Thursday, May 21, 2009

Frank Lloyd Wright by LEGO!





I am BEYOND thrilled at these new Architecture sets from Lego. PrairieMod has the full scoop, including the text of the press release from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation here. The Architecture series appears to be limited edition (and distribution) and from a few quick google searches, so far includes the Sears tower, the Empire State Building, the Space Needle and the John Hancock observatory (pictures here from ifitshipitshere blog).

After the initial Lego-induced euphoria wore off, I read a little more and realized that these are tiny little sets, mostly for collecting purposes. This will not be your 20+ hour Taj Mahal assembley (or Millenium Falcon or Death Star, if you prefer). Also, I think the Guggenheim set resembles Moon Base Alpha a little more than the iconic museum. In such a small scale, it's difficult to capture the graceful lines of the gradually expanding levels.

I do wish the Fallingwater set was on a larger scale (Husband is shaking his head vigorously "NO!"). This one on youtube is pretty amazing: Fallingwater on Youtube.

Here's to hoping they continue to expand the line! Meanwhile, Fallingwater shall be mine.

You can purchase the existing landmark sets and the Guggenheim set here at brickstructures.
Images copyright LEGO, Brickstructures and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

Update: pubdoll confirmed that the scale of these sets is TINY. (but still rather cute). Check out her Guggenheim here.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Paris in Springtime







I wish I was taking a trip to Paris, but a new batch of Paris Renfroe minis is a pretty good way to bring some spring fever to the dollhouses. I've had the new sofa, coffee table and mirror for a month or so, but hadn't gotten around to cleaning out my previous setup in the Kaleidoscope House great room. The arrival of some new Megahouse miniatures and the new Reac chairs provided the proper incentive. I really like the new blender and coffee machine/pot.





I'm starting to think I need a new kitchen set, much as I love the Miele appliances, combined here with the ELF stove unit. Maybe it's time to take a look at the ELF kitchens again, or perhaps a PRD kitchen . . .





Of course, the PRD sofa is wonderful...



And one of the new Reac miniatures made it in - the Eames elephant! They come in a matched pair, one natural finish, the other in a slightly metallic orange.





My four year old niece came over to play yesterday, and uncannily made a bee-line for this room, before I had a chance to photograph. She's never had much interest in the Kaleidoscope House previously, preferring the Stockholm instead. It took all of my wheedling skills to refocus her attentions on the Stockholm (I emptied out the downstairs room for her to decorate entirely on her own . . .she really just wanted many chairs to seat the pinky girls). Kitty also gamely contributed to the bait-and-switch effort by allowing herself to be fed treats and petted.



One last shot of another of the new Reac chairs . . . .

Credits:
Sectional sofa, coffee table, and wood-edged mirror are Paris Renfroe Design.
Entertainment unit is Selecta.
Kitchen is Theo Klein Miniworld with a stove/oven unit from ELF Miniatures.
Dining table is By Barb, with Design Interior Collection Chairs from Reac.
Accessories are: Re-ment, Megahouse, Lil' Bratz, Reac Japan, Bertie's Dollhouse Miniatures.
Art is a coaster.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

New Reac Chairs



I just received my order from Hobby Link Japan of the Design Interior Collection Series 6 chairs. Oh man, they are some good looking chairs. My favorite is the chaise.



The detail is amazing - especially when you flip it over. The screws, the mini buckles on the straps. I can't wait to use this in a scene.

Friday, May 8, 2009

PetitPlat Contest

The incredible PetitPlat is having a contest to celebrate her first anniversary on etsy.

The details are on her blog here, but the nitty gritty is that she's giving away a $35 shopping spree on her etsy store.

An example of her tremendous skills:





And my favorite - mini salmon steaks (as earrings)!



Makes me want salmon tonight . . .

I highly recommend checking out Petitplat's etsy store, if just to marvel at the amazing detail!