More Smithsonian treasures

The Miniature World of Faith Bradford

On the weekend I visited the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC.

I was delighted to find, not only Dorothy's ruby slippers, Abe Lincoln's hat and Kermit the frog, but dollhouses - lots of them.

This picture is Faith Bradford's dollhouse. There was such a crowd around it it was hard to get close enough to see all the rooms.

It was fun to watch the children examine each room carefully, off in a world of their imagination. What dreams they must be having now.

I heard one little boy say. "Wow, that's even bigger than Grandma's dollhouse", and I smiled, wondering if he belonged to someone in this community.

I remarked to a young mother how cute her daughter was - engrossed in the tiny details and oblivious to everything else. "She just got her own dollhouse." the mother said, smiling back.

Back at my desk today I was delighted to discover the museum has a section of their website devoted to this lovely house. The pictures blow up nice and big and clear. I can actually see more details on the website than I could in person. They even offer a virtual tour of each floor.

Have a look. Click here and you will see what I mean. Happy exploring!

Hugs,

Susan

I got a Lundby house!!

Woo Hoo!! I finally found a vintage Lundby house. I have always waned one.

(Note: the pictures here have mid-century hard plastic furniture instead of the lovely original Lundby pieces that came with the house. Everything needed a good cleaning, but I had some fun re-decorating and taking pictures before I did that. I will do a later post with the real furniture.)

It just goes to show that it pays to be nice and chatty. I bought a little clock from one of the dealers at the St. Lawrence Antique Market one Sunday and as he wrapped it up I mentioned that it was for my dollhouse. He replied that he hadn't put it in his dollhouse because it was too big.

Of course that started the conversation and the following Sunday I arrived at his table to find this wonderful 1969/1970 version of the famous Lundby house complete with original furniture and seven working lights (as I mention above - those pictures are to come once I scrub a few decades of dust off everything.).

I am now the proud owner of this little piece of dollhouse history. It needs a little TLC, but I think it is gorgeous! Enjoy the pictures. The furniture is Marx, Reliable, Renwal, Kleeware, Ideal, etc. and I think it looks great in this house.

My Daughter, the mini artisan

When my daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said that I needed an art deco coffee or end table to go in the parlor at Mindolton Manor

Apparently she was told by the usually helpful staff at the dollhouse store that: "There aren't any art deco coffee tables because doll houses are supposed to be Victorian." (this was news to me)

Being the 'think-outside-the box' problem solver that she is, my daughter looked around the store and came up with her own solution. She bought an octagonal window kit, a pack of four Queen Anne legs and harlequin shaped inlay pieces in three colours (plus stain and varnish).

When I opened her Christmas present I found this beautiful table.

She did the inlay herself, sanded, stained and assembled.

You can't imagine how thrilled I was to receive such a wonderful present. One that is so cleverly and skillfully made with such love.

Thank you my darling daughter. I adore this table. It will be perfect in the Manor.

I will post pictures of the parlor as soon as I can take them.

Hugs to all,

Susan

Happy New Year!!!

All the best in 2010. May all your mini and full sized wishes come true!!

Hugs,

Susan

See my new house at: 862 Ocean View Drive

The bedrooms - 862 Ocean View Drive

Mostly Lundby with some Reac, Petite Princess and found items added.

The kitchen & view of the roof

More views of the living room