Count down to DWR

Here is a sneak peak of the progress on The Antrim. All of the floors from Paris are in and I'm now working on the siding (Paris cut 224 boards that I'm halfway through trimming and installing. I'll post all of the details on how I did the exterior and Paris's great tips, after the event). Sadly, I won't have time to stain the siding before the event and finish some of the interior touches I had wanted to do, but not to worry, Paris said we'll stage the house with all of the extras he's bringing. He has been slaving away to finish some of the interior items, the fireplace is said to be a must have, I can't wait to see it! I'll be up late tonight finishing the exterior. Christmas in September for sure!!

I'm so excited to meet the designers the event is showcasing and see their work in person. Here are more details on the show that Doris/minimodernistas sent out from DWR:

Miniature Modernism: “The next generation of dollhouse designs”

Thursday, September 16th from 5 to 7pm

Please join us at Design Within Reach Studio, Jackson Square for an evening showcasing the best in Modern Miniatures from four of the leading designers and architects of this movement.

A far cry from your childhood dollhouses, these modern miniatures are created with an eye for exacting detail. From the finishes of the interior of the houses, to the perfection of the details of the furniture, all aspects of these pieces represent the artist’s commitment to modern design. Utilizing techniques developed for architectural presentation models, these designers have taken their craft to a new level.

Take this opportunity to see the works of and meet four of the premier members of this movement: Modern Mini Collector/MiniModern.blogspot.com, Paris Renfroe/PRD Miniatures, Doris Nathanson/minimodernistas and Tim Boyle/Brinca Dada.

Wine flights and appetizers will be provided by The Vin Club.

Please RSVP to:
Design Within Reach
455 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-837-3940

To RSVP for the After Party, please go here »

PRD Miniatures at Tom Bishop Chicago Fall Show

Paris recently had a booth at the Tom Bishop Chicago Fall show this past August. I was unable to attend, but here are some photos of the show from Paris. I'm in love with his new vanities in his bathroom collection. I don't usually use bathroom and sexy in the same sentence, but wow!


PRD Miniatures also has a new line of bedding. I want all of them (and the beds too)!


The art gallery was a big success, check out all of the red sold dots. PRD Miniatures has more one of a kind artwork for sale here. And yes, you may recognize another artist's work, MiniModerninstas! Doris wasn't there, but Paris had some of her work at his booth for the show as well. I love those green couches! Chartreuse Tootsie Roll Sofa for me please.


Here are some photos of the wide selection of goodies at the booth. I love the new outdoor lounge chairs and it looks like a showroom with all of the indoor furniture and accessories.


Here are two shots of the booth. There is also a video that is a must see to check out Paris's new "SKY LOFTS".



(All images from Paris Renfroe, PRD Miniatures. Video from Paris's booth at Tom Bishop Chicago Fall Show August 27-29, 2010 posted on YouTube.)

RSVP for Special Event post DWR 9/16

More exciting news! Paris wanted me to put the word out that we will be gathering at the Clift Hotel, in the Redwood Room for appetizers and cocktails from 8:30-11pm on Thursday evening after the DWR event. He needs to have confirmed guests before the event, so he can reserve enough space. (How cool is that!?!)

Please add a comment below if you would like to RSVP and I'll let Paris know. I'm sure Doris (minimodernistas), Modern MC, Doug (brinca dada) and Paris are going. I'm in for sure and bet Mini2b, Carol and Mini Pig will say yes. Anyone else game?

Main Event

The “MINIATURE MODERNISM EXHIBIT” hosted by Design Within Reach Jackson Street Studio. Featuring the incredible work of PRD Miniatures, MiniModernistas, Brinca Dada, and Modern MC (minimodern.blogspot.com).

Design Within Reach Jackson Street Studio
455 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Drinks and light fare will be served.

After Party

Clift Hotel, Redwood Room
495 Geary Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 8:30 - 11:00 PM
No host appetizers and cocktails
RSVP required

Mid-Century to Mod: Maryann Roy

A few months ago, The Shopping Sherpa posted some great mid-century modern designs in 1:6 scale she tracked down by Maryann Roy (read her blog to see how she found Maryann). I emailed Maryann to inquire if she worked in 1:12 scale. She has done some 1:4 scale (for 16" dolls) and experimented with a furniture suite in 1:12. She enjoys reading many of the modern miniature blogs, but alas her heart is in 1:6 her scale. I'm hoping when she's less busy we can convert her to do more 1:12 scale work. I mean, we have way better modern houses in our scale. :)


I love her tag line: "Neo-Retro Furnishings for today's Fashion Dolls". Maryann is most well known as an expert in restoring vintage dolls. She has been featured on television, and several magazines Dolls in Print, Barbie Bazaar, Haute Doll, and Miller's Magazine, where she wrote a column on restoration.


Over the years Maryann wanted her articles and photos to be just as good as others she was inspired by, but unable to find the pieces she really wanted she decided to design and make them herself.


