Monday 12 March 2018

Inside Number 62




It's official, I'm now utterly obsessed with dolls houses.

This was the original 1932 catalogue advert for my inherited dolls house. The Lines Brothers toy-making company was founded by brothers Walter, William and Arthur Lines on returning to civilian life after WW1. They used Tri-Ang as a brand name since a triangle is made from three lines and at one time the London-based company claimed to be the largest toy maker in the world. From the 1930s through until the 1950s Tri-Ang produced a large proportion of Britain's dolls houses - each style was issued with a different number (numbers 49 through to 53 are Art Deco mansions to kill for, see HERE). During the late-1960s business started to flounder and sadly, in 1971, Tri-Ang ceased trading.


Mum's childhood pride and joy can no longer be described as magnificent, there's a hole in the roof, the chimneys and one of the garage doors are missing as is a double upstairs window but, according to the blogs I've recently discovered it's extremely rare for the single downstairs window to survive and to have a functioning door knocker and letterbox plate. When I was little the light bulbs in each room all worked, powered by a battery almost as big as my head attached to the back.


As a child no.62 always felt like a grander version of The Cottage, the house that I grew up in.





WEARING: Handmade crochet and fabric maxi skirt (present from Liz), floppy felt hat and vintage suede platforms (charity shopped), Indian tribal pendant (a gift from Ila Pop), Off-the-shoulder shirred hippy top (£1, retail sale)
I seem to spend a large part of my life hanging around the derelict homes of my childhood. Here's me in The Cottage last November.





The metal windows still had their original curtains - until I got my hands on them! They were filthy and rotten and I'm sure I can come up with a far groovier alternative.


Overhead are the original electrics (which I've now removed). I'm going to screw cup hooks into the ceiling to suspend some home-made lamp shades.



Can I restore it? After a weekend dedicated to all things miniature it's beginning to take shape. The new floors are down, the ceilings are painted and the staircase is a mini replica of our full-sized one down to the Wall of Misery and the papered risers on the staircase.


Like Stonecroft, our real house, no.62 is going to be decorated with skip finds, inherited pieces and hand-made stuff - no running off to the shops and buying new - I want a house filled with personality and not a soulless show home.


The latest additions to No. 62 include some inherited 1940s Dol-Toi furniture, a Tudor style dresser I painted teal, a fireplace I painted pink and tiled (with Poundland's 3 for a quid Washi tape), a pair of brass candlesticks, a Robin Hood book and an Art Deco style clock.  I made the rug from a cut down napkin (which was in the parcel Sarah sent me) and trimmed it with pom-poms. The reading lamp was the top from a used-up bottle of Jon's shave cream covered with Washi tape and glued to a Bakelite thimble I found in the button box. The pouffe was the lid off a carton of milk covered in felt, edged with vintage braid and with cocktail sticks for legs. The hipster stag's head was sawn off a broken 1950s Kenyan antelope figurine and glued to a shield shaped piece of cardboard. The fancy coat was photocopied from the book Lynn sent me,blu-tacked to a coat hanger I made from jeweller's wire. The Lundby Gustavian-style clock, bread bin, ceramic poodle and mannequin were things I already had and Helen is a brooch Tania made me years ago.  


This obsession will have to be put on the back-burner very soon - we've got back-to-back vintage fairs to prepare for next weekend. 

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday. See you soon!

74 comments:

  1. I just love the fun way you are decorating your little house Vix.
    Hugs-x-

    ReplyDelete
  2. I saw one of these dolls houses very similar to yours in a charity shop last month. I had a lovely time straightening the furniture while I waited for Chris to finish rummaging in the shop's shoe section. I thought it was old but didn't realise it wasn't home-made. It might have been either Tri-Ang or a similar company. I love the photos where you're shrunk, they're brilliant!! Have fun finishing the decorating xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's the best bit, straightening the furniture!
      Tri-Ang houses are always stamped on the back and usually have a label, too - there's a lot around that look very similar. I'd love one of the Art Deco mansions, though. xxx

      Delete
  3. I’m loving your new obsession! 💖

    ReplyDelete
  4. So cool!!!!!!! I just love miniatures!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You will have to find a mini tortoise to go in the doll house. Have you two managed to find a new work van yet?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now that's an idea!
      The van has been patched up - phew! Didn't fancy splashing out thousands of quid on something practical like a new old van. xxx

