Madison Avenue (Doll)House

Um... WOW!

This futuristic thousand-pound dollhouse is the work of architect Joshua Prince-Ramus and his firm REX Architects. The installation was the centerpiece for the holiday window display at the Calvin Klein Collection store on New York’s Madison Avenue. It was on display until Jan 09, but I haven't had a chance to research where it is now.

The four-story structure is made of steel, acrylic sheet, and spandex. Check out the animation on the website to see how the walls open and close. All of the interiors are furnished with miniature replicas of pieces from Calvin Klein’s apparel, accessory, and home lines, including the new furniture line that debuted this year.

The initial concept came from Dale Rozmiarek, Calvin Klein VP of Creative Services, (I wish I had his job, can you imagine getting paid to envision this gem?) and Joshua Prince-Ramus and REX were enlisted to create the masterpiece. REX also worked with with Situ Studio and Klemencic Associates on the fabrication and structure. Definitely check out the website for more details and info. When I win the lottery, I'll commission these guys for another ultra-modern dollhouse.

Now if only we can convince Calvin Klein to sell 1:12 miniatures of the new line of furniture.

(All images by James Lattanzio from REX Architects www.rex-ny.com)

More Gidon dreams...

Gidon sent me some more detailed pictures of the models I'm in love with. Try not to drool over your keyboard. The models currently reside in the PR dept at Resene. There was some talk of them going on permanent display and being exhibited together with some life size versions of the furniture miniatures and a life size lounge niche, but nothing has been finalized. Gidon did construct an experimental bent plywood chair based on one of the miniature designs featured in the Resene models just for fun. I would love to check out that lounge if it comes together. If you're interested in a dollhouse by Gidon, you can get in touch through the contact form on the Saatchi Gallery website (free registration required). Here's the link: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/BuyArt.php?artist_id=81041.

I would love to own one of these homes!

(All images from artist Gidon Bing)

Marry me Gidon Bing

Here I am trying to befriend an architechet, when all types of artists are building incredible modern miniatures. The Shopping Sherpa made this incredible find in the current issue of Home New Zealand. Sculptor Gidon Bing built the models and Katie Lockhart styled the homes for Karen Walker Paints, a new line of paints from Resene. How I wish we had an outlet where architectural models like these could be sold. I would love to do more than just drool over these pictures.

More pictures can be found on:
Karen Walker Paints (these have the paint samples for each model)
6 page HOME magazine feature (PDF) (download this, just so you can zoom in on all of the details and drool)
The Shopping Sherpa's post (she rocks. what a find!)
Stylist Katie Lockhart's website (great photos)
More of Gidon's work on Saatchi Gallery

(All images from Gidon Bing's profile on Saatchi Gallery)

360 Winnett

2009 New Years resolution: make friends with architect.

Any chance this comes in wood? This cardboard model of 360 Winnett was designed by Altius Architecture Inc. for a couple in Toronto. The website documents the design and construction of this eco-modern house. I'm interested to see what it looks like when it's done.

(All images from 360winnett.com)

FAO Schwarz Dollhouse

The Shopping Sherpa is apparently much more skilled at googling, as she found this incredible picture surfing the web.

The picture is of a "Little Girl Looking Into a Modern Doll House Being Sold at F.A.O. Schwarz" that's available on AllPosters.com The image is from the archives of LIFE magazine, which first appeared on December 9, 1940.

Too bad F.A.O. Schwarz abandoned dollhouses like this. Although if you live in one, they now offer a $10,000 service to Make Your House a Doll House. They will build a detailed scale model of your own home. They recreate every inch of your home in 1:12 scale. Including the wallpaper, paint color, lighting—even the actual fabric of your furniture through real swatches or recreated fabric.

I guess I need to live in my dream home first and then I can get a dream dollhouse made of it.

(Image from
AllPosters.com)

Mountfield

I love the design of this new Dolls House Emporium 1930's house, Mountfield. It has four opening panels to access the seven rooms. But I particularly love the large openings between the living room, dining room and kitchen.

(All images from Dolls House Emporium)

Lutyens House

Lutyens House is a beautiful Arts and Crafts from DHE based on the designs of Sir Edwin Lutyens who designed Queen Mary's dolls' house on view at Windsor Castle. I especially love the fireplaces.

(All images from Dolls House Emporium)

Oak Hurst Gardens

If I ever move to the suburbs, I'll get this modern suburban home from DHE Oak Hurst Gardens. I love the additional wing with the sliding French doors on the converted garage.

(All images from Dolls House Emporium)

Amber House

Dolls House Emporium introduced the new Amber House. Although I'm not a huge fan of the style of the house, the concept wins me over. The "ready to play" house is fully painted and internally wallpapered so all you have to do is screw it together and you're done. For $226, I wish all dollhouse kits could be so easy.

DHE offers several houses with this Quickstyle fully painted and externally decorated approach, which makes the build process sooo much easier, if you can afford it.

(All images from Dolls House Emporium)

More DHE Dreaming

I love the new Bachelor Pad Kitchen from Dolls House Emporium in red and black! I love the display shelves and the half dome wall lights and of course the all-in-one kitchen and island.

The original City Style kitchen has blue doors and lightwood counter tops.

A few other DHE favorites are the Style Statement Living Room

Family Room Living Room

Fun Bedroom

(All images from Dolls House Emporium)