Thursday, March 21, 2013

Please vote for The Osborn Dollhouse to made!

I'm BEGGING you to please go and vote or leave a comment for Quirky.com to consider making The Osborn Dollhouse!*
Please share this link, we have 29 days to spread the word:
http://www.quirky.com/ideations/435727

Back in the summer of 2008, I fell in love with Kathy Osborn's Bauhaus Doll House (on Modern MC's blog) and would have done anything to get one. I harassed stalked emailed Kathy for a while hoping she'd find a way to produce the house, but my dreams were torched in December 2009 when her website went up in smoke. You can read about the origins of the house along with more pictures in my old post here.

Out of the ashes... today I get this comment from Alex:
"Kathy decided to take the site down after she had trouble finding a manufacturer for it. HOWEVER, we just posted it on Quirky.com, so who knows? If enough people vote for The Osborn Dollhouse, maybe it will get produced and everyone can buy one.
http://www.quirky.com/ideations/435727"

*I hadn't heard of Quirky, but basically anyone can submit an idea to be evaluated for one month. Every week two ideas with the most potential are selected to be designed and produced. You can read more about how Quirky works and see some of the cool ideas they have produced and are now selling here. Please, please, PLEASE go and vote for them to make The Osborn Dollouse.

Wouldn't it be amazing if Quirky decided to make this modern doll house? Let's make it happen people, GET OUT THE VOTE!

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Hot off the press... Details on MCHULCA Dollhouses

The 2013 Designer Dollhouse Showcase - An Exclusive Kaleidoscope Ball Initiative to
Benefit the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute
Featuring Los Angeles’ Top Design Talent Creating Priceless Petite Projects.

Award-winning visionaries from the design world have come together to work on an incredibly exciting dollhouse design project to support fundraising efforts of the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute. This special showcase features renowned interior designers Natasha Baradaran, Chris Barrett, Joan Behnke, Cari Berg, Tim Campbell, Mark Cutler, Elizabeth Dinkel, Waldo Fernandez, Adam Hunter, James Magni, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Mary McDonald, Philip Nimmo, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, Lonni Paul, Estee Stanley, and Ron Woodson and Jamie Rummerfield and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier and 10 custom dollhouses designed to scale by Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn of Richard Manion Architecture. The structures include Italianate, Georgian, Modern, Contemporary, and Brownstone and feature two or three levels complete with lighting, wall coverings, furnishings, fixtures, and other home accessories. They are works of art with all of the flair, sophistication, substance, amenities, resources, and details of the designers’ life-sized projects. The designer showcase will also include two mini-garden oasis landscaped by Stephen Block of Inner Gardens and Christine London Ltd.

100% of proceeds from the sales of the dollhouses sold at the Kaleidoscope Ball event April 17th and subsequently online at a special One King’s Lane benefit sale will go to support the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute.

ABOUT THE HOUSES

Monique Lhuillier NY Flagship Boutique

Monique Lhuillier designed a replica of her New York flagship boutique intact with the former private residence’s grandeur of an old world townhouse. Spanning three floors, the townhouse offers the bridal collection on the entire ground floor, the ready-to-wear collection on the second and the VIP custom area on the third floor. Taking cues from the original structure, Lhuillier creates a sophisticated environment in the world of grey, using luxurious fabrics, furnishings and art to showcase the true stars in the boutique, her signature gowns and collections. The dollhouse includes grey suede walls, recreations of the Monique Lhuillier Waterford chandeliers, inspired by the delicate beadwork of Monique’s signature gowns, and organic hammered stainless steel cabinets, made especially for the bridal salon. All furniture for the townhouse has been recreated by the renowned craftsmen at Kensington Dollhouse Festival.

Contemporary Beach House One

Jeffrey Alan Marks designed the first floor, including a dining room, kitchen, living room, and gym, in his now signature color scheme of breezy blues. The design features custom dollhouse furniture modeled after Marks’ actual furniture line with Palecek, with the living room including Marks’ “Spindrift Sofa”, “Spindrift Chair”, “Brockton Coffee Table” and “Bryant Lounge Chairs” and the gym utilizes Marks’ “Wind & Sea Folding Screen” to create a private massage area. In addition to the Miniature versions of Jeffrey’s Palecek Furniture, the living room includes a custom wool and silk area rug inspired by vintage Fortuny fabric and provided by Decorative Carpets, while the private massage room includes walls covered in custom de Gournay “Fish” wallpaper, replicating Jeffrey’s personal kitchen and two massage tables covered in Cowtan & Tout Linen. Credits go to PRD Miniatures, Monte Allen, Cowtan & Tout, Decorative Carpets, and Larsen for their contributions to the design.

