Timberbrook Sliding and Garage Doors

Every once in awhile, I'll get myself amped up to build my own modern dollhouse. I'll buy some fresh supplies and make sketch drawings of what the finished structure will look like. I'll stare at the individual components, imagining how they'll work with the design and then the project starts to look like a lot of pieces...a lot of wood...a lot of styrene...a lot of acetate...a lot of Plexi = a lot of work.

Anyway, I thought I would share my interest in Timberbrook's line of sliding doors, pocket doors and garage doors. I always wanted to build a miniature house that had sliding doors for each room and a set of garage doors that opened the family or living room to outdoor space. I had planned to hack the panels of the Timberbrook garage doors with Plexi but like most projects, they sit in a storage tote waiting for my time. I have seen these Timberbrook doors at most hobby supply stores but you can find them online with a quick search.

Images: dollhouse-store.com

Bodo Hennig Villa Fortuna

I am thinking of decorating my Villa Fortuna dollhouse by Bodo Hennig--even though I still have not completed the Voila Large Dollhouse. The Villa Fortuna is a great modern dollhouse that would probably sell better in the U.S. if it was available at more retailers. It is quality made of birch and Plexi and features customizable floorplans. It doesn't come with a staircase so you have to buy one of Hennig's staircase accessories. I recommend the spiral staircase, but the classic is fine too. I've said before that I like Hennig's Colora furniture sets, but this dollhouse becomes a whole new vision when more realistic modern furniture is utilized. I wish I could wave a magic wand and have this house set up, take my time decorating it and then wave that magic wand again to put the house away. There's definitely something to be said about laziness.

Images: NIC/Bodo Hennig

Blue Bath

The tub in these images is a soap dish from Target. If you read this boring blog, you already know that I often use soap dishes for bathtubs and platform beds. It seems the best variety of soap dishes are found at Bed Bath & Beyond and the cheapest (but still quality) can be found at places like Marshall's or TJ Maxx strewn about the place with red clearance tags. The soap dish here reminds me of some of the high-end designer tubs on the market today. The sinks and mirrors are from the discontinued Lil Bratz Fashion Mall sets. Below are some pictures of the scene with figures.

Yellow Bath

These bathroom pieces are from the discontinued Mini World sets distributed by Theo Klein. The tub, vanity sink and toilet are Villeroy & Boch designs that feature lights that work on the vanity, running water sounds for the sink and a flushing sound for the toilet. None of these sounds are necessary, but they produce a good laugh for visitors who tinker around with the miniature furnishings. I would have preferred a double vanity, but...shrug.

Reac Japan: Please Make More

Last year, I contacted Reac Japan (the company that makes the Design Interior Collection Chairs) to ask when they would be releasing a new set of chairs. The company responded promptly to tell me that they did not have any immediate plans to make additional chairs. I had hoped that this would change but have not seen any new releases from them. I guess the 5 standard sets, single limited set and three specials are all that will be. I'd be a liar if I said I wasn't disappointed. I had hoped their miniature offerings would have branched out to designer tables/desks, storage units, and even kitchen and bathroom sets like those pictured below. Wouldn't that have been great?

Images: reacjapan.com; corian.com; ustogether.eu

Life's A Birch...Dollhouse

I am routinely encouraged to believe that I have married one of the greatest people on the planet. This morning, I discovered that this "great person" got me a Villa Sibi Dollhouse as a second and belated birthday present. I love it! I've been wanting to add it to my collection for some time (especially before it is discontinued and selling for thousands) but never had any idea where I would put it. Hmm...still have no idea.

21st Century Beach Hut Models

These miniature beach huts are entries from the Bathing Beauties 2007 ‘Re-imagine the Beach Hut for the 21st Century’ international competition. There is a massive gallery of 1:15 scale models (slightly smaller than 1:12) that showcase modern coastal architecture. I would have loved the opportunity to purchase one or more of these models, but I am sure they remain with the artists and architects who created them. Actually, they probably occupy a space next to the Kaleidoscope House Pool Pavilion in Peter Wheelwright’s office. Little known fact: Mr. Wheelwright is the head honcho of a not-so-secret society of talented architects who create stunning miniature masterpieces and then dangle them out of the public's reach as a form of torture. Okay…it’s not a fact. Conspiracy theory?? Maybe.

Below are a few of my favorite models from the competition, but you must go to the Bathing Beauties website gallery to see them all.

Images: Bathing Beauties