I'M.......A.......GIANT.......BLOG CHALLENGE!!!
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011 119 Comments Oh my goodness i do have big news, yes i do. HUGE, really. I've been looking for a house to buy for a while. Shopping everyday, scouring the classifieds, dreaming of all the space i'll have, talking to my realtor and accountant more than i do Bearcat. There have been a few teases - i'll put in an offer, think its 'the one' and sure enough Zooey Deschanel or Parker Posey will end up buying it. My budget is small, sure, but my heart is full and i've been hopeful that the right house would make itself available to me at the right time.
And lo and behold, dear readers, I have indeed bought a house. My dream house It's in L.A., it has 6 rooms, it needs a lot of work, but its is new construction in a classic style with great bones.
AND at $299, it was within my budget. The second i saw it, i knew it was the one. I could picture my very small children running around and playing in the family room, putting together puzzles, watching The Little Mermaid..... my husband is reading the paper, watching mets games in the man-cave, and then i sit in my huge HUGE closet/dressing room, holding all of my teeny tiny clothing where i powder and perfume myself silly. It's all i've ever dreamt about and i'm so excited to share it with you.
I know. It's simply perfect. YES, it needs some color, furniture, wall treatments....it sure does, but bless its heart, its my first home and i love every centimeter of it. The inspector was all, 'Uh there isn't any plumbing and it only has three walls' and i realize that can be a problem, but nothing a little bit of imagination can't fix. Brian is a bit sceptical about where the flatscreen will go, but i'm more excited about where i'm going to put my vintage victorian wicker dining set, hang my capiz shell (capiz button) chandelier and cuddle with my mini-bearcat.
So what exactly is happening, huh? Well, ladies and gentlemen (come one, come all - big and small) here's the story.
We are having the first annual:
S'right folks. It's a dollhouse decorating challenge. AND ITS GOING TO BE HUGE!!!!
(you should go ahead and know right now that any and all size references when it comes to this challenge are all intentional, don't worry).
Let's talk about the what's, who's, when's, how's and why's
WHAT:
Dollhouses are totally underrated, often considered 'creepy' but we all secretly like them. We do. Men love their train sets (i do too, thats next) because its hard to deny the draw of a miniature perfect world. But all of a sudden its weird for grown women to play with dollhouses? RUDE!!
So the challenge is to decorate a dollhouse. You can buy one or make something that resembles a miniature space - it doesn't have to be a 'house' per say, it could be a loft or an industrial space or i'm trying to convince my boxing trainer to do a mini boxing gym. It can be conceptual or literal. Whatever you want.
You can spend as much or little time and money as you want. It doesn't have to last for generations, and certainly nobody is actually going to live in it. Unless mini people exist, or fievel and the rat from ratatoiie decide to move it. It's a chance to create a mini-fantasy world of your own, don't worry about function, just bout looks. It's more of a piece of art and a diarama in a way than an actual 'dollhouse'.
WHO
Me, Emily Von Henderson
Morgan from www.the-brick-house.com
Erin from www.designformankind.com
Orlando (yes from SFAS) from www.hommemaker.com
Corbett (my LA besty) www.girl-domestic.com
Jenny from www.littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com
Nicole www.makingitlovely.com
and Kirsten from www.simplygrove.com
But that's not all, we want as many of you, dear readers who are probably also obsessed with mini's, to join in. Take photos of progress/process, upload to our widgets that will link you to us. The more people involved the better and we can take over the world. (read the 'why's down there and you will be convinced to do it).
So that brings us to 'WHEN:
We start this week (don't rush, you can start next week or anytime really) and we have to be finished by December 15th. We update weekly, or whenever we want (I'm doing weekly, and a pic a day), but the big reveal of the finished house is December 15th. Then in January there will be a gallery/party where everyone who can come to the LA area to show their house does so. And yes, this will be pitched to magazines and we hope to have some of yours in there, too.
You thought Google was big? Nope. You thought Nike was huge? Not really.
The 'I'm a Giant' challenge is about to be the Walmart of all internet frenzy, the Proctor and Gamble of the blogland. Or totally overhyped by yours, truly. Either way, a total blast.
'HOW?':
Melissa and Doug are giving you a discount if you click the link HERE and use the code DH15. I have the Lisa Kay (above), which i love but there are a lot of rooms to furnish, so i unless you are gun-ho i would get one with 4 rooms. They come unfinished which is great (even on the outside), and they are solid wood so sure to last. I shopped around for a while and you will be absolutely hardwood floored at how expensive they can be. So, theirs seem the best for the price for the amount of detail you get (i.e. the windows and stairs were the selling point for me.)
