MAD DOLLS - Michael Williams latest work

I am slowly getting through my backlog of posts. Entering the DWR Mad Men sweepstakes and Mini Pig's Mad Men post on the Flying Piglet, reminded me of the Michael Williams (MAWphoto.com) latest work that I forgot to post. I'm guessing many of you have already seen this, but I just can't get enough of mid-century modern miniatures even if it is Barbie size.

Michael Williams 1:6 scale MAD DOLLS were featured in the March/April 2010 issue of Haute Doll Magazine (www.hautedoll.com). I fell in love with Michael's work after seeing his Welcome to the Haute Dollhouse and Barbie Loves Jonathan Adler!

The diorama and miniature furniture were created by Carolyn Allen of Mod-O-Rama. Check out her website for more of her fabulous mid-century modern 1:6 scale furniture and dioramas at www.mod-o-rama.com.
(all images from Michael Williams mawphoto.com on flickr)

Tom Bishop SF Miniatures Show

My Realitty and I both attended the Tom Bishop SF Bay Area Miniatures Show, but missed each other by a few minutes. She posted here on her trip. There were some great, high quality miniatures, but I knew it was going to be a small show, so I wasn't expecting much modern. Here are some of the pieces I enjoyed:
My favorites were the handblown glass by Ferenc Albert. How you make decanters like these, I have no idea. Just stunning. I loved the tumblers and assortment of stemware. The perfume bottles were so delicate. I bought the large oversized green vase looking piece next to the perfume bottles, its a demijohn used in the brewing process in the back in the day (THANKS GLENDA!) If I have a bar in a future house I will have to get some of the glassware and decanters. Plus, I loved the Chemistry set (my husband is a bio chem engineer, so our garage used to look like this before I took it over with minis).

Ferenc & Lilla Albert
Marco Island, FL
T: 239-642-2357
E: fermma (at) aol.com

Gilbert Mena "Fine Art & Furniture in Miniature" had some beautiful wood turnings out of burl wood.

Gilbert & Jeanette Mena
Valencia, CA
T: 661-259-5350
E: gilmena (at) webtv.net

Magic-n-Miniature had a ton of stuff, but I liked their acrylic and wood turnings the most.

Magic-n-Miniature
Suzan & Charles Harville
Batesville, AR
T: 870-569-4417
E: charles (at) magic-n-miniature.com
www.magic-n-miniature.com

I used to be a swing dance instructor so my toes started tapping when I saw these phonographs. When I get around to a mid century modern dollhouse I'll have to pick up one of the suitcase phonographs.

Golden State Phonographs
Trish & Ben Weber
Watsonville, CA
T: 831-262-4571
www.GoldenStatePhonographs.com


The next mini meet up will be better planned so we don't miss each other, but the 2010 Good Sam Show is the largest exhibit of dollhouse miniatures west of the Mississippi, so we will likely get split up again. Save the date: Oct 9-10 in San Jose, CA!

X10NY Art unique modern magazines

Modern MC got the scoop on this one, but Christen of X10NY Miniature Art sent me these incredible photos to share. These magazines and others are availabe for $9.99 on ebay under seller Goodwill8200.

X10NY Art has taken miniature magazines to a new level. Their high quality miniature magazines are made with real glossy covers and readable pages. They come in 1:12, 1:16, and 1:6 scale. What makes these so unique is the attention to detail. Each part of these items are hand cut and crafted, making each magazine a one of a kind, as no two magazines are alike. The magazines includes double sided pages, ads, and real images from the actual cover story featured in the magazine. All are limited edition. Each piece of artwork is signed and numbered by the artist and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.


Inspired by the work of master miniature book artisans like Barbara Raheb and others, items designed by X10NY are handcrafted to look and feel like the real thing. X10NY Art has other modern miniatures in the works including the Soho bed with modern bedding seen in the top photos.

There are only 1:12 scale magazines on ebay now, but if you would like to order 1:16 or 1:6, just contact Christen. And Christen just started a blog, so check that out for more details on available products here: x10ny.blogspot.com.

For further information please contact Christen:
X10NY Miniature Art
(347) 878-5877
x10ny.blogspot.com
X10NYArt (at) gmail.com


(all images from Christen at X10NY Miniature Art)

Jusali Scan Dollshouse

Justin, a CAD Technician from Bristol, sent me pictures of a modern dollhouse he is building for his daughter. Here is the proto-type of the "Jusali Scan Dollshouse" in 1:12 scale. Jus, as many of us, is a working full time parent and hobbiest on the side. He hopes to finish it for Christmas. He designs his houses by computer aided design so getting them manufactured will be a lot easier than cutting them in his shed. He has future plans for more designs and producing them as either self assembly kits or fully assembled houses.

