Friday, August 31, 2007

Miniature iMAC


I can always find modern miniatures from Asia that are decent quality and affordable. This miniature version of the iMAC I found distributed by Bandai cracks me up.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Take-G Toy's



Okay, okay. I know these are not modern dollhouse collectibles..., but they are too cool to not post. I'm completely in love with these wood (keyaki, teak, walnut, and white ash) toys that are handmade in Japan by Takeji Nakagawa. Sadly, these are only available overseas at gallery showings, etc. The toys are mostly one-offs and not mass produced. The cost? $1,200 - $6,000. It's a good thing that I can't get a hold of these because I would buy every single one available. Take-G Toy's (they use an apostrophe) is made up of Mr. Nakagawa and his wife, thus the inability to mass produce. Anyway, these are beautiful toys!

Image source: http://take-g.com/crafts/big.html

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Bodo Hennig Modern Furniture



I recently purchased several of these Bodo Hennig/NicToys modern miniatures. I love them! The quality is excellent. I typically buy 2-3 of everything just in case there's a mishap--but eventually end up shedding the extras on ebay to keep my collection from outgrowing my home...and office.

I've gotten better over the years, being more selective about what modern miniatures I'll purchase. This is a great hobby, but it has significant potential to get out of hand. I'm lucky that my "insanity" is focused on modern dollhouses and miniatures--items are few and far between. If I was a Victorian or other older period collector of miniatures, I'd be drowning. Nothing against other period collectors---it just ain't me. I dig on modern design. On the flip side, since modern miniatures are hard to come by--especially of quality, it's a situation where when I see it, I get it.

Mini Bodo Hennig Like A Bike



Bodo Hennig/NIC--a German toy manufacturer is rather good at keeping up with the times. Most European companies appear to be doing a better job in the modern dollhouse & miniature offerings. I recently purchased a 1:12 miniature Like A Bike (2nd pic) that looks very close to the real thing (1st pic). I also purchased some other items that I'll post shortly.

Sometimes BH/NIC items are more 1:10 scale than 1:12 but they typically work in the 1:12 settings without looking out of place.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

A new modern dollhouse company? Shrug.


So I will be meeting with a small group of people to see if it's financially feasible for us to dip our toes in the modern dollhouse market. I'm hoping that this meeting proves to be very fruitful. I very much would love to invest my energy full time into my hobby---and make money at the same time! Who woulda thunk it?

Anyway, I'll be proposing that we start small with something similar to the acrylic dollhouse pictured here from an old 1972 Better Homes & Garden magazine. Plexi goodness! However, I will fight for doorways and stairs...

I'll keep you posted. Oh! And a public thanks to all of you who have emailed me with encouragement.

UPDATE: 10/10/07
Well, it looks like I will have to put that modern dollhouse company dream to the side for now. There's understandable apprehension about putting up a hefty sum of money to start a toy company--especially when no one has ever dealt with toys before. I guess I won't be starting this company until I'm retired...

Monday, August 20, 2007

Re: 360 Dollhouse

"Bizarre" is all I can say about being alerted by a few friends that some blogs were watching the bidding for the 360 dollhouse that I purchased earlier this month. It's nice to know that there are other fans of modern miniature architecture out there. Many are astounded at the amount I paid for the house but that was a steal. I've already been offered three and five times the amount I paid for the dollhouse, but it's not something I plan to sell. When I'm long gone and my several rare modern houses are still standing (maybe?) perhaps my grandchildren can sell them and get some good money for them or loan them out to a museum for others to enjoy. Shrug.

In other news, I think I may have met a partner to start the modern dollhouse company that I've been thinking more seriously about...I'll keep you posted. Oh! And no worries---the plan is to keep the cost affordable. :)

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

The 360 Dollhouse--I bought it!


I can't wait to get this modern dollhouse built by an architect. It's one-of-a-kind and rotates a full 360 degrees. As soon as I have it decorated, I will post some pictures of it. Since the house doesn't seem to have an official name, I call it the 360 Dollhouse.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Old Modern Dollhouses That Got Away





If only some modern manufacturers would take the lead from these early 1950/60/70's and Rietveld dollhouse designs.
Image Source: http://hometown.aol.de/puppenhausmuseum/inhaltsverzeichnis.html

Thursday, August 9, 2007

"Saarinen Kitchen" IKEA Rooms 11


The Saarinen-like table and chairs were produced by Flairline. I have had three of these tulip tables and every single one of them was glued crooked and discolored---even the one mint in the box so I guess it was something attributed to its manufacturing process. Shrug. I eventually sold all of the tulip tables on ebay.

"Christmas" IKEA Rooms 10


This room was created with the Christmas decorations from the AG Minis distributed by American Girl. In regards to American Girl, I wish they had made kitchen and bathroom room boxes.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

"And Sometimes Silly" IKEA Rooms 9


I would sometimes pose action figures in the rooms to get more passerby attention. When people come to visit, almost everyone has to play with the furniture and figures.