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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Warts and all, Undersized Urbanite Dollhouse Contest Update

It has been awhile since my last post, and I thought a brief update was in order. Aside from the time demands of job and family, the creation of my Art Deco Radio House has been delayed because it is very uncompromising in its acceptance of my remodeling it from a 1930's radio case to a shining example of 1930s Art Deco-Modernism. Nonetheless, I wanted to show you the house, warts and all.
The small, internal area of the house did not take well to the lovely, extreme, geometrical, somewhat cubist-style wallpaper design that so characterizes this period. So, I have had to tone down the walls. Alas, I was not able to use these designs:












Here is what I have put together so far. Much still needs gluing down, and I need to install the windows, doors, and domino stairs.
Looking up from the living room to the kitchen/dining area (floor is uneven because it is not glued in yet):




Looking down from the kitchen/dining area to the living room:




Kitchen/dining room (no molding yet), the walls are bobbin cases:




The mirror and steel finished cabinet is an old Fisher-Price battery cabinet, the painted table is part of a dollar store magic kit with a mirror top, and the drinks cart is a painted Playmobile tea cart.



Here is a close-up picture of the table with the soaring birds' light:




Here is the kitchen with stove and sink placeholders:



The living room with an unfinished fireplace and low mirrors:




Living room with large mirror:




Rug that probably will be in living room:




I am still working on a few pieces of furniture, including a credenza modeled on this:


I still need to glue things down and install the windows, doors and domino stairs. I work fast (I hope). If I have enough time, I intend to finish a room extension (made of picture frames) that is going to be the bedroom and bathroom. I have been playing around with several, painted pieces of the dollar store furniture to put together something that may become an Art Deco dresser like this (set in the kitchen for now):



And I have had fun turning a very odd piece from, I believe, a Brats shopping mall into a 1930s steam sauna:




The door opens (and the inside will look better when there is a second coat of paint, and a blue-glass tile back):




The bath tub will be a dollar store soap dish:




I might even be able to use some of the extreme Art Deco wallpaper and tiles in the bathroom and bedroom. Perhaps even this rug:




Wishing you only good things, Neen

10 comments:

  1. converting anything bratz into something lovely is to be commended! i love the rugs, and i absolutely can't wait to see the credenza. it all looks like it's shaping up nicely from where i'm standing Neen x

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    1. Thanks Max! As I am learning, Art Deco takes no prisoners, but if I can make a Bratz piece look 1930s anything, it will be worth the effort (:@))

      Cheers, Neen

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  2. You have made great progress Neen. So looking forward to seeing the completed project. The bobbin cases are so effective. You have a great eye for what can work.

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    1. Thank you! When it is in pieces (as it is right now), it is difficult to remember why I started this! Just kidding, it is fun, and I think it will emerge, er, I will emerge, triumphant...(I hope),

      Cheers, Neen

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  3. Wow, amazing..
    The Rugs are Fantastic! and love the " piece of furniture including a credenza..."
    The bath tub is very cool idea!
    Can`t wait to see more
    Hugs
    Kikka

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    1. Thanks Kikka, I always appreciate your comments!

      Cheers, Neen

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  4. it's so awesome I love how you think outside the box :)

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    1. Wow, thank you! That's a wonderful complement, and I really appreciate it!

      Cheers, Neen

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  5. This is such a cool project. It's an amazing period to use for a dollhouse. And you are doing a great job with it. It's going to look so amazing!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. Thanks Caroline, I appreciate your comment!

      Cheers, Neen

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