I know this will be shocking and not all in tune with the rest of the blogging world, but here goes. I’m not a fan of Cath Kidston’s designs. Never have been. There’s something about her version of flowery prints that I just don’t like. And you know I like flowery things. They’re all over my house.
I do, however, love the designs of GreenGate, a company based in Denmark. I could easily go crazy there, buying china and tea towels and mugs and aprons and all things home. I love the way GreenGate uses color and flowers. Their design work is gorgeous. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) there’s no way to buy their products here in the States. So my house has nothing from GreenGate inside its walls.
Oh wait, my dollhouse is another story:
This little plate was made by Carrie Lavender. It’s one of my favorite GreenGate designs. It was inadvertently left off my order, so Carrie sent it to me separately and here it is. Just to prove to you that it is indeed a miniature plate, I give you this.
Adorable. Beautiful. I’m in love.
Yesterday, taking advantage of Don’s absence while he worked in the city, I cleaned the bathroom like a crazy woman. I straightened up the topsy-turvy areas of the house as best I could. And I did a little work on the dollhouse. Girding my loins, I thought I might try a little project from Léa Frisoni’s book on Miniatures (the one that Don got me for Christmas.) I had to translate all the directions via Google Translate but fortunately, I did that a few week ago, so I was ready to go. It looked fairly simple; deceptively simple, I might add. But I figured, what the heck? After a couple of hours I came up with a chair.
This is a bit of a variation on Léa’s design. I couldn’t find the same kind of florist wire, so I substituted something else. It’s ever so slightly wonky, but it works. I was thinking it might be a nice addition to the bathroom.
What do you think? A little vintage chair to sit on for a second or two, or a place to toss a towel or a robe? I am rather proud of my first foray into mini-making. I want to make another one someday when I can find the kind of florist wire Léa recommends. But right now? I’m liking this sweet little vintagey-looking chair.
Then I moved on to the craft room/studio/office. I’ve had this idea for a while. I wanted a counter-like desk on the the planked wall, long and narrow, where the owner could set up her sewing machine or write a letter or work on her computer. It’s meant to function as a space saver, as the owner also has a work table for larger projects.
I found a nice piece of wood at the hobby shop, cut it to the length I wanted and then decided to stain it. I like the contrast of the stained wood with the white planked wall. The legs are left over spindles from the stair railings that I cut down. (I’m realizing that my mini copy of To Kill a Mockingbird is a little off scale, a little on the large side. I’m going to think of it as a special edition – a coffee table size edition of my favorite novel.)
That’s the sewing machine Julie sent to me – all the way from Canada. It looks like my Featherweight.
All in all, a productive day. I had another call from QVC. They are doing their best to check in with me every day. The bed we’re sleeping on is from the days when I really liked a firm mattress. My bones no longer prefer that level of firmness and I’m very sore and creaky upon waking. The bed is in relatively good shape because I only had it for a year or so before Don and I moved in together and bought a bigger bed. It hasn’t been used all that much. However, it’s a full size bed that was meant for single girl Claudia. Not Claudia and Don twenty years later…. Ah well.
Happy Saturday.
Good Morning Claudia, I love the work you did on your dollhouse. Doris
Thank you, Doris! Have a good weekend!
Love the little chair.
Thank you, Shanna!
Oh, I think you will end up being flogged to death with some overprices kitchenware for such a heretical comment like that!
I like Cath Kidston stuff well enough, they are pretty enough but what I do find offensive is the sky high premium for some pretty ordinary items. If I came across them in a sale and they were significantly reduced then I’d buy something if I needed it but it certainly wouldn’t figure on my wish list of covetable items.
Love your sweet little dollhouse makes.
They are pricey, that’s for sure! I wouldn’t be buying anything, either – even if I lived in England.
Your creativity impresses me! Sending sunshine and hugs from middle TN.
Thank you, Carol! Sending sunshine to you (although it’s snowing right now!)
Good morning, Claudia! I love your chair–so creative and perfect for the bathroom! I thought I was the only one who wasn’t keen on Cath Kidston, but I guess I should have known better :-). Have a good weekend!
I’m glad to hear there is someone else who is not-so-keen on Cath Kidston. Have a wonderful weekend, Martha!
Your wire chair is perfection! And the new rustic shelf table will be so useful when the lady of the house has time to work on her quilt. As I said before, I could move right into your dollhouse, Claudia!
I’m glad it looks rustic, Vickie. That’s exactly what I was going for!
Claudia the little chair you made is perfect for the bathroom. Bravo on your first try at mini making! Loving the dollhouse additions! I’m still dreaming of those Anthropologie cups you bought last year, forget Cath Kidson! Sending hurry up thoughts to the OVC bed makers!!! Hugs, LInda
Oh, those cups are beautiful! I still love using them every day.
Hi Claudia, love to read your blog – I also love GreenGate & thought I would let you know that UK company http://www.occa-home.co.uk sell it & ship to the US – maybe a little piece would help take your mind off the bed fiasco?hope you don’t have to wait too much longer for it to be sorted x
Oh Janette, thank you for the link! Although this may spell trouble for me!
I’ve always loved your dollhouse posts, Claudia… adorable!!!
Happy weekend,
Lin
Thanks so much Lin! Happy Weekend to you.
GOOD MORNING, Claudia. The little rustic chair that you made is darling and it looks perfect in the bathroom. I am very impressed and look forward to seeing more of your miniature creations.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I can’t believe I pulled it off, Cathy!
I was thinking yesterday, “Claudia needs a doll house day.”
Now the chair….What a great job you did on that chair. I’ve known all along that you are talented, but the chair….perfection.
Balisha
Oh, thank you, Balisha! I’m amazed that I did it!
Oh, my! You MADE that chair?? I am in awe.