Elizabeth Dinkel designed the second floor combining the spare and minimalist elements of a modern beach house with the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean as her backdrop. Her design features clean, modern white lines paired with the some of the more organic tones found in the natural world. She designed the space with a professional art collecting couple who use their house to escape city life and catch their breath in mind. Her intent was to design a house that is sophisticated architecturally but not too fussy or overly serious.

Contemporary Beach House Two

Chris Barrett designed the first floor to include a combination of textures in light colors with white high gloss ceilings, grey walnut driftwood floors, and white grass cloth on the walls. The neutral colors of the living room are broken up with an unexpected pop of pink in the large custom area rug, while the window treatments and pillows showcase the new patterns and colors of Chris Barrett Textiles. The kitchen includes high gloss white cabinets with “Carrera marble” countertops manufactured by Bespoke Furniture. The family room includes a modern built in, a sectional, and Noguchi coffee table. The three story entryway is emphasized by the driftwood gray walnut planks extending from top to bottom, which contrast nicely with the high gloss lacquered walls. Credits go to Bespoke furniture, Marc Phillips, Elf Miniatures, Gigi Walker, Paris Renfroe, Phillip Jeffries, and Phenoyd Inc. for their contributions to the design.

Modern House One

Natasha Baradaran designed the first floor, containing a terrace, kitchen/dining area, family room, and powder room in a coastal color story of coral, turquoise and white for a modern take on beach chic paired with an elevated sophistication and unexpected edge. Through the creation of a custom dining table, imagined from a piece of a gate, stone-inspired fabric from Beacon Hill envisioned as a custom carpet, and Trove wall covering for a punch of pattern, Baradaran was able to accomplish a sophisticated twist on the classic beach chic vibe. Credits go to Holly Hunt, Beacon Hill, and Larsen through Cowtan & Tout for their contributions to the design.

Waldo Fernandez designed the second and third floors, containing two patios, two balconies, a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a master suite and bath. The design has a light airy feeling created by the dominantly neutral color palette and splashes of color throughout. Surprise touches of mid-century modern furniture and art custom made by PRD Miniatures and Mini Modernistas keep the design fresh.

Modern House Two

Jim Magni designed the first floor, containing a living room, dining room/kitchen, and outdoor Zen garden including a water feature in “Magni Modernism,” combining modern, art deco, Asian, and contemporary designs together for a look all its own. In keeping with the modern look of the home the rooms are done in a color scheme of whites, creams, taupes, and grays. The rooms’ furnishings and style are inspired from Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Magni Home Collection. Credits go to Fawn Dang and Sue Chitpanich of DAO Home, Kyle Bunting, Maggie Amir with Caeserstone, and PRD Miniatures for their contributions to the design.

Joan Behnke designed the second and third floors as an artist’s retreat with a top floor dedicated to a studio/gallery space and exterior decks to retreat and watch the waves and the second floor designed as a master bedroom, bath and meditation room. Behnke took a more “free” approach to furnishing the house becasue she wanted the house to be a space to showcase beautiful things, reflect, and create. Working with found objects and sculpted materials as inspiration for furniture designs, all of the furnishings are meant to be touched, held, and examined for some whimsical detail. The design’s color palette mimics that of the natural surroundings of the home, including warm neutrals and soothing sea tones.
Credits to Satori Designs, DeMott Drapery, Princes and Crows, Jaime Heintz, Leslie Evans, Margo Newman, Peterson Pottery, Valerie Jurado Botanical Design, Pierre Quinton Design Inc, G & E Custom Furniture, Arte Bella, C.G. Custom Tile and Marble, and Erin McGuiness.

