Thursday, May 4, 2006

big house, little house



You may have wondered what became of my project to make that little dollhouse from a kit. Have you? Well, it didn't go well. Not at all. I thought I was being clever to try to paint the walls and such before I put it all together. But no, not clever. All of the walls buckled and warped.

So I started searching for a vintage one. My friend Ann gave me the littlest one. I was going to buy it but here's the thing about my friend Ann. If you say you like something or if you want to buy something of hers, she will insist on giving it to you. In fact, just to show you how far this goes, one day she was wearing the most lovely scarf. Oh, wait...I will take a picture of it. That will make the story even better...



Yes, I know. Beautiful, right? Well, she was made it. Better still, she made it from a chenille bedspread. How wonderful is that? I made over it so. You can almost hear me now, right? "Oh, I love it so much. I really do." And here's the very best part. She told me to have it. No, she said "You must have it!" and you know, when someone says it that strongly, it's hard to say no. So as shameful as it is, I indeed took the scarf off my friend's back. What a glorious friend! I love my Ann!

So, in the same way, I think even saying that I must have it, she gave me the littlest house. And I do love it. It is small and sweet. I need to love it up a little. It needs a good cleaning and some repairs. I'm thinking of adding flower boxes and a little porch chair. Oh, and the inside...the inside will be fabulous, just you wait.

And what about the biggest house? Well, I bought that, my friends, at the Paris Flea Market at the cottage. And I got it for a song. It is old as dirt and handmade. And, most of all, it is big. Very big. Here is a picture of the inside:



As you can see, it needs quite a bit of love. I'm in a bit of a quandary here as I want to fix it up and make it sweet but I also want to maintain the primitive and aged feel of it too. Maybe I can keep it all old and crackly on the outside, but really clean it up and make it sparkly and sweet on the inside. What do you think?

p.s. Club Little House members, are you working on your contributions? If you are ready to send them to me, shoot me an email and I'll send you my mailing address. I can't wait to see what you've come up with!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

These are so wonderful! I love that they have such similar colors: red roofs, white siding. I see what you mean about wanting to keep the larger one's rustic handmade feel. Interesting challenge! (but one I'm sure you can meet!)

Your friend Ann has a generous soul! That scarf is gorgeous!

Funky Finds said...

Is that masking tape & frame on the first picture digital elements? If so, can you tell me where you downloaded it? TIA

Also, what a nice generous friend! You're lucky :)

amy said...

Oh! I forgot to say that they are from my friend Mo Jackson. Here's her link: http://www.mojackson.com

carrie s. said...

Oh. My. God. Ilovethatscarf! Will you give it to me off your neck? Didn't think so! Kidding anyway - you MUST hold on to that, as well as the wonderful friend you have in Ann!

Anonymous said...

Oh man, that large doll house is a beauty. I agree that with you that you want to keep it a bit rustic but clean it up as well. It is kind of like homes are not really homey unless they look and feel lived in, it adds so much character and shows it has been really loved. I can just imagine looking in that house and having it look similar to your room in the cottage-only everything miniature, weeeee!

Anonymous said...

Ah yes! Now I see what you were talking about. They are even better than I imagined. Pefect!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

your creative spirit always touches me, nudges me I am grateful for your sty!le