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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Undersized Urbanite Dollhouse Update

I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday, whether you celebrated Easter or Passover, or just spent time with family and friends. We all need more time to re-charge our batteries and relax.

I had a chance to do a little work on my Art Deco house. I think, however, that I should explain that I use the term Art Deco as a catch-all term for all of the modernist designs of the Jazz Age era. So, Art Deco, as I use it, can mean Art Moderne, Streamline Modern, Modernism or even Screen Deco (Hollywood's version of Art Deco, used in films of the 1920s and 1930s). I have to admit that I have a very (very) big weakness for Screen Deco films.

If you recall, my Art Deco house started out as an old radio case:





Here is what it looks like now (the pictures are not fantastic, but you can see that the radio has been turned upside down, and there are a few temporary, domino,stairs):


(The "flapper" is a dollar-store find).


Here are the stairs, the other way around.


The radio has become a 1:16 scale Art Deco bungalow. Here are some inspiration pictures:





The flat roof will house a patio (with red "ceramic tiles").





The inside will have three levels, along these lines (the bottom two photos are from "Lady for a Day."








The first level will be at the entrance, and the domino stairs will lead to the living room.








The "glass" walls are bobbin holders, and they will be used as book case, room dividers.





The second level will be the kitchen area, this will be level with the large window, and will have a stairs down to the dining area,


The large mirror will probably move to the dining area since I want to build one of these fireplaces for the living area:


(Photo from "Our Blushing Brides")


The kitchen will include many of these elements (photos from "My Man Godfrey"), but in a much smaller area:





The bedroom and the bathroom will be in a separate room, made of picture frames, that will be built on to the side of the house.

Here are some other elements that will be in the house:
(I love this color):





And this art work:








Wishing you only good things, Neen

31 comments:

  1. Oh Neen this is such an exciting project. I love all the images of the period and what you have done so far. I adore those glossy blue chairs. It is amazing how well the radio case has converted to an art deco style home.

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    1. Thank you! I am truly enjoying the challenge of this project, and I so appreciate your supportive comment.
      Cheers, Neen

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  2. That is so creative. I love your ideas. It's going to be incredible. I already love the way it looks. Superb!!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for such a lovely inspiring comment!
      Cheers, Neen

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  3. I wasn't expecting the white paint job.

    I like how bright and modern it looks.

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    1. Kyle, isn't it amazing how modern the designs from that period appear today? Thank you for your insightful and very supportive comment!
      Cheers, Neen

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  4. Wow how creative! Bauhaus style is seldom seen in miniatures. I'll love to follow your project.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you Drora, I am so honored that you enjoy my work!
      Cheers, Neen

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  5. This is a fascinating project and I am looking forward to seeing what you will be doing

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    1. Thank you Debbie for following my project and for your lovely comment!
      Cheers, Neen

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  6. wow it looks like you are well on your way and my man Godfrey is one of my favorite films :)


    Hugs
    Marisa

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    1. Thanks Marisa! I absolutely adore that film, I think it embodies both the art and the spirit of that time. I have spent many, many hours researching Art Deco, and the hours spent watching films like "My Man Godfrey" were the most inspiring. I so appreciate your comment, thanks again!
      Cheers, Neen

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  7. I think it is amazing how you can look at pictures and reproduce what you want and with such confidence. That bobbin holders wall is out of this world!

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    1. Thanks Grandmommy! Your comment is very appreciated.
      Cheers, Neen

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  8. Wowwow..I Love it, every detail you make is so cool!
    Congrats!

    PS
    there is an award for you in my other blog
    http:// kikansammakot.blogspot.com

    Hugs
    Kikka

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  9. Wow Kikka, thanks! This is my first award!

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  10. This is great! Good work! Hannah

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  11. Wow I love how you turned it upside down! Love your ideas. CM

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  12. Great transformation of the radio, it looks wonderful. I love the bobbin container 'glass' wall. I look forward to seeing more of this interesting project.
    A Big Mini Hug

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  13. Thanks Mary! Who would think that bobbin containers look like glass bookcases? Everywhere I look these days I see Art Deco, and so much of contemporary architecture and furniture design has Art Deco elements.

    Hugs back to you, Neen

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  14. It's really coming together! Still can't get over what a great idea you had to use the radio. The white looks really good.

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    1. Thanks Christina! I am actually getting optimistic that it will be finished by May, (but there is still a lot to do...).

      Cheers, Neen

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  15. This is a really interesting and original miniature project you're working on. I'm interested in following along as you go. I'm so glad I found your blog today! xo Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer, I too am glad that you found my site, and I hope you continue to find it interesting. I follow your very creative and whimsical blog, and I enjoy it very much. Thank you for your encouraging comment!

      Cheers, Neen

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  16. I just found a blog that has printies of Art Deco era fashion plates, I think that you will like them.

    They are at
    http://artfullymusing.blogspot.com/p/free-images.html

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    1. Mary, thank you for letting me know about that blog! Not only does it have Art Deco fashion plates, but it has many other printies that would be suitable for my house. During the 20s and 30s, many modern homes had some Egyptian decor and that site has Egyptian printies. Also, a fashionable lady at that time (like today) would have beautiful perfume bottles, and that site has some wonderful perfume labels. I am going to have fun exploring that site. Thanks again!

      Cheers, Neen

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    2. Hi Neen, I'm so glad that you found so many fun things.
      A Big Mini Hug

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    3. Thanks Mary, and hugs to you as well!!
      Cheers, Neen

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    ReplyDelete