Leftcoastmini: As close to the edge as I can get.

Playing around

2012-04-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

No matter where my friend Susan of Susan's Mini Houses goes miniatures find her. She is just one of those people.

At Urban Ore in Berkeley, California she found squeezed into the very back corner of a junky old display cabinet a complete box of Black Flagg dolls. I had been there a million times, nuthin'!

I tuned my back on her for one minute in Paris on a deserted side street near Sacre Coeur and she had been invited into the studio of an expat from Arizona who did elaborate Southwest scenes! Honestly!

Modern Miniatures Magazine

2012-04-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you pinchofpepper for the template

Second try...

First try.
You can try it too, find the link below in comments from the last post. Cheers! CM

Magazine Challenge: Color Pop

2012-04-08T12:30:00.004-07:00

Well I think it was Jazzi's idea. The idea was to make a scene like one in a magazine. See her blog here

http://jazziminis.blogspot.com/ it was several posts ago.

So when I saw this CB2 add I thought of my sharp Minimodernista

couch. I don't know how to write on the picture like Jazzi and Dragon Dee do but I think it is really cool to make mock magazine covers.

UPDATE: challenge is from Mad for Mod. xoxo C

Happy Easter!

2012-04-03T19:07:00.011-07:00

Dying Easter eggs in the Louis Rich Tudor house. "I want the pink" said Dot to her brother."Don't spill" said Mother hastily. Strombecker furniture. Vintage dolls, does anyone know what they are or who the manufacturer is, bendy???

                                  Renwal plastic children's toys

"Did I remember the shredded coconut?" Alberta wondered in her kitchen... "I want a p-nut butter sandwich" said brother.

Speaking of the 1950's... I was reading a Dick and Jane book to my Little Assistant who is in Kindergarten, "Look, look, look. See Dick look", I read. And she said, "Nana, I like the pictures... but why do they talk so funny?".

:) CM

Go to page 7 to see me, I made the news...

2012-03-21T19:15:00.008-07:00

Go to:
http://www.wjla.com/pictures/2012/03/photos-newt-and-callista-gingrich-visit-the-cherry-blossoms

Or I guess you can google Newt and Callista visit the cherry blossoms which takes you to the DC local news page and search Newt and Callista visit cherry blossoms...

I'm on page 7 saying "Four more years Obama".

Had a great trip to DC. The sonogram was exciting. Made the local ABC news... Not a fan of Newt who was swanning around with his secret service detail enriching his personal fortune at the expense of the taxpayer...CM

Tags!

2012-02-21T12:42:00.003-08:00

OH Yeah, I'm cool!

Thanks to pinchofpepper who sent me these customized grafitti.

(That's plural right?) The colors are beautiful!

Say Megan, as I know you just sit around twiddling your thumbs, I want a banner for my blog. Maybe next SF mini meet up you can show me how? PS. LOVE your Giant Fashion house.

Suddenly all the mini houses in Myrealitty are in danger of tagging!

I will fill in the white to gray to match the wall of the I House. Sometimes enthusiasm over rules execution here...

OMG pinchofpepper you have outdone yourself!
Thank you! CM
FYI find Cara Black at: http://www.carablack.com/

More Grand Palais and the use of the Diorama

2012-01-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

Living in Oakland, California as I do, one is often quoted Gertrude Stein's famous line about the city of her childhood. "There is no there there". She said this upon returning to find her childhood home torn down. The rose bushes she loved were gone. She was NOT reflecting on the soul of the city of Oakland!

Now you can buy a decorative flag with the word "THERE" on it to display on your front porch as it has become such a part of Oakland lore.

Henri Matisse 1905, Woman with a Hat

The current exhibit of the Stein Collection at the Grand Palais, Paris

shows the stunning oeuvre of this famous collector and her brothers, Leo and Michael.

