Vintage Theo Klein Garden Furniture

I saw this vintage Theo Klein garden furniture set on ebay. It's not the Theo Klein dollhouse furniture I'm looking for, but I thought someone might be interested. It is for fashion dolls up to 30 cm (almost 12") so I'm guessing 1:6 scale (?). They ship worldwide and opening bid is $9.99, but it is a one day auction so it ends about 20 hours.
Details from seller "... mint in the box theo klein garden doll furniture. It appears that all of the pieces are still with this set, but not 100% sure. This is a nice set, and made really wonderfully too. The box does show a little more than normal shelf wear to it."

(images from ebay auction from seller vintagegemsatoz )

Modern Furniture Plans in American Miniaturist

Does anyone have the July 2010 issue #87 of American Miniaturist? The cover article is "Miniature Modernity - Chic furniture you can make", but before I buy, I'm curious if the directions are only for the couches on the cover or if there are more designs in the magazine.

Magazine available for $6.95 at earthtreenminiatures.com.

(image from earthtreenminiatures.com)

My Article in Dolls' Houses Past & Present Magazine

I beefed up my article "So you want a modern dollhouse" with some new houses and budget friendly ideas inspired by fellow modern dollhouse bloggers for the June issue of Dolls' Houses Past & Present Magazine.

The updated version is on my site as well: Read it Here. This is still a work in progress. I have more houses to add and I would love any suggestions for others I have missed or information on builders. Please email ideas to modernminifan (at) gmail.com.

Here are a few of the new additions, please check out the article for more details on each.

PRD Miniatures Summer Sale

If you are not subscribed to the PRD Miniatures newsletter, you may not have heard yet about the super "Summer Sale" with 10-50% off many items. Sale ends July 31.

I am definitely getting some of the cubes. I love the orange but they also come in natural wood, powder blue, and metallic, plus the tribal effect is pretty cool. Oh the possibilities. Check out the sale here.

(all images from www.prdminiatures.com)

Updated FR8 House Photos

My last post on PRD Miniatures FR8 House was when it was only 70% complete, so in case you haven't seen these new pictures yet, I just had to share.

I think my Antrim house definitely needs a pool and deck like this on the rooftop.
I think the angles of this house make every view incredible. There is something amazing to look at in every room. I love the walk in closet. If only my real house was this nice. Check more photos on PRD Miniatures shutterlfy page.

(all images from m112podsbyprd.shutterfly.com/25)

Floor plan dilemma

We're starting on the floor plan for the main level. Staring at the space was getting me no where, so I threw random furniture into the rooms to see how it would look. Having the kitchen on the left seems awkward as the front door is on the far left and you'd walk into the house through the kitchen. But if the kitchen is on the right then the fireplace becomes less of a focal point, and gets crowded behind the dining room table. Luckily, I'm sure Paris will have some brilliant ideas when I call him to discuss tomorrow.

Good thing #3

Ask and Paris answers.
A few weeks ago I was asking for suggestions on flooring for my Antrim house. I know I don't always read every comment on everyone else's posts, so here are the comments from Paris Renfroe of PRD Miniatures I had to share as I think I'm not the only one interested in Paris's work:
"I can make floors of any dimension, any species that are perfectly scaled. The price is reasonable too, as I use a laser cutting machine to mill my parts. All I would need is the floor plan dimensions or paper template. I could even sand them down for you, and let you finish them off. I will be cutting custom tiles from various laminates too, and selling them by the square foot. I'm here to help, and the advice/quotes are free. To give you an example, a walnut floor, with 1/4"-1/2" planks would be $30 per square foot, plus shipping. The sky is the limit people!
Here is an image of the double Pod with walnut floors http://m112podsbyprd.shutterfly.com/1127#1129

This room is 16" x 20", so it's about 2 1/2 square feet, or about $75. If that's too steep, then I can cut the pieces for you for half the price, ship them to you, and you can glue/sand/and finish them yourself. It's actually pretty easy, and it's a lot of fun. So I recommend you try to do it yourself, but if you don't feel mechanically inclined, then send me an email with your specs. More images can be seen at www.M112podsbyprd.shutterfly.com"


So, good thing #3 this week is meeting Paris (albeit over the phone) and taking him up on his offer. He should receive my floor plans tomorrow (construction paper taped together) and then we are off and running to make the most out of this house.

This house is so huge, it has been a bit intimidating as to where to start and what to do with the floor plan. With Paris's design background he has a lot of insight as to what will work well and look good. Plus he has a lot of tricks to making things, and making them look real that he's willing to share. I've been a huge fan of his miniatures since first seeing them on MiniModern, but until now hadn't realized the full range of services he offers. I'm really looking forward to working with Paris and excited to blog all about it. Much more to come (hardwood floors, tiles, doors, kitchen, bathroom, spiral staircase... I may have to rename it the Paris House).

In other news, Paris is building a line or two in 3/4 (1:18) scale for not only the Emerson and the Bennet Houses, but he is also doing a line of custom car showrooms in 1:18 scale for diecast collectors. Just think "mini Man Caves" complete with electronics like Paris' TRIO media players and bose desktop system. I'm never going to own a real lamborghini or ferrari, but I could pimp out a mini garage with one! That might actually get my husband to hang out in my mini houses.

Thank you Jean and Mini2b!!

