with flames, and the VW bus. There were a lot more tucked away in the back of the toy store, so maybe I can go back and clean them out. I think they had motorcycles, too. Heaven.

I also was able to use the bed from the Kaleidoscope House, which I have not incorporated into any of my scenes before. It's quite large and bulky and does not fit well into the smaller K House rooms, but the plaid drove (no pun intended, hee hee) my color scheme.

The yellow table is actually a candle holder from Crate and Barrel (.40 on clearance!), and I flipped it for the tabletop.

If you haven't guessed, I love a bargain. :)

Credits: Bookcase is vintage German; plant is Playmobil City; plates on wall, mirror, Asian beauty box, teddy bear, strawberry doll closet and table, puzzle, bunny candle, and crafts on table are Re-ment; bed, strawberry coverlet, and chairs are Bozart; side table, lamp, purple coverlet, and rug are AG Minis; yellow table top is Crate and Barrel; table is Battat; cars are Schuco; pig is a Japanese eraser.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with some exceptions. The crafts on the table and puzzle on the floor are from Natalie's French Goods # 9, and are all good for 1:12. The Asian beauty box and fan are from I Love Kyoto # 9, and are good for 1:12. The strawberry closet is from Eggs, Beans, and Berries #5, and is good as a plaything in 1:12. The mirror is from Princess Tea Party # 3, "You're Invited to a Champagne Party," and it is good as a large mirror in 1:12. The bunny candle is from Pretty Placement #3, and is good for 1:12. The powder puff is from Flirty Pink #5, and is large for 1:12. The plates on the wall are all from Sushi Bar #9, "Wasabi Makes My Eyes Watery," and are good for 1:12.

Pixels

This scene features my first Mini Modernistas purchase: a pixel chair and ottoman. Neat, huh? The quality is really nice, and the look lovely. It's going to be hard not to buy more!

I have been wallpapering the VERO, trying out different things, and wanted to test it out. Thanks again to Annina for scanning her VERO papers! The flooring is scrapbook paper, inspired by the Pixel chair.

The hanging light was purchased from German eBay and arrived in a very sorry state: cracked and scuffed. I repaired it as well as I could, but it does not look as it should. Here is what it should look like (photo courtesy of the puppenhausmuseum website):

And here's how it actually appears:

It's still a neat fixture, even upside down!

The 1:144 house in the back is also from German eBay, purchased as a lot (thanks again for sending, Oese!). Boy, does it need a good cleaning!

Above the tea and treat in bed are Little Red Riding Hood plates by Re-ment. I have not had a good use for them until now...I asked my son to put them in order, and I think he did a good job!

Speaking of kids, my daughter did a nice scene too today of a tomboy's room -- good work, my sweet!

My next "baby" is coming to me from overseas, and I hope to share pictures of it soon!

Credits: Bed, nightstand, wardrobe, plant stand, 1:144 house, sideboard, and mirror are vintage German; table and light fixture are vintage VERO; pixel chair and ottoman are by Mini Modernistas; tea set, tray, Little Red Riding Hood plates, perfume trays, and frog are Re-ment; fabric hanging in back is Marimekko; accessories are Re-ment, Bozart, AG Minis, Manor House Miniatures, and Petite Princess.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with some exceptions. The Little Red Riding Hood Plates are from Fairy Tale Dishes #8, "Trip to Grandma's House," and are large for 1:12, but can work as decoration. The tea set is from Princess Tea Party #2, "The Princess' Late Night Tea," and is large for 1:12. The tray is from Bread and Butter #2, "Free Spirit Bakery," and is good as a large serving tray in 1:12. The danish is from Bread and Butter #6, "Lovely Danish," and is a bit large for 1:12. The red perfume tray is from I Love Kyoto #1, and is good for 1:12. The black perfume tray is from I Love Kyoto #7, and is good for 1:12. The beauty packets on the black tray are from Puchi Drugstore #1, and work for 1:12.