SF Moma inherited her brother Michael's collection which he brought back with him when he returned to live in Palo Alto, California. There as students Richard Diebenkorn (my favorite painter) and Robert Motherwell were exposed to the collection.

This exhibit started in San Francisco, came to Paris and is now headed to New York.

BUT the thing that interests me about the exhibit is that they use a life size diaorama to show the study of the Stein family.

The famous salon of Gertrude Stein in Paris.

Diaoramas are usually the provenance of the Natural History museums and often, um... looked down upon.

This exhibit has received some attention in it's use of a diorama to reinact the original setting of the Stein library. Interesting, no? But really it is more about the collectors than the artists themselves.

For more information on this unique person see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_Stein

And just to add to the interest of what a complex person Gertrude Stein was read http://www.truth-out.org/gertrude-steins-missing-vichy-years/1317135716 which sheds light on how this Jewish woman survived in WWII France.

Too amazing.

One funny note. While being criticized, the picture, The Girl with the Green Eyes, by Matisse

Was lambasted as a crazy absinthe drinker...

Which reminds me of a favorite local restaurant my guests and I loved. Le Fee Verte in the 11e.

Really I just had white wine... but my eyes do look weird from the flash. Travelling with Shale was incredible. She made sure to see all the Heres here!

Thinking of my friend and fellow blogger Shale who is beginning chemo next Friday. Glad you are in the good hands of your daughter and foxy boyfriend! Can I bring you some absinthe? It is illegal in the US, do they allow it in Canada? You know Shale... I may have finally had enough white wine to last me.

I am eager to return to Oakland because frankly my There IS there. You know who you are.

From Paris CM

Grand Palais

2012-01-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

Look what we found at the exhibit! A video where the artist placed himself in a dollhouse. Which doll house would you choose?

all pictures by Susan Hale

"Un Sorin des Jouets" I want to live in a Doll House" by Pierrick Sorin

. http://www.desjouets-unsorin-grandpalais.fr/

BUT! It is what I call my "I HOUSE". Notice the staircases?

Done in 2011.

This was in the exhibit we went and saw, Des Jouets Et Des Hommes at the Grand Palais. OMG! The Kaleidoscope was there, the Lundby Stockholm was there and antique dollhouses to die for.

Barbie, pregnant and not and as a foosball table was present! Batman, Woody from Toy Story and so many more blogs worth of stories were there BUT pictures were not allowed, until the gift shop which was adorable, well designed with small Eames elephant stools and a playland of castles, tea sets and drawing stations... OH MY!

There were several other art video pieces, one allowed you to substitute your own face in a boy or girl doll. It was a big hit with the little ones. One allowed you to control the pace of the artist on a rocking horse. Very funny to the kids.

The exhibit catalog is in French. But the pictures are in universal view. So we will show you the best parts, more to follow. I would say it was as if they made this exhibit for Susan and me and you. xo CM

En Plein Air

2012-01-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

pictures by Susan Hale

For more of this mini art go to http://Susanshouses.blogspot.com/

Paris en plein air. xoxo CM

By Toys for "Men" they mean "People", we are in France

2011-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

There are dollhouses! Shale and I will be there next week after school reumes in Paris. xo CM

Does anyone know what Midwestern Museum this house is from?

2011-11-20T07:33:00.000-08:00

Called the California House, this mini house is in a Midwestern state. Does anyone know the name of the Museum it is in? (back to the internet...) Happy Sunday, CM

Another reason we are glad we are not celebrities...

2011-11-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

How did I get on this kick? Bad dolls. Check out Pippa...

Really? EEK!

Kate? Not quite.

Click here for more:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2059007/Kate-Middleton-dolls-sport-tacky-royal-weddinreplica-dresses.html?ito=feeds-newsxmlhttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2059007/Kate-Middleton-dolls-sport-tacky-royal-wedding-replica-dresses.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Or $200.00 for this from Hamley's.

Plus Size Barbie

2011-10-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

from today's Huffington Post

Here is a Polish Doll Called "Ken's Aunt"...