Italianate House One

Lonni Paul designed the entry, dining room, and great room. While living in Italy, she was drawn to the more modern interiors of centuries old homes and designed the house with a mix of timeless elegance and a modern Italian sensibility. The color scheme includes blues and silvers in the great room and an all red palette in the dining room. Adding to the elegance of the design, the great room includes wall coverings from Trove and David Sutherland, Rubelli fabric for windows and Donghia for the sofas and ottoman. The rooms’ furnishings consist of custom designed pieces including a Ralph Lauren for the bench fabric. The dining room showcases Sahco curtains and wall coverings from Innovations for the ceiling and Maya Romanoff for the remainder of the room. Credits go to California Acrylic Design, Holly Hunt, and GGNStudio for their contributions to the design.

Adam Hunter designed the second floor to include a master bedroom with master sitting room and a child's bedroom. Hunter uses lush fabric and rich textures to create bedrooms with an old European feel but with a modern influence. The master bedroom has a color palette of silver, grey, crème, and pale lavender, while the child's room is a combination of mint pistachio and hints of soft pink. Credits go to Gigin Studio, A Life in Miniature, Mod Pod Miniatures, Cufflinks Cowboy Boots for their contributions to the design.

Italianate House Two


Cari Berg, Christine London and Mark Cutler
Tweeted by Tim Campbell
Mark Cutler designed the first floor as the ultimate girl’s dream house. Inspired by the great fantasy houses in Palm Beach and the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, Cutler design features a sophisticated neutral color palette for the two story entry that showcases a custom miniature “Ramona” chandelier by Fuse Lighting, and the striking “Martinique” banana leaf wallpaper before transitioning into the glamorous living room and library. Both spaces are brightened with vivid pops of pinks, reds, purples, and feature handmade Japanese wallpaper, custom made upholstery, and a creative blend of classic and contemporary dollhouse pieces and repurposed items that make for a luxurious fantasyland any girl would love.

Cari Berg designed the second floor landing, bedroom and studio for the fashionable girl. The landing is anchored by the classic Martinique patterned wallpaper and the runners, custom made by Merida, the upholstered borne settee and the drapery help layer the space and add to the cosmopolitan mix of materials. The abstract original artwork from artist, Loryn Kolbrenner, adds a graphic quality to the space. The bedroom is draped in a billowy white sheer and provides a dreamy backdrop for the modern lines of the custom upholstered pieces with a simple color palette of white and hot pink allows for the different textures to take center stage. The coolness of the marble and lucite coffee table, the warmth of the mohair rug and fabric walls come together to create the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. All of this is set off by custom miniature lighting, inspired by pieces found in today’s most stylish showrooms. The Studio is complete with all things a girl needs to be creative and fashionable. Custom lacquered wardrobes anchor one wall and provide a space to showcase her most stylish handbags. She has an antiqued mirror and Lucite table, allowing plenty of space to display jewelry or work on a sketch. White tufted upholstered walls envelop the room, highlighting the custom hot pink silk upholstered screen and tufted ottoman. The white fur rug covers the walnut floor with the most luxurious of textures.

Georgian House One

Martyn Lawrence Bullard designed the top floor to include a master bedroom, a guest room, and an upstairs landing. The top floor is done in black and white with a strategic pop of color in each room and features Martyn’s new Schumacher collection of wall coverings on the walls in each room.

Georgian House Two


Floor installed. Tweeted by Tim Campbell
Tim Campbell designed the first floor and exterior to have a transitional and modern look. The design uses a color scheme of creams and blues for a fresh look. Credits go to Soane Britain, Merida Meridian, and Canyon Interior for their contributions to the design.

Philip Nimmo designed the second floor to include a two room “gentleman’s lair”. In one room, a daybed floats in the center of the room behind a big agate-and-polished-brass coffee table flanked by 2 chairs. The second room is the lair itself, where a man would preoccupy himself with intellectual pursuits, his collections of art and objects found during his travels, and all of the curiosities that a 21st century Renaissance man desires. These eclectic furnishing and a high-contrast palette create a warm and inviting environment. The Gentlemen's Lair features ebonized floors with dark shades of gray furnishings paired with cream upholstery. Credits go to Cowtan & Tout, Larsen, Sandra Jordan, Phillip Jeffries, Larriane's Small Wonders, Kneedler Fauchere, Jean de Merry, Philip Nimmo (Furniture), Bespoke Furniture, and Roman Raygoza Fine Furnishings for their contributions to the design.

See more pictures of their work in progress and read the designer bios over here »

(FYI. Modern MC and I are collaborating to gather all of the artisans involved with making minis for this major project. I'll post URLs to artisans websites as we firm up the list.)