Currently, Maryann is a contributer to Fashion Doll Quarterly magazine, where her articles are on both vintage and modern dolls. She is constantly designing and creating new suites of furniture. She generally doesn't take commissions, as it would interfere with trying to create all of the ideas she already has in her head. Although, she has done some special commissions for doll websites, a few doll dealers, and of course the FDQ magazine. She created some beautiful backgrounds, furnishings and accessories for Integrity Toys (partly owned by fashion designer Jason Wu) line of fashion dolls (see photos here).


I love Maryann's design ideas, and am truly inspired by her new pieces with a futuristic modern look. I'm excited to pick up the Autumn 2010 issue of Fashion Doll Quarterly Magazine, to read her latest article. Here are a few photos that were not used in the article.



Photos courtesy of Maryann Roy. For more details please visit Maryann's website (www.maryannroy.com) or her blog, where she sells her work at maryannroy.wordpress.com.

Antrim at DWR event in San Francisco 9/16

Here's an exterior shot of The Antrim with the windows in. If you'd like to take a closer look, you can see it for yourself at the San Francisco Design Within Reach event! As I've been working with Paris to design and furnish the house from its blank canvas, he suggested having it at the show. With one month left he is working away and I can't wait to show you the gorgeous pieces he has come up with. The floors will be coming soon and Paris will be delivering a lot goodies in person at the show. I can't begin to describe how excited I am. Giddy as a school girl doesn't come close. I know most of you who are nearby are already planning on attending, but now you'll have one more thing to ogle over. See you soon!
The “MINIATURE MODERNISM EXHIBIT” hosted by Design Within Reach Jackson Street Studio. Featuring the incredible work of PRD Miniatures, Mini Modernistas, Brinca Dada, and Modern MC (minimodern.blogspot.com).

Design Within Reach Jackson Street Studio
455 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Drinks and light fare will be served.

Read more about the progress of The Antrim house here »

Antrim Update

Here is a photo of the rooms with my original flooring ideas on the left. On the right, I took photos of the samples Paris sent me and stretched and chopped them in photoshop to help me decide on flooring options.

I have to learn how to take better photos, as these shots really don't do the samples justice. But in the last shot, I put the PRD Miniatures Maple flooring sample on top of the pine wood sheet flooring you can get from any dollhouse shop, and it's not hard to tell which looks more true to life. I am loving all of the flooring options Paris sent.

The bathroom will be this gorgeous wide cut slate Paris made. For the guest bedroom I picked the medium brown carpet everyone loved. The office and entire main floor will be the walnut (middle picture) but it will have a darker stain on it look more like the ebony (right picture). The ebony is expensive wood, so Paris suggested staining the more affordable walnut to get a similar look for less.


In terms of layout (Rebecca and Callsmall called it), Paris came up with a great solution to make it work. The kitchen will be on the far left, but Paris created this tile entry way so you're not walking right into the kitchen. The raised slate matches the bathroom tile and this really cool partition has a removable frosted panel so I can easily swap it out if I want a different look. The dining table will be parallel to and under the long window. Then Paris has some great ideas to expand the fireplace to make it more of a focal point. And, I hadn't even thought of it, but he suggested adding a half bath on the main floor. (I mean, have you ever been to a party where you had to go up a flight of stairs to use the loo?) With Paris's design background, he really thinks of how to make this a house you want to live in, not just a dolls house to play in.


I am loving the custom windows Paris designed for me. He made them a perfect fit, so they are pressure fit with no glue required. My house is slightly crooked so I had to sand a little off one of the walls, but they fit like a glove. For both of the balconies, Paris used the same slate tile in the entry way and bathroom to tie it all together. I love it!

Paris is working on the floors now, and I can't wait to see the finished pieces. More to come...

brinca dada fabulous furniture

I am incredibly jealous of petite nouveau and Modern MC's Emerson Houses, and you too Melissa and mini2b. [side note: I must say, I was surprised it is a kit; a finished and pre-wired kit, but still a kit. For some reason I thought it came pre-assembled. I had inquired about the Bennett House being a kit or pre-assembled and Doug from brinca dada said "The Bennett House will also be 3/4 scale and it will require assembly. It's not a kit in the sense that everything needs to be painted, etc. But it is not pre-assembled." For some reason (wishful thinking?) I interpreted that it was the same scale but thought differed by requiring assembly. I should have paid better attention in English classes.]

I popped over to the brinca dada website and ooo la la, I hadn't realized the furniture photos were up. I'm drooling. The 32 piece, 7 room, wood furniture set is 3/4" scale, and is scheduled to be released in time for the 2010 Holidays. I love the bath tub! I'm really looking forward to seeing the furniture finished.


Details from the website: The Classic Contemporary furniture line from brinca dada is the perfect complement to both Emerson House and Bennett House. The line's clean and sophisticated aesthetic mixes classic modern design with contemporary “in fashion” highlights. In the words of our designers, “The key was to work on every detail to add an extra dimension of authenticity to this dollhouse. We used American black walnut as a common thread, giving a contemporary feel to each room. We then added color as accents, but also as an attraction to children's sensibilities.”

Classic Contemporary offers furnishings for 7 rooms (living, dining, kitchen, office, bath, master bedroom and children’s room) and is fashioned from high-quality woods and non-toxic, lead-free stains and paints.

(all images from brincadada.com)