"Welcome Home" Lounge

Back in December when I met Maryann Roy, she surprised me with this gorgeous credenza and these fabulous barrel style chairs. The blue is almost a perfect match to the Tiffany's blue in my Zig Zag shelving unit by PRD Miniatures. Thanks so much Maryann, I am loving them! Sadly, these are the last 1:12 scale pieces she made and it might be a while as she's pretty content (and busy) in her Barbie size world. (Minimodernistas makes 1:12 scale barrel chairs if you're dying to get your hands on some.) Maryann Roy sells fabulous 1:6 scale items on her blog here: maryannroy.wordpress.com.

This is the hallway room in my Antrim that I have been trying to find a purpose for. I think the chairs and credenza really make it a cool lounging around area. I'd hang out and read a book here.
I picked up a few goodies from CW Lubin Wood Turning on etsy; the two wooden candlesticks at the the end of the credenza, chrome metal vase on middle shelf, and the tall green vase on the upper right shelf.

Da deets: Maryann Roy: chairs, lamp, credenza, beads on middle shelf. PRD Miniatures: Zig Zag shelving unit, TV, SLICE vortex side table, square glass beads. Accessories: Re-ment, Bozart, orchid by fortunate island minis, Gilbert Mena round wood turning on 2nd from top shelf, mini dream world, CB2 ornament cut in half, dollhouse shows, craft store and ebay finds.

Maryann Roy window display

Over the holidays, I was able to break away from the family for an afternoon to drive out and meet Maryann Roy. I am a huge fan of her work, and was very excited she invited me to her home. She is an absolute doll in person and it was pleasure to meet her in person. I got to see some of her amazing collection and see how she works behind the scenes. Very inspiring.

We drove out to Torrington together to see the holiday window display she had built for a fabulous little boutique, Brazen Betties. You can see more photos and read about it here: maryannroy.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/holiday-window-display-revealed/. The display was really eye catching. I love anything that helps showcase miniatures to a new audience and this did it with a ton of glam to boot. Hats off Maryann! Hanging out with you was a highlight of my trip. Good luck on future window displays. Looking forward to seeing them.


(top two images are from Maryann's blog maryannroy.wordpress.com)

Maryann Roy shabby to chic DIY tutorial

(Carol, I know you're going to love this one!)

Maryann Roy has a really cool DIY post with details and directions on how she resurrected this shabby Barbie furniture into stylish mid-century modern chic. The furniture is 1:6, but great tips for any scale.

(all images from Maryann Roy's blog maryannroy.wordpress.com)

Thumbs up for Dylan House by brinca dada

My Realitty loaned me her Dylan House by brinca dada after the Good Sam Show (so yes these photos are a month old, par for the course). I had a really limited time slot to work with; I spent one evening in my garage unpacking and digging through miniatures to use in the house. The next day I had an hour and half while the kids were sleeping before we had to be at a party. I balanced a stool, boxes of furniture, accessories, tape, camera on top and carried everything from my garage, across the street to the marsh wetlands in front of our house on the bay. It was easily 150 yards. Bad idea to do it by myself. My arms were about to fall off and I was freaked out I was going to trip and drop everything. By the time I carried it out there, I had 20 minutes to set everything up and take photos before I had pack it up and hike back. I got a lot of odd looks from people biking and walking by, and a bark attack by a dog that didn't like seeing the walking boxes. Oh and the WIND! I almost got my socks knocked off. I gave up on adding more accessories, because they kept blowing over. I was a sweaty mess by the time I made it home, but I think the pictures were worth it. Come inside and take a look.


The living room set, couch, chair, coffee table and side table are from Maryann Roy. Pillows and room divider from minimodernistas. Low modern dresser from ebay. Rug is fabric sample My Realitty. Accessories from PRD Miniatures and Good Sam Show purchases.


I made a false wall for the back of house to "wallpaper" all of the rooms, as the back is entirely open for access. The kitchen counter is two wood samples from My Reallity on top of cardboard with a tinfoil sink, very low tech, but I was short on time. Table is IKEA. Tulip chairs are Modern MC. Lamp and red plate on wall are My Realitty. Stove, pots, pans, side table are Mighty World, I can't believe I finally got use out of my Philippe the Chef set.