      Delete
  6. Can you believe I saw a similar doll's house to yours at a flea market yesterday. When I walked past it, I actually thought I'd seen it before, and that it might be one like yours. I can't remember if you've ever shown in on your blog before ... I can understand your obsession, and love what you've done so far, especially the replica of the staircase and Wall of Misery! Will try to take some photos of mine to show you, although it is quite boring compared to yours. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Fancy that! I bet a lot ended up in Europe. I haven't posted a picture before 'cos i was ashamed of how tatty it was but after a week working on it it's already looking much better.
      I really want to see your doll's house! xxx

      Delete
  7. i´m already hooked!!
    love to see how you renovate the dolls house - and the fun collages you do with your person in - too.
    now i really want to rebuild my dolls house in the form of the railroad cottage - complete with the garden!
    where is my japan saw???
    xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Find that saw and get renovating - we can encourage each other! xxx

      Delete
  8. I'm meeting with a friend who's still got her Mum's house and contents packed away[she's got her own house and room boxes too]. We're getting together to make some stuff next week as we reckon we'll make more progress if we encourage one another. She hasn't felt able to put her Mum's house back since her death before so this is a positive step forward she's wanting to take. Arilx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's so lovely. Miniature making could be just the distraction your poor friend needs to help her over her grief, you are a kind friend. xxx

      Delete
  9. Oh god, you made a mini Wall of Misery! That has to be the greatest thing I've ever seen in a doll house.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think it's great that you've tried to replicate Stonecroft and how brilliant is the miniature Wall of Misery? Also pleased to see a poodle in residence.
    I'm mega impressed with your photo editing, I wouldn't have a clue how to superimpose myself into a dolls house.
    Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I keep waking up with mad ideas, I blame the rum!!
      I've only gone and bought a 1970s Swedish doll's house this week, I wonder if I should recreate some grisly crime scenes in it? xxx

      Delete
  11. I’m clapping hands here because I’m loving your new hobby. How fabulous to have replicated the Wall Of Misery and your staircase. It’s so nice that the house was your Mum’s and you have so many great memories. I remember the Tri-Ang label as well xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had no idea how much fun I could have gluing boxes together and making things out of bottle tops. My Mum would have loved it! xxx

      Delete
  12. This is just beyond words too cool. Yeah Vix.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely! I have the same, but smaller, house...no garage. The two front panels with windows are missing, casualties of my little sisters I think! I keep meaning to do it up, you've inspired me :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello, Julie!! You must have a bash at doing yours up. There are plenty of spare windows and doors out there but they're quite expensive, I might try and remake the missing ones with cardboard and those plastic boxes the raspberries come in! xxx

      Delete
  14. I am loving what you're doing with the dolls house. The 'Wall of Misery' is just superb. I also spied a mini spider plant - did you do it - of course you did - but how?

    I love how you've digitally entered the dolls house and your outfit is just fab. Every time I see that crochet skirt my fingers are itching to start making more squares...

    As obsessions go it's a pretty marvellous one to have!
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'd be able to knock one of these skirts up in no time, do it!!
      Linda made me the spider plant, I think she used gardening wire. I'll have to ask for a tutorial! xxx

      Delete
  15. Loving your dolls house. A few years ago I was obsessed with Pullip dolls and did rooms for them in a bookcase. Then I got a cat and that ended that. One doll had a string bag hammock, My hippie doll had the ceiling of her room decorated with purple paint footpints the idea for I got from a photo of a hippie van.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those Pullip dolls are incredible but string and cats aren't a good thing, are they? xxx

      Delete
  16. How fun, Vix!!! I, too, am a big fan of the tiny wall of misery. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. And that is personality with a capital P! Love all that Bollywood color mixed with bold patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your dolls house is so exciting! i hope you are going to put a ghost in the attic and make yourself a cocktail cabinet? Miniaturising yourself into the house makes your posts really fun, hope you can repair the windows. Betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was toying with a globe cabinet - just like mine! xxx

      Delete
  19. Your dolls house project must be so rewarding , bringing back to life all those childhood memories. Your decorating is so good reflecting you brilliantly. You have inspired me to look at the dolls house stored in the attic that my father made for my sister, maybe a good Winter project. I do love little Vix in her doll house. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please join the doll's house club, Jill! You'll have loads of fun! xxx

      Delete
  20. I love your inventiveness and it's so much more interesting than a load of bought for purpose stuff would have been.
    You're really capturing the essence of your own home, it looks like such fun!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love scrolling through the listings on eBay for ideas! xxx

      Delete
  21. It makes me wish I had a proper dolls house when I was younger. I had a plastic and cardboard Barbie house, it would never stand the test of time.
    What fun to recreate your own home in miniature - I love the hall and stairs! You'll have such fun finding things to fill the house, I'm a little jealous!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved playing with my doll's house as a child but it's much more fun as an adult 'cos I can make silly things! xxx

