Tag: christmas

SWOBODA DEAF CENTER IN CHICAGO

House Miniatures Blogger

So excited to share Swoboda Deaf Center is hosting their annual Winter Deaf Festival this month of December and I’m lending our Christmas miniature house where everyone can see it up close.

According to Swoboda Deaf Center (SDC) website:

SDC is the only Deaf owned community center in the Chicagoland area for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, CODA (Children of Deaf Adults), and ASL signers to come together.  Swoboda Deaf Center’s mission is to provide resources, educational workshops, social gatherings, and special events including cultural awareness.  

 

OUR FAMILY HEIRLOOM DOLLHOUSE

House Miniatures Blogger

This special dollhouse was hand built by my husband’s maternal grandfather. Granddad John A. Stock gave it to his granddaughter (my husband’s sister) Karen Stark during the 1970’s. After she unexpectedly passed away few years ago, we are very grateful to have it as our family heirloom today.

Family heirloom is an important legacy, a link to our past. They help us understand our family’s history, culture, traditions and connect with those who came before us.

I would not change anything about this particular house… except for a fresh coat of white paint.

They’re ‘BEFORE’ photos – before I simply painted the exterior with a fresh coat of white paint.

Fresh white paint in progress
Interior layout design

Below is ‘AFTER’ photos after a fresh coat of white paint, yet I decorated it for the holidays. It’s always a showstopper at parties! A great conversational piece for our family and friends.

Gotta love nostalgic Christmas ornaments from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, MI! It’s my true inspiration.
ASL holiday wrapping paper from Target

MARSHALL FIELD’S: HALL’S LIFETIME TOYS DOLLHOUSE

House Miniatures Blogger

As I live here in Chicagoland for over twenty years, Marshall Field’s Department store on State Street with the iconic clock is one of the Chicago’s highlights. This particular heirloom dollhouse, 1970’s Colonial Mansion by Hall’s Lifetime Toys is believed was created for Marshall Field’s & Co. This one is still sought after by collectors today.

This 1970’s Colonial Mansion may be considered as “plantation style” but it did not have any other trim, like a balcony. It has a Greek revival with the columns and triangular shape on the top front. The painted green roof is plain, sloping on each side. 4 rooms total with a staircase, covered in red suede. A fireplace. 2 rooms upstairs and 2 rooms downstairs, all beautifully wall papered. Each window is plastic stapled with painted white curtains and green wooden shutters.

I love the lithographed front door design as it stands out elegantly. Happy viewing!

Top Floor – two rooms
Bottom floor – two rooms
I scanned in this Hall’s Lifetime Toys label image from the reference book –
along with the other images below
Dollhouse and Furniture Advertising: 1880s-1980s by Dian Zillner
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
(from Dian Zillner’s book)
Marshall Field’s & Co (now Macy’s) Department store on
State & Washington Street – with its iconic clock
Tiffany Favrile glass ceiling

The iconic Walnut Room at Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on 111 N. State St. below

The Walnut Room during the holidays

MORE HOLIDAY DECO IDEAS FOR YOUR MINIATURE HOUSE

House Miniatures Blogger

When I received this gorgeous 1950’s Keystone of Boston dollhouse from a local seller, it was labeled as “Vintage 1950 Keystone Marshall Field’s Dollhouse”. There’s another wonderful blog about Keystone of Boston dollhouses which I often visit for reference; Keystone of Boston. Found #42 as the same model for verification.

Once I heard it’s Marshall Field’s, I got inspired. The Holiday Home Decor theme: Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam – with a touch of iced gingerbread cookies!

Marshall Field’s (now Macy’s) on State Street in Chicago during the holidays – with their iconic clock.
My Holiday theme: Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam – with a touch of iced gingerbread cookies
Marshall Field’s Winter Woodland Glam

1949 DISNEY MARX TIN LITHO DOLLHOUSE

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It is very rare to see a 1949 Walt Disney Marx Tin Lithograph dollhouse in such an excellent condition with bright and beautiful mid-century illustrations. It has shown age but NO rust. Very clean too.

The size is 25” L; 9.5″ W and 14” H. The house had a very minor denting to the roof with some scratches here & there. A rare find! (thanks to my friend Sarah Krause!) …And it got sold fast.

Walt Disney Nursery Room

HOW I GOT STARTED…

House Miniatures Blogger

I’ve never once owned a dollhouse. One day, my daughter and I found this old miniature (doll)house at the flea market in Wisconsin for $30 yet brought it home. We decided to give it an extreme makeover. Boy, was it old …and disgusting!

Of course, we gutted out everything you see – and primed it!

Our art direction: Whimsical Elf Toy Workshop / Sweet Shoppe

It was a true joy – watching both kids work on the house, painting and all! We decided to start our new Christmas tradition by adding holiday miniature decoration in the house each year.