Paul Frank/Eric Pfeiffer Plywood Dollhouse...Table

It's a minimalist dollhouse...it's a table...it's a minimalist dollhouse.
Whatever it is, its mid-century modern design is quite attractive.
This bent plywood dollhouse produced by Paul Frank and Eric Pfeiffer doubles as a table. The Small Paul Julius Pad is one of a series of new furniture pieces produced by the pair that have multi-use.
Overall, the open plan design and color choices are nice but I think it needs stairs.

Image courtesy of Paul Frank Industries

F3 House by Swatt Architects

The Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation (TNDC) is a non-profit in San Francisco that houses individuals with extremely low-incomes. In May of this year, the organization celebrated its 26th anniversary with grand festivities that included a designer dollhouse silent auction--an auction so silent that I didn't even hear about it (Somewhere my significant other is shouting for joy while clutching the checkbook). Five architecture firms created miniature modern masterpieces that were auctioned off--the proceeds going toward TNDC's positive community efforts. Though I didn't know it at the time, I have already showcased one of these miniature houses designed for the TNDC silent auction: The Modularean Eco House by David Baker + Partners.

The featured designer work above is the F3 House donated by Swatt Architects . The TNDC event program gives the following description of the dollhouse: F3 House plays on favorite motifs of Swatt Architects' work. Floating planes fold around fantastic interior spaces that flow to the outside through fully fenestrated walls. The form knits to the landscape as it steps down the sloping site. Furthermore, open planning facilitates an informal family life or entertaining with finesse, where your fabulous dollhouse friends can relax comfortably in custom modular furniture. Fenomenal!

The professionals at Swatt Architects will recreate this 3/8"=1'-0" dollhouse for anyone who is interested. The cost of the structure is estimated to be around $5,000 if they create it in house. However, they are willing to investigate the option of commissioning a cabinet shop to make it for less.

Images courtesy of Swatt Architects

Another Mod Nursery

Here's another modern nursery that I put in the Malibu Beach dollhouse over the weekend. I wasn't able to give this room as much solid attention as I wanted, but I think it turned out relatively decent.

360 Dollhouse = Painted, Getting New Plexi

Well, I finally got around to painting and building the 360 Dollhouse. I think I am going to get new Plexi panels for it. There are some typical wear and tear scratches on the current panels, but it's hard to live with if you weren't the one who did the damage.

I decorated one room--a test modern nursery design.

The Miniature Art of Joe Fig

Joe Fig has produced various artists’ studios in miniature. I love the details. He created these pieces from photographs and his own on-site sketches. I was so intrigued by the work that I had to ask him if he was purchasing any of the items from a modern vendor that I was unaware of. He quickly responded:

“I make almost everything except for the obvious (flooring, roof and siding shingles, jars and bottles) where I purchase through dollhouse/miniature shops. Otherwise I have a miniature lumber yard in my studio to make almost everything else. That and Sculpy (polymer clay).”

I wish I had his skills.

The photos above come from Joe’s site which has even more astounding miniature creations.

Image Source: JoeFig.com

Honeychurch Concept House

I find this to be an extraordinary art deco dollhouse.

The unusual way that it opens (a cam and track system in the base) seems like it should have dramatic theme music. It was an experimental prototype produced by Honeychurch Toys Ltd.--a company based in the UK that made high quality Birch plywood dollhouses for more than 30 years before closing their operation. The company had hoped to produce more of these but only made the one pictured here which was sold off. Although Honeychurch has closed its doors, you can still find a few of their collectible dollhouses and other structures via Robin Brookes Design.

Image sources: Robin Brookes; BDI

The Prairie Style Dollhouse by Lawbre

I have no idea how I missed this house when it came onto the market. Perhaps it's because dollhouse retailers tend to not stock any modern or unusual dollhouses and accessories from their suppliers. I happened to stumble upon this beauty while flipping through a catalog at a local dollhouse shop. It's a prarie style dollhouse distributed by The Lawbre Company. The Lawbre Company makes detailed miniature houses that they sell as an assembled shell or in a fully finished form. They do not offer kits.

I searched online and found one retailer who was selling the house--Mott's Miniatures and Dollhouse Shop. Further inquiry to The Lawbre Company revealed that the house is currently out of production but highly expected to return within the next year. The structure is offered in large and small size versions. The unfinished shell in the large size costs $2,469 and $4,235 finished. The unfinished shell in a smaller size retails for $1,604 and the finished is $2,753. I've been promised additional images of the exterior and interior from Lawbre. I will post when I receive them.

I'd love to own the large version that's pictured above.

Image source: Mott's Miniatures and Dollhouse Shop

Malibu Beach Kitchen Redesign

I revamped the kitchen in the Malibu Beach dollhouse. I still need to finish the bathroom on the second floor and the conservatory. Not to mention, paint the 360 dollhouse. I can't seem to find enough time...

That Hallmark ESPN Ornament

Here's a picture of how the ESPN TV ornament looks in a 1:12 setting.

What Could Have Been 2: Kaleidoscope House Car and Home Office

Another lament for great Kaleidoscope House accessories that never made it to market.

There were plans for a 1:12 version of the Ford 021 Concept Car (pictured above) designed by Marc Newson and a home office designed by Asymptote Architecture's Hani Rashid and Lise Ann Couture. All we know about the home office is that it was supposed to come complete with a battery operated plasmatic screen. I contacted Hani and Lise to see if they had any illustrations for the KH project and will update this post when/if they respond.

Picture source: Ford Motor Company

Hallmark Has a Miniature Flat Screen For The Holidays

Here's another great holiday ornament that you can use in your modern miniature scenes. It's distributed by Hallmark and is the ESPN "This is SportsCenter" ornament. The actual item looks better than the promotional photo above. It has lights and sound so when you push a button, the screen lights up and the SportsCenter theme song plays. The TV has a quality screen and is moderately detailed with input/output hookups on the back. The sound really surprised me with how good it actually is--plus it's loud.

I bought one today because it cracked me up. The hook on top pulls out easily with a twist from a set of pliers and the unit stands on its own. I don't mind the ESPN on the front but you could paint over it with the right match of silver paint. This looks great in the dollhouse and would probably look cool in a modern sports bar scene. I'm using this in a 1:12, but it would also work for smaller scales or even 1:6.

Retail: $15.00...but after Christmas, they always have the 50% off sale of their ornaments. Shrug.

Modularean Eco House Dollhouse

Ohh!...Ahh! The Modularean Eco House dollhouse is a very cool example of a simple modern dollhouse with clean lines and delicious sliding Plexi panels. This was a custom project designed by David Baker of David Baker + Partners Architects based in San Francisco. It was built by woodworker Julianna Sassaman. Per the firm's site: "Both playful artpiece and artful playpiece, the Modularean Eco House is a sturdy, sustainable custom dollhouse".

For collectors looking to purchase, I have inquired about the cost of such a great piece of work. As soon as I hear back from David, I will post.

Miniature Overlapping Squares Chair

West Elm has new decorations for the upcoming holiday season. Included in their tree trimming collection are some miniature versions of their popular overlapping squares chair. At $8.00 a piece, these little modern chairs are affordable and easily accessible.