I make the bed each morning, and I think that is an accomplishment!!
Claudia makes a chair……………… I am not worthy!!
Oh, I bet you could do it too, Chris!
Love that little chair Claudia.Reminds me of the old ice cream parlor chairs..It needs an occupant..Maybe even a cat??
Maybe….the question is: Is the owner allergic to cats like I am? Or is she blessedly allergy free?
PS..Did you get my email about Alligator Man?? Loved it..
I did, Missy! So glad you enjoyed it. I think this author is a wonderful writer.
Cllaudia, I have long thought, there is not much
that you cannot do! It Seems to me that
talented people have amazing resources.
Im not sure, why? is it self confidence? or
are you guys blessed with an abundance of
talent? What ever it is, you are a most amazing
woman! – Judy A-
Or maybe just plain hutzpah – the audacity to give it a try?
Oh Claudia!
I love the chair! It is adorable. You did a wonderful job in making it. I think a towel placed there neatly folded or tossed hurriedly on the back will be wonderful.
I also like the counter top desk area in the craft room. I am learning a little bit about scale too. But I say whatever gives the impression of great literature big or small– it’s a nice book to have in the Hummingbird Cottage. Perhaps that is why the occupant has to read it at the table. It’s much too heavy to hold in her hands and read for any length of time. ;)
Pat
You have a point, Pat. Too heavy to hold in one’s hands. Easier to put on the desk and slowly read with a cup of tea. xo
I love Cath Kidston. What I don’t love is that she changes everything every season so you have to be johnny on the spot about grabbing what you want, which I guess works well for the business end of their venture, but not for me on my limited budget. All of my dinnerware is Cath Kidston. I was looking for color coded plates for my family and ultimately liked hers the best. I also like GreenGate and I think I have seen their stuff somewhere for sale on the internet, and I would presume they’d send it to the states. You can also find them on ebay. I have also found similar stuff at Homegoods. I am surprised you don’t like Cath Kidston as I think it is all very similar and you have pieces from Anthro that I feel fit into a similar category as well, but I certainly understand.
I’m glad you like Cath Kidston, Erin. I certainly have a lot of blogging friends who do. Yes, my pieces from Anthro fit in that category, but there’s something about them that makes them different from CK for me. Hard to define, really. Someone just sent me a link to a shop in the UK that ships to the US and carries GreenGate….but I would have to save my pennies.
Color coded plates seems like the perfect idea for a family!
Your little wire chair is precious! Great job. Make more minis because you have the touch. Love Carrie’s Etsy shop too. Thanks for the heads up.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I know that you are a mini-making veteran, Susan. This is the first time that I’ve really dipped my toes in the water!
Claudia,
If you type in greengate.dk/storefinder, it may help you find an online store. I used the UK and London as the city. There are 3 online choices. I love Green Gate, but I’ll need to save my pennies to shop on these sites! It’s nice to just browse though, isn’t it? Hope your bed problem gets fixed soon. Have a nice weekend. :)
Me too, Debbie. It will have to be at a time when I can treat myself! Have a great weekend!
Adorable chair…even if it’s a little wonkey! You are indeed, a woman of talent! Didn’t know who Cath Kidston was…looked her up…not my taste. Enjoy your day! ;)
Thanks so much, Donna! Have a wonderful weekend!
Claudia- your wee bistro chair is too cute!
Have seen the Katie Alice line? Also out of London, and similar to Cath K and Greengate. I am not a huge fan of blue, so her Scarlet Posy makes me smile.
No I haven’t, Dianne. I’ll have to check it out!
Oh My Gosh..I am so proud of you Claudia..It just proves that we don’t know what we can accomplish unless we just jump in and give it a try..They are just the perfect style for Hummingbird Cottage..I think the lady of the house will be very pleased..Also that tiny plate is unbelievable..I have never heard of Green Gate so I am going to go have a look now!
Thanks, Nancy. I was worried I’d just give up and chuck the whole thing, but I’m glad I didn’t.
Well, now I’m curious and will have to go Google Green Gate. Not to mention Cath Kidston – I’ve never heard of her! Did I just shock everybody? PS – love your new teeny ice-cream-parlor chair. I couldn’t do that ever! PS-2: vibes are still strong that QVC will get you your mattress before the 10-day mark they promised. Enjoy your weekend!
It’s probably very healthy that you haven’t heard of either of those companies! Good for you.
Keeping my fingers crossed, Janet!
I love the chair! It is an excellent beginning in making miniatures. When I first saw the photos I was wondering where you got it, as I would love one. I guess I will have to get the book as well! Anyway, great job.
Thanks so much, Patricia!
Your little chair turned out just gorgeous! You did a great job! I posted on my new dollhouse today and am so excited to get started on it! You are an inspiration for sure.
Judy
I’m headed on over to read your post, my friend.
Love the little chair Claudia~~~you did a very good job creating it!! I would buy one for my dollhouse in a minute :0).
How about a little grain sack round pillow for the seat?
XO, Linda
What a neat idea, Linda! Hmmmm…..
You are just too cool! I absolutely love the chair!
Your dollhouse is so charming, Claudia…I love the little chair you made…
I can’t believe you made that darling chair, it is just perfect for the bathroom. I think it would be fun making items like you did. I am still wanting one……
That little chair turned out just as sweet as can be! Darling! I’ve wanted a wee little dollhouse, a cottage really, for so long. In my workroom I have a little box with small bits of furniture I’ve picked up here and there. Someday, I’ll have that cottage. I might just leave it decorated for Christmas all the year through!
I love the little chair, Claudia! It’s adorable. (Perfect for a lady to sit while she dons her hosiery.) And the little plank desk is perfect. I think you should just tell people that’s the LARGE PRINT edition of Miss Lee’s book….