Monday, March 18, 2013

Sneak peek at progress on MCHUCLA Designer Dollhouse Showcase

I put together a page with more information on Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA Designer Dollhouse Showcase. Sources are credited. I will add updates as more photos and information is available. :)

Recognize the minimodernistas dresser and Reac Chairs? Those Tim Campbell floors are amazing, I can't wait to see those installed. Head over here for more »

Modern


Natasha Baradaran posted their modern beach house on facebook

James Magni furniture for modern house on facebook



Contemporary


Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield's sneak peek at their contemporary style house

Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield's “Malibu” beach house concept in an Olioboard collage


Jeffrey Alan Marks' JAM furniture for contemporary style house on instagram (tweeted by Modern MC)

JAM miniature furniture made by Palecek Design on instagram (tweeted by Modern MC)

More JAM furniture on instagram (tweeted by Modern MC)



Italianate


Mark Cutler shares work on Italianate style house read more

Mark Cutler Design's family room run through read more

Mark Cutler Design's library run through read more


Mark Cutler Design's entry concept board read more

Mark Cutler Design's family room concept board read more

Mark Cutler Design's library concept board read more



Brownstone


Estee Stanley's furniture for Brownstone style house on instagram

More of Estee Stanley's furniture on instagram

And more of Estee Stanley's furniture on instagram



Georgian


Design sketch of Georgian style house from Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn of Richard Manion Architecture Inc.


Tim Campbell's sneak peek at Georgian style house on his blog post

Philip Nimmo's sneak peek at Georgian style house. He is designing the second floor and attic, and making miniature replicas of his line of furniture. Posted on facebook


Tim Campbell's sneak peek of replicas of pieces from the Studio Tim Campbell furniture line and Soane Britain posted on Modern MC's twitter

Tim Campbell floors in progress from his blog post



Not sure which houses these belong to yet


Furniture by Petersen Pottery Company on instagram

Miniature Nantuckets by Peterson Pottery Company on instagram (tweeted by Modern MC)

Outdoor furniture by Peterson Pottery Company instagram



Hearth & Home table for Kaleidoscope Ball posted on Modern MC's twitter

Hearth & Home reception desk for Kaleidoscope Ball posted on Modern MC's twitter


MCHULCA Kaleidoscope Ball


An Inaugural Event to Benefit the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute
Featuring an Exclusive Designer Dollhouse Showcase


WHO

Event Co-Chairs Amanda Brown, Beth Friedman, and Shari Glazer with Honorees Steven and Heather Mnuchin

Renowned interior designers Natasha Baradaran, Chris Barrett, Joan Behnke, Cari Berg, Tim Campbell, Mark Cutler, Elizabeth Dinkel, Waldo Fernandez, Adam Hunter, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, James Magni, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Mary McDonald, Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, Philip Nimmo, Lonni Paul, Estee Stanley, and Ron Woodson and Jamie Rummerfield and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier

WHAT

The Kaleidoscope Ball and the Dollhouse Showcase will raise funds to benefit the UCLA Children’s Innovation and Discovery Institute at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. Under the leadership of Physician-in-Chief Dr. Sherin U. Devaskar, Mattel Executive Endowed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, a multidisciplinary team of physician-scientists and clinical researchers is working tirelessly to conduct cutting-edge research and deliver the finest, most advanced treatments and care available anywhere. These efforts will have a global impact that will benefit children today and for generations to come.

WHERE

Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA

WHEN

Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception, Dollhouse Showcase and Silent Auction followed by 7:00 p.m. Dinner, Awards and Entertainment headlined by Kenny Loggins and the Blue Sky Riders; hosted by Patricia Heaton

EVENT

For information on dollhouses and tickets, contact Rebecca at Grant Associates, 323-904-4400, Rebecca@grantevents.com or visit www.uclahealth.org/site_mattel.cfm?id=2410
• Sponsor Packages start at $5,000 and go up to $250,000
• Tickets Start at $500
• Tribute Journal Pages start at $500 (Deadline March 29, 2013)
• Dollhouses will be sold for $20,000 and up

PR Contact

Jill Eisenstadt bluPRint 310-208-1300 or jec@blupr.com

ABOUT Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA

Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art care in a compassionate atmosphere, as well as conduct research that improves the understanding and treatment of pediatric diseases and trauma, and to train the next generation of leaders in pediatrics. Ranking among the world’s elite, Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA offers a full spectrum of primary and specialized medical care for infants, children, and adolescents. It is a vital part of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, which continues to be ranked as "Best in the West" by U.S.News & World Report’s annual survey of America’s hospitals.