I was also surprised that the Kaleidoscope House bathroom set fits great in the 3/4" scale. Shelf and planter boxes are from minimodernistas (one I filled with plants from craft store). Ceiling light is scrap from Tap Plastics. Wallpaper is room divider from Maryann Roy. Can't remember where I got the plant. Coffee mug is from mini2b, I meant to put it on a side table, but ran out of time.


Mirrored bedroom set of bed, dresser, side table, lamp and blue bead accessory are Maryann Roy. White chair, wood side table, and bench are Paul MacAlister. Triple silver lamp and framed shells are minimodernistas. Silver room divider/headboard from Modern MC from Tap Plastics. Rug is another fabric sample from My Realitty. Coffee mug from mini2B. Accessories are PRD Miniatures, AG Minis.

Overall, I love this house even though its smaller than my preferred scale. My kids were enamored as well. We may be getting one for them for the holidays. Thanks so much My Realitty for the loaner. It was fun ride. I think the house will have another adventure before it returns to you. ;)

Antrim Living Room II. Maryann Roy.

Welcome Home. Finally. I bought this living room set from Maryann Roy last April, and 4 months later... well sorry, but sadly I have even older posts on my blog post to do list. I'll get there, bare with me.

The Shopping Sherpa blogged about Maryann's work last year. Although known for her incredible 1:6 playscale furniture and designs, Maryann was lured to the dark side and made some neo-retro 1:12 scale suites! This living room suite, blogged about here, was inspired by the Japanese Rooms-in-Miniature set that Call of the Small blogged about. Maryann was so taken by the chair and sofa, she thought she'd take a stab at a Japanese inspired set.


I plan to put these in another house, but as that is still under construction, I wanted to show these off before it takes another half year. It's funny because I'm not a huge fan of orange in my own home, but in miniature it is one of my favorites. I love the orange fabric on the sofa and chair and I love how Maryann used a bead for the base of the table lamp. I think the Japanese inspired set makes a pretty chic modern room.

These two pictures were taken from inside the house. Another "D'oh!" moment as the painting and one of the ceiling lamps is crooked, the chaise is turned flat to the wall instead of towards the room, and then jeez there is my entire messy garage in the background of the other one. Unkempt indeed, but still a cool shot into the dining room and kitchen.

Da deets: maryann roy: sofa, chair, solid green pillows, room divider, coffee table, end table, bead accessory on table, lamp on end table.
minimodernistas: rug, ribbon lamp, ball clock, other pillows and horizon night table.
PRD Miniatures: painting, large rust pot with verde plant, custom fireplace, leather chaise, M.U.T.T. floor mirror, kitchen and dining room furniture.
Others: ceiling lamps and tall plant behind couch are made by me, vases and accessories picked up at miniatures show, magazines from X10NY Miniature Art.

You can read more about Maryann Roy and her "Neo-Retro Furnishings for today's Fashion Dolls" on her website (www.maryannroy.com), or follow her work on her blog "Welcome Home" at maryannroy.wordpress.com. Or read my other blog posts on her 1:12 work here.

Maryann Roy limited 1:12 suites for sale now!

Check out these gorgeous 1:12 scale miniatures Maryann Roy is selling on her blog. She made two sets of each suite and there is also one dresser being sold separately. Full details at: maryannroy.wordpress.com.

I've blogged about Maryann before; she is an expert in restoring vintage dolls, has been featured on television and in several magazines, wrote a column on doll restoration and currently is a contributer to Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine, where her articles are on both vintage and modern dolls. Maryann is constantly designing and creating new suites of furniture, but primarily in 1:6 play scale size. These are the first 1:12 suites she is selling. 1:6 is still her first passion, but hopefully we will see more 1:12 from her in the future.




(all images from Maryann Roy. Blog: maryannroy.wordpress.com. Website: www.maryannroy.com)

Maryann Roy in 1:12, who wants some?

I've blogged about Maryann Roy before after The Shopping Sherpa posted some of her work last year. She is most known for her playscale furniture and designs, but she has been dabbling in 1:12.