Good thing #2.
Jean R. of Florida sent me an email regarding my inquiry for Ira Grandberg's dollhouse plans (read the comments on My Vintage Dollhouses and Other Treasures). She found the plans in her attic and made PDFs of them for me. She scanned them in pieces allowing overlap so they could be assemble like a jigsaw puzzle. (45 pages!!!) Jean also attached a booklet of directions and diagrams for making the furniture and accessories "From the Mid-October 1976 issue of Woman's Day A Dream of Dollhouse To Build" (another 18 pages!) Thank you so much Jean!! I've been dying to get my hands on these and have been getting all sorts of ideas to build items. Coincidentally, I had just built my first couch the week prior, and although my measurements were slightly different, I constructed the frame the same as Mr. Grandberg. I had mocked up several different layouts but thought it was pretty cool I ended up using the same one as his.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the plans, please contact Mr. Grandberg at www.grandbergarchitects.com.

Since a version of the dollhouse went up on ebay (now it's starting at $225) several of us had been trying to track down the plans. Mini2b searched and bought the October 1976 issue, but then found out it was the "Mid" October issue (jeesh, how many issues of Woman's Day came out in a month?). She tried the library, but the electronic copies of the magazine only go back to 1977. Mini2b even contacted the Museum of the City of New York where The Woman's Day dollhouse (Ira Grandberg's) is part of the Museum's collection (MCNY accession
number 76.118). Only to find out that the Museum doesn't sell plans for this dollhouse, and their curatorial files are in storage so they couldn't access the magazine article that featured the house. Finally, she tracked down and contacted Mr. Grandberg directly and he sent her this response: "Your e-mail is timely in that I have been looking into 're-introducing' the plans to the market. I'll look into the logistics of establishing a mailing package and its related out-of-pocket costs. Thanks for linking me into the blog-very exciting! If you wish to contact the blog and pass on my information, I have no problem."
Thanks for all of the great sleuthing Mini2b!!!

Muchas Gracias María José!!

They say good things come in threes. #1...
Work has been insanely busy, but last week rewarded me. María José of Marivigano.blogspot.com was the winner of my May giveaway. The floor lamps made it all the way to Spain unscathed. María José wanted to send me something and surprised me with all of these wonderful minis! Thank you so much María José, that was so generous of you! I will put them to good use. We had cupcakes on my birthday so this is officially my birthday cake this year. :D

Arne Jacobsen Design Dollhouse Concept

Minimii's 1:16 true copy of Arne Jacobsen's house at Gotfred Rodes Vej 2, Charlottenlund, was all the buzz after debuting at the Formland Exhibition in early 2009 in Denmark. (I first saw it on MiniModern here). As with many builders they had some set backs, but it looks like it's almost here. The dollhouse is going to be available in stores worldwide in October, but the company will be taking pre-orders online in late July for first delivery end Sept./early Oct. Price is € 840.

The Arne Jacobsen Designer Dollhouse will be a limited production series and houses will be individually numbered. Its fully licensed and approved by Arne Jacobsen Design I/S and Arne Jacobsen's descendants. There is no mention yet of which will be the next designer house.


Besides being a gorgeous replica, what I find most unique is the construction. The railings and staircases are made of metal and the house is made of reusable plastic material with an iron-inlay technique allowing magnetized items (lamps and paintings) to be easily moved wherever you want. Pretty clever.

At one point the website indicated a 1:12 kit version would be available, but no mention on the website currently, they're probably pretty focused on the launch. I'm guessing the 1:16 scale might accommodate the 1:18 scale Lundby furniture/accessories. Anyone have thoughts on that? I'm pretty much a 1:12 girl, so no expert on the smaller scales.
The Arne Jacobsen House is Length: 784mm (30.8") x Width: 676mm (26.6") x Heigth: 424mm (16.7") including staircase and chimney.

Available now:

• The Egg Chair € 53.50. Comes in Red, Light red (looks pretty pink to me), Black, Yellow, Purple and Petroleum (looks teal).
• The Swan Chair € 40.50. Comes in Red, Black, Moss green and Light purple.
• The No. 7 Series Chair € 27.00. Comes in Red, Black, White and Turquoise blue.

Coming soon:

• Lounge Table € 20.50. Comes in Walnut, Black and White. Expected in stock beginning of October.
• Dining Table € 27.50. Comes in Walnut, Black and White. Expected in stock beginning of October.
• The Swan Sofa € 48.50. Comes in Red, Light red (looks pink), Black and Orange. Expected in stock spring 2011.

(all images from minimii.com)

It's only a model

I've blogged before about architectural models that I wish came in dollhouse sizes (360 Winnett and MC finds), but mini2b sent me this really cool link to an architectural model on Court1616's Flickr page called A Writer's Tower. Oh how I wish this was a real dollhouse in 1:12 scale.

Thanks for the link mini2B!

Your email reminded me of a paper model of Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye made by Paperlandmarks. It is 1/200 in scale and is sold in printed, pre-cut, or fully assembled.
On my never ending list of things to do, I had wanted to build a 1:12 version of Villa Savoye, but the sheer size of it was so daunting that I moved towards the Case Study Houses instead. Sadly, only plans on paper now, but I hope to start building one later this year.

Note: the pre-assembled Villa Savoye is $75 at Paperlandmarks etsy shop. They also sell a lot of other historical buildings but of modern interest are paper models of SFMOMA and Le Corbusier's Notre Dame du Haut, Ronchamp Chapel.

(images from Court1616's Flickr page and Paperlandmarks etsy shop)

Ira Grandberg house back on ebay

The Vintage 1976 Mini-Modern Dollhouse built from Ira Grandberg's plans is back up on ebay at a lower price. Fore more details on the house see my previous post or "My Vintage Dollhouses and Other Treasures" blog post.

Starting bid has dropped from $800 to now $275. ebay listing here. Will there be any takers this time?

Updated 7/4: Only 2 days left at the new price of $225 new ebay listing.