Crafty at Heart

There was lots of Valentine card making for my kids' classroom celebrations today, which ended up not happening. We got hit with mounds of snow (close to 18" by us), along with the rest of the east coast, and the sun shines on all that needs shoveling today. The valentines will still go to their appreciative friends next week, after the snow has cleared.

Here are some pictures taken in the thick of the storm -- can you spot the intrepid squirrel? :)

Credits: Green couch, counter, two chairs, and tomato artwork are Bozart; boomerang table and lamp are vintage German; art mat and accessories, green flowered tables by fireplace, cookies, danish, bread, bowl, fishbowl, bunny purse, clock, and phone are Re-ment; juice is a Japanese eraser; ball chair is Reac; stacked sideboards are vintage VERO; pouf is Lundby; "wallpaper" is scrapbook paper; skateboard is Tech Deck; pillows are AG Minis; accessories by Manor House Miniatures, Tiny Doll House Shop, and eBay finds.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The cookie box is from Megahouse Pop 'N Kitchen #4, and is large for 1:12. The round bread in the bowl is from Re-ment Bakery #5, and is good for 1:12. The danish is from Fun Meals #7 "Morning Grab 'n Go," and is slightly large for 1:12. The art mat, glue, X-acto knife, tape dispenser, stapler, and tub of glue are all from My Favorite Stationery #5, and are all good for 1:12. The tiny jars of paint are from My Favorite Stationery # 8, and are good for 1:12.

Dorm

I never lived in a dorm room in college. Instead, I lived in some pre-war studios and apartments, sometimes alone, sometimes with roommates. Not like this scene, though! Perhaps this is a grad school dorm at the beach -- while the girl looks sassy and smart, she may not always want to study, especially if a strawberry shortcake awaits on her little terrace! :)

I decided to park this student's car in the "garage." Fits nicely!

By the way, the Stockholm now sits on a new credenza, bought for $49 (marked down from $499!) from my favorite Crate and Barrel outlet. It is meant as a piece for the dining room, but did not have its sliding doors. It is a nice glossy white with shelves, so I will be sure to fill them up!

Credits: Terrace: chair is vintage Modella; table is vintage Fisher Price; strawberry shortcake set is Re-ment; bongos are an eBay find; plant is vintage TOMY. Bedroom: Bed, lamp, and desk are vintage German; stool, butterflies on wall, fish tank, laptop, book and holder, bird candle, coffee press and cup, storage cubes, and potted plant are Re-ment; chair is Reac; photos and doll are Bozart; blue painting came with my VERO house; guitar is Nodameggaki; car is Lil' Bratz. Accessories are Re-ment and IKEA.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The strawberry shortcake set is from Puchi Mini Sweets, #9, and is large for 1:12, but can work. The coffee press is from Megahouse Dach's Coffee Shop, #2 and is good for 1:12.

Well Red

Yes, red is the color for me today! I've had this Lundby bed for quite some time and have never used it in a scene. The Jean of West Germany sideboard has made its way into a few scenes already, but never lifted off the ground! It just fit perfectly and slid into space above the bed.

I also decided to set up an office and bath scenes and mixed different scales: 1:10, 1:12, and 1:16. Can you tell which is which?

Credits: Bedroom: Bed is vintage Lundby; raised sideboard is vintage Jean of West Germany; cow rug is by Oese; table at foot of bed is vintage Fisher Price; red rocking chair is Reac; light, red Asian case next to bed, magazine, purse, red/white standing ashtray, and all the boxes above the bed (except Hello Kitty) are Re-ment; Hello Kitty box is Sanrio; black and red vases are Bozart; wall covering is scrapbook paper. Bath: Vanity is vintage TOMY; chair is vintage Petite Princess; brush, lipstick, false eyelash set and "rug" are Re-ment; wall covering is origami paper. Office: Red chair is vintage German; white desk and side drawers are vintage VERO; computer and keyboard are by Lilu Shop on Etsy; pencil sharpener, pencil set, tissue box, clock, book holder on desk, coffee tumbler, boxes on upper shelf, white shelf and bird, elephant, and laptop accessories on the shelf are Re-ment; white pig on upper shelf is a Japanese eraser; plant is vintage TOMY; books are AG Minis, Bozart and from France.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in these scenes with some exceptions. Bedroom: Red Asian case is from I Love Kyoto # 9, and is a bit large for 1:12. It is meant as a bento box, but can be re-purposed as I have done. House-shaped box above bed is from Megahouse Pop 'N Kitchen #9, and is good as a large storage box in 1:12. It is really meant as a lunch box. Bath: Brush is from Merry Strawberry #4 and is good for 1:12. False eyelash set and lipstick are from Cosmetics #5, "Actress," and are large for 1:12, but can work. Office: Tissue box is from Merry Strawberry # 9 and is good for 1:12. Pencil case is from My Favorite Stationery #6, and is a bit large for 1:12, but works. Golden bird on shelf is from Princess Tea Party # 7, and is good as an accent piece in 1:12.