Maryann has been drooling over Paul MacAlister's work on ebay and got inspired to do something in 1:12 scale. She originally wanted to create something MacAlister-like but after stumbling upon the Japanese Rooms-in-Miniature set that Call of the Small recently won, she switched gears. Maryann was so taken by the chair and sofa, she thought she'd take a stab at a Japanese inspired set.



The pictures speak for themselves. Absolutely gorgeous!
Bad news, being half the size she is accustomed to working in, the 1:12 scale is an eye strainer and she's not sure she can make multiples of these as she had originally intended. Good news, Maryann will likely auction off this set instead! She may have a change of heart and decide to make more, so maybe we can help persuade her. If you have any interest in a similar set, please leave a comment for her below.

Additionally, last year she enjoyed making these 1:12 mirrored pieces as part of a 1:12 bedroom set for a local charity auctioning off a dollhouse last year. They have a great Hollywood Regency feel to them. Maryann is curious if there is any interest these. Please also leave a comment if you would be interested in purchasing 1:12 scale mirrored pieces like these.

You can read more about Maryann Roy and her "Neo-Retro Furnishings for today's Fashion Dolls" on her website (www.maryannroy.com), or follow her work on her blog at maryannroy.wordpress.com.

(all images courtesy of Maryann Roy)

The Wilson House - shrine to mid century laminate

Retro Renovation is an incredible blog focused on mid-century modern renovation. I've visited the site over the years for design ideas and inspiration, but I missed the posts on The Wilson House. Maryann Roy sent me the link to this cool video about the house. Last year she made a miniature of the living room with the motiff on the wall for Barbie, but you can see the real living room in the video and pictures linked below.

Cool video "The Wilson House - shrine to mid century laminate" »
More pictures of The Wilson House »

Thanks for the scoop, Maryann!

Maryann is still a Barbie girl, but she did create this beautiful 1:12 bedroom set for a local charity auctioning off a dollhouse last year. Looks like we're not the only ones wanting more 1:12 from Maryann. I blogged before about some of her work here, but you can see more of Maryann's gorgeous 1:6 scale "neo-retro furnishings for fashion dolls" on her site here maryannroy.wordpress.com.

(images from Retro Renovation and Maryann Roy)

Mid-Century to Mod: Maryann Roy

A few months ago, The Shopping Sherpa posted some great mid-century modern designs in 1:6 scale she tracked down by Maryann Roy (read her blog to see how she found Maryann). I emailed Maryann to inquire if she worked in 1:12 scale. She has done some 1:4 scale (for 16" dolls) and experimented with a furniture suite in 1:12. She enjoys reading many of the modern miniature blogs, but alas her heart is in 1:6 her scale. I'm hoping when she's less busy we can convert her to do more 1:12 scale work. I mean, we have way better modern houses in our scale. :)


I love her tag line: "Neo-Retro Furnishings for today's Fashion Dolls". Maryann is most well known as an expert in restoring vintage dolls. She has been featured on television, and several magazines Dolls in Print, Barbie Bazaar, Haute Doll, and Miller's Magazine, where she wrote a column on restoration.


Over the years Maryann wanted her articles and photos to be just as good as others she was inspired by, but unable to find the pieces she really wanted she decided to design and make them herself.


Currently, Maryann is a contributer to Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine, where her articles are on both vintage and modern dolls. She is constantly designing and creating new suites of furniture. She generally doesn't take commissions, as it would interfere with trying to create all of the ideas she already has in her head. Although, she has done some special commissions for doll websites, a few doll dealers, and of course the FDQ magazine. She created some beautiful backgrounds, furnishings and accessories for Integrity Toys (partly owned by fashion designer Jason Wu) line of fashion dolls (see photos here).


I love Maryann's design ideas, and am truly inspired by her new pieces with a futuristic modern look. I'm excited to pick up the Autumn 2010 issue of Fashion Doll Quarterly Magazine, to read her latest article. Here are a few photos that were not used in the article.



Photos courtesy of Maryann Roy. For more details please visit Maryann's website (www.maryannroy.com) or her blog, where she sells her work at maryannroy.wordpress.com.