Clearview in the News

I came across this recent article in the London Daily Telegraph about Elaine Shaw's amazing Clearview house. I had not known that she literally tore up a Victorian house to create the Clearview - a lovely metaphor for all of us modern mini lovers!! You can read more about Elaine's creations on the MIAIM website, but it looks like it is currently under construction. Here are some photos that accompanied the article:

To get more of a Clearview fix, check out Linda Gavin's blog -- her photography of the house is stunning, as is her custom Elf Miniatures furniture, based on classic mid century pieces.

By the way, in the article Paris Renfroe is mentioned as one of Elaine Shaw's primary sources for furniture -- I am sure you will be able to spot some of his pieces in the pictures! I emailed with Paris recently, and he let me know he is busier than ever (good for us!). He is focusing on his 1:12 creations, partly as a result of the recession and the decreased need for his full-scale design work, and partly as a result of their incredible popularity, including his amazing Pods. He actually has been doing a lot of custom Pod work (sometimes up to five per customer!), and looks forward to continuing this work after he moves to Las Vegas from the Midwest. See more of what Paris has for sale here. I myself hope to do some custom pieces with Paris for my VERO (as a 40th birthday gift, perhaps?!).

Photos courtesy of the Daily Telegraph website

I'm Game

I'm game for this kind of day -- reading on my new daybed (from PRD!), delectable treats just a step away, and the option to hop upstairs for a nap in a sunny aerie. Chess and checkers are around for more leisure time.

I'm game for a dog, too, but that's not happening any time soon. Not enough love (and hands) to go around with the three kids, hubby, work (and all my minis, of course).

My daughter gets credit for putting the chess set together -- she knows where all the pieces go and has nice small fingers to get everything placed!

Credits: downstairs - accessories by Re-ment, AG Minis and Ebay finds; cypress table and cowhide daybed by Paris Renfroe; kitchen island and table, side tables by Villa Sibi; Barcelona chair by Reac; dog from Lucky Puppy Math game; lamp and vase by Bozart; upstairs - table and chairs and side chair by Fisher Price; bed and side table from Villa Sibi; checkers by TOMY; yellow bed cover by Ryan's Room; lamp from my daughter's collection.

Technicolor Studio

I was thinking about being in college in New York City and living in a super small (400 sq.ft) prewar studio in the west village. I had an odd assortment of furniture, new and old, and squeezed things in, like it or not. I worked, ate, slept, and played in the same tiny space. Miserable? Nah, loved it.

Now, the Villa Sibi isn't exactly slumming it, but I was inspired to pull together colorful, mismatched pieces to evoke my college years. I shot these at midnight last night, so the lighting is not ideal (UPDATE, 3/28/09: re-shot with natural light and replaced some pictures).

The desk is cluttered, of course, with food, paper and books. Always a bag lying around too. And a jump rope to satisfy boredom or to escape doing a paper.

The sleeping alcove can only fit a bed and some very small chairs and a table for late night working and snacking (didn't have a laptop in college, but don't have a late 80s clunky desktop mini!).

Credits: Desk and chair, small white table, rug, bed, lamp, pillow, book on bed and vases by Bozart; bag and other accessories by Re-ment; purple couches by Ryan's Room; cypress table by Paris Renfroe; cafe table and chairs by Battat Our Generation; laptop by Elf; sleeping platform and side table from Villa Sibi.

Eco

Perhaps inspired by my ever-depleted budget for minis and the like, I intend to purchase an eco house -- economical and eco-savvy -- $24.95 from the MoMA store. It's the Recycled Cardboard Dollhouse by Peter Henkes and Romy Boesveldt:



Perhaps a collector's item someday...? It may just be fun to place some furniture and photograph the results.

Another eco house caught my eye, but (of course) one-of-a-kind: the Moduralean Eco House by David Baker + Partners Architects. It is truly fabulous. My good friend Fiona is an architect and I might have to press her to expend some extra creative energy and build me something along these lines.



More images are here. Images above courtesy of the David Baker + Partners Architects website.

Speaking of architects, I anxiously await my first Paris Renfroe pieces: two cypress tables, won on eBay this week:



Paris tells me that more designs are on the way, at least 10, and will make it to eBay soon. Nice!