Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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An Extraordinary Find

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If you follow me on Instagram, you’re already familiar with this story. But heck, it’s so great that I have to share it with you here!

I had a list of errands yesterday and I planned on starting the ‘loop’ with a visit to one of my favorite antique emporiums to see if they had any vintage ornaments left; not that I really need any, it was just an excuse to visit. Then I’d tackle the bookstore and Michael’s and return home.

One of the first things I saw was an amazing tramp art house. Handmade, of course, and simply fascinating. It wasn’t practical for me and it was expensive – though, as a one-of-a kind piece of folk art, it was worth the price. You can see a photo of it on my IG feed. As I headed in and out of booths on the first aisle, I looked up – something I often forget to do – and saw this:

What???

Half off? Half off of an already ridiculously inexpensive price?

I continued on my perusal of the booths, my thoughts going back to the dollhouse, posting a photo on IG asking if I should buy it, heading back, looking at it again, walking around some more – you get the picture.

It was perched very high up on a ladder that had been placed horizontally to form a shelf. In the meantime, messages kept coming in from my initial post on IG basically in the form of “Get it!”  “Are you nuts? Get it NOW!”

Finally, I asked one of the ladies at the counter if it was possible to get it down because I was very interested and wanted to see inside. She had to haul out a tall ladder and, as I expressed worry that it might fall on her, a man who happened to be walking by volunteered to help. We finally managed to set it on a counter.

Frankly, I expected it to be one big room, an empty space. This is what I saw:

Are you kidding me? This is exactly what we had in the Craftsman house we rented when we were living in San Diego.

There are two small rooms as well. Doors that open and shut beautifully. Shutters that work.

Arched doorways that frame the entrance into the two rooms from the living room.

A front porch.

It’s solid as a rock. Whoever made this knew what he/she was doing and it’s beautifully made. It’s very old – I’d guess it was made in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Needless to say, I bought it. It’s big – bigger than it looked when it was perched way up high – about 22 inches wide and about 15 inches deep.

It wouldn’t fit in the trunk. I couldn’t maneuver it into the back seat.  (Dad, I’m so grateful that I have the use of your car, but this is about the millionth time I’ve wished you had gone for four doors instead of two.) After a wee bit of panic, I managed to get it on the passenger seat, with the seat back reclining at a sharp angle. I had to turn it on its side. As I drove home, I kept holding onto it so it wouldn’t bump against the gear shift.

 

I brought it home and immediately created this little scene on the porch. The ‘snow’ is flannel from my stash. The trees and wreaths are from my stash.

I’m in love.

Someone made this for a loved one: a daughter, a grandchild, a niece or nephew. It killed me to think of it sitting there, marked down, when at one point someone played with it and loved it. So much love was put into this dollhouse. It needed to be rescued.

Do I have the room for it? No. But I’ve already thought about putting it on top of the china cabinet in the den or on a table in the living room next to the big white armoire. Right now, I have it on the blue bench that sits there, but I’d like it on something that’s offers more support. It’s big and heavy and solid as a rock and I don’t want it crashing to the floor.

Everyone keeps saying, “I can’t wait to see what you do to it.” But the truth is, I’m not going to do much. This is someone’s creation – hours of work were put into making it. It’s a piece of folk art. I’ll give it a gentle cleaning, of course. But Don and I have already decided it’s going to be a summer home or cabin – rustic in nature. I don’t want to transform it in any way other than with furniture and accessories. The basic structure will remain the same. It seems a sacrilege to change its natural beauty. I have such admiration for the person who built this. I want to be its caretaker and honor it.

Since Don found out yesterday that one of the presents he ordered for me is in China, of all places, and hasn’t even left the country (he thought it was shipping from Arizona.) He was very upset. I suggested that this could be a present from him. I texted a photo of it and he immediately said yes! I know he was relieved.

It’s currently perched right here by the entrance to the den.

I had to add some lights, of course! It’s the holiday season.

To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement. When things get put away after Christmas and I have more space, I’ll take better photos. Right now, every available surface is in use.

As I am constantly reminded, timing is everything.

Interesting side note: the dealer that I love (the one I got the egg cup cubby from) has a booth in this shop. She commented on my IG post, saying that she had had her eye on it! Looks like I got there just in time!

Happy Friday.

Comments

  1. i agree that dollhouse is true hand-made folk art and know you already treasure it. so glad you got it … congratulations!

    kathy in iowa

  2. It’s made for you….plain and simple. I’m glad you are going to preserve its history. But, I still can’t wait to see how you decorate it!

    Congratulations on a truly great find! ;)

  3. Oh, it really is a treasure! Someone spent a lot of time building it and loving it, I think. I’m so glad it found you!

    • Thank you, Eileen. I’ll write you soon – I got your information but I haven’t had time to get back to the genealogy yet.

  5. As I commented on your IG, wow those built-ins alone are spectacular. Whoever made this masterpiece would be so pleased you are now its caregiver.

  6. It is beautiful and the love that went into building it is evident. I think I mentioned a while ago that I have a dollhouse that my great grandfather made for my Aunt when she was a little girl. She passed away this year at the age of 94, so that tells you how old it is. By looking at your doll house it appears the roof comes off – is that correct? The roof on mine comes off and there is even electricity in it, though I’ve never tried to see if it works. I retire next year and one of the first projects will be restoring it – It has been moved around a lot and needs some TLC. I also have several pieces of furniture that my great grandfather made as well. Someday it will be worth of being photographed.

    • That dollhouse will be such fun to restore, Karen.

      No, the roof doesn’t come off this one. You enter the rooms through the back of the house.

  7. Oh yeah. You had to have this one. You had to. And it is terrific in every single way. And I can see why you wouldn’t do much to it — you don’t have to.

    Yes, timing IS everything — and your timing rocked. Big smiles coming your way!

  8. Just lovely. I too would preserve and display it as a piece of folk art rather than completely make it over. What a wonderful find – enjoy!

  10. No question this was Meant To Be! Even I, who know nothing about dollhouses & miniatures in general, can see how well built this little gem is. I love it just as you have it now, for Christmas. And it’ll be even more charming as Caroline’s rustic summer cottage. Sounds like you don’t plan to “renovate” the interior – just add furniture & a few decorative objects – which is exactly what most people do with a “just for Summer” cottage. Can’t wait to see how much personality you’ll bring to it. Someone clearly loved it before, and someone does now too. And the snafu with Don’s gift in China – meant to be too? Maybe the Universe is trying, in some small way, to make up a bit for this year’s ETM disappointment. Whatever the reason, I’m really glad you have this peach of a dollhouse – and a new fun project. Something to stir the creative juices during dull old Winter. Peace.🏠

    #Resist
    #ProtectMueller

  11. Congrats on another wonderful treasure for your home, Claudia. That house will always give you good vibes, since you not only rescued it, but will honor the person who built it and the person(s) who cherished it before you.

  12. There’s no place like home for the holidays, or in your case, another “home” for the holidays. :-() It’s adorable and a great find!
    Happy Holidays!!!

  13. ” I have such admiration for the person who built this. I want to be its caretaker and honor it. ”
    and I have such admiration for you in seeing it’s REAL ‘heart’ value. can you picture a father measuring and sanding and working on it… perhaps after working long hours all day…
    just to surprise his little daughter with it?
    wow! doesn’t take much for my imagination to soar! but still. that you honor it is lovely.
    xo

    • I do picture that. Maybe in his workshop or down the basement. I see it as a birthday or Christmas surprise. Thanks, Tammy!

  14. Oh my goodness, what a fantastic folk art find! I LOVE it. I have a real love for items made with love and this certainly fits that bill. I also love your idea of leaving it much as is; as a ‘summer camp / rustic cabin’ as that totally is what it calls for. Can’t wait to see it completed. I love your little lights & wreaths and snow and tree (which reminded ME I want to pick up a yard of good quality white flannel to put away for NEXT christmas to use under my tree – I am adding teal & purple to my bright green bulbs next year on my white tree and want to keep it simple as a skirt and what a snow drift look). And in case I don’t comment again before then… Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and Don.
    with much love to you both,
    Dawn Pinnataro, aka GADawn57

    • White flannel is good to have on hand for this sort of thing. I even made the mini skirts for the mini Christmas trees in the other dollhouses from the same flannel. Thanks so much, Dawn. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  15. I am so very glad that you bought that dollhouse! I have passed up some things antiquing that have haunted me for years. So good for you it is a wonderful piece.

    • I know what you mean. I have passed up some things that I wish I hadn’t! I would have gone home, stressed that someone would buy it, and would have driven back immediately! Thanks, Judy.

  16. Do you think that the front looks Federal? It’s an interesting juxtaposition with the interior.

    It looks lovely with the wreaths: simple and festive.

    Happy holidays.

    • It looks like a lot of houses I’ve seen here and in the Midwest – not really Federal. Plenty of porches, including ours in San Diego, were in that style. What this doesn’t have that so many Craftsman houses have is a big porch. However, my grandmother’s home was not remotely Craftsman but it had the same fireplace/shelves combination that our Craftsman house did. It was enormously popular.

  18. what a find! what a treasure! its just perfect as is you’re right messing with it would be sacrilege xo

  19. What a sweet treasure and just perfect for you. I know you will enjoy it as the made with love treasure that it is. I think just a clean up, furniture and some accessories and it is perfect. What a lovely find. Merry Christmas!

    John is in surgery right and we are waiting for updates. He is in good hands and was in good spirits and more worried about Sara then himself. She will go out there to help him when he goes home from the hospital. So Scout and I are having a Girls Night at Grammy’s house! Pizza, movies and pj’s!

    • to linda @ a la carte …

      prayers said for your husband, you and the rest of your family, for his successful surgery and gentle and full recovery along with whatever else you all need.

      merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year to you all.

      kathy in iowa

      • oops … just re-read your comment and now am thinking john may be your son or son-in-law …? sorry for the mis-reading/ assumption … though God sure doesn’t need me to tell Him who john is!

        best wishes.

  20. How sweet that the house spoke to your heart. You will be a good steward as you care for it. Wishing you and Don a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year.

  22. Love It! My daughter had one about this size-dad built it and she and I furnished it! During one of our many moves, told her it was lost or thrown out!! We were so sad. When she told me, he got another bigger huge one! It sits at her home!! As frugal as I am, I would have bought this one

  23. Wonderful little house Claudia…the Christmas touches look so natural and pretty…what a treasure you have found!

  24. Claudia,

    I love, love, LOVE this dollshouse!! Your decision to not alter it, apart from furniture and accessories, is totally right. It is simply quite beautiful as is and I can imagine your joy and delight at finding it (I think it was meant for you). The Christmas decorations are quite beautiful too!

    Beverley

  25. That is absolutely gorgeous! I am so glad that you bought it. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”
    Don’t know who said that but it is so very true. If you had walked away, you would have regret forever.
    I wish you and Don a wonderful Christmas and may 2019 bring you and your family good health, good fortune and much,much laughter.
    Lyn

    • I would have been wondering if someone else had snapped it up!

      Thank you so much, Lyn! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  26. I love this house! It’s beautiful in it’s simplicity and I will be anxiously waiting & watching what magic you use!!

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