Undersized Urbanite Reveal: Let there be dark

When I got back from Chicago International I decided to revamp The Emerson with some of my loot and some new furniture pieces I designed to glam it up a bit for the Undersized Urbanite contest. I was really unhappy with all of the reflections in the windows from the photos I took in March, when I remembered Anna-Maria's night shots of her Emerson on The Shopping Sherpa. I probably shouldn't have waited until the night before the contest ends to test this approach, as I found out too late that I really need a new camera. My usual camera was taking horrible photos in the dark, so I resorted to my iPhone, and here is the best of what I could get.

The tub, sink, wall with mirror and plant are Studio7. Toilet and bath faucet is from minismodernas. Shelf and rug are from ebay. Frames in windowsill are by me. Shark art is from Chiago International*.


Framed komonos artwork (coming to her website soon), pillows and rug are by minimodernistas. Dresser, perfume bottles, screen, bed, night stand, lamp and chairs are Maryann Roy from Welcome Home. White side tables are by me (coming to my shop soon), other decor by PRD Miniatures, Re-ment and from Chiago International*.

The dinning table and chairs, table runner and patio furniture are MiniModels. Wood bowl is RJT Miniatures. Painting is by Lisa from PRD Miniatures. Credenza is minisX2. Wood artwork is by Laser Creations. The grey vases are my Cityscape Vase collection. Accessories are from Neen, mini2B, and planter is by me from craft store supplies. Rugs from minimodernistas.

The upstairs sofa, chair and pillows are Maryann Roy from Welcome Home. Rug by minimodernistas. Accessories are from Chicago International*. White bookcase by me, for sale in my shop soon. Potted plant from ebay.

Platform Chair and Ottoman, pillow and 1:18 scale 3 Spheres hanging Lamp are by minimodernistas. The potted orchid is Minisde cris. Magazine by PRD Miniatures. Hexagon side table is by me and available soon. Bamboo plant made from craft store supplies. Kitchen is vintage Lundby.


Tufted Sofa, V-Leg Day Bed Sofa, pillows and rug are by minimodernistas. The credenza, coffe table and mirror are by Pepper from MitchyMooMiniatures. Accessories are from PRD Miniatures, Chicago International*, Kaleidoscope Dollhouse Accessories, CB2 and local mini shop finds. Square art accessories, X side table and black Fixation bookcase are by me and will be available soon.

* I'm still digging through receipts and business cards to remember which vendor I bought what from at Chiago International. I will post more details about these items soon.

Now I have to go check out the other reveals for the Undersized Urbanite 2014 contest. Thanks again for hosting Christina!

Undersized Urbanite Sneak Peek

The Undersized Urbanite 2014 contest ends at 8pm tonight. The competition is AMAZING, I don't stand a chance at winning, but I'm trying to get my reveal finished today. Originally, I had planned to build a new house, but there was no way I was going to finish in time. In March, I switched gears and decided to dust of The Emerson and finally put it to use. Here are some before and after photos and a sneak peek of the interior (reveal pictuers are coming soon with details).



For more details on the 2014 contest visit: Undersized Urbanite.

The Traveling Dollhouse of Sisterhood

The Emerson finally makes it's debut. It has been broken in by Modern MC, minimodernistas, my kids, and now it feels properly dressed again. Please click on the pictures to see the larger versions.



The house is 3/4" scale (1:16) but works fairly well with my 1:12 furniture although a 1:12 scale kitchen doesn't work. Pictured next to the fireplace is a vintage 1:18 Lundby kitchen that is a bit too small, but 1:12 kitchens look completely out of place.

One of the perks of building minimodernistas website is the hookups, the other is a great friend. Doris gave me the dollhouse, kitchen and chrome side table awhile back, and on my last visit she gave me several new pieces featured in this house.


All the rugs throughout the house are minimodernistas (new ones will be added to her website soon), plus the Tufted Sofa, V-Leg Day Bed Sofa, Platform Chair and Ottoman, pillows, and 1:18 scale 3 Spheres hanging Lamp. The credenza, coffe table and mirror are by Pepper, MitchyMooMiniatures. The upstairs sofa, chair and pillows are Maryann Roy Welcome Home. Accessories are from mini2B, PRD Miniatures and Kaleidoscope Dollhouse Accessories. The potted orchid is Minisde cris. Square art accessories are by me and will be up in my shop soon.



The dinning table and chairs, table runner and patio furniture are MiniModels. Credenza is minisX2. The grey vases are my Cityscape Vase collection. Accessories are from Neen, Anna-Marie and mini2B. Rugs by minimodernistas.


Framed komonos artwork (coming to her website soon), pillows and rug are by minimodernistas. Dresser, perfume bottles, screen, bed, night stand, lamp and chairs are Maryann Roy Welcome Home. Cubed side table is by me, other decor by PRD Miniatures.

The tub, sink, mirror, and plant are Studio7. Toilet and bath faucet is from minismodernas. Shelf and rug are from ebay.

I love the mid century modern style of The Emerson dollhouse, but photographing it is quite difficult. I have yet to figure out how to shoot through the plastic windows without getting glare and my reflection in the shot. The other problem is what's behind the glass. As you can see right through it, my carpet, closet doors, and anything else in the way make a less than attractive background. If you had your heart set one on of these, it looks like The Emerson and the second version The Edward (darker wood, no electrical) are no longer for sale on Brinca Dada. In fact The Bennet is gone too; so search online if you wanted to buy one as it looks like they are being discontinued by Brina Dada. Below are some more interior and exterior shots of The Emerson.


So, I've had this house for almost two years; the kids have played with it but it was mostly collecting dust. Last weekend I realized I was not going to be able to finish building the kit I wanted to use for the Undersized Urbanite 2014 contest, when a lightbulb went off that I should just use this perfectly good house that I have yet to touch. After digging through my minis to find the best of my mid century modern pieces, I spent several days decorating and figuring out what works where. Setting up the lights and photography took another two days, then blogging about it took a few more. Now I just have to narrow down which photos to submit to the contest.

If you haven't heard of the Undersized Urbanite dollhouse contest it's a fun contest with prizes open to experienced and new miniaturists.

"Any complete space that is designed in miniature, whether it is a single room, a garden, a park, a loft made from a shoebox or a completed official three-story wooden dollhouse. Start with an empty space on September 30, 2013 and finish it however your heart desires by May 5th, 2014." Check out all of the details at www.undersizedurbanite.com.