      Delete
  22. I have always been obsessed with dolls houses, what a fun project, love it! Plus I love the way your dolls house is gonna be totally your own style. Enjoy it :) Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies - fashion and beauty blog

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thats very similar to the one I had, mine had a porch on the left instead of a garage on the right. There were chimneys that stuck into the roof with long nails (oh health and safety!) and a painted plaster fire and hearth. I always particularly liked the tin windows, I can hear the little click as they snapped shut now....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tell me about it, when you look at all those tiny bits, nails and metal they're a death trap - I'm amazed I never injured myself as a child! x

      Delete
  24. Love the staircase , If that's a sign of the rest of the house it will be fantastic, I cant wait to see it xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It was fiddly papering those risers, I can tell you! xxx

      Delete
  25. I love the way you are hanging out in your old houses dreaming.
    I still love that one of you in the window.
    Your creativity is blooming. I love hearing the backstory to all your creations.
    You are really great at finding odds and ends that will fit!
    xo Jazzy Jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love this miniature-making life, anything is possible as long as you've got glue! xxx

      Delete
  26. I can see how you would go "down the rabbit hole" with something like this. Miniatures really appeal to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are seriously addictive. I love that I can picture a piece of furniture and create it in an hour using bits and pieces of junk! xxx

      Delete
  27. OMG I love the Art Deco houses!! I saw a dolls house not too dissimilar to yours in an antiques centre on Saturday, it was I think £70ish, which I didn't think was too bad compared to what I imagine new ones must cost. The Wall of Misery is fab! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aren't they amazing? I wonder how many survived? I've never seen one in real life!
      £70 doesn't sound too bad. Some are silly prices on eBay. xxx

      Delete
  28. I love that you're bringing new life to this old treasure, and doing it all with found and recycled bits and bobs, and your trademark style and creativity! Looking forward to the end result.

    I've discovered that there are many second-hand examples of my beloved, long-lost, 1970's Lundby dolls' house for sale on eBay and Etsy, so I'm edging dangerously close to being sucked in myself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hooray! I hoped you wouldn't hold out for long. Another recruit to the doll's house club.
      I always wanted a Lundby when I was little. I've been stalking them on eBay, too. Yesterday someone tagged me on a post on Instagram and now I'm the proud owner of one! xxx

      Delete
    2. My husband would surely despair of me, as we already have a completely overcrowded house and I'm supposed to be decluttering, not accumulating more treasures!

      Anwyay, I'm now very much looking forward to your transformation of the Lundby house too - you'll soon have a whole street of dolls' houses at this rate!

      Delete
  29. I think it's wonderful that you are "renovating" your inherited doll house. I'm impressed by the things you done with it so far (the "Wall of Misery" is awesome) and I can't wait to see it when it's all done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had a get a man in to help with the roof - Jon!! It's looking much better, hopefully there'll be a big reveal next week! xxx

      Delete
  30. Augh, now you're making me want a doll's house. I had one as a kid, but it got tatty and was thrown out in one of our many moves. There's something compelling about a miniature world. I love the way your doll's house matches the style of your real house.

    Also - so *that's* where the company name Tri-Ang came from. I always thought it was an odd one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get a doll's house - join the gang! I loved them as a child but it's even more exciting now I'm old enough to be trusted with scissors and glue! xx

      Delete
  31. getting a little carried away? I was talking to our office woman and she showed me a bunch of youtube videos of people making tiny things out of flat backed rhinestones and sequin. Tiny hand soap, anyone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no, that's got me intrigued! I better stay away from YouTube or I'll be equally crazy! xxx

      Delete
  32. Your new obsession is so lovely, and it really becomes you! I just love how your second home takes after your first, real size one - bright colors, all sorts of curiosities, hand-made and everything so Vix! I also love the way you place the miniature you in these lovely rooms. You are a genius when it comes to imagination! <3

    ReplyDelete
  33. Dear Vix,you should check out kelly sue decor delight on instagram,the most fantastic seventies house in Michigan,U.S.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! I've just found her page - thanks so much, Jennifer - inspiration galore! xxx

      Delete
  34. Hi Vix, I'm glad you're having so much fun with this. I love the replica of your Wall of Misery. Perhaps you could make and sell these dollhouses in your stalls one day? Xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! Don't encourage me, I'll be buying every doll's house I can find! xxx

      Delete
  35. This is so much fun! I love how you have recycled lids and things to make objects! It's looking sooo good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kezzie! I'm seeing everything in a new light - a bottle top starts looking like a waste bin or a circular shelf now! xxx

      Delete
  36. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  37. wow, what an amazing doll house!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix