WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE...

I have only mentioned a bajillion times we are moving.  I know I am acting like the first person to have ever moved (just wait until I get preggers), I actually feel like the first person to have ever moved.  We are moving into a MUCH smaller space.  A doll house sized apartment.  I basically live in a mansion now and am moving into a space 1/2 the size of my master bedroom.  Why? Rent.  I will be saving $500 a month, which is not a lot when you live in a mansion, but a mansion is expensive to maintain.  The Fancy and I have decided to downsize, save like banshee's and start looking for an exit plan from Los Angeles. I want a house baaaaadly. Currently a dollhouse is in order for Miss B--for now.  I have to keep taking deep breaths and telling myself 'this is only temporary, we are saving, we won't be here forever, this is a fine lil' lily pad for right now'.  We sold all our normal size furniture and will need to replace with tiny alternates.  For those living in spaces built for gnomes and Keebler elves I will try to show you where I am going with making this dollhouse a 'home'. I will take photo's but for now here are some of the ideas I am playing around with (click on pic for a larger version).

Okay we don't really have a 'dining area' per se but we have a nice expanse of wall and this will encroach a little on our 'living' room and my 'office' (read closet) but we eat at home A LOT so I don't want to not have a designated area for eating.  The table is inspired by the Eero Saarinen Pedestal version, an Ikea purchase for less than $150 bucks!  It will also double as a study table for the Fancy.  The chairs are very Ghost-ish and I think will 'disappear' quite nicely giving the appearance of more space, they are a bargain. To soften the chairs (both visually and physically) I am considering some faux sheep skins.  Of course if you don't care about baby animals you can buy the authentic version at Ikea for under $20 bucks a pop. Yes, Ikea will be a main pit stop during the transformation of the dollhouse (that and Goodwill + Craigslist).  The idea here is to save as much as possible but to not live in squalor or slip into a deep, dark depression.

I am thinking that if we blew up an over-sized image of a landscape that it would give the impression of another window which will again open the space up.  I found this image on a free photo stock site and manipulated it within an inch of it's life in Photoshop. It's a beach scene in Brazil, I quite like it.  The Fancy isn't sold. I think a colorful image against my bright white walls and white furniture will look sa-weet.  I am also thinking about mounting this oversized image on a block (this tute requires putting in an oven, so that might be a point of contention). I think I can make it myself but it could be a DIY project gone awry. We'll just have to see.  I will keep you updated on the progression.

Tomorrow photographer Monica Shulman will be back for part ii of her guest post.  Souvenir Foto students your asssignments are due and assignment 4 will be posted.  Then I will go find a corner to rock in.  You know the norm.

P.S. If you have any suggestions on where to get miniature furniture please let me know...

P.P.S. Mrs Limestone found this, which might work for our living room as a pair. I love Mrs. Limestone, wish the 'Limestoner's' would adopt me...