Before the Next Flight

I saw the movie Up in the Air recently. George Clooney plays a professional hatchet man who travels over 320 days a year. His "home" was a spare and bare bachelor pad, and was merely a stopping point until his next flight. He used his frequency as a flier to completely distance himself emotionally from others. Eventually, he gets in touch with himself and reconnects with family, but overall it was a bit of a downer movie. Nevertheless, it inspired me to create a scene for the flight attendant who might be on his next journey. I wonder how relaxing that job is...I, for one, likely would be stressed out most of the time, in need of a nice dip in a pool or a soak in a hot tub. :)

Credits: "Hot tub" is a soap dish from Bed, Bath and Beyond; white shelf, shoes, tea set-up on table, thermometer, and "rug" and flight bag inside are Re-ment; table is vintage Modella; white chairs are Reac; towel hook, standing lamp, and pillow on bed are AG Minis; "towel" on hook is Marimekko fabric; chairs inside and cabinet are vintage German (thanks, Oese!); "towels" in cabinet are tissues; flower stand and lights on cabinet are also vintage German; kidney-shaped side table is Ryan's Room; chess set is an eBay find; bed, bed platform, and hot tub platform are from the Villa Sibi; coverlet is Bozart; painting is Lundby. Accessories in cabinet are Re-ment and from dollhouse stores.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The honey jar and honey stick are from Re-ment Bakery # 5, and is a bit large for 1:12, but works. The cup and saucer are from Megahouse Pop 'n Kitchen # 4, and are good for 1:12. In the cabinet: the pink clock is from Storage Beauty #10, "Pretty Placement," and is good for 1:12. The pink perfume bottle and larger pink jar are from Flirty Pink, #5, and are large for 1:12. The flight bag and thermometer are from Natalie's French Goods #6, and are good for 1:12. The flowered creamer is from Princess Tea Party # 2, and is a bit large for 1:12, but works. The deer head on the top shelf is from Princess Tea Party # 3, and works for 1:12.

Big Bath, Big Thanks!

This is the first time I have used the K House great room as a bath. I've used it as a bedroom, kitchen, and of course a living space many times, but never a bathroom. Our real "master" bath is anything but - it's a very narrow and tiny space, but at least it is ours and we don't have to share it with the kids. We couldn't anyway!!

In case you are wondering about the backdrop, it is a framed photograph that I propped up to hide the wall behind the house. I've used the vintage German cabinet (thanks, Oese!) as pillow storage, kind of like a linen closet (with less folding to do!).

By the way, today marks my first full year of blogging. THANK YOU for following and for tuning in and leaving your comments. It brings me great joy to write about and photograph my minis, and I love learning from others out there. Cheers!

Credits: Sink, bathtub, and toilet are vintage Bodo Hennig (thanks, Oese!); artwork is Bozart; Eames lounger is Reac; lamp is vintage Petite Princess; side table, wire basket, flower vase on bath, purse, and orange dresser and light are Re-ment; couch is vintage VERO; pillow is handmade by Tarkus; plant is an aquarium plant; cabinet is vintage German; coffee table is Lil' Bratz; vase on coffee table is a bead from Pubdoll; white rug is The House That Jacq Built; dress form is from Pain d'epices. Accessories are Re-ment, Pain d'epices, vintage TOMY, DRAP, Lundby, AG Minis, Manor House Miniatures, Ryan's Room, and Bozart.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with two exceptions: the mirror and brush on the dresser are from the secret set Cosmetics "Actress," #5, and are good for 1:12.