ABOUT UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute

The UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute promises a better future for all kids through transformative research, innovative delivery of care, and education of the next generation of physician-scientists and researchers. In partnership with committed philanthropists, the Institute is ready to undertake research and care that will change the nature of pediatric medicine, from reducing the number of diseases and the severity of those still in existence to lowering mortality rates. There are few endeavors more important than improving the quality of life and health for children and their families.

ABOUT Dr. Sherin Devaskar

Sherin U. Devaskar, M.D., is Mattel Executive Endowed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics, Physician-in-Chief of Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA, and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Children's Health, UCLA Health. In her role as the Executive Chair, Dr. Devaskar oversees all aspects of the Department of Pediatrics in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and provides leadership for advancing innovative research and education programs. As Physician-in-Chief, she leads Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA physicians and staff in providing the highest-quality, family-centered clinical care. And in the role of Assistant Vice Chancellor of Children's Health, she focuses on a variety of initiatives in UCLA Health aimed at addressing critical child-health issues locally, nationally, and globally.

ABOUT Honorees Steven and Heather Mnuchin

Steven Mnuchin is Chairman and CEO of OneWest Bank Group LLC, a Federal Savings Bank Holding owned by a consortium of private investors that acquired IndyMac Federal Bank, First Federal of California, and La Jolla Bank. OneWest Bank has approximately $26 billion in assets. He is also Chairman and CEO of Dune Capital Management LP, a private investment firm. Steven spent 17 years as partner at Goldman Sachs. Currently, he serves as a board member of MOCA, Los Angeles Police Foundation, and NY Presbyterian Hospital, and UCLA Health System. He also has served on the boards of the Whitney Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, City Harvest, and Riverdale Country Day School. Steven is a member of the Board of Sears Holdings Corporation and Chairman of its Corporate Governance Committee.

Heather Mnuchin is Vice Chair of the board of City Harvest in New York City and serves on the board of the Joyful Heart Foundation and Los Angeles Zoo. She has had an extensive career in retail and entertainment marketing. She also managed public-relations, licensing, and retail operations for Sesame Street and then served as Vice President of Marketing for Planet Hollywood, opening more than 60 sites worldwide. In addition, Heather was Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications for Launch Media, which went public and was sold to Yahoo. The company is now known as Yahoo Music.

ABOUT 2013 Designer Dollhouse Showcase

Award-winning visionaries from the design world have come together to work on an incredibly exciting dollhouse design project to support fundraising efforts of the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute. This special showcase features 10 custom dollhouses designed to scale by Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn of Richard Manion Architecture. The structures include Italianate, Georgian, Modern, Contemporary, and Brownstone and feature two or three levels complete with lighting, wall coverings, furnishings, fixtures, and other home accessories. They are works of art with all of the flair, sophistication, substance, amenities, resources, and details of the designers’ life-sized projects. The designer showcase will also include two mini-garden oasis landscaped by Stephen Block of Inner Gardens and Christine London Ltd.

100% of proceeds from the sales of the dollhouses will support the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute.


Read my features on the designers here and visit this page for photos of houses, designer bios and more details.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Mark Cutler Design's Fantasy Dollhouse for MCHUCLA

The committee for the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA Designer Dollhouse Showcase has brought together the League of Extraordinary Designers to create ten masterpiece dollhouses for their charity auction (more details on the event in next post). I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Cutler of Mark Cutler Design, named one of the Top 40 Design Firms in the Country by the Robb Report. "Known for interiors that are traditional in their basis but modern in their execution, as well as the ability to make his clients a mean martini and tell them a great joke." Mark was very cordial, funny and excited to fill us in on what they are up to.

Each of the ten houses have two design teams working on them. Mark partnered with designer Cari Berg, one of the designers he didn't know but quickly connected with as they both shared the vision of creating a spectacular dollhouse for a child to play with. Here is a sneak peak of the Italianate style house they are working on. All of the houses were designed by architects Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn of Richard Manion Architecture Inc. There are a few builders constructing the ten houses for the Designer Dollhouse Showcase; this Italianate house is being built by Matt Barnes of Finish Rite Construction.

