Tiny Accessories

As an almost final touch (because a miniature room can never really be finished) I bought a tiny but realistic ashtray. People smoked indoors in the 50s, so I thought it added a special touch of realism. Such "adult" things are not always easy to find in miniature.

Little Touches

Today some little throw pillows I ordered arrived. I ordered them from Annina at Miniatures by Annina on Etsy.

They look lovely. Because she has filled them with a type of sand rather than stuffing, they have a more realistic look. 

It is now summer in Melbourne, and today the temperature reached 36 degrees (97 degrees F). Because of this when I came home my little shelf had fallen off the wall because the blu-tack had melted! Such hot weather always makes me feel like Christmas will soon be here (Yay!). 

Some Accessories for the Mid Century Room

This week I have been working on filling the Mid Century room with accessories. 

I made some art works that would be appropriate for the time period. I printed some abstract paintings, including a Chegall and Picasso. I then mounted and framed them. 

I also needed some magazines for the coffee table to give the room a homey feel. I printed some vintage Vogue and New Yorker covers from the internet and made the magazines up with layers of paper.

I also made a few books in the same way as the magazines. It was a challenge to find the cover art to print. I specifically looked for classic titles from the 1940s and 50s, including Catcher in the Rye, the Grapes of Wrath, and In Cold Blood.

I created a small liquor cabinet, with some whisky and a martini being prepared. 

There are also some 1950 stye christmas cards on the sideboard, in time for the holidays.

I made duplicates of my accessories, you can find them for sale at my Etsy store.

Now all I need is a lamp!

Mid Century in Miniature and a Disposable Roombox

This month I took delivery of some wonderful mid century modern Danish style furniture. I ordered it all from Minisx2 and it was lovingly hand made by the very talented Patie. I wanted to make a modern 1950s style room box for the bookshelf, which I thought was looking too bare.

I decided to make a room box which would be quick and easy to assemble. Instead of wood I used poster board.

I bought some textured olive green paper (to imitate painted stucco walls) and brown felt for carpet. I cut strips of which 1mm thick card for the skirting board. All up it cost about $25 for the whole room box. 

It was quick and easy to assemble. 

Then I placed it in the bookshelf and arranged the furniture. The whole exercise took about an hour and a half. Now I am shopping for some lights and some nice accessories to fill it out with.

Mini Modern Interests

In addition to my 1:12 collection and creations I love collecting for, and displaying my Lundby dollhouses from the late 60s and 70s. Lundby is a Swedish dollhouse company, famous for miniatures which accurately reflect modern furniture and interior design trends. 

I am a fan of retro furniture, so retro in miniature is right up my alley. 

This house dates from approximately 1967. I came across it in Sweden and had it sent home to Australia at great expense! It is in great condition though, with its original legs. Legs can be hard to come by. I am also still searching for its original TV antennae.

I have tried to fill it with original furniture (as accurately to its date as possible). I did so with the help of many old Lundby catalogues I downloaded from the internet. 

I haven't entirely filled it yet because 1960s Lundby pieces are hard to come by. It is a slow labour of love.

I also came across a Lundby house in Australia at a garage sale a little while ago (see below). I think this house is from the early 70s. It isn't fully furnished yet, but I'm slowly working on it, scouring eBay and other online Lunbdy site.

I have also got a small collection of Brio pieces too. Brio made some fantastic toys in the 60s and 70s which perfectly emulated the fashions of the time. Brio worked with contemporary designers such as Arne Jacobsen, to create designer furniture in miniature. Below is the famous "egg" chair in 1:16 scale.

If you want to know more about vintage Lundby, check out one of my favorite blogs,  The Shopping Sherpa or the We Love Lundy Club.