Roof in Winter

I know, not a typical holiday scene, but I was cleaning up in my doll house room and looked longingly at my very messy Lundby Stockholm and noted that the only uncluttered room was the roof!!

I have to say the concrete walls give an urban vibe, rather than beachy, but it is still a dream scene for some sun and fun. Happy holidays, all!

Credits: Folding chairs are Manor House Miniatures; cafe table and umbrella are Mighty World; flower sculpture on railing is AG Minis; sideboard is vintage Jean of West Germany; plant is an aquarium plant; pot is from a craft store; lounge chair is an eBay find; side table, koi tank, "candle" on cafe table, elephant, and pig are Re-ment; vase is a bead from Pubdoll; "rug" is a coaster. Accessories are Re-ment, eBay, vintage TOMY, Manor House Miniatures, AG Minis, and from France.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The koi tank is from Dogs Enjoy Life, #8 "New Year's Dogs," and is good in 1:12. The Pellegrino-type bottle is from Black Cat Italian Restaurant, #1, and is a bit large for 1:12. The pink panda keepsake box on the sideboard shelf is from Girl's Treasures, #9, and is good for 1:12.

A Different Kind of Tree

Each year, we buy a 12-15" potted herb like rosemary and have that as our holiday "tree," like this year. My youngest usually makes paper or pine cone decorations in his preschool, so those go on the tree, as do ribbons and other odds and ends.

I created this feather tree to illustrate another way people might celebrate and gather 'round in the holidays. The feather and its fixings came on a gift my husband received and I grabbed them, believing I might put them to some use. A craft store-bought pot holds the tree -- I used a silver marker to color it for a more festive look. My children's Legos came in handy for the presents under the tree. Which reminds me...I have some wrapping to do!

The cats have their little corner den to themselves -- their present is being able to frolic without supervision. I wonder if the cake is in jeopardy!

Credits: Couch and table are vintage VERO; trumpet and black cat stool are Nodameggaki; wallpaper is scrapbook paper; green floor trim is vintage Marx; marble head is my husband's; table with cake is vintage Puppenstuben; wall art is a postcard from France; hanging lights are from the Dolls House Emporium; clear chairs are Bozart; orange chair is vintage Bodo Hennig; rug, pillow, cat art, and lamp are AG Minis; side table is vintage Fisher Price; plant is from Lolly's; cat tower and cats are Playmobil City; orange stacking cubes, espresso maker and cups are Re-ment; cake is a Japanese eraser. Accessories are Re-ment, eBay finds, and from my children's collection!

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with one exception. The book on the side table is from Primary School Stationery, #9, and is good as a coffee table book in 1:12.

Sail Away

I am getting accustomed to my new doll house room, and am acclimating to the lighting. So, this scene was more of an experimentation than anything. The ship in the background is a framed piece that I love, so I just propped it up. I realize it looks a bit odd, but haven't quite figured out screening the background. I think I might have a photographer friend take some nature shots and I can place those in scenes. Pubdoll did this with some recent scenes, and they looked great.

The Puppenstuben credenza came this week from eBay, and will soon join some matching pieces that Oese had for sale! Yipee! I always love how people can create interesting tableaux on side pieces like this, with artwork or other items. I don't do this in my real life, of course, but tried to simulate in mini. :)

Credits: "Rug" under credenza is scrapbook paper; Side chairs are vintage Bodo Hennig; credenza is vintage Puppenstuben; wall unit and table are vintage Modella; red chairs and Eames lounger are Reac; white couch and artwork on credenza is Bozart; magazine holder is Re-ment; cow throw and some of the books are handmade by Oese; light on wall unit is vintage German; rug is The House That Jacq Built; ship is from DRAP in Spain; ball clock is handmade by Pubdoll; lamp is vintage VERO; guitar is Nodameggakki. Accessories are Bozart, Playmobil, Re-ment, AG Minis, MAR Toys, and our local craft store.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with a few exceptions. The apple and tray on the table are from Megahouse Pop 'N Kitchen, # 9 and are good for 1:12. The candelabra is from Princess Tea Party, # 2 "The Princess' Late Night Tea," and is good for 1:12.

