Dreams Happen... amazing playhouses

Two years ago, I accidentally deleted my photos of this event, so this time I ditched the kids with the babysitter so I could enjoy seeing the houses and taking some photos to share. Modern MC linked to this event today, which reminded me I should finally post these.

Dreams Happen is a biennial event benefiting Rebuilding Together Peninsula. The fundraiser teams up architects and builders to design some pretty amazing children’s playhouses. This year I was glad to see more modern designs. The playhouses were on display at the open air Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, CA for the month of May and then auctioned off at the fundraiser with opening bids of $5,000. The playhouses have sold for $13,000 - $71,000!

This year's highest bid was $60,000 for "Backyard Outpost" designed by Arcanum Architects and built by Behrens-Curry Homes. The event raised $500,000 for Rebuilding Together Peninsula, a national organization that organizes volunteers to help repair/restore homes for low-income, seniors and disabled homeowners.


There were some fun ideas this year including this "Science Lab" by Hayes Group Architects, Inc., S.E.A. Construction, Inc. and Cody|Brock, Inc. Plus the wild and colorful "Oblique House" by Barbara Butler Artist-Builder, Inc.


I loved "(f)un.box" by Ana Williamson Architect, AIA and Mediterraneo Design. I know its designed for kids, but I can just picture kicking back with a summer drink on the roof under that umbrella.


My favorite was "GyMAZEium" by Peterson Architects and PlaceMakers, Inc. One side had a rope ladder and the other a fireman's pole, to drop down into the rooms, along with hidden exit doors. Both sides were connected by a crawl space under the stairs and slide that divide the rooms. I really liked the rope lighting on the roof panel connecting the two sides. I hope the kids that get this love it more than I do.



I was disappointed in the Dwell playhouse this year. I mean, its a box in a box with no lid. "The Dwell® little 'D'" by Davis Studio Architecture + Design and Dwell® Magazine has pretty cool white walls that fold up from the side walls to roof panels, but there is no roof over the black box so you can't leave anything in the "play" house that won't get ruined in the rain. I have a hard time picturing kids playing in it. Visions of sinister children of the corn'ish kids are all I can imagine lurking inside the black box. At the last event the Dwell playhouse was my favorite, so I guess I was hoping for something a little more playful this year.


I was completely blown away by "E-I-E-I-O" by Square Three Design Studios LLP and Benchmark Builders. I swear the designer must read MiniModern.blogspot.com, Modern MC has been dreaming of converting a barn into a modern home and well ta da! Complete with mini Eames Lounger and S Chairs and giant sock monkeys. The interior even looks like one of the kids rooms on Modern MC's blog! Too cute.

Now if only we can sway these architects even smaller. One can dream.

(top three images and last event's Dwell image are from Rebuilding Together Peninsula website, the others, well, I apologize for my lack of photography skills)

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)

Betsy McCall Dollhouse for sale in NY

Last year Melissa sent me pics of a renovated house that she found on Craigslist for $25, and thanks to all of you we found out it was made from the Betsy McCall Dollhouse No. 150W Do-it-yourself plans. Another reader, Laurie, has one she is looking to sell so if anyone is in the Long Island, NY area and interested in restoring a mid-century modern house, drop me a line and I'll send you her contact info.

Her doll house was built by her next door neighbor from the McCall's pattern when she was a kid. He made one for his daughter, too. Her's is a mirror image of the pattern (to make them different) except that the carport is still on the left. It's only partially finished. Much of the furniture is Petite Princess Fantasy furniture (and she found a few of the original boxes for those). The rest is assorted and Laurie doesn't recall where it's from. I particularly liked the little black rocking chair with flowers and the folding table and chairs in the kitchen. It's too big to ship, so local pick up only in Long Island in NY. Email me and I'll send you Laurie's contact info if you are interested in the house.

Arne Jacobsen MiiBox™ 1:16

Absence makes the heart grow fonder??? My apologies for the disappearing act - work, kids, vacation... the list goes on. I'm back and I'm trying to find more time to blog.

You've likely already seen this on others blogs, but when I received minimii's newsletter on my birthday announcing the sale of their new MiiBox, my jaw hit the floor. It is a smaller wall hanging version of their
true copy of Arne Jacobsen's villa at Gotfred Rodes Vej 2 in Charlottenlund, I blogged about here. I am in awe; I think the house is just stunning.

The first 300 MiiBox customers will receive a VIP furniture and accessory package. The smaller MiiBox version is still 1:16 scale, but it takes up half the space as the first house. The front of the house is hinged so it opens downwards to allow you to decorate when it is hung on the wall. The quality really looks incredible, and I would love to own one, but the price is out of my reach for now. The new MiiBox Wall Hanging Arne Jacobsen 1:16 house costs 603.89 € (about $860 US). The original Arne Jacobsen 1:16 House Model runs 939.46 € (about $1,340 US).

