brina dada Stunt Brothers toys on Kickstarter

Whoa, I've supported several Kickstarter campaigns but I am really excited about brinca dada's campaign. My kids (okay I) would love these.

Kickstarter is a home for everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. It is full of projects, big and small, that are brought to life through the direct support of people like you and me. Since it launched in 2009, more than 3.9 million people have pledged over $579 million, funding more than 39,000 creative projects. brinca dada (known for their dollhouses) started the following campaign to fund the creation of their Stunt Brothers toys. It is a line of quality wooden toys that are fun, thoughtfully designed, and teach kids simple principles of science. Check out this video:



Full details at Kickstarter http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552678511/the-stunt-brothers-toys

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. ;)

Brinca Dada's Dylan House on ebay

Just saw 5 of Brinca Dada's Dylan House on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160610318813. $149.99 with free shipping in the US. You can buy directly from Brinca Dada too, www.brincadada.com/products/dollhouses/dylan-house

For more information on the Dylan House please read all of the great posts on Call of the Small.

(all images from Brinca Dada's ebay listing)

Oh what a night!

I know many of you wish you could have attended the DWR event and I apologize for not taking photos. My dear hubby took these for me as I was so busy meeting everyone and well, having the time of my life, but now I regret not going back and taking more close ups. This one I did take, I thought it was quite fitting that minimodernistas display was right under the Arco Floor Lamp (1:1 sold at DWR) that she makes a miniature of version of that is above her white Long & Low Sectional couch.

By now you've probably already read Modern MC's and Left Coast Mini's coverage of the event, but here is some more fuel for the fire. I'm really excited that Modern MC is looking into a larger global modern mini meet up, make sure you weigh in on location suggestions on her blog, so more of us can attend next time.

I felt so lucky to be there and see all of these incredible modern miniatures in person and meet the amazing designers Modern MC, Paris, Doris and Tim. Huge thanks to all of DWR and the Jackson Street Studio, Yuko, Jocelyn and Luca for making the event happen. Yuko is a huge fan Modern MC and worked with her to create this event. Yuko is a collector of Re-ment and Mini Designer Chairs, but now is a collector of PRD Miniatures, MiniModernistas and Brinca Dada, yay another convert! It was lovely meeting you, Yuko, and I hope we can go Re-ment shopping together!

Modern MC - minimodern.blogspot.com

I love Modern MC's blog and photos, but seeing all of the intricate details she puts into a house in person is quite a dream come true. She set up her Ocean Drive as "The Tea Tree" and oh boy was it inviting; I'm kind of a tea nut, so I wanted to move in and grab a drink. (Side note, looks like DHE is now able to ship Ocean Drive to the US. Kits start at $100, plus check out the new version with black accents). The downstairs DHE shelving units were packed with the cutest details and accessories. I continue to be amazed at what she finds and turns into modern minis. Awe inspiring to say the least.

Modern MC's Villa Sibi was equally impressive. Her work has a certain zen about it, where everything looks so effortless yet perfectly placed. I love how she combines collectors items with children's dollhouse furniture, mixes in a variety of items you wouldn't think of as miniatures and pulls it all together flawlessly. Simply divine. It's hard to look at her work without a smile spreading across your face, and then to meet her!?! I must admit when I first saw her I was thinking "OMG, you're Mini Modern, what do I say that won't make me sound like a moronic stalker fan? ... Without your blog I would have settled for Contemporary, OR never would have looked for and found my Antrim, OR without your blog I'd have a lot more money I wouldn't have spent on this addiction..." I went with "Hi, I'm Megan." Original, I know. Nice, witty, sincere, humble, beautiful, genuine, funny, kicks puppies; only one of these is not true. It was an absolute pleasure to meet her. Thanks MC for all of the chuckles over the years and more to come!

Paris Renfroe - PRDMiniatures.com

Paris's work is impressive enough on his website, but man, in the flesh, its even more impressive. I love the new M112 double wide and the great outdoor scenes. On top of the rust M112 Pod is PRD Miniatures true scale replicas of Greg Benson and Jeff Taly's "Go" Collection made for Loll (1:1 sold at DWR). On the slate patio are true replicas of the "Loll Adirondack" Collection (1:1 sold at DWR) also by Greg Benson and Jeff Taly. They will be for sale soon on Paris's website, I can't wait; these are going to look perfect on The Antrim rooftop patio.



