Don: Don’t read this post!!
I will be issuing these warnings as I work on the Top Secret Project. I’m trusting that Don will be sleep deprived when he gets back – goodness knows, I certainly am – and won’t see this post. But, he is entirely capable of surprising me, so I will have to resort to the occasional warning.
Okay. Time for a piece of humble pie. I have remarked before on this blog about the way my dollhouse was put together, that the seams didn’t always meet, that it wasn’t assembled as well as I thought it should have been.
I’m here to tell you that I am now on the other end of this process and it’s hard. To the unknown family that put together Hummingbird Cottage: you have my apologies. I have made a couple of bone-headed mistakes in this process. That I’ve been able to fix them is nothing short of a miracle. Yesterday, my immediate thought upon making one of these mistakes, was “I’ll have to order another kit and start over.” I was not happy at that prospect. I was frustrated; with myself and with an entirely new-to-me process.
It seems simple and in some ways it is. But one little error can throw everything off. It reminds me of making a quilt – one inaccurate measurement can throw the entire thing out of whack.
Oh, that’s happened to me, as well.
Then I get obsessed with trying to fix it. And I did.
Blood, sweat, and tears, Don. Blood, sweat, and tears.
I got the rafters installed, but learned a valuable lesson. The thickness of paint can also throw everything off – we’re talking miniatures here and everything is tiny – even the paint layers. I also painted the windows, very fiddly work for someone like me who does not enjoy painting. But the windows are neat; they slide open.
I added the two front walls and the framework for the sliding door. There’s more to be done before the basic construction is finished. Then I have to paint the outside. And the inside.
I have a vision, of course, for what I want to create inside the studio. I’ve always envisioned the furniture in a more modern style. In the course of my endless reading of miniature blogs, I saw a couple of references to a Japanese company called Reac. They have a line of miniature 1:12 furniture based on famous furniture designs. They’re not easy to find, but they’re out there.
Though my personal tastes tend to run toward vintage, comfy, and cottage, I have always loved the furniture designs of Charles and Ray Eames. If I could own a few of those pieces in real life, I’d be thrilled. One in particular, the Lounge Chair, has always been a favorite. I owned a sort of knock-off several years ago when living in Boston – at least, it was inspired by the Eames chair – and it was comfy, but it wasn’t nearly as beautiful.
Look what came in the mail yesterday (conveniently while Don was away):
Oooh, let’s open up the box.
Eeek!
Behold the first piece of furniture for Don’s studio.
I am in love. I want to collect all of the mini pieces in this line.
There’s another mini manufacturer who makes this chair but after countless comparison shots, I think the base of the chair/ottoman is better in this version. The other version has much thicker legs – they look out of scale. I like the detail on the Reac version better. Both were about the same price, so I went for this one.
Very exciting!
There’s a long road ahead on this build and design. And budget constraints, of course. So I’m going to try to make some of the ‘recording studio’ pieces. Wish me luck. I have no idea how to do any of it.
Oh, yesterday afternoon, I was about to go out on the porch to get the watering can and who did I see? None other than Amber, the cat-in-heat. At that point in my frustrating day, I was not about to deal with her writhing endlessly on my porch, so I called my neighbors and once again, they came over to get her. They didn’t know she’d escaped. I have to admit, Amber is quick. And she’s in heat. So that makes her even more desperate to take matters into her own hands.
I hope she soon emerges from this state of frenzy. Though she’s adorable, she needs to stay home.
Happy Sunday.
Good morning Claudia, I know you are up to the challenge of doing a great job on Don’s studio. I love the chair. It is fun to see how your work is coming along. Doris
Thank you, Doris! I’m just about to stop for the day as Don is coming home earlier than I thought.
How cool that Don has his own mini! Love that mid-mod chair! The big ones go for a song here! Have a lovely weekend!
A song – as in cheap? I want one!
That chair!! Oh my I love it. This recording studio is going to be so much fun! I am afraid I would not have the skills or patience to put together a dollhouse! I’m still thinking about that chair! Poor Amber, nature plays a cruel joke on cats. Once she is out of heat I hope they get her fixed pronto! Enjoy your day. (that chair!!…did you figure out I love it??)
Linda
I did! I love it, too!
I’m sure you have seen Frasier….. that chair so reminds me of the one he had and had to move up to the landing to make room for his Dad’s old chair! It is beautiful!!
Oh, my, it is so hot and humid here today. BUT we are supposed to have the 70’s for most of the week, so we can certainly get through the day.
