New Acquisitions: Adrian Cooke and Kitty Puppenmobel

I know, quite a combination of acquisitions here...but I like the unexpected nature of this, and it speaks to my inclinations as a collector.

This soft metal chair set was made by Adrian Cooke of the USA in the late 1800s. I've seen these chairs before in reference books and on other blogs so they caught my interest when they popped up on eBay; my best offer price of $30.99 was accepted. I challenged myself to use the chairs in one of my midcentury houses, which was fun.

The Kitty Puppenmobel pieces came in their original box, very cool. Also bought on eBay, the set, which dates from the early 1960s, was a best offer purchase of $18.99. These pieces were not as difficult to use in one of my houses, but the light blue and yellow colors were a bit of a challenge.

Any new "opposite acquisitions" lately? Do you like to collect like this too?

Credits: Adrian Cooke scene: table by PRD Miniatures; globe lamp by minimodernistas; cabinet is vintage German. Accessories are Dragondee, Re-ment, Michaels, minimodernistas, The Shopping Sherpa, and Lilu Shop on Etsy. Puppenmobel scene: table is Ryan's Room; arc lamp is an eBay find; initial pillows by Dale's Dreams; side table by Patie of minisx2. Accessories are K. Delaney, Ray Storey, and dollhouse show finds.

The time it took me: 45 minutes combined

I'm Still Here

Yes, I am still here! It has been a very long time since I posted last. Life has been quite full, and I feel pulled in many different directions. Sometimes it is difficult to stop moving and take some time to "mini."

So perhaps I should alleviate the pressure of doing my usual length posts each time, and make the effort to post "bite-size" things more often. I'll try it. Can't promise I won't diverge from the plan!

I've gotten a few new acquisitions lately, nothing major. My lack of time to blog also means a lack of time to troll eBay for various finds. I got this art deco-style dresser for a song...it looks quite at home in my Gottschalk room box, no?

'Til next time!

The time it took me: Really, no time at all!

Credits: Table is by Paul MacAlister; dresser is a vintage eBay find. Accessories are Manor House Miniatures and another eBay find.

Second Time Around

Ever go to rummage or estate sales and look intently around for a buy? You do a loop through the aisles and weave through the tables and think you've seen all that is there...but then you think to take a second look, and poof! You've found a little treasure!

I'm getting to my point here: this desk in my Gottschalk room box. It's actually not really a miniature desk; I  cannot tell you what it was intended for, though. Perhaps some sort of napkin holder, or other household contraption? I found it at a local church rummage sale this weekend and picked it on that second time around the housewares room for a cool quarter (half off the original price of fifty cents)!

I've used the humble little "desk" here with a very sophisticated piece by Patie of minisx2 on Etsy. You might recall from this post that my first Zig Zag shelving arrived broken...I used it anyway because it is so awesome, but Patie whipped up a replacement one with an extra set of gray-greenish sliding panels! It is lovely, no?

Do you like to mix "high" with "low"?

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Credits: Couch is minimodernistas; shoe shelf is vintage German; desk is a rummage sale find; chair is CB2; zig zag shelving is by minisx2; plant and lamp are AG Minis; planter is from West Elm; filing box is by The Shopping Sherpa. Accessories are Re-ment, ELF Miniatures, Nancy Tobey, The Shopping Sherpa, AG Minis, Michaels, and random doll house store finds.


The time it took me: 27 minutes

Woodsy

Mushrooms! I couldn't resist picking up a few of these brass mushroom drawer pulls from the clearance bin ($5.95) at Anthropologie. I love their sheen and texture and thought they might work as ottomans in a mod scene. I actually do not have a harmonious relationship with mushrooms...I've despised them since I was a kid, but have been trying to be more open minded in my adult years. They are on my list of things to try and love this year. Cucumbers and fish were last year (usually separate, not together!).

Why ottomans? Well, I guess they could be stools or a side table too. I actually googled "mushroom ottoman," and was pretty floored by all the results. Here are a few, some more literal than others!

Cream ottoman

A 1968 ottoman by Pierre Paulin

Plush ottoman on Etsy

Storage ottoman

Anyone growing any mushroom ottomans in their dollhouses?

Maybe I'll find a fungi or two at a local dollhouse show tomorrow morning. I haven't been to a show in a long while, so we'll see what I turn up!

Credits: Mushroom ottomans from Anthropologie; couch is minimodernistas; couch platform are two wood flooring samples from Home Depot; desk is ELF Miniatures; shelving is PRD (totally lazy and moved it directly from another scene); chair is a vintage eBay find; plant is AG Minis; croissant plate on couch by Petit Plat. Accessories are AG Minis, Lilu Shop on Etsy, Re-ment, Mighty World, my local toy store, beads, ELF Miniatures, and Manor House Miniatures.

The time it took me: 32 minutes