The Sky Lofts! Oh these are beauties. The recessed lighting is so cool and so real looking. Only Paris could take the room box to the next level and make it so sophisticated and modern. I will definitely post more details when these are for sale at PRD Miniatures.


Gallery 112 is just about the coolest thing I've seen yet. The LED recessed lighting and spot lights are incredible and have converted me to add lighting to all of my houses. I wish I would have taken a picture of the ceiling to show the lights. The art work in the gallery (and the artwork in my Antrim) are all one of kind pieces painted by Paris, his wife Lisa and their artist friend Karen Mazzarella, available pieces are for sale here. Not only does Paris's wife Lisa contribute artwork to PRD Miniatures, but she has a new line of gorgeous miniature bed linens that will be for sale soon. I think it is so cool that the mini passion has spread equally to this creative couple. Lisa and Paris used to run an Art Gallery Co-op together. At first Lisa wasn't sure if her paintings would work in the 1:12 scale, but they do indeed and are even more beautiful in person. I think art transcends size, Paris and Lisa prove it.


And of course it wouldn't be a show without the classic M112 Pods. I love the vibrant colors, interior finishes and the frosted glass doors. Love these! I've spoken/emailed with Paris a lot with all of the work we're doing on the Antrim, so I already knew he was a really cool enthusiastic guy, but meeting him was a real treat. Paris has a ton of ideas still in the works, he is so passionate about modern miniatures, and makes such original pieces his work is totally recognizable. Lisa was equally as cool and fun to talk with, and its so great seeing a couple work together to create such a wide range of brilliant modern designs.

minimodernistas - Doris Nathanson - minimodernistas.com (website store coming in Nov.), etsy store, Flickr photos

I loved Doris/minimodernistas' acrylic towers display cases. She had two four story towers showcasing her incredible work in room settings. So much fun to ogle over. I'm actually building her website, so I'm quite familiar with her work in photos, but up close, ooo la la, nothing says Mid Century Modern like minimodernistas. The high quality of materials and attention to detail on every piece is amazing. I had seen her Ribbon Lamp on many blogs and thought "I could do that" but um no, I can't. The materials used and precise detailing are well out of my league, the photos seriously don't do her work justice.

Another section was like a showroom with all of minimodernistas collectables lined up. I wanted to take one of everything in every color. I love the Long & Low sectionals, sofas and chairs, but the Tootsie Roll sofas are to die for as well, and the Case Study series, ugh, I need more houses so I can buy more. It was really cool seeing her 3/4" scale furniture that fits perfectly in the Emerson House.


Doris also set up two Fish Condos to create room boxes for her 3/4" scale designs. They are so cute and little, just like her. We have talked on the phone and I knew she was incredibly sweet and nice, but she has a very resonate voice that reminded me of an opera singer, so I wasn't expecting the adorable, petite, real life Doris. I'd love go karaoke with her, I'm guessing she can belt out some tunes.

Tim Boyle - BrincaDada.com

Oh the Emerson House, beautiful fun indeed! Doug Rollins and Tim Boyle are really onto something here. Like everyone, I LOVE the moveable staircase. The solar panel powered LED lights and the architectural structure are beyond impressive. I love this house, and I love the photos of the Bennett House, and I'm guessing I'm going to love dollhouse #3 and #4 that are down the line. I love the idea of making quality, durable modern dollhouses for kids and pleasing collectors as well. I'm so glad these guys are out there bringing their houses to the market and I can't wait to see the furniture when it comes out later this year and future plans from them. Tim Boyle is a super nice guy and I enjoyed meeting and talking with him and his lovely wife Iris. They have four kids so their prototype dollhouses definitely get their fair share of abuse and testing. When my kids are a little older and they'll get their chance to put their hands on one. Thanks Brinca Dada, I can't wait to see what you have next!


I have to get some work done tonight so I'll post my Antrim photos later. More to come...