An Aerie, Below

What a weekend of cleaning! I have finally cleared out a corner of our basement for my houses and related possessions. Four homes have been living upstairs and now three have made their home in the new (old) room. The Villa Sibi had to stay upstairs for the time being. I also have a workroom where the VERO and Citadel live (I moved the vintage ranch out), since they are in active rehab.

I started organizing furniture and other items in a large shelving unit that we were using for assorted tools, wires, paint, you name it. Do others store their stuff like this? Usually mine is literally one on top of the other, but I am now trying to sort them so things are easier to find. My tiny items are still in little drawers or in bowls awaiting sorting.

I cleared off a shelf in my workroom for my growing collection of 1:144 and railroad houses, so I feel they are a bit safer than crammed in a box.

As I was clearing out, I made a little scene inspired by the K House roof being absent from the move (by the way, my little, apparently very strong daughter was the one who helped me carry the house on its somewhat perilous journey downstairs - unbelievable!). Wouldn't it be great to have a colorful little patio like this for a nice bite or perhaps to gaze at the stars (or bark at the moon)?!

The small house is actually a discontinued Re-ment item made only for the Japanese market - it is actually a Donut shop (see below), but I saw some minimalist potential!

Credits: Picnic table and chairs, dogs, elephant, light, "rug," small house and furnishings, laptop, and Thai wooden piece and stool by Re-ment; wooden cubes under house by Paris Renfroe; cafe table and chairs by Mighty World; plant below is an aquarium plant; pot is from a craft store; plant on patio is vintage TOMY; accessories are Re-ment and from my kids!

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with some exceptions. The two dogs are from Dogs Enjoy Life, #8, and are a bit small for 1:12, but work. The Thai stool, wooden piece, and elephant are from the Room Series, # 3, and are also on the small side for 1:12, but can work nicely. The house is the Donut Shop, and works as a doll house in 1:12.

Wired

We're wired for anything today -- computer, bath, sleeping!

The scene started with the bath, which is actually a very inexpensive bowl from Target. I usually put greenery with my bath scenes, which is funny considering I have never had such a bath, but I guess a lot of what I set up is not true to life :)

The sink is totally makeshift! I used a lovely silver bowl received in a swap with Oese and then fashioned a faucet out of a vase from a Re-ment set. The white consoles and table are vintage VERO and were all purchased in two separate auctions from a German eBay seller for 1Euro each total (shipping was extra of course). Their condition is excellent, and they also came with a duplicate couch that I already have in my collection and seen here.

The Mac on the other side of the room was handmade by Lilushop on Etsy, and is amazing in its attention to detail. It's a bit large, but dominates in a good way! My obsession with the Re-ment My Favorite Stationery set continues with the globe and colored pencil set. They just make me smile.

By the way, I purchased some vintage Marx furniture from the Imagination doll house [fellow blogger Rebecca wrote about it back in March] and the pieces are too small, closer to 1/2 scale. I did use a piece as a "trellis" in the bath, but will likely not use the rest. Anyone interested in swapping? There are 20+ pieces and they are in good condition; some need small repairs. Let me know!

Credits: Bathtub is a bowl from Target; bath platform is from the Villa Sibi; plants are Playmobil City; green trellis is vintage Marx; towel rack, bed coverlet, and lamp are AG Minis; white consoles and white table are vintage VERO; mirror is vintage from eBay; cowhide rug is handmade by Oese; bed and vases are Bozart; artwork is from my VERO house; Mac is by Lilushop; cowhide chairs are Reac; globe, pencil set, and shampoo/conditioner are Re-ment. Accessories are Re-ment, Marimekko, and Manor House Miniatures.