But you can use anything you want. Used dollhouses, vintage dollhouses or even just wooden crates or wooden boxes. Orlando is building his from scratch out of foam core. ANYthing works. I will tell you this: it can get very, very, very, very, expensive, so making things or repurposing what you already have is a good idea (AKA i am using a big wood button as a serving tray, and an Alexis Bittar big flower broach as wallart, etc). Think craft store, hardware store, fabric store (aka a large free 'swatch' is probably enough for bedding) and notions. And obviously thrift stores and flea markets.
WHY?
Um. This seems like a highly unnecessary question, but fine, here's why:
1. I have a serious love for miniatures, always have and always will. They are very small and I.... AM.... A.... GIANT!!!! I Like to hold them in my very large hands, pretend to drink out their very small cups, and imagine a world where the details of our world exist, just sooooo much smaller. It's a fantasy world, nay, a fantastical world for me to be creative beyond constraints of money and function. The space plan doesn't need to be perfect, the tile doesn't need to be water resistant, its just whatever you want to satisfy your craftiness and creativity.
2. I don't have a house and don't know when i will, but i'm dying to really, really decorate my dream house. If that sounds pathetic to you, then screw you, play with your adult sized dolls, i don't care. I love the imagination that can go into a project like this, the detail and obsession. And i love to craft and its been wayyyy too long since i did something like this for me.
3. I want something that i can pass down to my children, and they can pass it down to their children. I love all dollhouses, but yes, they can be very victorian, granny, predictable, and even creepy. Mine is going to look eclectic, modern, vintage, colorful with lots of wallpaper, brass, florals, graphic patterns, a mix of old-timey wingbacks (reupholstered, of course) worn leathers, and regency furniture....with a little big of laid-back country in there, too. This is not your grandmas dollhouse, no siree, bob.
4. Because its something to do together. Whether you are doing this with your daughter (or son) or with your friend (like we are in Corbett's garage which was going to be the 'man-cave' but is now the 'dollhouse-cave' much to the 'mans' severe, and understandable, dislike); or online with all of us - its something that we can all do together, talk about, swap stories, compete for furniture on ebay and not feel ridiculous.....together.
It's like a virtual Quilting Bee. Just a bunch of people crafting together and not making eachother feel weird. Lets not be ashamed of having a 'hobby'. Let's not be afraid to love the detail that goes into miniatures, the workmanship, the obsession. It's a forgotten craft that we are going to give its full and due respect.
So here's a sneak peak into mine:
I'm just starting my mood-board and general plan now, soon to be revealed.
I'm like a little kid. In a little house. i'm so excited. And i can't wait to have you all over to visit for the weekend, although pack light, .....there isn't a lot of extra space...
So dear readers, bloggers, magazine editors, family and friends.....
WHO IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE????????? Who wants to make something that will not only be passed on to the next generation but be a detailed sculpture for you to enjoy now? The more the merrier. Tell your friends, tell your bosses. Blog, tweet, facebook and link it the eff in.
LETS GET WEIRD, IN A VERY SMALL WAY.
YOU IN?
Reader Comments (119)
I love this idea. I wonder if my parent's still have my old doll house from when I was a kid, it could use some style.
OMG if you are obsessed with minis, you HAVE to go to the miniature gallery in the Chicago Art Institute. It will blow your mind. They're on a 1 inch : 1 foot scale and they are incredible. Each room is a different decade and culture. So...just hop on a plane and come see them! Ha. Ha. Here's the website though for you and/or other readers to be inspired. The photos of the spaces don't even look like miniatures. http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne
I LOVE this. Brilliant and so fun and inspiring. I have a gorgeous unfinished dollhouse that my sister handed down to my 2 year old daughter.
If only I had the time...
Hmmm, I think there is a doll house in my mom's attic. Could be fun.
SO FUN! The only thing holding me back is the money that will no doubt go into this. Maybe I could have my husband make a simple one out of wood. Sorry Orlando, but I did enough model building out of foam core in college design classes, and the thought of doing that again makes me batty! We had a project in school where our model had to have functional LIGHTING...how about that for inspiration! :) I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for an old dollhouse at antiques week this weekend! :) :)
aaahhh!!! If I wasn't overwhelmed with a large handful of other commitments this season I would totally do this and absolutely love it! So as a tip to all miniature lovers out there, Charlie's House in Monrovia is a cute little design shop with a "make your own mini-garden" bar. You would love it and it would be a perfect addition to your mini house. Don't believe me....I blogged about it recently and from what I hear mini-lovers everywhere have been gathering here for "i heart mini" parties.
http://hellohomeblogger.blogspot.com/2011/09/local-finds-charlies-house.html
enjoy!