Oh, Amber! She does need to stay home when she is in such a frenzy. Good advice for some people I know, as well. ?
It’s hot here, too! I’m sort of over it, except I don’t want summer to end!
The Reac line is wonderful. I have a few of their other modern chairs.
I hear you on the pains of getting a kit right. I tend to leave mine in taped up dry fit for months until I am sure. :D You’re doing great!
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Brae. This is my first go round on making a house from a kit. My other dollhouse was a rehab. I don’t know how you do it! You go even further and do all sorts of things with the original kit and make it your own. I so admire your creativity and your building skills!
You are doing a brilliant job – don’t be discouraged!
The chair is awesome – LOVE Reac Japan product. Does the finish on the wood lean toward walnut or mahogany? It’s sometimes difficult to tell on my screen.
Gosh, I’d say it leans a bit toward mahogany, but I’m not looking at it right now. I’ll check again later.
I have found some better deals on Amazon for Reac (free shipping too) then on Ebay. Victoria Miniland (canadian site) has a huge line of ReC, though stock fluctuates.
And I have found using solid colour stain on my window frames and using a fine grit paper to sand between coats really helps. I don’t varnish the window grooves though to avoid sticking.
Love your progress!
Thanks for the tips, Kat – on Amazon and the windows. I used paint – sparingly, because I knew it might get too thick, and it’s okay. But in the future, I’ll take your advice and use a solid color stain. Thanks so much for the vote of confidence!
“Eeek” is exactly the apt word to describe my reaction to that chair too! I’ve seen photos of the chairs on other blogs. They, along with my love of miniature needlepoint, would be enough reasons for me to try my hand at a build if I weren’t already crazy with other projects piling up…
I’m going to tempt you yet, Wendy!
I adore that chair…always have. My dream…is to one day…drop into my favorite thrift store…and there it will be, in all it’s glory! Of course, I’m assuming it is comfortable? I’m sure Don will love that. I’m curious…don’t doll houses come with assembly instructions? Or, is it just a matter of things being so tiny to work on? I obviously have no experience in this realm….also, no patience! Enjoy your Sunday! ;)
Oh, yes- they’re comfortable! (I’m assuming Don’s is, as well.) Of course, they do come with assembly instructions but not everything is spelled out. Things like painting the windows or assembling the sliding door. For newbies, that makes things difficult. Luckily, another blogger wrote about how she assembled it, and I’ve been using her posts as a reference.
Ooh, an Eames chair! Once again, dear lady, your taste is showing. And it’s superb. What a chic little dollhouse this is going to be – can’t wait to see what other furnishings and accessories you select. And good grief, that poor cat! I would have thought her time of “being attractive” to the male cats would be over by now – poor little thing. Hope her family deals responsibly with the situation as soon as they can. Enjoy the rest of your quiet weekend… :>)
I hope, for her sake, that things calm down soon. I feel for her, I do. She’s a cute little thing – so tiny! I can’t imagine her pregnant.
Eek, indeed! That chair is the cutest ever! Love that you’re going the modern route with Don’s room. Hang in there, Claudia, and once you get over the hump of putting the room together comes the DECORATING! You’re doing a great job!
Thanks, Sharon! I’m learning a lot about the process and, hopefully, the next time around I will have a few more building skills at my fingertips!
O, that chair. I want it in full grown adult size. But to see it in miniature is amazing. Your are doing a great job. Everything about your project seems so exacting….like you said about the quilt….one little thing can throw the whole thing off. I would be biting my lip and holding my breath a lot.
And that little Amber….when did we ever know a cat in heat who would stay home? Hopefully it will pass soon and her people will whoosh her off to the vet to cure this little problem. Her people are very fortunate to have you and Don to notify them when she escapes from jail. :-)
And I’m sure she thinks of it as jail right about now!
I completely get what you mean about the littlest mistake… I am finding it difficult at times.
We got up this morning and I said to Honey, what part are we RE-doing today?! We make and then remake… Tedious work!
The chair is perfect! When you mentioned modern furniture that chair popped into my mind… Before even seeing yours!
It’s just so perfect Claudia. I’m am going to enjoy following along with this!
Oh, doesn’t that drive you crazy? Make and re-make! Here’s to smoother work ahead!
I think you have done a great job building Don’s studio..that design seems perfect for a studio…the chair will be a great addition to it…My son used to have a similar chair and ottoman and it was so comfy..I am going to have a look at this Reac company…I love Eames’ modern furniture style..they were two of the best designers of that time…That mini is such an amazing replica of the real one…I’m sad to hear that little Amber was out again…I have always taken a head count of my kitties at least a couple of times a day…especially if we have had company…or any of us have been in and out the door a lot…Have a nice reunion with Don..
