Look what I found at Value Village recently. A Mini Mundus wardrobe kit! Complete and unopened - for only $2.99. I love building furniture kits. I find it so relaxing and I am usually delighted with the end results. I feel like such a craftsman. I am not so hot at staining them, and they don't always turn out they way I imagined. But I love them anyway, and hope I am getting better as I go.I have built several Xacto House of Miniatures kits. That's basically what I did all winter. I had several from a previous doll house passion - about 25 - 30 years ago. I had been moving the box of kits around with me for decades and decided it was finally time to build them. Once I started was hooked.
After that I got on eBay and bought all the kits I could get. I am busy building the Realife Victorian bedroom right now. I am very pleased with the way the Eastlake set is turning out.
But I had never heard of Mini Mundus kits. A quick google search tells me that they are from Germany. The kits offered look very much like the Xacto House of Miniatures kits. Identical, it seems to me.
I was excited to get home and start the kit. And pleased to see that even the little findings were there. I was afraid they might have been lost before the kit got to the thrift store.
Building the wardrobe went well. The kit was well designed and everything fit into place and looked good...
... Until I got to the drawers. They don't fit. The drawer bottoms are too big for the space. Did I screw up? Should I have foregone that second glass of wine? Did I glue the real drawer bottoms into the wrong place? No, the wardrobe looks perfect so far. Nothing seems to fit wrong.
By this point it was eleven o'clock and past my bedtime. I decided that discretion was the better part of valour and put the drawer pieces back into the box. I will re-visit the drawer bottoms on a wineless day when I have my wits about me and my reading glasses on. Soon, I will have pictures of the finished wardrobe for you. (I hope.)
What a treasure! I understand those kits are kind of rare and fetch a high price on ebay!(kind of weird about the drawer bottoms but I know you'll figure it out and have a gorgeous piece!)
ReplyDeleteNow you tell me. I wondered why I had never heard of these kits before. Maybe I should have put it on eBay and made some dollhouse money. But, no, I really love this kit and I was so excited to find it. I'm glad I built it. I know I will be able to fix the drawers. I just need to cut new bottoms.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cate & David!
I went to my favorite thrift store (again) this morning and I didn't see anything like this! What a great find!
ReplyDeleteI know Kathi. This is a very unusual find. The funny thing is that the same day I found a bag that had three bags of dollhouse shingles in it for only $2.99. I rarely find real dollhouse stuff, but it sure is a great feeling when I do.
ReplyDeleteI build from kits although not furniture and hate it when it happens like this and usually when you are tired too! But no fear, the next day, you will figure out something and they will fit, eventually. Will be back to see when they do
ReplyDeleteThanks Sans. You're right. These things happen when you are tired. I just didn't have the energy to figure it out that night. I am planning to cut new drawer bottoms unless they suddenly fit next time I look at the kit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find and the price was great too!. It is turning out really well and I can't wait to see it finished. It is strange about the drawers - maybe they might just require a little sanding?
ReplyDeleteNo, they are bigger than that. I haven't had time to look at it again. but I'll probably finish it this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Susan
I love this kit...I too have made it, but had no problems with the draws. I prefer a painted finished more so than staining...??
ReplyDeleteune-petite-folie.blogspot.com
I haven't had time to go back and look at the drawers again, so maybe the only problem was the wine I was drinking while building the kit. This kit would look good painted. If I ever get it finished I'll consider that. Maybe with little flowers, etc.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I just went to your blog and it is wonderful. I love it! I am now following it so I don't miss any of your beautiful posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Susan
Thanks so much Susan, so lovely to have you along for the 'ride'...You can see my kit of
ReplyDeletethis amazing little wardrobe in the main bedroom...I love the 'mini mundus' kits...but you bought yours sooo cheap!...very lucky. Most of the furniture in my house is made from kits...I probably should say 'all' of the furniture is.
Regards, Linda
Linda, the wardrobe looks great painted white. I love the other furniture and accessories you have too. White does give the 'French' effect.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Susan