A package arrived in yesterday’s mail, all the way from England. Penzance, in fact! I’ve been waiting for this a long time. I first saw it in an Etsy shop and I kept the photo on my laptop screen for months, every once in a while checking to see if it was still in stock.
Then, one day, it wasn’t in stock. I’d left it too long. I couldn’t resign myself to losing out, so I wrote the miniaturist and asked if she might have one in stock in the future and she answered that she would make one for me. There was a queue, so I had to wait about 3 or 4 months, but it’s here and it was worth it.
Eeeeek!
She made this. The entire sofa. Even the underside is beautiful. The satiny finish on that wood is gorgeous.
What drew me initially was the combination of wood and fabric, that fabric being a William Morris design called Strawberry Thief. This particular colorway makes my heart sing – the blues, the greens, the pinks!
The detail. That green trim. The legs. Oh my heavens!
It’s simply exquisite. The miniaturist behind this creation is Arlette Shelton, who has an Etsy shop called Arlette’s Miniatures. I am in awe of her talent. I could never make something like this.
From the moment I saw it, I envisioned it on the first floor of the English Cottage, which will be a combination of living room and kitchen. It, along with my mustard colored hutch, has been a major source of inspiration for me. I’ve stopped making the stones because of various distractions and I need to get back at it. Having this beauty now in my possession has fired me up again.
It may be the most beautiful piece that I own.
I always plan on keeping these things a secret until the final reveal, but I never do! I get so excited that I have to share it with you right away. I guess I’m rather like a little kid that way. But I know you’ll love it, too, and that you’ll share my excitement.
Don was going on and on about it when I showed it to him. He loves it. And yes, I’d like a life-sized version in my home, please.
Goodness, what a treasure!
What else? Reading The Night Circus, which I’m enjoying, though it took me a while to get into it. Finished my Skype sessions yesterday. Now I have to decide whether I want to go to a run-through on Tuesday, which has an early start time, or go on Thursday, which will be much later in the day. I’d prefer Tuesday.
I have to get two new front tires for my car. January and February appear to be “Fix Our Cars” months for the two of us.
In last night’s episode of Hinterland, one of the people being questioned actually stopped and stood still for most of the questioning! But the next questionee was moving around, piling equipment in his truck, barely giving the detectives the time of day. This third and final season is really heating up, plot-wise. We’re hooked.
Happy Friday.
Wasn’t ready for the picture – scrolled down and I audibly gasped. Wow, just beautiful.
It really is. Thanks, Anne!
“Oh my heavens!” is an understatement! The rolled arms and curves are so beautifully done. And what a wonderful final touch adding the green cord with the gorgeous fabric. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished room.
Me too. Though, that’s a long way off! Thanks, Lynda.
Wow!
You said it! Thanks, Barbara!
Oh my! That is a stunner Claudia, and so worth the wait! Now, I’m anxious to see it in place with the mustard hutch!
It’s cloudy again today, we had ice earlier. The sun is to make an appearance on Sunday, hopefully. That will be a big deal around here…I think we are on 10+ days since we’ve seen that yellow thing in the sky! Enjoy your day! ;)
You need sun! Enjoy it when it comes, Donna! Thank you.
Love the sofa and the fabric! I recently was reading something—Deborah Crombie, I think—where one of the characters imagined a dream house with The Strawberry thief as the wallpaper. I was going to google the pattern, but forgot about it. I knew I would love it and I do. I wonder who makes the printed fabric in such a tiny version? The scale seems perfect for the upholstery. Incredible.
So beautiful and so well done. I’m jealous!
Thank you!
Some miniaturists print it themselves on fabric, though I don’t know if that’s the case with this. Thanks, Shanna.
WOW! That sofa is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing it with us before the final ‘showing’. The detail is out of this world. Arlette is quite a talented lady. I’ll have to check out her Etsy shop one of these days.
She’s quite amazing, Cathy!
Stunningly gorgeous – the wood, the fabric layout, the cushions, such perfection! I had no idea this was possible. You have continually given me insight about the miniaturist world.
Oh, it’s pretty amazing! There are artisans out there that will knock your socks off! Thanks, Martha.
The tiny sofa is exquisite! I would love to have it my living room, so glad I’m not the only one.
Me too! I can imagine right here in the den! Thanks, Judy.
What a perfect piece for your doll house; the workmanship/craftsmanship (or should I say workwomanship/craftswomanship) is truly fine. She’s an artist! The fabric is so unique.
It’s truly stunning, Vicki.
ohmygosh!
thank you for sharing this treasure with us.
the workmanship is simply amazing! it’s a truly beautiful piece!
worthy of heirloom status! thank you again.
I agree! Thank you, Tammy!
Wow!!! Love, love , love that couch! Wish it came in real house size. :)
You and me both, Betsy! Thank you.
One word. Exquisite.
Oh, how I love perfect craftsmanship. William Morris would be thrilled, I think.
I think he would, Jeanie. Thank you!
That sofa is gorgeous. Love the material. What a treasure. Enjoy.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn. I really am so happy with the result!
A work of art! Such a good eye you have for beauty. Of course I went to her sight immediately–lots of lovelies!! I’m thinking Art Deco for my next house! (Day dreaming as my office drawer homage to my grandmother’s home had to be put up when the cats kept insisting on moving in. LOL). But your artist had a fab deco sofa. I’m checking out your miniatures page for links to artists who might have arts and crafts or deco pieces to drool over. Yesterday was a very hard day for me for reasons you can guess and I spent last evening browsing Etsy miniatures which went a long way towards keeping me from doing something drastic. Thank you for sending me down that route. By the way, for some reason thinking of the English cottage, seeing the wonderful Morris print, sent me to an idea for a name (of course I know that is your right and you are brilliant at naming your homes): Whimsey Cottage after Sayer’s Lord Peter. I love her mysteries and this piece looks like it belongs in one of the character’s parlors. Now, what to call my Deco Dream…:-)
Always happy to offer some sort of escape, Nora! I understand.
I love the name you came up with, Nora. Thank you!
Oh, my!!! That’s gorgeous and worth the wait. :D
Well worth the wait, Brae! Thank you,