She is one of the few plus size Barbie dolls on the market offered to girls AND we have met Francie from Oese, the doll made from the John Travolta character in the movie "Hairspray". I would call her plus size. Do you know of any other Plus Size Fashion dolls (now there an oxymoron...)? You Have to love that doll's serious underware... what kind of message does THAT send.

To read this discussion go here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/plus-size-barbies_n_1033106.html#s435650&title=Ciotka_Kena_Barbie

Ok my favorite comment about the article is from Judgement of Paris who says, Maybe they ought to make a doll called "Carbie" :0 CM

Earthquake in Berkeley Yesterday

2011-10-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

So we had a 4.0 earthquake on the Hayward fault yesterday. Basically right under my daughter's house.

The stairs fell over in the I house. Johnathan Adler lamps fell everywhere! Look how far the kitchen table jumped. I haven't even found the market umbrella stand yet. It must have fallen behind the chair...

My PDR shelving was knocked over but it is fine. Well constructed. I'm telling you it was quite a jolt! I am a California girl and I went outside for 20 minutes afterwards.

And while there was no damage in the 1/1 house, thank heavens, no windows cracked. All the pictures and mirrors were crooked, plates hung up as wall design fell, and the doors opened up on the china and glass cabinets and desks.

I did see the windows bow, my secretary opened and things spilled out. Notice the large phantom chair caught on the edge of the glass shelf.

When this happens the local news comes on and people call in and say "a jar of jam dropped off my table". I resisted the urge to call in local channel 4 and say, "My mini house was devastated!" Then at 8PM right after my daughter reassured my Granddaughter , my Little assistant, it wouldn't happen again we had an after shock. She slept with her parents last night. Nobody got much sleep...The schools are very prepared in California. Each child takes a bag with snacks, extra clothing and a pictue of their family and pet and keeps it at school for emergencies. In all the excitement I forgot to look into the I house until this morning! A little edgy today and guess I'm retrofitting . CM

Do you know the way to San Jose....

2011-10-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

That song kept running through my head as I sailed 25 minutes down the freeway. In traffic it would take over an hour and a half.

photo from Megan Hornbecker's cell phone

I drove by ebay headquarters through the industrial park to the hotel. I waved, "Hi it's me..."
The Doubletree hotel was very nice. The quality of the miniatures was very high. There were 100 vendors or so. Not too many. Medium well attended on Sunday. (OK just published this before all my pics are up, so will be adding more throughout the day!)
So happy to meet Peter and Jeremy Tucker in person!

photos by MiniDork

Love this Eames bench! The one in my hand (above) is made in natural wood color.

PDR shelf

Saw Paris and Lisa Renfroe. There is always lots of buzz around their booth.The funny thing is many of their customers are the other vendors. I picked up my zig zag wall unit. Wow! Paris suggested mounting it on lucite so I can have more options with the background! I love it.

photo by Minidork

Doris found this great vendor of small hand sewn items and bought a beautiful quilt made of asian silks. It will make a gorgeous wall hanging.

One of my new favorites is XYZZX Creations. William and Joan Beiriger who show "ethnic and Nature arts in miniature"

photo by Minidork

He has an African sculpture by William Asango from Kenya that is similar in shape to a Giacometti that I am wild about. I had already shot my wad by the time I saw it. their website is:
xyzzx@xyzzx.com

photo from website of xyzzx creations

Erik Goddard at: erikgoddard.com made beautiful lit roomboxes and oriental lanterns that glowed.

Also got to hang out with Mini Dork who is a blast! Must plan better for next year! (need a bigger budget) Thanks for the wine and Pita Chip treats, Minidork! CM

Tomorrow is the Miniature Conflagration in San Jose

2011-10-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

See you there! Saturday or Sunday? Hmmm.

