I’M A GIANT : DOLLHOUSE CHALLENGE

October 20th, 2011

UPDATE (I guess?)

Dollhouse construction is nonexistent. Or on strike. Or something like that.

Blurgh.

I have loads of big ideas but am lacking loads of the big follow through. A recent rash of catastrophic failures and botched prototypes have put a damper on my enthusiasm for amateur carpentry. All I have to show for the past few weeks is a sad mini collection of miniatures, although, those little Navajo rugs are kind of rad. Found for just $3 on the infamous old eBay with the old free shipping routine thrown in for extra indulgence, means I found myself saying hello to tiny rugs.

OF COURSE, Mr. Risom is not to be overlooked.

A mystery box, a for real mystery box, showed up in the mail and I opened it up to find a carefully packed teensy Jens Risom’s no.654 chair. Super awesome reader and all around nice gal Kara sent this over to help a dollhouse out and I couldn’t be more excited. Thank you again!

Now I’m in love with this wee chair and hunger for more tiny designer creations…oh no…not now…this monstrous hunger for minis is rising…..the hunger wants……more…..minis……MORE………MOOORRRE!

It’s Halloween already, right?

 
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    25 Comments

    1. Greta on 10/20/2011:

      Oh, they are gorgeous! I think I might have been infected with a sudden urge to get me some miniature furniture…

    2. max on 10/20/2011:

      all you need is a mini beer and a lolly stick shack over your head, who needs a house!

    3. Catarina on 10/20/2011:

      I feelt like I would have liked to join in the challenge.
      But after googling a while I found that this doll house challenge would very quickly turn into an obsession for me.
      Where would it all end?
      Would I be able to stop?

      So I decided not to start. :)
      I’ll wait until our daughter is older and I can build a fabulous barbie house. I figure it’s a bit easier when the scale is a bit bigger.

    4. AB on 10/20/2011:

      i hope there will be a mini burl coffee table! seems like it could be not-too-soul-crushingly-difficult to turn out as far as miniatures go.

    5. Kara on 10/20/2011:

      Those little chairs make me crazy. It would have started an expensive obsession collection addiction extravaganza. So, I sent the crack to you!

    6. Florian on 10/20/2011:

      Oh bother. Although I curse like mad every time when building models, I like doing it, especially in larger scales – and I miss it. I really feel like taking part in the challenge, building a NYC loft appartment. Just a big box with hardwood floor, huge windows, an elevator, some sparse furnishings, simulated artworks… Sadly I know no children of the right age and disposition to play with something like that. Plus I have neither the time nor the energy. Oh well, a boys gotta dream, ain’t he?

    7. Lisette on 10/20/2011:

      Those miniatures are wicked!!

    8. Dulce@lavitapetite on 10/20/2011:

      I love mini modern furniture. Love them but not willing to spend the big bucks, so I made my own Wiggle chair and blogged about here:

      http://lavitapetite.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/la-petite-chaise/

    9. Alex on 10/20/2011:

      I buy the plastic modern mini furniture that comes in sets on Ebay for clients Christmas gifts every year. Those would work really well and are not expensive at all.

    10. Megan on 10/21/2011:

      Try etsy’s minisx2 shop!

    11. Nancy S on 10/21/2011:

      Have you seen the furniture from the one fourtythree site! I thought of you immediately

    12. James on 10/22/2011:

      Every fall quarter at Cal Poly Pomona they do case study models (basically doll houses) at 1″=1′-0″ scale, of historically significant modern houses (Neutra, Schindler, Lautner, etc.). These things have to be made out of the actual materials that real ones are, i.e. foundations are actually poured out of cement and walls are framed with milled basswood sticks! Some models are less than great, while some others are exquisite. They cost take weeks to make and cost hundreds in materials alone and pretty much just get thrown out once the crit is done….so if there was ever a place to get a home for your vitra mini’s this is it.

    13. Donald on 10/22/2011:

      Cb2′s new catalog had two really cool mini wire chair ornaments for $3.95 each.

    14. Emma B on 10/22/2011:

      These look nice and are much less $ than the licenced furniture. http://www.ebay.com/itm/REAC-MINI-DOLLHOUSE-CHAIRS-MID-CENTURY-MODERN-VOL-2-SET-/160668750021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item25689a90c5#ht_3146wt_1141

    15. Luna on 10/24/2011:

      If you ever get back on track with the house here’s a tip or making brick or stone for wall effects: egg cartons; cut out the flat parts, keep the rest. Measure a brick ( seriously – it’s all about scale and that means bricks too) cut out individual bricks from the flat carton – a ruler and exacto knife work for this. Recover the wall/chimney stack/ whatever as you would tile a wall at home leaving barely a milimeter between bricks and staggerring the pattern. For colour I used pigments in ochre/sienna mixing small batches for a slightly different hue as are real bricks. Otherwise you could just paint them white :) . For flagstone use the rougher parts of your egg carton, tearing rather than cutting for a more convincing effect. Anyway, you get the Idea. As with many things worth doing it takes time but the effect is surprisingly effective. I know you can buy premade bricks but these are expensive and, IMO not as realistic as the home made version plus you get more satisfaction from DIY. Love the miniature Jens Risom chair, that was a very nice gesture.

    16. Amanda on 10/24/2011:

      Just stumbled onto your blog! I am really smitten with you style! I am for sure becoming a new follower…be back soon for more xoxo!

      P.S. I am doing the Doll house challenge too!

    17. Something Gorgeous on 10/24/2011:

      Those chairs were amazing. I think you are doing very well. x

    18. KatyKey on 10/25/2011:

      http://www.cb2.com/christmas/accessories/igloo-chair-ornament/f7058?fromLocation=search

      I couldn’t help but think of you.

    19. Molly on 10/26/2011:

      You might need these awesome retro & gold doll house pieces!:
      http://www.etsy.com/listing/84518559/doll-house-miniatures-rocking-chair-and?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=side+table&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_order=date_desc&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage

    20. GoodBonesVintageCo on 10/30/2011:

      Found this… not a perfect fit but affordable! Maybe you can make it work for your giant challenge :)
      http://www.etsy.com/listing/84503553/vintage-brass-miniature-coffee-set-table?ref=sr_list_19&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=vestiesteam+coffee&ga_view_type=list&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage

    21. Brooke on 11/01/2011:

      If you’re looking for more mini’s here are a couple of links to look at:

      http://poketo.com/shop/living?product_id=996
      http://poketo.com/shop/living?product_id=995

    22. Brett on 11/22/2011:

      Dude, those rugs really tie the room together.

    23. Emese on 12/08/2011:

      Hi! I read all your posts, and love it. I thought you would love this dollhouse… I think it is to die for, and would be a great contribution to your site…. Enjoy! http://www.helemill.com/acatalog/SIBI_Dolls_House.html

    24. Emese on 12/08/2011:

      here is the company’s website: http://www.sirch.de/en/8-sibistoys.htm

    25. heather at wordplayhouse® on 12/12/2011:

      Googly eyes…an ironing board cushion…pocket lining pillows…I think you’d never guess that this GLAM house (with a posh dressing room even) was made with such things…

      http://www.wordplayhouse.com/2011/12/dollhouse.html

      I love a ‘little’ fun!

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