I asked Jus about what got him started in minis...
"I have been a frustrated Artist/Sculptor/Designer since I can remember but have never found a medium that has given me as much excitement as designing houses. I could have studied Architecture but I’m not interested in the process of Architecture only the conceptualisation, if you get my drift? My daughter of course kick started the idea and once I got started I knew I had found a medium for my creative outlet at last!

The catalyst and a luxury I have spent years trying to achieve was my shed, I designed it bespoke and finally finished it last summer, this is my space and I can indulge my OCD type tendencies with gay abandon. It's got all the mod cons, sound system, PC, TV, all salvaged from skips, clearouts etc. It's even fully insulated with double glazing so not too hot in summer and not too cold in winter."

I love his house, but am even more envious of his shed. Thanks for sharing Jus. We'll look forward to seeing the house finished.

(all images from Justin A. in Bristol UK)

mini modern dollhouse by m+ddesign

David Lee sent me a sneak peek of the final designs of his mid century modern dollhouse co-developed with Matias Ocana. The mini modern dollhouse is for 3.5" dolls and is close to 1:18 scale. It is made out of eco-friendly woods, durable fastening methods for structural strength, and they softened the edges to make it child safe. It features an integrated carrying handle so it can be transportable and the open-roof design allows play in the open or closed position.

They do not have immediate plans to produce furniture, only the mini modern dollhouse. They are currently ramping up production for the house to be available in October 2010. For more information please contact David through his website www.davidleedesign.org.

(all images from David Lee Design)

Paris is in the house

So, I got a big box from Paris on Monday, but my camera battery died and the charger got mixed up in the kids toys. Ugh. Anyway, the box was filled for flooring samples, windows, balcony tiles, and the custom M.U.T.T. bed Paris made to match the PRD Miniatures M.U.T.T. mirror and bench my husband got me. I love it!! The built in night stands are so cool and look great with the legs of the bench. I love the bedding. Above are a few room layouts I was playing with.


Originally, I was thinking this guest room would be on the third floor, but Paris has been thinking a lot about the floor plan and has some great ideas I hadn't considered. We're swapping the guest room and master but I'll post more on that later. The big decision now is to choose the carpet. The plan is to carpet the guest room, the hallway and the third floor entertainment room. I really like all of the options, but would love your thoughts. Which do you like best?



Here is another shot of the bed (I'm still drooling over it) with all three carpets.

Next post, wood and tile flooring options and floor plans. More to come...

MiniModernistas on ebay

Ooo, MiniModernistas has some really cute pillows on ebay, these are just a few of the sets she has up. 2 days left on the auction, opening bids are $8.99. Hmm, now which to get? I want them all.

(images from MiniModerinstas ebay)

Mini Adventures

Today was such a treat. It was so nice meeting mini2b and Susan in person, and seeing My Reallity again. (Colette and Daphne joined us for tea as well).

Mini2b surprised me with the White Ribb Chaise from PRD Miniatures, it is going to look fabulous next to the new pool. Thank you, mini2b!! Susan brought all of us little goodies from the north. Thanks Susan! I threw the two portraits, mini ship, magnifying glass (that makes a great frame) and Canadian flags :) from Susan into the Antrim with the couch and chair that My Reallity had given me when we first met. The coffee table is a frame I bought on our trip to the SF MOMA Museum Store. I plan to add legs to make it more to scale. I hadn't realized how difficult it is to photograph clear polished acrylic. TV and side table are from SF MOMA Modern Playhouse, rug is A.G. Minis.

We all picked up some fun minis at the museum store. My Reallity spied this great book "Case Study Houses" by Elizabeth A.T. Smith that I had to pick up. She remembered that I have aspirations to build Case Study House #22. Here is just a photo of the book, but I'll post more on this project another time. Also coming soon... Mini2b loaned me a stack of magazines with some really interesting articles and pictures of modern miniatures that I'll scan and blog later.


For those that couldn't make it, we plan to have more mini adventures in the future. Well, actually next weekend. Tom Bishop San Francisco Bay Area Show is July 30-31. My Reallity and I are going Friday night. Drop me a line if you want to meet up. Until the next mini adventure... :D