For Lemon Cadet. My kids bought this little computer sometime around 1987? Some how the screen got lost. I will have to print the original Apple Screensaver.

from Wikipedia

This is a picture of the first Apple computer.

Thank you for everything Steve Jobs.

Update: today this item is available on ebay US
item #170646801360 for $9.99 and there are 10 available. Do you think these are still being made?
This offer ends in 8 days.

Dylan Doll House: Livingroom

2011-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

EXHIBIT A

So I REALLY love the gold curved ceiling.

But I will admit it is hard not being able to put your whole hand into the room.

Credits: back to front Amazing miniatures shelf Bozart vase, DDR German vintage floor lamp, Crailsheimer couch and chairs. Tootsietoy table Mightyworld glassware, rement plate, vintage Navajo souvenir rug, pinchofpepper Bouloum chair.

Well, frankly this couch has such an ugly maroon color. It clashes with the red items I want to incorporate. Paint it? Gray? C?
Well I have accepted the fact that the Boulom chair will live in the MH1.

Rearranging the Crailsheimer couch.

The world famous Amazing Miniatures shelf...

Exhibit B

The large Reac Pieces fit in the livingroom, the smaller ones in the upstairs.

The reason I am posting each day is I want to get back to the I house on Myrealitty blog.

Hope you enjoy, thanks for the comments.

OMG Does this ever happen to you? I looked ALL OVER for the 4th outdoor chair. Really. Then I found it right at my foot! I know they move. You cannot tell me sometimes they do not hide! Sneaky little minis! CM

The Dylan Dollhouse

2011-10-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

Mise en scene.

So I went through all my stuff and here is what fit: post card screen, minimodernista rug, barrell chair, and pillows. Bozart kid's bed, DDR coffee table for tv, Dol Toi vanity with mirror, rubber kids wood blocks, Andy Allan chair...

Rement plate on wall.

Big lamp is a Bozart vase for the base with a calking tube lid for the shade.Working on the Dylan House. I went to my house and pilfered all my stuff to immediately begin playing with this house.
I found I had to use tweezers and sticks to move things around because the rooms are small. I also will need to light it as they are dark.
I like how there are no doors to get in the way.
I put other photos up on flickr but am only happy with this room so far. I LOVE the gray and gold and white palate. CM

Update: I decided to spray paint the Mightyworld umbrella (I saw Mini Dork do this ) (Thanks Mini dork)

The Dylan is done!!!! In less than an hour!

2011-10-09T14:25:00.000-07:00

OK, so my Large Assistant made the missing dowell out of a pencil. He cut off a piece (took 2 cuts) Is this where the designer starts tearing out his hair saying, "Why do I let these people touch my designs!" ?

The last screw goes in.

Ta Dah!

OK it is finished! I !LOVE it! Done in less than an hour of total work. The hardest part, according to my Large Assistant, was getting up off the floor again... :) CM

The Dylan: Mid way!

2011-10-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

So of course I cannot wait to play!I am exploring the scale starting clockwise with the red Bouloum chair by pinchofpepper, aqua Dol Toi chair and couch 3/4 scale, Marx bed set too small. Gold Dol Toi couch and chair, the right size but not sleek enough. Orange minimoderenista pharmacy lamp, a little too big maybe? Orange chairs, '60's made in Japan which I repainted and fit just right!
Paris Renfroe kitchen, good size but extends above the ceiling height. Will need to special order. Behind the house, larger than 1/6 scale Ghost chair, White Barbie 1/6 chair, and Mattel wooden 1950's from the I House, both too big.

CM :)

It came! That was Quick! Part 1 of assembling the Dylan.

2011-10-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

My little assistant and I got the package from my house first thing this morning!Apparently she is traveling incognito in her shades.

Here it is! It is so pretty!

Under Tools you'll need notice the directions say: "screws...,
Phillips Screwdriver, and the ability to remain calm!" Showing the assembler in a Lotus position. Too funny.

