As in the real-life decorating of Mockingbird Hill Cottage, decorating the dollhouse’s rooms has been about collecting things over time, about gifts given and/or inherited and proudly displayed, about re-imagining older pieces of furniture and making them ‘new.’ I looked at each room this week and wrote down the story/source of each item. I wanted to get it all down on real and virtual paper – partly for me, and also for you. I often get emails asking me about where I source things for the dollhouse. I will provide all of the information I can for you. Links will be at the end of the post.
Today we visit the den. It’s on the second floor of Hummingbird Cottage.
Wallpaper: ItsyBitsyMini; Moldings, trim, spindles and newel post: miniatures.com; Floor: made by me from popsicle sticks.
Sofa: Dollhouses and More; Knitting on sofa: a gift from Julie. Coffee table: a gift from Marsha, I painted and distressed it.
To Kill a Mockingbird: LDelaney, an Etsy Shop; Bluebird Mug: TwelveTimesMoreTeeny, an Etsy shop (Spain); Flower Vase: purchased at a craft shop; Flowers: from my stash; Chocolate Biscuit Box: handmade by Norma; Pansy Painting: hand painted by Mary Bell, part of a miniature swap.
Various Bird Plates on the wall: from two Etsy Shops – TwelveTimesMoreTeeny and A LavenderDilly (Australia).
Cabinet: a gift from Rizzi, it was unfinished. I painted, stained and distressed it and added wallpaper behind the shelves; Vases on top shelf: gifts from Marsha and Jayne; Books: some were gifts, some purchased, some made by me; Singing bird vase: a handmade gift from Kim, made to match the singing birds on the piano in MHC; Liquor bottles: a gift from Barbara; Platter hanging on the wall: from TwelveTimesMoreTeeny.
Wicker chair: handmade by Casey of Casey’s Minis. I won it in a giveaway. She made the chair and the cushions. Footstool: also handmade by Casey.
It’s important to me to get all of this source information down on paper. I have been blessed by friendships via this blog and many of those friends have sent me gifts for the dollhouse. I’ve also learned so much from bloggers who are miniaturists. Their generous sharing of information has been an absolute essential in the rehab of the dollhouse. And I’ve put in a lot of work, sourced materials, found Etsy shops. Putting together a dollhouse such as this one didn’t happen overnight. I found it on Craig’s List in 2009, five years ago. And I’ve been working on it ever since.
So, if you’re getting tired of all this dollhouse stuff, I understand. However, I know there are those who love reading this information and find it helpful and valuable.
In other words, I’m continuing until we’ve covered all 7 rooms!
Happy Thursday.
This is such a sweet room! Love the plates on the wall!
hugs,
Linda
One of my favorite things. I kept buying them until I had enough to arrange on the wall.
I absolutely love reading about and seeing photos of the dollhouse. I have learned so much from you in the short time since I discovered your blog. The wicker chair is exquisite! I would not mind having one like that to sit in myself. I think you should start a ‘wish list’ of some things you would like to have for your dollhouse. Out of pure curiosity, what would top the list? I think I have almost talked myself into leaving the new dollhouse totally open on both floors—no room dividers. It has a coastal by the ocean vibe to it, so perhaps I will go in the direction of some sort of funky Bohemian restaurant/Bed and Breakfast type establishment. Wishing you all a wonderful day on Mockingbird Hill~
Love the idea of open rooms, Jeannine. I’d love to work on another dollhouse eventually, but where the heck would I put it??
Gosh, a wish list. Let’s see. I think I’d love to find lighting (battery operated, since I didn’t wire it) that looks believable. And have the money to buy it all. The rooms need lights!
“Tired of all this dollhouse stuff”? Never.
I hope the snow squalls passed you by – terrible stuff we’re seeing on the news.
The snow squalls are on the western side of the state, Barbara, far away from us. Those poor people!
I enjoy hearing about the doll house. I’d like to live there! !
Me too, Kathy!
That is the small problem here at present…where to put the new dollhouse! But, since we are a multi generation household and the dollhouse was a gift, I figure the kids are enjoying watching the progress of the new house and even mentioned keeping one of them out in the living room. Score one for ‘old school toys’–haha The other has a good location in our bedroom. I like the idea of battery lighting! Hubby suggested it for the old house when we were renovating it, but I decided against it. Maybe the new one? Tomorrow we start dying wooden shingles…who wants to place bets on a whole new curse vocabulary coming into existence???
We’ve thought of doing one for Don – from a guy’s point of view. Guitars hanging on the wall, stereo, unmade bed, etc.
Those wee plates are amazing! Love them.
Me too, Gillian. Thank you!
You have done a great job! Almost makes me want to work on a large dollhouse…but I work mainly in smaller scales. Just love all the thought you have put in everything. Love the wicker chair~lucky win! I have wicker in quarter scale but it just isn’t as detailed. But I love my minis!
1/4 scale is amazing.
Casey’s work is incredibly intricate. My hat is off to her, because I don’t think I could do it!
That last pic is my fav…love that chair…so whimsical! ;)
I love, love that chair!
Love the dollhouse posts.
Thank you so much, Julie.
Don’t you dare stop with the dollhouse posts..lol..
Okay…okay! I won’t!
I love these posts!!! The dollhouse is almost as cute as your real house.
Thank you so much, Teresa!
Hi Claudia,
I’ve enjoyed following your dolhouse project…you’ve done an amazing job! I can’t believe that you even found (made?) a little white “McCoy” vase to display in the china cabinet.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Cheryl
That little vase was a gift from a miniaturist – one of the first things I got for the dollhouse. Perfect, isn’t it?
Claudia, I am new to the dollhouse mania from of I suffer greatly. I have so many How’d you do that ? questions, so I am really enjoying your posts on your dollhouse. It is so nice to see each room in such detail with a list of where the things come from. Can you recommend a good book on how to make things? What did you use to stain the pop sickle stick floors? Stuff like that. The house is wonderful and you are doing an amazing job.
Don’t know of a specific book, Ann…I just make things or google how to make them. The floors were stained using the same kind of stain that you’d use in a real house. Thanks so much for your kind words.
I love the DEN! If I weren’t a GIANT… I’d curl up on that sofa and read a book!
It just seems like a comfy place for ‘solitary chatty person’ … ;)
It is! I love, love that sofa – it reminds me of the sofas in movies of the 1940s era.
I heard ( from a little bird) that someone is having a birthday tomorrow. Just wanted to wish you a wonderful birthday …. Lovely blog. :)
Just popping by to wish you a very Happy Birthday I hope that you have a great day. I love the little dolls house den it’s so perfect. :) xxx
The most beautiful doll house I have ever seen.
Catching up with you birthday girl. Sounds like you had a wonderful day. I appreciate your perspective, from you friends, of Bill Cosby. While it is a difficult thing to digest, my heart goes out to the many young women who, in trying to “make it” in the biz fell victim to a trusted man, celebrity, mentor. It is tragic on many levels and I appreciate you addressing it on your blog. Ann