I haven’t seen Miss Amber today, so hopefully, she’s safe and sound. I love Eames furniture – what a fascinating and talented couple they were!
Okay, that’s it!!! I gasped out loud.
I have hardly ever made a comment on a post in all my blog years and in the last month I think this is my 3rd. All to you. I am really getting hooked.
I’m glad you’re getting hooked, Karen! And thanks so much for commenting. I love hearing from you.
Wishing you look with your “top secret’ project Claudia and impressed you managed to avert the need to start anew!
By the skin of my teeth, Grace!
I hope Don’s being a good boy and staying away from the blog, he will be delighted with his surprise.
He just got home. Hopefully, he’ll heed the warning!
That Chair! I love it! My uncle Jim had a chair exactly like that in his den when we were all small children. I loved setting in it it was so comfortable. I am sure he still has it, thought I haven’t been to his house in years. Too far across the state to just stop by. I think Don will love it.
I want a real-life version, too!
Hi Claudia, I came across this website this morning, I have only had a quick look, but it might be worth checking out. Modern Mini Houses; http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com.au/p/where-to-buy-modern-minis.html. I would love a doll house of my own, but they are way out over my budget. Good luck with Don’s, I’m sure he will love it.
I’m familiar with that site, Jan. It’s a wonderful resource. I wonder if I have it on my Source List. I think I do, but I’ll check!
It’s fun to see the progress…the chair is wonderful!
Thank you, Linda!
I knew I couldn’t build my own dollhouse. No patience; arthritic hands; failing eyesight. So, that’s why I had to shell out the dough to find a tiny one already built but unfurnished. It has arrived; not fancy or with a lot of character, but it will suit me just fine; in time, I’ll have it embellished! OTO purchase for me, at those prices, so the miniature accessories/furnishings I’ve already collected really have to do the trick because the budget is shot for any new purchases anytime soon.
I never had any luck constructing anything which is probably why I also can’t sew. The one thing about this being hard, Claudia, is that hard work pays off. You wouldn’t appreciate it so much down the line if it was too easy. If it has a few flaws, just go with it; even real houses aren’t perfect.
That chair is the bomb!
I think I recall reading about Huguette Clarke and her expensive New York apartment where her father had bought more than one floor. She was a great lover of dolls and dollhouses and I believe very-precise Japanese houses were her favorite. I’ve seen photos of some of her dollhouses on the web.
On the Sunday Morning show today, hosted by NPR’s Charles Osgood on CBS, they did a piece about ‘summer camp for adults’ and it included a short segment about Chataqua, with nice video of the lake and people on ‘campus,’ speaking of coming there all their life, since they were children; a multi-generational thing.
Oh, Chautauqua. I miss that place. I leave a piece of my heart there, that’s for sure.
I’ve heard of Hugette Clark, but don’t know if I’ve seen photos of her dollhouses. I’ll have to google that.
Send a photo of your new dollhouse, Vicki!
They do look deceptively easy to put together – the “deceptively” part, PLUS my total lack of patience, were what convinced me to purchase my dollhouse pre-built. I’m still doing all the wallpapering, and installation of stairs, windows, doors, trim, etc. … which just about limits me out with craftiness :) The secret project looks great so far Claudia, and that chair/ottoman look perfect for a more modern look.
Yes, they are not as easy as they seem to be when you look at the instructions….
Oh, well, each new test is a learning experience!
It looks as though it is coming along really well, despite the difficulties you are having. I love the chair as I like mid century modern pieces! xx
That particular chair has always been a favorite. In fact, I saw it on a rerun of Frasier last night!
HI Claudia! I read your article in The American Miniaturist and found your blog through google. Your Hummingbird Cottage is simply enchanting and filled with feminine charm! :D I have enjoyed scrolling through your pages I found that you too are engaged in the HBS Denise Kit construction, and that you have had your share of challenges putting it together as have I. Good for you for working through them. Your “Top Secret” music studio sounds Very Interesting and Exciting and I am totally looking forward to seeing bits and pieces of it as it takes shape ( albeit – under cover) :))
Keep up the Great work!
Elizabeth, I’m so honored you stopped by. I love your blog and have poured through all your posts. You are so talented and you also bring a marvelous sense of humor to your writing, which I confess, makes me a huge fan. Thank you for your kind words! I’ve been ‘lurking’ at your blog but I’ll start leaving comments. You’ve broken the ice!