Modernist Wood Dollhouse

So, er um, yeah, my apologies... I have a back log of posts to get up, but until kid #2 starts sleeping through the night, my hours of sanity are limited, so sorry for the disappearing act.

Simple house, I like the sliding doors on each side. I hope it finds a modern enthusiast's home. I'd love to this place decked out.

Details: This modernist wooden dollhouse features sliding doors/panels to each of its four sides. It's designer and maker are unknown. It's selling for $350 at Design Smith Gallery, Cincinnati, OH.
Dimensions: 28-3/4" x 23" x 22-1/4" high
Condition: Very good + condition, a couple of faint child's marks

(All images from Design Smith Gallery www.designsmithgallery.com)


Update: Heard back from David G. Smith and he unfortunately has no information about possible origins or builder; also that it has been sold.

David Lee Designs

Stumbled across some interesting designs by David Lee. Wish there were larger pictures.

The first pic is a study mock up of his design of the Mid-Century Modern Doll House Play Set. The round house is his open architecture Dollhouse design concept. David offers creative services to help clients create exciting new products. Some interesting ideas, I'd love to see this in local toy stores.

(All images from David Lee Designs davidleedesign.org)

Peter Tucker workshops @ Chicago International

Chicago International (April 2010) has two Peter Tucker workshops this year, building Art Deco/Moderne style furniture based on a work by American designer Paul Frank. The class will "discuss how planning an approach before starting to build can simplify the process and aid in getting neat and accurate results". Jeez, do I ever need this class.

SKYSCRAPER BOOKCASE & ART DECO/MODERNE DESK

(All images from Tom Bishop Shows, Chicago International, www.bishopshow.com)

Clearview House on sale

Clearview House by MIAIM Miniature Design & Architecture is how I envisioned customizing the Antrim Modern Kit I bought. I love the balconies, all of the windows and the front door. They dropped the price to around $650 US + shipping from UK.

Clearview has a stunning, unique layout with features including modern windows, balconies and roof terrace. I love the designer glass paneled double doors entrance. Its a 1 bedroom 1 bath town house. Comprising of open plan stairs, 2 glass fronted balconies, 1 single and 2 double sliding doors and full length windows throughout that allow a "Clearview" through the house at almost any angle. The roof terrace has access from the top floor seen here as the bed room.

Dimensions: The base of Clearview is 80cms (31 1/2") wide. The House is 77cms (Appx 30 1/4") wide, 79.5cms (Appx 31") high and 46cms (Appx18") deep.

MIAIM is a new small company with one designer, one technical manager and one manufacturer. Focused on designs after 1900, they intend to design from 1920’s Art Deco through every decade and into the future. I really like their idea of bringing "dolls houses back in fashion ... by simply making them more fashionable". I hope the can continue to bring more modern, contemporary designs to market.

(All images from MIAIM Miniature Design & Architecture www.miaim.co.uk)

Why not LEGOs?

Pubdolls has created some great designs using legos. The modular shelving system is made of Lego window frames. Genius!



Mini Modern had suggested taking windows and doors from several Beach House by LEGO kits to build something in 1:12. The LEGO Architecture series might have some cool pieces to add to build a truly unique modern dollhouse. I'm adding this to my to do list, right after assembling the roof on my current house and building a few kits in storage.
I'm interested to see what else LEGO comes up with in their Architecture line. Right now they are focused on a new line of distinctive landmark building sets; John Hancock, Empire State Building, Seattle Space Needle. The plan is to "offer other famous landmarks throughout the world celebrating influential architects and movements that have shaped the environment around us." If this picture is an indicator of more modern design to come... yay!

(All photos from pubdoll's photostream on flickr and LEGOs Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater and Guggenheim Museum Architecture.lego.com/en-US/default.aspx)

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: www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile//81041 or 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)