(all images from minimii.com)

Last of the Paul MacAlister 1/2" scale

Here are the unique hand crafted 1/2" scale miniature Mid Century Modern furniture that are currently on ebay. These are the last of the pieces created by Mid Century designer Paul MacAlister (died in 1986) in the 50's - 60's and have been in storage since for decades. These were from his personal collection and are the smaller size that he was known for, same as his Plan-A-Room. Mr. MacAlister hand crafted modern furniture in miniature scale for presentation of home furnishing ideas for his television show, retailers, industry and interior design clients. Some are more "traditional" than "modern", but still incredible examples of Mr. MacAlister's talent from over half a decade ago.

All images and details from ebay listings by seller countryhomme.


MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE DINING TABLE and 4 CHAIRS
Five piece dining set. Table with four matching chairs. Table is constructed with brass or bronze finish metal legs and base. The top is wood or composition board. Chairs constructed of painted wood seat and back. The legs are metal with penny feet.
Table measures approx. 1 5/16" by 1 5/16" by 1 3/16" high.
Chairs measure approx.1 5/16" high by 7/8" wide by 3/4" deep.





MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE THREE UNIQUE CHAIRS eames
Three unique hand crafted Mid Century chairs. The little red chair is a tripod, only three legs. The seat and legs are painted wood. The curved back is made of metal. The middle chair is an Eames design. Constructed entirely of wood. The third chair is reminiscent of a Gilbert Rhodes design. One piece metal base with painted wood seat and back.
Little red chair measures approx.1 1/8" high by 7/8" wide by 7/8" deep.
Eames style chair measures approx. 1 3/16" high by 7/8" wide by 7/8" deep.
Rhodes style chair measures approx. 1 1/4" high by 5/8" wide by 7/8" deep.





MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE PAINTED UPHOLSTERED CHAIR
Beautifully painted upholstered chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 7/8" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE UPHOLSTERED CHAIR #2
Painted upholstered chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 7/8" wide by 7/8" deep.



MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE CHIPPENDALE WINGBACK
Painted upholstered wing-back Chippendale chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 1 3/8" wide by 1" deep.



MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE OPEN ARM CHAIR
Painted upholstered open arm chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Painted finish is original but looks muddy around the edges. Chair measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 1" wide by 11/4" deep.



MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE CURVED BACK ARM CHAIR
Curved back open arm chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/8" high by 1 1/8" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY DANISH MODERN MINIATURE OPEN ARM CHAIR #1
Danish Modern open arm chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/8" high by 1 1/8" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY DANISH MODERN MINIATURE OPEN ARM CHAIR #2
Danish Modern open arm chair. The entire chair is constructed of wood. Frame is made of mahogany. Chair measures approx. 1 5/16" high by 15/16" wide by 7/8" deep.





MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE 2 CHIPPENDALE CHAIRS
Pair of Chippendale side chairs. Chairs are constructed of solid mahogany with painted wood seats. Chairs measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 3/4" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE 2 RIBBON BACK CHAIRS
Pair of Federal Ribbon Back side chairs. Chairs are constructed of solid mahogany with painted wood seats. Chairs measures approx. 1 3/4" high by 15/16" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE PAIR KLISMOS CHAIRS
Pair of saber leg Klismos chairs. Chairs are constructed of solid wood. Chairs measures approx. 1 3/8" high by 1" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE DUNCAN PHIFE CHAIR
Duncan Phife style side chair. Chair is constructed of solid wood. Chair measures approx. 1 7/16" high by 15/16" wide by 1" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE EMPIRE OPEN ARM CHAIR
Empire style open arm chair. Chair is constructed of solid wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/8" high by 7/8" wide by 15/16" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE EMPIRE SIDE CHAIR
Empire style side chair. Chair is constructed of solid wood. Chair measures approx. 1 3/8" high by 15/15" wide by 7/8" deep.




MID CENTURY TRADITIONAL MINIATURE PEMBROKETABLE
Pembroke Table. Table is constructed of solid mahogany. Table measures approx. 1 1/4" by 1 5/16" by 1 1/8"" high.




MID CENTURY MODERN MINIATURE LOW LONG BENCH
Mid Century low bench. Bench is constructed of solid wood base is mahogany. Bench measures approx. 3 5/16" long by 1 5/16" wide by 5/8"" high.




(all images and details from ebay listings linked above by seller countryhomme)