Deer John...

Here is a peek at the room I pulled together for Rosa's II Anniversary Contest.

Zen Retreat in Miniature

a Zen Retreat

You know how each Daily Show with Jon Stewart ends with the your moment of Zen segment? Well, here's my version. Green, organic and serene are all adjectives I'm hoping come to your mind as I take another opportunity to feature those gorgeous African stools I recently purchased. Namaste!

Details: Nothing new here...ReacJapan, Dolls House Emporium, Kaleidoscope House, TheShadeStore.com, PRDminiatures, Minimodernas, and cb2. The crochet blanket was gift from a friend.

February Design Challenge Round-Up

Seven short days ago, I laid down a quick & dirty challenge for modern miniature enthusiasts everywhere to create a scene honoring their favorite holiday (or observance) in the month of February. You've all responded so enthusiastically and I'm so feeling all the love! (cause who wants to be talking to themselves, right?) As of today, we have quite a nice round-up and while Valentine's Day was by far the most represented holiday, a few others had a moment in the spotlight even a few (gasp) that don't fall in the month of February.  We also had recurring themes like decadence and indulgence, as well as a few repeating icons. Any guess as to which ReacJapan designer chair made the most appearances in scenes?

The journey began with color and glitz of carnival over at Minis-B-Happenin' with a mini-sized float for one of the many Mardi Gras parades that was large on talent, creativity, and diva personalities. We were then asked to consider what makes Valentine's Day different from (college) spring break over at the Hard Way. Remember all the excess of young love? Apparently, there's a reason why the young guys want to make sure a girl's glass is never empty. Then we had three scenes that turn up the romance quotient.  There's a chic, mid-century scene set for a pair of "LOVE"birds over at Mini Mod Pod while Modernist Molly prepared a cozy custom made bed in a lodged decked out with all the modern trappings.  It's all hearts and rose petals at Mini Modern Mind. Wouldn't we all loved to be so spoiled (grins from ear to ear)? We're  then hit by a cold dose of heartbreak with Jazzi Mini's ode to the single woman. It's a macabre Valentine's scene that takes a turn towards the horror of Halloween. Finally, I created my own take on Valentine's Day that I called, A Love Supreme. It's full of love but  not solely the romantic kind (wink). It overflows with references to many other holidays and observances as well.

A Love Supreme, a room bursting with references to love.

Thanks once again to everyone for such a wonderful trip.  Haven't pulled together a scene? There's still time, just let me know the link and I'll add it in an update to this post throughout the rest of this month. Happy (holiday of your choice) Day to everyone!

Update 2/28/2013:

Mary's scene is at http://msminiandmore.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentines-day.html

Mini Dork's scene is at http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com/2013/02/loss-for-words.html

  

Challenge Reveal: A Love Supreme

Earlier this month, I began working on a scene to feature some of the new items I purchased or received as gifts. Last week I decided to pull the rest of you miniaturist in when I posed a quick and dirty little challenge but then I went and got all more is more. Hey it's all still very modern, plus it tells a story or 10. 

Welcome to the craft room/studio for two sisters. Meet the Illustrator and the Cellist, neither has a valentine this year so they chose to be one another's. Their month has been busy thus far. They've attended a number of events from a Wear Red dress fashion show to raise money for heart disease in women, to a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day seminar, to performing in the Vagina Monologues which raises money to end domestic violence.

These ladies are so full of talent they each suffer a bit from adult ADD (attention deficit disorder) and this room truly reflects that fact.  

After spending time earlier in the week enjoying songs from the John Coltrane catalog like A Love Supreme and making cards and such, they've decided to spend the evening watching movies. Up first...Imitation of Life. A powerful story about maternal love. Followed by...KamaSutra. It's about...well, the name says it all! Breakfast At Tiffany's, The Notebook and Love Jones round out the roster of pull-at-your-heart-strings tales of love (and/or romance). The snacks are in place. Tonight they dine on sushi and chocolate. Why you might ask? Because it's great to feel sexy always, weather one has a man or not, no? 

Happy Valentine's Day! Be sure to click through the link to read more about the February Design Challenge reveals.

Details: Lil'Bratz Stylin' Space from eBay; cork side table with script from PRDminiatures, bottles filled with micro beads purchased from The Dollar Store; scrollwork mirror purchased from local flea market; red vase inside bookcase was swap gift from Mini Dork; "Love" cut-out was a gift from The Shopping Sherpa. 

Elevate Your Style with Jean Prouve

Here's my haul from Spain!

I fell in love with the African stools featured at Minismodernas. I held off making the purchase for some time because I try to avoid international shipping fees.  Alas, these stools were too fabulous to pass up. When I did make my purchase, I added more great items to make the shipping price worthwhile, of course. Everything was well packed and arrived in great condition.  I really like that PayPal was available because it makes transactions so much easier. Thank you Minismodernas!

Guy gets girlfriend and suddenly a little style and flair are
infused into the starter-apartment.

You've seen a version of this scene before.  I began working in the new pieces to raise the level of design. (Maybe our apartment owner just got a new girlfriend.) Prouve chairs are a mid-century modern staple. Perhaps they were purchased from a thrift store in bad condition and refurbished for this starter-apartment? A day spent at the flea market on 26th at the Avenue of the Americas (Manhattan, NY) plus great negotiating skills helped our guy get a deal on the African stool. You get the idea. So have you ever lent your creativity and design expertise to a college boyfriend/future husband (or anyone else) to help them step up their design game? Please, leave a comment and tell me all about it.

Do You Like Treasure Hunting?

Charles & Ray Eames fabric and furniture.

Blue in Green

Black, white and red

Just a few pictures from three shopping expeditions.  I can't believe I stumbled across these fabric samples from mid-century architects and designers at a consignment shop!  Aren't they awesome?  These are heavy duty upholstery fabrics, so it will be a bit of a challenge to put them to use on miniature scale. I'm up for it.  The Eames elephant tables and rocking chair all came in the same Reac Japan limited edition set. The miniature artist model and the jar with cork stopper are from a favorite what-nots shop in Durham, NC. I've purchased the brass bamboo tables with the thought of giving them a makeover Shopping Sherpa style.  Who knows? We'll see what comes out in the mix.  You've seen the little birdies (although you didn't see these two colors, in particular).  They are a set of six Perch Glass Charms by Umbra designed to stick to your wine glass with a little suction cup.  Cute, no? These are the most recent items I've picked up while treasure hunting with my miniatures lens in place.  Now let's see what inspiration strikes me.