What a wonderful idea!
If you're looking for a miniature tea set, please drop me an email. A box with various sets came into my hands at a recent auction. One of my jobs this week is to sort out each set. I'd love to share one with you.
gertie
I'm in! I actually have a dollhouse that is a replica of my grandparent's house that I "decorated" when I was little. It is now sitting in my garage awaiting a rehab for my daughter to play with. This will be the perfect inspiration to get me moving on it.
There was a miniature shop in Paris that I wanted to move into! Wish I could find it online.
How do we go about getting photos to you?
Sarah
this is fantastic, and i am absolutely participating. when i was little i was OBSESSED with a "how to make dollhouse furniture" book from the library and checked it out constantly. and, yes, i have an HO model railroad layout for my son because i, myself, thing they are amazing.
hope you find a house soon. we just bought one in january after a few years of agonizing torture while looking. it was worth the wait--decorating it has been the most fun i have ever had.
now--off to build my house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent, Emily!!! SO exciting that you have launched an incredibly creative, fun, and enthusiastic challenge to all. I am personally really excited to come up with something fun, and I hope "non-dollhouse" folks join in to share their ideas. This will definitely give our mini community of miniature modernists a boost!
It is extremely possible that I will be participating. I'll be the super-budget version, haha! Tiny little food and tiny little books... I can't wait to see what you come up with!
i LOVE this idea. emily, i cannot wait to see yours - i'm sure it is going to be balls to the wall amazing. love that you're using that little brass dish as a bathtub (i assume you will?) and that mini chair - ohmygod. so wonderful. as someone who decorated her barbie's "mansion" in a shelving unit until she was way too old to be playing with barbies, i am so loving this challenge. i live in NYC and will be scouring chelsea flea for a dollhouse in the upcoming weeks. great idea!
i love you. what a great idea! if i had the money or the hopes of having a daughter one day i'd maybe join in. alas.
What an awesome idea! I would totally do this if I had a dollhouse laying around, but I don't. Plus I told the hubby I would stop spending money on crafts for about a month or so- oh the torture! I can't wait to see what everyone does... I'm still obsessed with dollhouses even at 25. I never had a good one but my wealthy best friend had an awesome one with working electricity! I'm still jealous.
I think I'm in! Last year I won some small mid-century furniture on ebay that I was planning to use for a diorama and never did out of fear others would think me a bit weird. So hears my chance to decorate to my hearts content and share with others who also are in love with miniatures! Great idea!
I think I may represent from the East Coast and do this. I already have an email out about a dollhouse on Craigslist that would be a STEAL for what they are offering. Are we doing weekly updates somewhere here? Maybe a weekly post where we can all link to our sites/flickr accounts?
Genius! I too am a lover of tiny things, so of course I think this idea is incredible. I already own so many tiny things, it's sick. 'Bout time I put them to use. And my bday is next week sooo...methinks I should ask for an unfinished dollhouse!
Ooooh what fun!!!! Am already dreaming up room ideas....
can't wait to get started! :)
in like flynn. this the kick i need to finish - oh and start - my daughter's dollhouse... excited!
i'm totally in! and doing it for the exact same reason as you...b/c i can't own my dream house yet but that doesn't mean i can't design one for a miniature version of myself, right?! how do we officially join?
I want to participate for no other reason than to have an excuse to order this teeny tiny chair from Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/80732066/art-nouveau-style-light-metal-armchair
And I'd hand this tiny rhino head next to my chair: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82141119/dollhouse-miniature-rhino-trophy-head
Thanks for the idea - even if I don't get around actually decorating a house I've had a ton of fun tiny window shopping online.
hahah I really want to play. I already have ideas. This sounds so fun, and your excitement certainly helps. I'm in the middle of a big (real life) move, but If I manage to make time for this, I will definitely drop my link and let you know! Sounds fun!!!!
Ha! I have a head start on you all! I started this last xmas and it is eclectic/vintage/modern. Everything I have made myself, right down to the petite blythe's fancy dress.
Love you Emily! this will kick me into high gear with finishing the project.
scroll all the way down to see the beginning:
http://lavitapetite.wordpress.com/category/la-petite-maison/
and is there an official way to join?
I so want to do this!!!! I have been obsessed with miniature things my entire life. To this day will find tiny things in a store and tell my husband "it's Barbie size!" Such a very wonderful idea and I can't wait to see the houses.
Count me in. How do I sign up?