As to the mystery item….where did we leave off?
Ah yes. I ordered it online and drove to another Target location to pick it up. But first, some back story. Last week, when I was back home, I read a post on a favorite blog, Call of the Small, about a child’s dollhouse she had picked up at Target. Call of the Small is one of several miniaturists who love the midcentury modern look in miniatures and dollhouses, and it’s hard to find dollhouses that have that look because most of them are more traditional in design.
This particular dollhouse was $49, and it was part of a line called Our Generation, the Lori 6″ dollhouse – Loft to Love. The 6″ notation refers to the doll size. Dolls for dollhouses are not something I am into. But the house itself looked to me like a great roombox (which just got auto corrected to rhumba!) and a fun way to play with the midcentury modern look – a look I’m not at all interested in for my real home, but one I’ve really come to love in miniatures.
I was going to stop at our local Target on my way back to Hartford, but I didn’t. Thus began my Hartford-area search. And now I have it.
Here’s a glimpse of the outside. The door is plastic and huge (probably for the dolls) but it can work. Green felt top for a roof garden.
Here’s the inside:
You can see the loft and a battery operated yellow light, which I’ll probably remove at some point. I’m in love with the tall windows. Since this was designed as a kid’s toy, plastic furniture sets are available for the rooms, though there were none available at the Target store I went to. It comes with a kitchen.
It’s okay, but it’s plastic. It takes up too much of the main space. And it’s a little bigger than 1:12 – maybe 1:10? I’m not sure. I think I’ll be ‘redesigning’ the kitchen.
I think it’s really cool.
I brought a couple of pieces back with me, just to play a bit. But not enough to truly play, darn it!
Such a neat space and so full of possibilities. After all, though I have midcentury modern in the Top Secret Project, it is for Don. So I can’t really play with it after it’s finished. I have to be a good girl and leave it alone.
Reader Bridget solved the mystery and I was shocked and delighted that she did! Good for you, Bridget. I left one clue in yesterday’s comments and replies: miniatures. That, coupled with the fact that I was looking for the item at Target, was apparently enough for Bridget. Bravo!
It’s available online here, if you’re at all interested. Target: once again I am referring readers to your site.
Ahem. Hint: Loveseat.
The Target I went to yesterday had about three of these left. I think they’re quickly going out of stock because the one I visited the other day had none on the shelves. And none of the Targets had the accessories, but since I wasn’t interested in them, it was fine. In other words, they’re pretty picked over, due, I’m sure, to it being post-Christmas.
So I have added a little dollhouse to the temporary digs. I wish there was a miniatures shop nearby but there isn’t. Sigh.
And I do have to work. Right?
Happy Friday.
How cute is that! In real life I would have major heart palpitations if I had to walk down those stairs without a railing. I just can´t do it. Have fun with it! pam
Oh, me too, Pam! No railing? Not on your life!
Hmm…so much potential. :D
I know! For now, I’m just observing and thinking….
It would be awesome if you could connect it somehow to the secret project. I like the yellow light! Doris
The light is okay, but it’s really big. Maybe I can disguise part of it somehow!
I KNEW you’d be getting another dollhouse soon, Claudia! It’s a disease. I have six right now. The only problem is where to put them? Have fun!
That’s the problem! Our house is Small with a capital S!
I like the yellow light, too, but it is big. I love the rug and the table. You will have fun with the house and we all know you know how to order online. You will have a car full by the time you go back home! Enjoy.
Oh, you know me well. I DO know how to order online!
Cute!! I’m in love with the style. His and now Her studios? So much potential and fun. Enjoy.
hugs,
Linda
It’s a disease, this love of miniatures, Linda!
Oh my goodness Claudia. More fun for you! A new dollhouse wasn’t even on my radar when I was trying to rack my brain as to what you might be looking for at Target. I like to watch some of the decorating shows, and must admit, I’ve never really understood mid century modern. I like the cottage he feel myself. Although I’m sure by the time you get finished decorating this, I’m going to love it since I do like your decorating style very much. Have fun dreaming and thinking!
Blessings, Betsy
I like midcentury modern in dollhouses, but since I grew up in a house full of that stuff – in the actual mid-century! – it’s not a style I gravitate to in terms of the cottage. But that’s why dollhouses are such fun! You can stretch and try different styles.
I like the house…are you planning on attaching it to Don’s somehow? Or, will this be YOUR secret hideaway? I like some mid century modern, but like you, when you grow up with it…it looses some of it’s appeal as an adult. Enjoy your day! ;)
Oh no. Don’s is self-contained. It’s his studio. This will be yet another project for me. Caroline’s house is pretty much finished, so I need something new! (Besides the Top Secret Project) and it was too good a deal to pass up.
Thanks for explaining! It’ll be fun to see how you transform it! ;)
What a find! I agree with you about the furniture scale; 1/12 would be much better for your purpose. Does the lay-out remind anyone else of the Tiny Houses that are featured on HGTV from time to time?
The exterior brick (seen on the TARGET website) is very nice, too.
Good eye, Claudia. Wish I knew someone in marketing at TARGET. Perhaps if all of us mention TARGET in our comments, someone over there will notice.
I like the exterior – it’s all done with paper, nevertheless, it’s neat.
This is wonderful!! I love it!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!
Thank you, Mamey!
I think that is probably it!! Those of us who actually lived in the 50’s really don’t long for mid-century modern since it is what we lived with (through??).
I could never do that staircase!! The tall windows are fun…but I love Caroline’s house SO much!
This will be different for you to decorate for yourself. I think the TSP has been fun, but I think of that one as, of course, being for Don. This one will be for you. Oh, what fun!! I love just the few things you have added, so I know it will be amazing! Even the roof top garden space will be fun to plan and decorate. Promise you will put a rail of some sort along at least a piece of it!! ?
Exactly. That’s what my mom had because she didn’t want to be like her mom who had traditional furniture and antiques. I love Caroline’s house, too, but I have to change things up a bit now!
Oh my! I foresee a lot of fun in the near future.
Me too, Barbara!
I’ll have to see if my local Target has that Smalls collection. It would be the perfect mini-house for my daughter to start, so she can concentrate on furnishings instead of an actual build. See, Target take note that Claudia is drumming up business!
I mean the Our Generation collection….
It would be a great way for your daughter to start. If the local Target doesn’t have it, you can order it online.
Yippee! Another miniature project! Can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Happy weekend
Judy
Thank you, Judy. The same to you, my friend.
I’ve been following Call of the Small for a while, and I even had a tab open in my browser with that very same dollhouse for several days before your post. But now your endorsement will make two votes in favor. Drat. Sounds like I have to go to Target tomorrow. I’ll find room for it somewhere in our two-bedroom condo. I’m sure my daughter would vote for it to go in her bedroom.
Good luck, Bridget! I think it’s too good a deal to pass up. And remember, if your local Target doesn’t have it you can order it online.
I myself love Mid-Century Modern and would totally furnish my house in it if it were possible…that dollhouse looks as if it were made for MCM…I too would not be able to climb those stars..I would probably have to crawl up them on my hands and knees while holding on to them tightly..lol..this is certainly going to be fun for me to watch Claudia…
I know! No railing? Unthinkable. But in the mini world, it’s just fine.
I have American Girl dolls that I make dresses for. I guess there is a young girl in all of us. Love the doll house.
Thanks, Tana!