Re-ment: I've written about the Re-ment in this scene with some exceptions. The globe and pencil set are from My Favorite Stationery, #7, and are good for 1:12. The shampoo, conditioner, soap on sink, and rubber duck are all from Puchi Drugstore, #1, and are a bit big for 1:12, but workable.

When One Door Closes...

another one opens!

My VERO doll house from Germany has finally arrived at my door, just as I mailed out my vintage Brumberger Tudor, which sold on eBay -- the guilt of the VERO was somewhat alleviated and justified by the selling of the Brumberger :)

Acquiring this VERO house entailed a nail-biting bidding process, then a more hellish payment process (wiring funds, trying to locate seller's bank in Germany, etc.), and then what seemed like a endless shipping process. And, perhaps the most expensive package to ship that I have ever received.

Alas, it is here, and quite dirty! After I made myself a nice cappuccino...

I proceeded to carefully unpack it down in my work room in the basement. Here are some pictures of how I "birthed" it from its box, little by little:

Now some shots of what I found:

It looks like the blue and yellow flooring is original to the house. I don't mind them, but they are not in the best shape. One of the downstairs rooms looks like it is filled with ancient frescoes, I swear -- layers of paper and then a cobalt paint. I have started stripping some of the paper and have cleaned the ceilings, which were filthy. The windows on the top corner of the house is actually very thick plastic and it is ripped in places. Not quite sure how to replace it altogether or fix those tears. Any ideas? It's such a nice part of the house.

I set up a quick scene, too. As cool as the wall storage panel in my work room is, it is visible in the background. So, I put up an "awning" of some Marimekko fabric to create more of an outdoor space and hide it a bit. There is likely a large window missing from this part of the house.

Lots more work to do here...!

Credits: Couch is vintage VERO; boomerang table, chairs, and two small consoles are vintage German; coffee table is Ryan's Room; Barcelona chair is Reac; wall painting is original to the house (or at least to this house); ball clock handmade by Pubdoll; lamp and wastebasket are AG Minis; plant near Barcelona chair is vintage TOMY; plant on patio, small frog sculpture, bowl and fruit, and potted plant on coffee table are Re-ment; tea service is vintage MAR Toys; rug is by The House That Jacq Built; fabric "awning" is Marimekko fabric. Accessories are MAR Toys and from France.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in this scene with two exceptions. The frog scuplture and potted plant on patio are from the Room series, #3 and are a bit small for 1:12, but work.

WorkMom

Yes, it is a little workroom for a Mom's hobby :) Inspiration for this type of scene is always present! I decided to use this room off the main living area in the K House, which I have adopted as the default garage. I am trying to use all the rooms in the house, so now I have officially done this!

I must acknowledge the amazing custom work of Susan Karatjas of SDK Miniatures, as seen in the wonderful 1/144 white modern couch and chair. Her attention to detail is amazing. I also bought a 1/144 room box and shelving unit, but need to put them together (with large amounts of time for tiny, tiny work)! Susan is just one of the many reasons to go to the Philadelphia Miniatura this weekend, and I am going to try to get there.

I found the N scale yellow house on eBay -- it is by Bachmann and is made for railroad scenes. I was looking for a while for a modern structure (I love vintage ones too), and think this looks pretty neat.

Credits: Figures and clear chair are Bozart; N scale house is by Bachmann; 1/144 white couch and chair are by SDK Miniatures; curved couch and dollhouse table are vintage Fairline; tub stool is vintage Lundby; shelving unit is made of two vintage Fisher Price beds; blue wall covering is scrapbook paper from Target; dog is from my daughter's collection; pillows are handmade by Tarkus; green and orange stools are Lil' Bratz; accessories are Re-ment, Elf Miniatures, and Mighty World.

Re-ment: I have written about the Re-ment in the scene with the exception of a few things. The two pink filing boxes are from Beauty Storage #10 "Pretty Placement," and are good for 1:12. The flowered three drawer box is from I Love Kyoto #7 "Candy Treasure Box," and is good for 1:12. The little stool on the bottom shelf is from Dogs Enjoy Life, #8, and is too small for 1:12, but can be re-purposed.