M112 POD House

The M112 POD House by Paris Renfroe of Paris Renfroe Design (PRD).

This 1:12 masterpiece is constructed of solid exotic woods, sliding Plexiglas doors, concrete finishes and corrugated aluminum deco metal. There's an open floor plan, modern landscaping, a deck, a balcony terrace and even a lap pool.

What you see here isn't even the finished product. Paris is also building stairs, a Poliform kitchen and a Minotti sectional for the living area. You can watch the complete evolution of this house here. The structure is 57" L, by 24" D. The base comes in two pieces 28"L x 24"W and the top unit is 14" D, by 40" L, by 11" H. The interior height is 8" H. The second story is 28"L x 14"W x 11"H.

The M112 POD dollhouse is slated for ebay, but Mr. Renfroe will consider offers prior to putting the structure up for auction: Paris@parisrenfroedesign.com

This will not be the only venture that PRD takes to the 1:12 world. PRD will be creating more modern dollhouse designs based on a concept of stackable pod units. Additionally, the company will create custom dollhouse units based on a client's budget.

And I really thought I was joking when I said I would be broke by the end of the year. Sigh.

Images: Paris Renfroe

There's Something About Paris

Paris Renfroe. Modernist builder. Urban industrial design artist. He's exploring the 1:12 realm and what he has created so far is spectacular. The images above are a few of his exceptional miniature modern designs that are currently up for bid on ebay now. Bids start at $5 and $15 and the auctions end on November 16.

He is also building ultra modern dollhouses.
More information to come...

Images: Paris Renfroe, www.parisrenfroedesign.com

ELF Miniatures Online Store!

Whoa. I know I am going to be broke by the end of the year. ELF Miniatures has an online shop now--making it even easier for you to purchase the wonderful modern miniature kitchens, bedrooms, baths, etc. that Elizabeth LePla makes. You can also find the Miele and Reac Japan items via this online shop.

Images: ELF Miniatures

Room by Room Again

The plastic modular dollhouse by Jazwares called Room by Room Dollhouse has returned to the market. It is available via ToysRUs.

This dollhouse always strikes me as what the Fisher-Price versions (Dream Dollhouse, Loving Family + extensions like Grand Mansion, Twin Time, Sweet Sounds, Home & Stable, etc. etc.) should have been looking more like in the early 90's. I find it bizarre that Mattel (Fisher-Price) has never truly redesigned that dollhouse. I like the late 70's/early 80's Fisher-Price dollhouses but since that design, every year it's the same old same old with a new coat of paint and a different name to give the impression that it's something new. I will congratulate them on moving slightly away from the pastel pink and blue palette. The chunky pieces work well for children but the design is still way way off. And there's too much plastic. I'm still waiting for a company to make a killer modern dollhouse out of bamboo. Imagine the floors! Anyway, that entire toy company (Mattel and it's subsidiaries) seems out of touch with consumers.

Where was I...Oh! the Room by Room Dollhouse is a cool concept for a toy dollhouse but lacking because you cannot fully decorate the house/modules due to the built-in furniture structures that allow the unit to produce "realistic" sound effects, etc. When I learned that this dollhouse had been reissued, I had hoped that it was going to have a completely new exterior design, color palette and decor. So far, it looks like it is the same set of modular rooms as before. The only change that I do see is that they repainted some of the pitiful Room by Room dollhouse family figures (new version on right)...and apparently turned the little boy into a dog.

Miaim Miniature Design & Architecture

Remember that new modern dollhouse that I mentioned before? Well, here are a few preliminary images of that structure (First image [L] = front, second image [R] = back). This 1:12 dollhouse kit is called Clearview House and is the first of many designs to come from this new modern dollhouse company based in the UK. I'm a fan of the generous glazing, flexible spaces and balconies that contribute to this modern dollhouse design.

A very limited number of these houses will be available early December 2008 with a second inventory available in 2009. No final word on pricing but expect a reasonable exchange. The base of the house is 31.5"x 20" and the house is 31"h x30"w x18"d

Anyone interested in more details or wanting to purchase this dollhouse, should contact Miaim Miniature Design & Architecture: eyshaw@talktalk.net or via their website:www.miaim.co.uk (which launches in late November 2008).

Images: Miaim Miniature Design & Architecture

Guess Who's Selling The 1:12 Miele Appliances?

We got a Pottery Barn Kids catalogue in the mail today and they feature the miniature Miele appliances with their dollhouse collection. They are overpriced--big surprise there! For $60 you get the 1:12 modern dishwasher, microwave, stove, washing machine and vacuum. Unfortunately, they do not offer the cabinets or sink.

UPDATE 10/31/08
The lovely Doris N. just informed that Pottery Barn Kids has cancelled the Miele items because the supplier could not deliver. ARGH! Sorry ya'll.

UPDATE 11/13/08
Jill C. informed me that the Miele kitchen is available at Vacuums24x7 for $70, but with the promo code "save10" everyone can save 10% and the shipping is free.

BTW (sidebar), have you seen the modern play kitchen that Pottery Barn Kids currently sells? It's a beauty but...

...this bitch is roughly $1,400+ for the entire set. Scary. I would rather spend $1,400 towards an actual kitchen. This retro one (pictured below) is cool and only $100.

Images: potterybarnkids.com;toysrus.com

Empty Room

The platform/futon bed is a combination of Voila Toys and parts of a Dolls House Emporium bookcase. The chair is from Reac Japan; the sideboard/bookcase is from the Dolls House Emporium (Mackintosh collection) and the lamp is from AG Minis. All of the accessories are from Re-Ment, AG Minis and Bozart Toys.