Mark and Cari are tackling the project by dividing the floors. Mark is working on the entry, family/living room and library on the first floor, while Cari is creating a fun, girly craft studio and girls room on the second floor. Mark and his assistant Danielle Chivers kindly shared their project description, concept boards and photos of their run through while the house is being finished.

"Inspired by the great fantasy houses in Palm Beach and the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, the dollhouse is the ultimate girls dream house.

As you enter into the 1st floor of the dollhouse you are welcomed by a sophisticated neutral color palette of the two story entry that showcases a custom miniature “Ramona” chandelier by Fuse Lighting, and the striking “Martinique” banana leaf wallpaper.

Transitioning into the glamorous living room and library, both spaces are brightened with vivid pops of pinks, reds, purples, and feature handmade Japanese wallpaper, custom made upholstery, and a creative blend of classic and contemporary dollhouse pieces and repurposed items that make for a luxurious fantasy land any girl would love."



I chuckled when I saw the family room concept board, as that is the PRD Miniatures Sydney Entertainment Unit Paris made for my Antrim. As the house is 5 feet long, Mark asked Paris if he could build one 1 foot by 1 foot, and of course Paris obliged with this incredible wall to wall 4 screen entertainment unit. Besides PRD Miniatures, you may recognize the minisx2 wood tripod lamp and Peter Tucker lamps. Doron from Bespoke Furniture Inc. helped with the interior finishes.

Mark had a difficult time finding exactly what he was looking for (sound familiar?). Mark commissioned Janet Harvie from Maggie Melinda Miniatures to build and upholster all of the furniture. I think she did a fantastic job creating pieces based off the designs and pictures Mark sent. Her furniture looks like it was pulled off the pages of Mark's concept boards; I adore those scallop backed pink chairs. Working in miniature has involved a lot of improvisation and Mark has found himself looking at the world differently. He is finding ways to repurpose items to work in miniature: beads for lamp bases, napkin rings for table bases, handmade Japanese paper for wallpaper (we'll make a miniaturist out of him yet). Mark also reached out to vendors he works with in his full scale design business to help him create miniatures of their work. Fuse Lighting is creating a miniature replica of one of their popular chandeliers for the house.

Mark and Cari have been able to completely design the exterior with the help of Patricia from Patricia Benner Landscape Design. Their house will have a fantasy garden with hedges and a reflecting pool in front.

The wiring goes in this week, hardwood floors get installed, then wallpaper, baseboards, crown molding and finishing trim. The deadline for completion is March 30th when there will be a photo shoot of all of the houses. Just a few more weeks and we'll see these works of art in their full glory!

When asked how designing in miniature compares, Mark replied "it really is as much work as designing in full scale."

Special thanks to Mark and Danielle from Mark Cutler Design for providing all of the information, event details and photographs of their work in progress. I can't wait to see the finished house!

For more information on Mark please visit his website: Mark Cutler Design markcutlerdesign.com.

For more information on the MCHUCLA event, make sure you read all of Modern MC's posts on minimodern.blogspot.com and I'll be posting more information I unearth as well. For many of us, this really is the biggest thing since miniature sliced bread. ;)

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Why can't this be my dollhouse?!?!?


Brae (otterine, Reader's Choice Best Blog Finalist, go vote) sent me this link to Jeffrey Stephenson's work.

I am in awe. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, this computer enclosure is one step away from being an amazing dollhouse. The size is almost perfect, just pop out that computer, put in a second floor and some access panels, and presto fabulous dollhouse. Sadly, Jeffrey says he's just a hobbyist and does not sell his work. Man, what I would give for one of these converted to a dollhouse.

You can totally see how he drew inspiration from the Kaufmann House/Fallingwater (1935), Bachman-Wilson House (1954), Irving House (1909) and Coonley Playhouse (1912). Check out Jeffrey's website to read more about the Usonian project. He may not be selling anything, but for you DIYers there are over 200 more photographs of the Usonian project from start to finish to inspire you to build your own: bit-tech.net, HardOCP or Overclockers Australia.

Check out Jeffery's website to see more of his incredible work.

(all images and content based on Jeffrey's website slipperyskip.com)