Faux wood flooring in the Lekman

Follow up for questions on the last post... the flooring is sample contact paper from DesignYourWall.com. A few years ago I bought several samples, but have only used the wood grain one. From left to right the samples I ordered are: Natural Fabric, Alessa Silver, Brushed Silver, White glossy, and Mahogany strip parquet.

The samples are $5.99 each for about a 17" x 22" sheet folded in quarters to fit in a 10" x 13" envelope with free shipping. It's a bit pricey considering many hardware/kitchen stores or home good stores sell a whole roll of contact paper for under $10. Plus, folding it adds lots of flaws and wrinkles. :( Ordering online is tricky because you can't tell if the scale will work, so I prefer to buy in person and on the roll, although there are way more styles available online. The first two I showed, Natural Fabric and Alessa Silver, were from the woven linen collection and were the wrong scale and looked weird so I won't be using those. The Brushed Silver and White glossy will work, I just have to find a use for them. Besides the rough spots/bumps/creases I couldn't get out in the Mahogany one, it really looks good and fits 1:12 scale well. I try to cover the flaws with furniture and rugs if I can.

Unfortunately, it looks like the Mahogany contact paper has been discontinued. "Mahogany strip parquet self stick wood grain wall contact paper" was the listing name. I searched online and other stores are also sold out of it.
I did find one company that is selling this Oak version of what I'm using for $8.99 per roll. BerlinWallpaper.com, scroll to the bottom of the page for the listing "Strip Parquet Oak Wood Grain". A roll is around 17 inches by 6 feet, so you will have PLENTY to last for numerous projects.

(ACK! They only ship to the U.S.! I just ordered some, if anyone outside the U.S. wants some let me know and we can work something out.)

The Lekman box from IKEA makes a great roombox if you want to get started in modern miniatures. IKEA sells the Lekman box in red, grey and white for $12.99 but it often goes down to $9.99 on sale. It is 13 x 14 1/2 x 13" so it's a little big for 1:12 scale, but I think the high ceilings make it feel like a converted warehouse or industrial space which bodes well for modern designs.

Lounging in the Lekman

Just a few quick pics from the IKEA Lekman box. Leave a comment if you want to know where specific items are from, but most everything is minimodernistas (bed, lamp and grey standing shelves), PRD Miniatures (mirror, painting, book), rug by Pepper, plant from Lolly's, Reac Barcelona day bed, accessories from Chicago International finds, and stuff from my shop.
Updated: painting on right is by Michael Bush "Ghost in the Darkness" from Tiny Out Loud Kickstarter (and here's the trailer for folks who haven't seen it: http://vimeo.com/76661143).

Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too?

As part of the January Cure (Assignment 6: Choose a piece of artwork to frame & get the process started for framing it), I made a trip to IKEA to get the needed picture frames for two pieces of artwork we're framing. I saw the Lekman box is now available in solid white, and at only $12.99 I couldn't resist picking one up. It makes a great mini studio space.

The de-cluttering and cleaning process is coming along. I tackled the kids art table and the backyard, and figured I deserved a break. I set up the Lekman box and cut a piece of wood grain contact paper (shelf liner) for flooring. I had done a swap with Pepper but one of the items and a lamp broke at the time, but her swap was better than mine so I figured we were even. Pepper completely surprised me with a wonderful Christmas package stuffed with mini presents (and chocolates that I gobbled up right away). The Lekman Box seemed the perfect place to showcase her incredible work.

Deets: Pepper, MitchyMooMiniatures - red chaise, floor lamp, wood framed mirror, rug, coffee table, credenza, table lamp, and luggage (I will find the artisan that made these, I know she's mentioned her on her blog, I just couldn't find at time of posting). minimodernistas - sofa, pillows. PRD miniatures - books. Accessories - craft store, show finds and Kaleidoscope House accessories.