Mini Marilyn

Ever get new goods and feel compelled to use them all in one scene?? That's the deal here.

The setting is the IKEA Lekman storage box, which serves as a great room box. Mine is purple, which is not sold anymore, and I usually need to cover the walls to mask the color and create a more realistic environment.

Brick scrapbook paper does the trick!

I'm very excited about my first items from the very talented Phillip Nuveen: replicas of Eames House birds and a Jeff Koons balloon dog. So. Cool.

And Nuveen's merchandise comes in shopping bags, too!

See my new Marilyn Monroe canvas by Andy Warhol? That came from a new line of miniature vinyl and plush pieces from Kidrobot: the Andy Warhol Campbell's Soup Can Mystery Mini Series.

Very, very cool!

It inspired me to add in the other artwork, which are pictures from the Kaleidoscope House inspired by artists Barbara Kruger and Lisa Yuskavage.

The little bulldog completes the scene, angling to hop onto the couch!

Credits: Couch is Minimodernistas; sideboard is vintage VERO; coffee tables are Patie of minisx2; cowhide lounger is Reac; plant is TOMY, but in a DIY planter; light is Lundby; rugs are felt pieces from Michael's. Accessories are Phillip Nuveen, Kidrobot, and Paris Renfroe.

The time it took me: 45 minutes

Dog Digs and DIY

While I did not intend for this mini environment to be for canines, it all came together as such once the grass "carpeting" made it onto the floor of my IKEA Lekman room box. This Schleich puppy seems quite content in his doggy pad. We now have a (real) doggy, a four-year-old PBGV named Layla, and she is definitely a loving little couch potato.

One of her favorite poses!

Cute, right?

The benches here are my form of DIY. I am always amazed by those out there who offer wonderful tutorials on their mini creations--such as MitchyMoo, Otterine, Meagan, and so many others--and do great things with their hands. My DIY is *way* simpler and does not merit a tutorial, but rather a series of simple photos that hopefully tell the story!

In this case, the benches are metal tissue holders from CB2, purchased at my Crate & Barrel outlet for $7 each. I used some cool grey crosshatch fabric from Jo Ann Fabrics, and wrapped it around a foam insert from a recent box delivery. I cut the foam to size, sealed the fabric together with a little fabric glue and stapled it down. Nothing to it.

My sister-in-law gave me these amazing Dragonfly scissors for cutting fabric

A little Fabric Fusion goes a long way

The lamp is made of craft store Styrofoam balls, stuck onto a memo clip (with the clip removed), also from my Crate & Barrel outlet. It's space age and fit for this doggie's pad, no?

The coffee table is a puzzle box, and the profile works with these low benches. See that magazine and carved elephant on the table? They are from Rosa of Minismodernas, as a thank you for entering their anniversary contest. Megan of Modern Mini Houses took home the prize for her awesome setup. Congrats to her, and thanks to Rosa for her sweet gesture!

I chose the back wallpaper from the "Serenity Stack" by DCWV. This one looked like a dog collar or chain, so up it went!

By the way, if you think this pad is fancy for a dog, you should check out some of the custom dog abodes featured in a recent New York Times article. Bow WOW.

Courtesy of the New York Times website

Credits: Benches are DIY tissue holders, foam, and fabric; table is a puzzle box; chair is Reac; plants are vintage TOMY; round side table is Mighty World; lamp is a DIY memo clip and Styrofoam balls; flooring and wallpaper are from scrapbook paper stacks. Accessories are mini gifts and Michael's.

The time it took me: 1 hour, 15 minutes, including DIY

IKEA Lekman Box

At long last I have gotten around to opening my IKEA Lekman box. I bought it a very long time ago and it has patiently awaited me. I was inspired to shoot outside today and was able to run out after dinner, when the light was growing low and lovely. Scrapbook paper fits well in here and I gravitated toward a wood pattern for the floor and then a complimentary floral for a backdrop.

I found the Lekman quite airy and light, and you can really make it look quite spacious.Next time I think I will try to hide more the fact that this is a box, especially the joints around the perimeter. Oese has used hers a lot and comes up with creative ideas to change up the space. Lots of possibilities here -- anyone else use a Lekman lately?

Credits: Tootsie Roll couch is minimodernistas; chairs are Reac; table is vintage Bodo Hennig; light is a floor lamp from my Mom's childhood collection; plant is AG Minis; baskets are napkin holders from Crate & Barrel with a natural sponge; flooring and wall covering are from a scrapbook paper pad, "Downtown Loft" by DCWV. Accessories: pillow and water bottle is Re-ment, bowl is vintage German, and magazine is handmade by The Shopping Sherpa.

The time it took me: 11 minutes (not including the setup of the box, which took about 10 minutes).