My approach was to put on Football. Go Raiders.My Larger Assistant has had experience putting together numerous Barbie Houses over the years.

The little assistant complained there was nothing to do so she was assigned unwrapping. She said, "it is best if you slip it side to side" then she popped the plastic bubbles until the other workers began to complain.

My large assistant put the gray frame upside down so we had to disassemble it and start over.
Then he felt the gold floor was not fitting and we finally realized we are missing one large dowell Part#3. So far we have not located it. Probably my work force's fault rather than the supplier. It sure looks pretty though! CM

How can I resist Dylan?

2011-10-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

from the book Tom Kundig Houses 2 by Princeton Architectural Press.

This 1/1 house is by Tom Kundig and Associates. It is featured on today's "Daily Dose of Architecture" web site. You can get there by going to my mini house collection blog http://myrealitty.blogspot.com/ where you will find it listed in the blog roll.

This is the Dylan House by Brinca dada. I ordered it and CANNOT wait till it arrives. I believe it is 3/4 scale or 1/16 scale? Usually I stick with 1/12 scale but, Hey? "He who is not busy being born is busy dying" Bob Dylan. "Bob, do you still feel that way now that you are over 60?

The furniture for the Emerson is listed as back ordered. I wonder if it will fit the Dylan? The furniture for this house isn't available yet. I have questions about this in to Brinca dada and will let you know what they say. Really... this is my LAST minihouse. Really. I mean that! CM

Which mini designer's work room is this?

2011-09-27T09:14:00.000-07:00

Looks very clean to me! go to http://Myrealitty.blogspot.com/ for the final chapter of my interview with Wes Christensen. Not his final chapter, he is always up to new things. C

Modern Dollhouse: MH1 Bedroom, Roof, etc.

2011-09-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is the facade of a ruined Triang house. I sprayed it stainless steel and it really showcases the moderness of the Triang design.

Triang facade before

Facade after.

Playing around with the MH1

It allowed me to add a family room with flatscreen tv, Delph miniatures, Paris Renfroe Nuguchi table, minimodernistas chairs, table, confetti couch, lamp. Silpat rug.

More interior, Reac Barcelona chair, minimodernista couch, room divider, mustard colored ceiling lamps and lucite table, vintage Navajo souvenir rug. Vintage German roombox linno. Paris Renfroe kitchen in background.

Great party house!

Cheers! This was the house warming.

Everyone who was anyone attended...

Roof Lawn, Bozart chairs in foreground, melted Fly swatters on tea lights sprayed silver for metal chairs in background.

Great for holiday parties...Sorry for the indignities Wes...

Bedroom: Strombecker vintage deco sidetable and small wooden lamp from the 1950's, Gerlach metal vase, real Chinese Maple leaf, minimodernista bed, bedding, pillows and ceiling lights. Silpat curtain.

Mighty World umbrella and chair set on roof.
So I guess you can say I REALLY like to play with this house... CM

MH1 Kitchen, office and family rooms

2011-09-20T07:13:00.000-07:00

The room under the stairs makes a good home office.

Venice poster and map by Amatheria, Reac desk chair rement office supplies, pinchofpepper tension lamp, Delph miniature power bar, minimodernista rug.

Sometimes I use the support as a patio. Barrel chairs and table minmodernista.

Dishes, Mighty World playset, cushions, minimodernista. Drawing by my little assistant.

Fork and spoon drawer pulls. Starbucks cup rement gift of mini2B

Peter Renfroe stainless steel kitchen

Plywood chair by Peter Tucker (see my bio of him here http://leftcoastmini.blogspot.com/2011/06/design-profile-peter-tucker.html )

Silpat rug, vintage German linno from a roombox kitchen. I made the book shelf. Flat screen tv Delph miniatures.

Did I mention how much fun this house is to play with? I think one reason is how good the minimodernista, Doris Nathansen furniture and Paris Renfroe designs look in it. I am wanting that snake shelf of his... Cheers CM