The Malibu Beach Dollhouse

Here are some pictures of the Malibu Beach Dollhouse. I posed the figures to look like they just moved into the place. Sadly, absolutely none of the rooms are fully decorated. My family and career have the majority of my energy so there is not much time to decorate, but I hope to make time and get these rooms together. The lack of accessories, etc. makes the rooms look very sterile and like no one lives there. One thing I’m quite happy about though is how the real wood floors came out when this house was put together. There is something magical about how the smell of fresh paint and varnish still wafts through the air when I open one of the structure’s panels. It smells like a new home. I think if I purchase a second one of these Malibu Beach dollhouses, I will stain the entire house in rich walnut and maple instead of painting it. It’s really a great dollhouse.

Redecorated Rooms for Malibu Beach

I redid the Living Room, Loft and Master Bedroom in the Malibu Beach dollhouse. I'm also working on another room for the second bedroom but not quite finished. I will post images later this week.

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...

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.

The Lake View Dollhouse--NEW

I'm fond of the Dollhouse Emporium which is located in the UK. Not only because they have quality dollhouses but because they have put up with my "wish you would make this and this" lists over the years. They've recently unveiled their latest modern dollhouse called the Lake View. It's a medium size dollhouse with five rooms, lovely curved staircases, decks and floor to ceiling windows. No pictures of the inside are available as of yet, but I'll post them as they come available. It appears that the house has two stories and a loft with an optional garden level addition. I own their fabulous Malibu Beach House and have admired the 1,2,3 Waterside Way, but I may have to add this Lake View to my collection...hmm

Living Room In The Loft Space

I moved the living space from the first floor to the second floor loft of the Malibu Beach dollhouse. I think it looks kind of IKEA catalog, but I don't know. Shrug. I never have any idea what room I'll end up with.

The couch is from AG Minis. I cannot remember where the white pod chairs came from, but I know they are some 1950's or 60's piece that I got from eBay. The mirrored storage units are from Streets Ahead Dollhouse. The media units and tables are from Voila Toys. All the accessories are from Re-Ment, AG Minis, House & Garden Interior Decorator Sets by Irwin, the Kaleidoscope House and various action figures.

For those who want to know about rooms that take less time--this one took 20 minutes.

Bathroom Redesign for Malibu Beach Dollhouse

I never did finish the original bathroom design that I started with the stacked washer and dryer (first pic). I tend to constantly redesign rooms as I find new items that inspire me to go in a different direction.

I think the new bathroom looks serene. The bathtub and sinks came from a children's wooden dollhouse set--another great example of how you can use these items in realistic miniature modern design. I love the faucet fixture designs on these pieces and the bathtub reminds me of a beautifully carved teak tub that I once saw. Painting the faucet fixtures silver would add to the realism of these pieces but I liked them left natural. I made the open shower from some leftover craft pieces, a miniature windchime for the showerhead and the shower base came from an action figure set--Buffy the Vampire Slayer series if I remember correctly...

Potential: Children’s Wooden Dollhouse Sets

Ahh, let me repeat myself and express the woes of a modern miniature collector, “It’s so hard to find modern stuff!” This lack of available merchandise in the market has led me (and all my other fellow mod collectors) to get very creative. I have found some use in pieces designed for the popular children’s wooden dollhouse market.

At first glance, these pieces look too clunky and childlike for modern collectors who typically like more realism reflected in the pieces they display. However, a closer look reveals a ton of potential. It’s this potential that has directed me into using a few pieces included in some kid-friendly wooden dollhouse sets. I take what’s useable and donate the rest to charity, daycare centers or sometimes I ship what I can’t use (don’t want to use) to nieces and nephews who are amused with and benefit from my toy interests.

You might actually recognize some of these pieces pictured above incorporated into my mini mod scenes of previous posts. Of the above pictures, here’s what I have found useable or consider as having some good potential:

Wanju 1:
http://www.wanju.de/wanju.php

The Master Bedroom set has a great platform bed, complete with Perspex night tables. However, it’s the closet that has my greatest interest. The sliding acrylic doors are a beauty. I simply remove the pink/red drawers in the wardrobe to give it a more realistic look. Two to Three of these in a row look good in a mini modern bedroom or mudroom entrance. I’m not fond of the dresser or the beanbag.

The Office set’s Perspex desk is nice. I also think the bookcase might work—looking a bit Ikea if left as is, but probably much better with some paint.

The Bathroom set has a good sink and shower. Course, they both need to be hacked to get a more realistic look but they have good bones.

The Living Room set has a useable coffee table and the TV stand would work nicely as a modern bench. Again, some paint on the bench might give it some “umph”.

The Child Bedroom set only has the cat table and little chairs that I think would work well in a modern nursery. Everything else can go.

The Dining Room set has a Perspex dining table that would work really well in modern settings.

The Kitchen set doesn’t do it for me. Maybe you all have ideas. Shrug

Selecta 2:
http://www.selecta-spielzeug.de/index.php/selecta_en/

Again, The Master Bedroom closet is quite lovely. The platform bed and night tables are just okay.

The Kitchen set is too chunky, though the sink could possibly work with some paint. The best piece is the shelving unit that sits on top of the sideboard. This shelving piece makes a nice headboard for a bedroom scene, complete with sliding acrylic panels and storage.

The Living Room set’s greatest offerings are the two storage units. Nice left as is but paint can give them added glory.

The Décor set has a very useable floor mirror and rugs. The clock works in a mod scene if you change the hands. In addition, the little picture looks good in a modern kid’s room or removed and posted on the fridge in your kitchen scene.

The Bathroom set’s bathtub and sink are my favorites. The shower could also work with some paint and a change in hardware.

The Dining Room set’s best piece is the sideboard (you can see it in the Malibu Beach pics), but I’ve found the table and the chairs work well for any modern décor—especially if you want to do a dining room that has an Asian modern flair.

The Child Bedroom set’s bunkbed has great bones. The chunky cut works because it mirrors some of the modern designs of kid’s furniture coming out in the market today. The orange and red colors work great, but I’ve been thinking of painting mine chocolate or white to make it look more minimalist. Also, the storage set is good.

Notable others:
Ryan's Room sets: Fine Dining (the dining table), Dream On (the table and stools, the wagon, the rocking horse, the toy cars), Living In Style (coffee table), Livin' It Up (TV that would work well as computer monitor), Splashing Good Time (Hot Tub),...
http://www.smallworldtoys.com/product_list.asp?cl=rr

Plan Toys sets: 71400 Modern Furniture Set (lots of pieces to pluck), 7441 Bathroom (The Tub...maybe the sink), 7442 Living Room (lots of pieces to pluck), 7443 Dining Room (the dining table), 7444 Bedroom (the wardrobe),...
http://www.plantoys.com/products.asp?parentid=2

Voila Toy sets: 555A Furniture Set 2 (bathroom sink, shelving units, wardrobe, bunkbeds, platform bed), 555B Extra Bedroom (using the fold-out couch as a permanent bed),... http://www.voilatoy.com/product/imagination.html

The Malibu Beach Rooms

Okay, these rooms are starting to look a little better after adding some more furniture and accessories. The bathroom still needs the open shower and toilet installed...also need to add art, mirrors and accessories. The observation deck and piano room also needs some work but it's all coming along.