But this is the direction I’m thinking of going with the dollhouse:
This is the Bennett house, from brinca dada. Go check them out and look at all the different views. It’s what I imagine Frank Lloyd Wright would have done if he’d done dollhouses. Unfortunately, it’s not the 1:12 scale that the sofa and chair are that I already have. The houses from brinca dada are 3/4 scale (1:16), so a smidge small for the furniture, which is 1:12, or 1″. The 3/4 scale is an uncommon size, and as I’ve discovered also difficult to furnish. You can see more about dollhouse scale here if you’re interested. Most furniture in that size apparently has to be custom made. But this is definitely more the style I’m going for, rather than the Victorian farmhouse which is so prevalent. Somehow I doubt I’ll be able to find a replica of a Czech building with a pretty red-tiled roof unless I make one, and it may yet come to that… not that I have the vaguest idea how to go about that.
Here are stunning Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. I nearly hyperventilated when I saw the ‘California Hallway’ (click on “Featured Works” and it’s second one down on the right). I’m still trying not to fall out of my chair. Go. See. When you can pick yourself up off the floor, Report Back. I think I’m having an out-of-body experience. Four pages of “American Rooms” and don’t miss the Asian rooms.
Gratuitous picture of Prague:
fillingspaces.wordpress.com 
They make some of my favourite houses! Too bad about the scale :C Luckily, the style is modern, so it could be replicated on a larger scale if you were feeling super ambitious! (Why yes, I _am_ trying to live vicariously through you *hee*)
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Ha! Oh, and then I found http://www.parisrenfroedesign.com/prdminiatures.aspx
He’s got a coffee table with Andrej’s name on it.
Unless of course someone has some helpful ideas on how to make something similar :::whistles and looks around:::
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that’s a cool little coffee table, but it looks like something you could make out of plexiglass & plywood, if you’re handly with a bandsaw (I myself am not, wouldn’t even know where to buy one, but I know most people are handier than I)
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Yeah, I’m about as handy with power tools as you are, it sounds like. I do own a cordless drill, and have actually operated a chainsaw (once) but that’s the extent of my prowess with tools. I’m pretty sure I’d cut off a finger or two with a bandsaw (not entirely sure what a bandsaw is). Still, I believe you’re right – there must be some way to approximate it with less lethal means. Where would you buy plexiglass?
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Maybe a framing store? For something that little, you could maybe even buy an inexpensive frame with a plexi insert – then it’s a question of finding somebody who can show you how to cut it to shape. The only thing I know about a bandsaw is that my handy sisterinlaw uses one to cut plywood into interesting shapes for interesting craft projects. If you lived nearby, I’d send you to her.
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Aha, good thought! I could even do glass, since so many picture frames come with glass. Be a cheap way to get a small piece. OMG, I just remembered I got a bunch of glass cutting tools for my son years ago when he was talking about getting into doing stained glass (which he of course never did but it was during that turbulent teen phase when I needed ANY direction to send him in to keep him off the streets). Now if I can just find the stuff…
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Amazing! 🙂
I saw a miniature dollhouse collection at the Chicago Art Museum some years ago. I wonder if this is the same one.
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Awhile back you linked me to Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. That’s not what you’re thinking of though, I’m sure.
I tried going through the little “Escape from Thorne Mansion” yesterday, never made it!! If anyone makes it out, let me know 🙂
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It reminds me of the furniture at The Museum of Modern Art.
Also the Frank Lloyd Wright room at The Met.
S
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The level of detail is breathtaking, as well as the period authenticity.
Paris Renfroe is a designer of “normal” proportions as well. Fascinating that he branched off into doing miniatures of his designs.
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You clearly know more than I do. I do find your project fascinating.
S
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Well, now you know everything I do about all this 🙂 Didn’t take long!
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Tres moderne – I love it!
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After seeing these, it will be hard to settle for a run-of-the-mill dollhouse if I ever get that far.
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Hi, I designed the Bennett House. After much debate we determined 1″ scale houses were too big for our tiny NY apartments so designed this and our other dollhouses at 3/4″ scale. But its a large 3/4″ scale, and my 1″ scale modern furniture fits quite well. I have most of these sets and they fit fine: http://reacjapan.com/shop/product/dic.html#dic01
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Hi Tim! I am IN LOVE with the Bennett House! Getting all twitchy now thinking of filling it with fabulous finds 😉 Thank you so much for coming by and letting me know that. Now if I can just be miniaturized myself so I can live in it… 😀
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Hi DD, I just checked out both link my mouth drop to the floor viewing both. I too wish I had some of Alice in Wonderland shrinking potion and the doll house had real plumbing. I too can see myself just relaxing in them.
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Until I started looking into dollhouses when I first saw the Bloggess’s Haunted Dollhouse, I had no idea any of this stuff existed. I am astounded at the level of detail and period authenticity in some of these. Good point about the plumbing! I notice a lot of dollhouses are electrified, not sure if any of them have actual working plumbing. You can get miniature bathroom furnishings (tubs, sinks, toilets, etc.) but I don’t think I’ve seen any with real running water. Hmmm…. 😉
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I think there are so many things out there to fit all our imaginations. Some are pricey and others can be put slowly together by oneself. DD, I am looking forward to watch you build your house and reading the story behind each piece and each steps.
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