Saturday, January 2, 2010

My Daughter, the mini artisan

When my daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said that I needed an art deco coffee or end table to go in the parlor at Mindolton Manor

Apparently she was told by the usually helpful staff at the dollhouse store that: "There aren't any art deco coffee tables because doll houses are supposed to be Victorian." (this was news to me)

Being the 'think-outside-the box' problem solver that she is, my daughter looked around the store and came up with her own solution. She bought an octagonal window kit, a pack of four Queen Anne legs and harlequin shaped inlay pieces in three colours (plus stain and varnish).

When I opened her Christmas present I found this beautiful table.

















She did the inlay herself, sanded, stained and assembled.


You can't imagine how thrilled I was to receive such a wonderful present. One that is so cleverly and skillfully made with such love.


Thank you my darling daughter. I adore this table. It will be perfect in the Manor.


I will post pictures of the parlor as soon as I can take them.



Hugs to all,

Susan

16 comments:

  1. Wow... Talented and patient. You are lucky to have such a wonderful girl who appreciates the finer tiny things in life. Best, Amy

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  2. Thanks Amy! I certainly am lucky and very proud of her.

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  3. Art Deco is one of my favourite styles and the table is so beautiful! You have a really talented and sweet daughter!

    I have found some art deco furniture on the net, for instance the work of Minibydesign:

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/minibydesign

    and Peter Tucker

    http://www.roomboxes.com/#

    I can't wait to see the whole parlor!

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  4. Thanks Helene! I think she is pretty great, but I may be biased ;)

    The links are great! I am going to have a closer look at Mini by Design - it's great stuff.

    I have seen Peter Tucker's work before and I am in love with it, but unfortunately it is out of my price range. HIs rooms are inspirations, though. I especially like the lighting.

    Susan

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  5. Brilliant! Lucky you to have such a wonderful daughter.

    Btw, it's news to me that "dollhouses are supposed to be Victorian." Apparently those shop keepers need to read some mini blogs from around the globe. They'd see mini castles, adobes, haunted houses, garages, modern buildings, and more.

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  6. Thanks! And I agree with you that the dollhouse shop people should get out more. This blog community has every kind of building one can imagine - from all eras. I was annoyed by that comment about victorian.

    Susan

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  7. Wow, Susan, it looks like your daughter is as talented and creative as her mom! Daughters are wonderful. Looking forward to seeing it diplayed in Mindolton Manor!

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  8. Thanks Florine.

    It is fun having a daughter. Her father and I built her a sweet little dollhouse from a kit when she was little and she and I spent several years furnishing it and collecting minis for it. So she knows about minis.

    I have a wonderful son too, but I can't see him having the patience to do mini inlay. LOL. He is helpful with other things, like moving my dollhouses for me.

    Susan

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  9. What an awesome table, and how great is it that she made it.

    *cough* dollhouses are supposed to be victorian? Who made that rule? I think that person might have a something to say about my 1:1 victoria house with no traces of "period" furniture or decor :P

    Dollhouses are supposed to be fun. End of story.

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  10. Ello! Qué maravilla!. Felicidades a los dos. Su hija es un gran artista
    . Feliz año nuevo

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  11. Great work by your daughter and so good that she has been well taught to 'think outside the box'.

    Talk about the narrow mindedness of some people's ideas of dollshouses - would a cave man house in 1/12th scale not be considered a dollshouse just because it doesn't have a Victorian chandelier and a butler!

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  12. It is a blessing in disguise sometime when you can't find what you want and you will have to make it. That is incredible work your daughter has done. She should be starting her own house soon.

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  13. What an amazing present from your daughter! I have a Victorian dollhouse, but it won't be decorated in that style - who are they kidding???

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  14. Thanks everyone! We need to start a movement. We can call it "Dollhouses- any time - every time. LOL

    And, thanks for the good words about my daughter. I think she is pretty special and very talented.

    Susan

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  15. Wow- what an amazing present from your daughter- I love gifts that show thought and love- and then all the hard work she did too! I personally do not care for much of the "victorian" look so I will never have a dollhouse decorated that way. I think sometimes people just don't want to do the work for the sale- a good clerk would have suggested something instead of shooting a customer down. Happy New Years to you!!!

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  16. Thanks Kim!

    I agree with you about a good clerk. The bad ones look for the easiest answer even if it means losing a sale.

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